Fabiano Michella, winemaker at By Fabiano, which has been shortlisted for Best New Winery in the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards
Halliday Wine Companion has unveiled its shortlisted wineries, winemakers, and viticulturists ahead of the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Winners will be crowned on August 20, 2025, at Melbourne’s Ormond Hall at The Commons Collective.
This year, the Halliday tasting team reviewed over 8,000 wines across more than 945 wineries.
The Halliday Wine Companion Awards judging was conducted in March. Over two days, across a blind tasting, the winners were determined collaboratively by the Halliday tasting team, which includes Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale, and Toni Paterson MW.
Among those shortlisted for Winemaker of the Year was Emma Norbiato, chief winemaker for Calabria Family Wine Group.
“It’s an incredible honour to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” said Norbiato. “In a time of growth and transformation for our business, this recognition feels especially meaningful. It’s not just a reflection of my work, but a true testament to the passion, dedication, and talent of the amazing team I have the privilege to work with every day.”
The shortlist for the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion is as follows:
WINERY OF THE YEAR:
- Brokenwood
- Giaconda
- House of Arras
- Oakridge Wines
- Rieslingfreak
- The Standish Wine Co
- Yangarra Estate Vineyard
WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR:
- Adam Foster, Syrahmi
- Anna Pooley, Pooley Wines
- Emma Norbiato, Calabria Family Wines
- Michael J Corbett, Vanguardist
- Sam Barry, Tom Barry, Jim Barry Wines
- Stuart Horden, Kate Sturgess Brokenwood
- Timo Mayer, Mayer
- Virginia Willcock, Vasse Felix
VITICULTURIST OF THE YEAR:
- Chris Davies, Windows Estate
- Colin McBryde, Adelina
- Dr Dylan Griggs, Various
- Dr Irina Santiago-Brown, Dudley Brown, Inkwell
- Stephen Sadlier
- Tom Ward
- Troy McInnes, Chalmers
BEST VALUE WINERY:
- Altera Terra
- Bondar Wines
- Dappled Wines
- Garagiste
- Nocturne
- Paralian
BEST NEW WINERY:
- About Time
- Bulman
- By Fabiano
- Elanto
- Kenny Wines
DARK HORSE WINERY:
- bakkheia
- Farmer’s Leap
- Little Reddie/Patrick Underwood
- LS Merchants
- Ollin Wines
- Paul Nelson Wines
- Saltfleet
- Trapeze
- Usher Tinkler
The 2026 Companion will include over 60 new producers who submitted their wines for the first time, along with thousands of tasting notes and scores for wines reviewed throughout the year.
While the annual Halliday Wine Companion Awards recognise the best of the best from across Australia’s wine industry, the Halliday People’s Choice Award honours the best winery experience from around the country.
Wine lovers can cast their vote for the 2026 People’s Choice Award on winecompanion.com.au. Nominations are based on criteria including standout cellar door experiences, outstanding restaurant offerings, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and overall quality of wines. Submissions are open until 11.59pm on Thursday July 31, 2025. Entrants will go in the running to win a prize pack valued at over $1,300. The 2026 People’s Choice Award winner will be announced on Saturday August 16, 2025.
Seven major trophies will be awarded in August, including Wine of the Year, Winemaker of the Year, Winery of the Year, Viticulturist of the Year, Best Value Winery, Best New Winery, Dark Horse Winery, together with the third inductee into the James Halliday Hall of Fame: Australian Wine Industry. The winners of 17 varietal categories will also be announced, including Sparkling of the Year, Shiraz of the Year, and Riesling of the Year, alongside White Wine of the Year and Red Wine of the Year.
“The last 12 months have posed many challenges for the Australian Wine Industry,” said Katrina Butler, head of tasting at Halliday Wine Companion. “The annual Halliday awards offer winemakers, viticulturists, wine drinkers, and the agricultural and farming communities the opportunity to pause and acknowledge the breadth of talent, quality, and skill in the Australian wine landscape. We look forward to celebrating our makers and their wares and sharing their accolades with the rest of the world.”
There were two new categories this year. For the first time, Grenache was judged as a straight varietal wine (in previous years, it’s sat under Grenache and blends). The ‘wild card’ category was also introduced this year, which gave the tasting team an opportunity to submit a wine they loved that didn’t fit within the usual criteria. These left-field wines may have seen extended skin contact, been aged under flor or oxidatively handled, fermented in an interesting vessel, made from alternative varieties or comprised interesting blends.
For more information about the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Shortlist visit and to cast your vote in the People’s Choice Awards, please visit winecompanion.com.au
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