A whole lot of time and expertise goes into picking Australia’s 2026 Winery of the Year. And it is a task we take very seriously. During this past year, our nine Tasting Team members have been hard at work trying and reviewing wines from across the country – 8000 wines from 945 Australian wineries to be exact.
But they don’t just sit at home drinking wine. Our expert tasters are also frequently on the ground, getting to know local producers within their respective patches – understanding exactly what’s going on within the industry, and getting to know the people who make these world-class drinks.
Throughout all of this painstaking (and much-loved) research, the whole team decides which Australian wineries have performed the best. Below you will find seven wineries which have consistently produced some of the most highly rated wines this year, leading the industry in all aspects of winemaking.
Only one will be chosen as the Winery of the Year for 2026 – which will be announced on Wednesday, August 20. For now, read on to find the finalists and get to know a little bit more about what makes them contenders for this illustrious award.
Brokenwood
Where: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Established: 1970
Winemakers: Stuart Hordern and Kate Sturgess
Viticulturist: Katrina Barry
Winery website: brokenwood.com.au
Why this Australian winery has been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winery of the Year: “We reviewed 18 wines from the Hunter Valley stalwart for the 2026 Companion, and 16 were awarded 95 points or over; no mean feat. Some of these wines have graced the pages of the guide since its inception. Beyond the flagships, we must also consider that Brokenwood produces wines at many price points and of excellent quality.” – Katrina Butler
Giaconda
Where: Beechworth, Victoria
Established: 1982
Winemakers: Rick Kinzbrunner and Nathan Kinzbrunner
Viticulturist: Casey White
Winery website: giaconda.com.au
Why this Australian winery has been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winery of the Year: “There is an enigma surrounding Giaconda. And, each year, under the guidance of father and son winemaking team Rick and Nathan Kinzbrunner, the ceiling on what’s possible for this site is broken for new heights. Single-handedly one of the most important Australian producers of our time.”
House of Arras
Where: Northern Tasmania
Established: 1995
Winemakers: Ed Carr
Viticulturist: Ben Bussell
Winery website: houseofarras.com.au
Why this Australian winery has been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winery of the Year: "House of Arras is undoubtedly the pinnacle of Australian sparkling wine. Its history not only in the Companion (its 2006 Museum Release Blanc de Blancs very nearly took out Sparkling of the Year) but in the wine show system is one that is highly decorated and celebrated. We should be incredibly proud to call House of Arras ours.”
Oakridge
Where: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Established: 1995
Winemaker: David Bicknell and Tim Dexter
Viticulturist: Steve Faulkner
Winery website: oakridgewines.com.au
Why this Australian winery has been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winery of the Year: “There are very few things left unsaid about Oakridge and the monumental impact of both David Bicknell and his team. Out of the 20 wines submitted this year, 16 achieved 95 points or over. The quality here is unwavering and the consistency across vintages borders on the supernatural.”
Rieslingfreak
Where: Clare Valley, South Australia
Established: 2009
Winemakers: John and Belinda Hughes
Viticulturist: Richard Hughes
Winery website: rieslingfreak.com
Why this Australian winery has been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winery of the Year:“John Hughes’ amiable nature has made him a most loved favourite of the wine industry, but his pertinacity in the pursuit of crafting exceptional riesling is undeniably why Rieslingfreak is both respected and revered. Together with wife Belinda Hughes, the pair now make a slew of rieslings from the Clare and Eden Valley.”
Standish Wine Company
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Established:1999
Winemaker: Dan Standish
Why this Australian winery has been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winery of the Year: “Dan and Nicole Standish craft exceptional shiraz year in, year out, with a focus on expression of site, sourcing fruit from legacy vineyards in Greenock, Marananga, Krondorf and the Eden Valley. Not one of the four wines submitted for the 2026 Companion was awarded less than 96 points. A winery with its stake firmly planted upon the ‘new classics’ of the Barossa.”
Yangarra Estate Vineyard
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2000
Winemakers: Peter Fraser
Viticulturist: Michael Lane
Winery website: yangarra.com
Why this Australian winery has been nominated for the 2026 Halliday Winery of the Year:“Arguably the best site in Blewitt Springs and, indeed, exceedingly beautiful, Yangarra Estate is one of the most consistent producers in McLaren Vale... Marcus Ellis awarded 11 out of the 13 submitted wines 95 points or over, with the esteemed 2023 High Sands Grenache landing at the pinnacle with 98 points.”
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 Katrina Butler.
