Historically, Dark Horse has been an award that acknowledges wineries that have achieved a 5-star rating for the first time. This year, we updated the criteria for this award and delved into the regional hidden gems, the true underdogs, as nominated by the Tasting Team.
These are our Dark Horses – not as commonly talked about as they should be, yet wildly deserving of their time in the sun. We hope that this list yields new discoveries for you, that you can go on to share these wines at your table with those unaware of their good fortune.
bakkheia
Where: Geographe, Western Australia
Established: 2004
Winemaker: Michael Edwardsa and Assistant Franck Nouaille-Degorcee
Viticulturist: Franck Nouaille-Degorcee
Winery website: bakkheia.com.au
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “A unique project focusing on a pint-sized site and a release of around 1200 dozens a year in total. The wines deliver great varietal character (and intrigue in blends) with a finesse and poise that gives pause. Of course, the bingo card reads organic, minimal intervention, lighter shades of red, elegance, fine tannin, minerality; that should tick a lot of boxes.” – Mike Bennie
Farmer’s Leap Wines
Where: Padthaway, South Australia
Established: 2004
Winemakers: Renae Hirsch and Peta Baverstock
Winery website: farmersleap.com
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “As one of only two operating cellar doors in Padthaway, Farmer’s Leap is proudly certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and is an estate deeply connected to its tight-knit community. They produce the highest-quality wines of distinction and truly represent the bright and promising future of the region.” – Shanteh Wale
LS Merchants
Where: Margaret River, Western Australia
Established: 2015
Winemakers: Dylan Arvidson and Petrie Mulder
Viticulturist: Dylan Arvidson
Winery website: lsmerchants.com.au
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “In just 10 years, winemaker Dylan Arvidson and partner Taryn Hogan have built up a label that focuses on good wine and good times, as that’s their motto. But for this smart and talented couple, their belief ‘that wine should be a source of enjoyment and not taken too seriously’ has resonated with a younger generation.” – Jane Faulkner
Ollin
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Established: 2000
Winemaker: Jaysen and Finella Collins
Winery website: ollinwines.com.au
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “With wife Tracey and daughter Finella, Jaysen Collins’ Ollin is an exciting addition to the Barossa wine scene and a must visit if you are ambling down the Krondorf Road dress circle. These are wines that feel decidedly ‘un-messed with’, beautiful grapes from great sites, allowed to journey to bottle with an intuitive, gentle hand; freshness and inherent drinkability the leitmotif across the entire range.” – Dave Brookes
Patrick Underwood Wines / Little Reddie
Where: Central Victoria Zone, Victoria
Established: 2021
Winemaker: Patrick Underwood
Winery website: patrickunderwoodwines.com.au
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “'Patrick Underwood Wines began with some 2021 wines that I felt were showing my development as a winemaker entering a different phase – one of refinement and detail,’ Patrick Underwood says, ‘and one where the nuance of style and historical reverence was more central to the process.’ His fruit is largely sourced from Colbinabbin, the northern part of Heathcote, and Leanganook in the Bendigo region. He is definitely one wine producer to watch." – Jeni Port
Paul Nelson Wines
Where: Denmark, Western Australia
Established: 2009
Winemaker: Paul Nelson
Winery website: paulnelsonwines.com.au
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “Indeed, Paul Nelson is known amongst trade and within the wine-loving community in Denmark and wider WA. But the quality of his wines speaks far louder than their reach. Paul isn’t afraid to experiment, yet there is consistency across his ever-increasing range, from affordable and amphora-aged rieslings to the laser-precise flagship wines within his LOAM offering. He, together with wife Bianca, has managed to create a brand that offers considerable merit at every price point.” – Katrina Butler
Saltfleet
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2021
Winemakers: Jonny Cook and Kyle Egel
Winery website: saltfleetwines.com
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “Kyle Egel and Jonny Cook’s debut release saw a touriga and an old-vine grenache with no additions bar minimal sulphur. That’s a neat encapsulation of their charter to celebrate the classic varieties that thrive and explore other Mediterranean varieties that suit the growing and drinking climate of McLaren Vale, as well as to approach the making with a light hand.” – Marcus Ellis
Trapeze
Where: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Established: 2011
Winemaker: Brian Conway
Viticulturist: Malcolm Wiley
Winery website: trapezewines.com.au
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “Trapeze was once a Yarra Valley–based winemaking partnership between Brian Conway, Craig Isbel from Izway and James Lance from Punch Wines. Conway resurrected the brand and released the first new Trapeze wines in 2022… and over the last two years Trapeze has been crafting superb single-vineyard chardonnay, gamay and pinot noir from both the Six Js and other sites. – Philip Rich
Usher Tinkler Wines
Where: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Established: 2014
Winemakers: Usher Tinkler
Viticulturist: Usher Tinkler
Winery website: ushertinklerwines.com
Why it is deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 Dark Horse Winery of the Year: “Usher Tinkler makes wines his own way, achieving a level of palate harmony and intrigue that few can match. These wines are full of hooks and nuances that draw you in and keep you engaged. They present with a playful, left-of-centre air but, when it comes to quality, Tinkler is deadly serious.” – Toni Paterson MW
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.
