The 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards have delivered their verdict, and South Australia has once again proven why it remains one of the world’s great wine regions. Three prestigious varietal titles are heading to local producers, with the Clare Valley’s Jim Barry Wines taking home the coveted Shiraz of the Year.
The annual awards, decided after the Halliday Tasting Team worked through more than 7,000 wines from 1,000 wineries, recognise excellence across seven major categories and 18 varietal awards.
South Australia’s winners
Jim Barry Wines claimed Shiraz of the Year for The Armagh Shiraz 2023, a wine that wine critic Mike Bennie described as one of the most refined releases in the label’s history.
“The ’23 harvest has produced perhaps one of the most restrained and fine Armagh releases of all. The quieter voice and elegance here is beautiful. A striking wine.” – Mike Bennie
McLaren Vale featured prominently, with Yangarra Estate Vineyard’s Ovitelli Grenache 2024 named Grenache of the Year and Koomilya’s Mataro Rosé 2025 taking out Rosé of the Year. The region also celebrated Down the Rabbit Hole winning the People’s Choice Award.
South Australia’s viticultural expertise was recognised with Ashley Ratcliff of Ricca Terra in the Riverland named Viticulturist of the Year.
The full list of winners
Major awards
- Winery of the Year: House of Arras, TAS
- Winemaker of the Year: Steve Flamsteed (Decades, TAS | Salo, VIC | Eldridge Estate, VIC)
- Viticulturist of the Year: Ashley Ratcliff, Ricca Terra, SA
- Best Value Winery: Medhurst, Yarra Valley, VIC
- Best New Winery: Decades, TAS
- Dark Horse Winery: Balancing Heart, Granite Belt, QLD
- Wine of the Year: Mount Mary Triolet 2024, Yarra Valley, VIC
- People’s Choice Award: Down the Rabbit Hole, McLaren Vale, SA
Varietal awards
- Red Wine of the Year & Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year: Xanadu Wines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Margaret River, WA
- White Wine of the Year & Other Whites & Blends of the Year: Mount Mary Triolet 2024, Yarra Valley, VIC
- Shiraz of the Year: Jim Barry Wines The Armagh Shiraz 2023, Clare Valley, SA
- Chardonnay of the Year: Kooyong Faultline Single Block Chardonnay 2024, Mornington Peninsula, VIC
- Cabernet & Blends of the Year: Yeringberg 2024, Yarra Valley, VIC
- Riesling of the Year: Best’s Wines Foudre Ferment Riesling 2025, Great Western, VIC
- Sauvignon Blanc of the Year: Gembrook Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Yarra Valley, VIC
- Pinot Gris/Grigio of the Year: Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio 2025, VIC
- Grenache of the Year: Yangarra Estate Vineyard Ovitelli Grenache 2024, McLaren Vale, SA
- Pinot Noir of the Year: Hardys Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir 2024, TAS
- Sparkling Wine of the Year: House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 30th Anniversary 2006, TAS
- Other Reds & Blends of the Year: Margan Wines Saxonvale Mourvèdre 2024, Broke Fordwich, NSW
- Wildcard Red of the Year: Ballandean Estate Wines Saperavi 2023, Granite Belt, QLD
- Sweet Wine of the Year: Dal Zotto Wines Vin Pretto 2015, King Valley, VIC
- Fortified Wine of the Year: All Saints Estate Museum Muscadelle NV, Rutherglen, VIC
- Wildcard White of the Year: Lethbridge Wines Radikal 2020, VIC
- Rosé of the Year: Koomilya Mataro Rosé 2025, McLaren Vale, SA
- Fiano of the Year: Dalwood Estate Fiano 2025, Hunter Valley, NSW
- Semillon of the Year: Tyrrell’s Wines Johnno’s Semillon 2025, Hunter Valley, NSW
The Halliday Wine Companion remains Australia’s most comprehensive wine guide, and this year’s results offer a compelling roadmap for your next cellar door visit or bottle shop browse.
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