This shortlist commemorates the best winemakers in Australia and is reserved for those who have continued to produce exceptional wines. It is a great celebration of the people who do their darndest to put stunning wines on our tables, and into our lives.
The below nominees have each been put forward by the Tasting Team – who have not only tasted thousands of wines this past year, but have also gotten to know industry leaders more personally. These winemakers are pushing Australian wine to even greater heights, innovating when necessary, and sticking true to timeless tradition when needed.
Read on to find the finalists for this year’s Winemaker of the Year.
Adam Foster, Syrahmi
Where: Heathcote, Victoria
When the winery was established: 2004
Viticulturist: Adam Foster
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “I have long admired the precision and the winemaking passion unleashed in the wines of Syrahmi. Adam Foster takes fruit, especially shiraz from Heathcote, and brings layers of nuance – including savouriness – to what can too often be a relatively simple, bold, black-hearted personality. Adam brings a striking contemporary look to the grape – indeed, to all his wines – which shows wine as a sophisticated addition to the table, to food matching, to the enjoyment that comes with sharing good wines and food and especially to the layers of complexity that can be achieved with ageing.” – Jeni Port
Anna Pooley of Pooley Wines, Bubb + Pooley and Clarence House Wines
Where: Tasmania
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “For consistency of great wine releases, an aspirational brand, several smaller labels producing beautiful wines and a burgeoning wine consultancy business, Anna’s influence in the Tasmanian and Australian fine-wine landscape is indisputable. Humble, talented and a winemaker that has been very much at the forefront of the rise of Tasmanian wine in the past decade.” – Dave Brookes
Emma Norbiato, Calabria Family Wines
Where: Riverina, New South Wales
When the winery was established: 1945
Viticulturist:
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “Emma Norbiato is a distinguished leader in the Australian wine industry. With over 24 years of experience, Emma oversees more than 11 labels for Calabria Family Wines, demonstrating her expertise across a diverse range of wine styles and pricepoints. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and leadership makes her a deserving candidate for Winemaker of the Year.” – Shanteh Wale
Michael John Corbett, Vanguardist Wines
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
When the winery was established: 2014
Viticulturist: Michael John Corbett
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “Michael J Corbett is one of those driven characters that is intent on making wine that he loves, relentlessly yet delicately tensioning the screws, trialling, refining, listening, observing... The wines have always been exceptional, elegant, savoury, textural and finely but resolutely structured, but in the last couple of years they are consistently world-class, singular expressions of intrigue and great beauty.” – Marcus Ellis
Sam Barry and Tom Barry, Jim Barry Wines
Where: Clare Valley, South Australia
When the winery was established: 1959
Viticulturist: Derrick Quinton
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “Sam and Tom Barry have been the modern mainstays of winemaking activity at the venerable Jim Barry Wines and, in recent years, have broadened the offering with the designation of Spring Farm Block wines, Clarevale and ‘by Tom Barry’ ranges. The defter touch, the sense of nimbleness in the red wines, texture in the whites, savouriness and finesse of tannin all seem to point at references outside of Clare while remaining wholly varietal and ‘of place’.” – Mike Bennie
Stuart Horden and Kate Sturgess, Brokenwood
Where: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
When the winery was established: 1970
Viticulturist: Katrina Barry
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “Stuart Horden and Kate Sturgess are a winemaking dream team, mastering every variety and region they work with. Their understanding of balance and palate harmony is outstanding, seamlessly applied to delicate, complex and robust styles. With a thoroughly contemporary approach, their Hunter Valley and broader Australian portfolio is exceptional, ensuring excellence across all varieties and pricepoints.” – Toni Paterson MW
Timo Mayer, Mayer
Where: Yarra Valley, Victoria
When the winery was established: 1999
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “Timo Mayer’s journey from his family’s vineyard in the Württemberg region of Germany to becoming one of the Yarra’s most idiosyncratic, colourful and respected winemakers is one of the Yarra’s great recent stories. Timo has become the master of whole-bunch fermentation, which features, to varying degrees, in all of his reds. The wines are always made with minimal handling and bottled unfined and unfiltered.” – Philip Rich
Virginia Willcock, Vasse Felix
Where: Margaret River, Western Australia
When the winery was established: 1967
Viticulturist: Bart Molony
Why they have been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winemaker of the Year: “In 2026, she marks 20 years leading Vasse Felix, and she’s at the top of her game. She has done so much to promote Margaret River nationally and internationally due to the quality of her cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, and few have matched her complete dedication to the two varieties, the pinnacles of which are the Tom Cullity and Heytesbury.” – Jane Faulkner
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.
