We’re not trying to upset the applecart here at Halliday Wine Companion, but we are trying our hardest to get all the best Australian producers represented in these pages and on our website, and that includes both brand new producers and producers who haven’t previously been represented here. This year we welcome 61 new wineries to the Companion. All the producers nominated for this award are exciting additions either to the Australian wine landscape, to Halliday Wine Companion, or both. We present the 2025 Best New Winery Shortlist – meet our finalists below.
Dilworth & Allain
Where: Macedon Ranges, Victoria
Established: 2017
Winemakers: Chris Dilworth and Loïque Allain
Why: "Dilworth & Allain is not a new outfit – Chris Dilworth and Loïque Allain have been making wine out of the Pyrenees and Macedon (both in Victoria) regions since 2017... but it’s the versatility on show that really impresses; this crew is good at a number of styles and varieties."
Granjoux
Where: Beechworth, Victoria
Established: 2017
Winemakers: Adrian Rodda and Mark Walpole
Viticulturist: Mark Walpole
Why: "There’s something special brewing here... But when you see the drama of this vineyard in its central Beechworth location...and hear that Mark Walpole tends the vines, and that Adrian Rodda makes the wines – it’s pretty clear that grand wines are in store for Granjoux."
HATCH
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Established: 2023
Winemaker: Chris Hatcher
Why: "If anyone can make a flying start with a new wine label it’s Chris ‘Hatch’ Hatcher. The first Hatch releases...are exemplary."
Iggy
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Established: 2019
Winemaker: Igor Kucic
Viticulturist: Igor Kucic
Why: "Igor (Iggy) Kucic, who makes the wines, has an impressive winemaking history... There’s no single star in the range; everything here is good."
Jane Eyre
Where: Various
Established: 2012 (first Australian vintages)
Winemaker: Jane Eyre
Why: "It’s hard to believe that the wines of Jane Eyre have never previously featured... Jane Eyre is both an important producer, and an influential one."
Sami-Odi
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Established: 2006
Winemakers: Fraser McKinley and Andrea McKinley
Viticulturists: Fraser McKinley and Andrea McKinley
Why: "Heart and soul. Absolute heart and soul. What Fraser McKinley has done with old-vine Barossa shiraz over the past (nearly) 20 years is remarkable, yes, but it’s also more than that. It’s important."
Utzinger
Where: Tasmania
Established: 2017
Winemaker: Matthias Utzinger
Viticulturist: Matthias Utzinger
Why: "There’s a long, rich and storied history of Swiss-heritage winemakers making Australia a better wine land, and Matthias Utzinger – operating out of the Tamar Valley in Tasmania – is another, and all the signs are good."
Vinya Vella
Where: Barossa Valley, South Australia
Established: 2021
Winemakers: Dylan Grigg and Peter Schell
Viticulturist: Dylan Grigg
Why: "It’s been many years in the making, but Vinya Vella is here, and the wines are good. Vinya Vella is the label of Dylan Grigg...(he’s the secret weapon behind a string of outstanding labels), so it’s no surprise that there’s a pretty special vineyard in play here."
2025 People's Choice Award
Voting is now open for the 2025 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.
2025 Taste the Awards events
Tickets are now on sale for the 2025 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 2025 is an exclusive showcase of award-winning wines and wineries from the 2025 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 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards on Wednesday August 7, 2024.
The 2025 Halliday Wine Companion is available from August 8. You can pre-order your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here.
*This is an edited extract from the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by Vera Babida.
Quotes by Campbell Mattinson.
