Gibson Wines has been named the winner of the People’s Choice award at the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. The announcement came today during a highly anticipated reveal. Gibson was distinguished as the People’s Choice Best Winery Experience among more than 1100 Australian wineries covered in the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion.
The Halliday Wine Companion Awards are fiercely contested and are seen as an indicator of excellence in the winery sector. The publication, launched by the now retired critic James Halliday AM, is currently helmed by a group of experienced wine experts. This team reviews over 8000 wines annually.
The People’s Choice category relies on public votes and considers various factors. These include exceptional cellar door experiences, expertise and friendliness of staff, picturesque settings, and the quality of the wine offerings. It remains the only award in the annual event that reflects public preference.
Among the finalists for the award this year were notable names like Fermoy Estate from Margaret River, Brokenwood in Hunter Valley, and Best Wines from Great Western. Other Barossa Valley contenders included Elderton, Head Wines, and Laughing Jack.
Gibson Wines, established in 1996 by Rob and Anne Gibson, is renowned for its ‘The Dirtman’ Barossa Shiraz. The win also follows recent renovations at Gibson, including the May reopening of their cellar door and the refurbishment of a 170-year-old Settler’s Cottage. These changes came alongside updated tasting experiences and a brand upgrade.
Rob Gibson shared his thoughts on the win. “Winning the 2025 Halliday People’s Choice Award is an incredible honour,” he stated. “Generosity is something we constantly look to express – through a comfort factor in each of our wines, and through the hospitality we offer at our cellar door. This generosity hopefully is felt by our customers and reflected by a great number of them voting for us. We are immensely thankful,” he continued.
Rob further commented on his team’s unique dynamics. “The Gibson team is small but mighty. We strike a beautiful balance of passion and professionalism. Family members directly involved (my wife Anne and son Adam) are supported by wine business professionals at the top of their game. It is this blend that really drives our success. Authenticity and down-to-earth character are values we hold both in our wines and our people,” he explained.
This award is the first of several to be announced by Halliday Wine Companion, with the rest of the winners to be unveiled on Wednesday 7th August in Melbourne.
Gibson Cellar Door is located at 190 Willows Rd, Light Pass, South Australia. The winery offers tastings seven days a week, from 11am-5pm. There are two tasting formats available: a Classic option at $10, redeemable upon purchase, and a Premium option at $25, providing access to Gibson’s leading Shiraz releases. Bookings are recommended and can be made via their website.
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