McLaren Vale is celebrating a standout week of recognition, leading Australia’s wine regions in the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards shortlist, while seven regional wines were awarded 95 points or above at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards.
The combined results send a clear message both across Australia and globally, McLaren Vale is delivering exceptional quality at every level, from benchmark fine wines and old-vine Shiraz and Grenache, to respected heritage producers, compelling small and emerging producers, and wines offering outstanding value.
Ten McLaren Vale wineries were nominated in the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards shortlist:
Winery of the Year
- Bekkers
- Koomilya
Winemaker of the Year
- Renae Hirsch, Willunga 100
Viticulturist of the Year
- Richard Wellsmore, Maxwell Wines
Best Value Winery
- Ministry of Clouds
- MMAD
- Wirra Wirra Vineyards
Best New Winery
- L’Anima
- S. Caica
Best Dark Horse Winery
- Dune Wine
The depth of the shortlist is significant. It recognises the region’s established leaders alongside a new generation of producers, and celebrates not only winemaking but vineyard stewardship, exceptional value, and innovation.
McLaren Vale also shone at the Decanter World Wine Awards, with seven wines scoring 95 points or above:
- E.J. McDougall Old Vine Shiraz 2024, Platinum, 97 points
- Hardys Eileen Hardy Shiraz 2021, Gold, 96 points
- Heirloom Alcalá Grenache 2025, Gold, 96 points
- Wirra Wirra Church Block Grenache-Shiraz 2024, Gold, 95 points
- Wirra Wirra Catapult Shiraz 2023, Gold, 95 points
- Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz 2023, Gold, 95 points
- Pirramimma Constance Shiraz 2022, Gold, 95 points
These top-scoring wines were part of a broader Decanter success for the region, with McLaren Vale producers awarded 34 Silver medals and 45 Bronze medals.
Erin Leggat, CEO of McLaren Vale Wine Region, said the results were yet another major vote of confidence in the region’s evolution and contemporary wine offering.
“Through its 185-year history of excellence we can confidently say McLaren Vale has never made better wine than it is making right now, and this is an invitation for all to look more closely. The region is producing wines with exceptional pedigree, distinctive character and proven quality, from highly collectible old-vine Shiraz to elegant Grenache, to exciting new labels and wines that deliver remarkable value.
For wine lovers new and old alike, these recognitions are a reminder that McLaren Vale is one of the most rewarding regions to explore right now. There is real diversity here, established icons, small producers doing brilliant things, and wines made to be enjoyed around the table, shared with friends or cellared for years to come.”
The Decanter results offer important international recognition of McLaren Vale’s global standing. E.J. McDougall’s 97-point Platinum medal places McLaren Vale old-vine Shiraz alongside the leading wines from around the world, while the Gold medals for Hardys and Wirra Wirra demonstrate the region’s ability to deliver quality and distinction across a range of styles and price points.
For South Australian wine lovers, the recognition is just another reason to visit the region, meet these acclaimed producers, and seek out McLaren Vale wines locally, at cellar doors, independent bottle shops, restaurants and on wine lists across the state.
With a proud history, remarkable vineyard resources and a tightknit community of winemakers and growers known for their creativity and pushing the boundaries, McLaren Vale continues to build on its reputation as one of Australia’s most dynamic and exciting wine regions.
Halliday Wine Companion Awards winners will be announced on 19 August 2026.
