Last week members of the Australian wine industry gathered at Melbourne's iconic Ormond Hall to celebrate the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. On the night we crowned seven major winners, including the 2025 Winery of the Year, 2025 Winemaker of the Year, and the 2025 Viticulturist of the Year, along with 16 varietal/category winners, and we inducted the second person into the James Halliday Hall of Fame: Australian Wine Industry. We also tasted some of the best wines in Australia. Below are just a few images from the night.
You can view all the images here.
James Halliday and the Halliday Tasting Team. (L–R): Philip Rich, Marcus Ellis, Shanteh Wale, James Halliday, Mike Bennie, Toni Paterson MW, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner and Jeni Port.
2025 Sparkling Wine of the Year – Brown Brothers Patricia Brut Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2018, King Valley.
Halliday editor, Anna Webster.
James Halliday AM and Shanteh Wale.
2025 Other Whites & Blends of the Year – MMAD Vineyard Blewitt Springs Chenin Blanc 2022, McLaren Vale.
The Halliday 'Year in Review' panel.
John Hughes of Rieslingfreak, Winner of the 2025 Riesling of the Year, with Shanteh Wale.
After submitting to the Companion for the first time, Fraser and Andrea McKinley's Sami-Odi was awarded the 2025 Best New Winery.
Giant Steps is the 2025 Winery of the Year.
Mulline, the brainchild of Ben Mullen and Ben Hine, is the 2025 Best Value Winery.
Inside the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
The 2025 Cabernet & Blends of the Year – Mount Mary Quintet 2022; Red Wine of the Year and 2025 Shiraz of the Year – Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 2 2022; and 2025 Pinot Noir of the Year – Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023.
House of Arras' Ed Carr.
The Oakridge Wines team celebrating the 864 Drive Block Funder & Diamond Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 taking home the awards for 2025 Chardonnay of the Year, White Wine of the Year, and Wine of the Year.
The second James Halliday Hall of Fame: Australian Wine Industry inductee, Sue Hodder, with John Hughes of Rieslingfreak.
Yarra Yering was awarded the 2025 Red Wine of the Year and 2025 Shiraz of the Year for its Dry Red Wine No. 2 2022. The Yarra Valley winery also won the 2025 Other Reds & Blends of the Year award for its Dry Red Wine No. 3.
Igor 'Iggy' Kucic and Timna Kordic of the Barossa Valley's Iggy Wines, shortlisted for 2025 Best New Winery.
The Halliday Tasting Team waiting for Dave Brookes.
The Yarra Valley had an outstanding year. The region took home the 2025 Wine of the Year, Winery of the Year, Red Wine of the Year, White Wine of the Year, along with Chardonnay of the Year, Pinot Noir of the Year, Cabernet & Blends of the Year, and Other Reds & Blends of the Year.
View the 2025 major winners.
View the 2025 top-rated wines.
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The 2025 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide at all good bookstores.
