In a particularly challenging year for most local winemakers, value has never been so important. We have certainly felt the need to showcase Australia’s best buys, both suitable for the mid-week and for special occasions.
In a market where manufacturing, resourcing and labour have become both difficult to source and challenging to reckon with, particularly for small businesses, we must acknowledge the key players that are consistently turning out fabulous wines, worthy of our rainy-day money.
When compiling the below list, the sheer magnitude of quality quickly became apparent. This list is littered with winners (both current and of previous years), their claim to value a stronghold and cornerstone of their brands. We congratulate the Best Value Wineries of this year, and we thank you.
Altera Terra
Where: Various Australian wine regions
Established: 2019
Winemakers: Douglas Neal
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Nine
Why this winery deserves to be a finalist for the 2026 Best Value Winery award: “It can be difficult to find value shiraz, yet Doug Neal’s is producing considered blends, moving the grape respectfully but progressively forward, with deft oak handling and finesse. The resultant wines are perfumed and living, with enough backbone to carry them well into the depths of the cellar. Jeni Port reviewed 11 Altera Terra wines for the 2026 Companion and every single one of them was awarded a gold medal, and nine were stamped with the special value rosette.”
Bondar Wines
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2013
Winemakers: Andre Bondar
Viticulturist: Ben Lacey
Winery website: bondarwines.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Nine
Why this winery deserves to be a finalist for the 2026 Best Value Winery award: “Since their very first vintage in 2013, we have been fortunate to review Bondar’s wines. 80 of them to be precise. And, out of that 80, an astonishing 58 have qualified for the special value rosette. If we needed further cause for celebration, we’d only have to acknowledge that 72% of all Bondar wines have been awarded 95 points or over. And these are just the stats… The duo is also committed to regenerative farming and are certified under the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia program. And by doing better by the land, they are also doing better by wine lovers.”
Dappled Wines
Where: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Established: 2009
Winemaker: Shaun Crinion
Winery website: dappledwines.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Five
Why this winery deserves to be a finalist for the 2026 Best Value Winery award: “This is not the first time Dappled Wines has been nominated in this category and, if winemaker Shaun Crinion remembered to submit his wines every year, he may well be a recurrent nominee. But Shaun is a one-man band and I suspect that meeting the demand for Dappled wines each year keeps him rather busy. There isn’t a Dappled wine over $60 in this guide, nor under 93 points. Buy a dozen, buy two.”
Garagiste
Where: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Established: 2006
Winemaker: Barnaby Flanders
Viticulturist: Barnaby Flanders
Winery website: garagiste.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Nine
Why this winery deserves to be a finalist for the 2026 Best Value Winery award: “If you’ve never raised a glass of Barnaby Flander’s Garagiste Le Stagiaire Chardonnay, you are missing out. Each year we are bewildered at the value – the 2024 vintage is $35 and 95 points. And the good news doesn’t end there: Nine Garagiste wines have scored over 93 points; six of these $50 or under at a minimum of 95 points. Truly a producer for a time such as this.”
Nocturne Wines
Where: Margaret River, Western Australia
Established: 2007
Winemakers: Julian Langworthy
Winery website: nocturnewines.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Six
Why this winery deserves to be a finalist for the 2026 Best Value Winery award: “For many, Julian Langworthy will be a familiar name. He is responsible for some of WA’s most celebrated wines and was awarded Winemaker of the Year in the 2019 edition of this very guide. Six of the seven Nocturne wines submitted for the 2026 Companion are considered special value. There isn’t a wine over $65. On price alone, the prospect isn’t exactly a steal, but for highly rated Margaret River chardonnay and cabernet? It’s a sure-fire deal.”
Paralian Wines
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2018
Winemakers: Skye Salter and Charlie Seppelt
Winery website: paralian.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Seven
Why this winery deserves to be a finalist for the 2026 Best Value Winery award: “Skye Salter and Charlie Seppelt have a clear vision for the vines they work with: to produce wines of ease and drinkability, though also with good foundations for cellaring, and made of fruit best representing the Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale. Marcus Ellis looked at seven wines from Paralian for this guide and all were awarded gold medals, all decorated as special value, and none priced above $65.”
2026 People's Choice Award
Voting is now open for the 2026 Halliday People's Choice Award. While the Awards celebrates the best of the best in Australian wine, the People's Choice Award honours the best winery experience from around the country. Cast your vote and go into the running to win the ultimate prize pack valued at over $1900. Vote now.
2026 Taste the Awards events
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Taste the Awards events. Meet some of the winning winemakers and be the first to taste the top wines of the year. Taste the Awards 2026 is an exclusive showcase of award-winning wines and wineries from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Secure your tickets below.Taste the Awards: Melbourne
Thursday August 8, 2024
Sophia, Prahran
Book here
Taste the Awards: Brisbane
Thursday August 15, 2024
Blackbird, Brisbane City
Book here
The winner of each category will be announced at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards on Wednesday August 20, 2025.
The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion is available from August 21. You can pre-order your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here.
*This is an edited extract from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Katrina Butler, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by James Coe.
Quotes by Head of Tasting Katrina Butler.
