Last night, amidst much excitement, the highly anticipated 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards were unveiled in front of an esteemed gathering of 125 industry guests at the renowned Stokehouse restaurant in St Kilda, hailing from all corners of Australia. The prestigious Halliday Wine Companion Awards celebrated the nation’s finest wines, winemakers, viticulturists, and wineries spread across the diverse wine regions of the country.
The 2024 edition of the Companion introduced a significant addition—the inaugural induction of two classes into the James Halliday Hall of Fame: Wine and Australian Wine Industry. This esteemed recognition commends a wine that has consistently triumphed in its category for five or more occasions and acknowledges exceptional individuals within the Australian wine industry, held in the highest regard and significance.
The honorees and Award recipients were warmly acknowledged by the Halliday Tasting Team, spearheaded by the chief editor, Campbell Mattinson, alongside the founder himself, James Halliday AM, and esteemed expert judges Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Philip Rich, and Shanteh Wale.
‘As a collective tasting team, we were captivated by the wealth of excellence showcased among this year’s Awards and honorees, truly exemplifying the strength and diversity of Australian wine across our regions,’ says Chief Editor, Campbell Mattinson. ‘We’ve been fortunate to discover some extraordinary gems and celebrate the absolute best that Australia has to offer. After tasting over 8500 wines throughout the year, our passion for wine has only grown stronger, especially with the privilege of tasting alongside our esteemed panel of judges. Congratulations to all the deserving winners.’
The Awards ceremony also coincided with the release of the Wine-enthusiast’s Ultimate Guide, the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion, now available nationwide from Thursday, August 3. This comprehensive book is a treasure trove of information about Australia’s leading wines, wineries, and grape-growing regions, including detailed insights into all the esteemed Award winners and tasting notes. With over 5000 tasting notes beautifully printed within the 2024 Companion, there are even more than 8500 tasting notes accessible online at winecompanion.com.au.
The major Awards this year were a testament to the excellence found in various regions, with top accolades awarded to esteemed wineries from Coonawarra, McLaren Vale, Alpine Valleys, Victoria, Yarra Valley, Beechworth, Eden Valley, and the Hall of Fame in Barossa Valley, with both the latter residing within the Barossa region. The varietal winners hailed from three states: South Australia, Western Australia, and Victoria.
See all the award winners below.
JAMES HALLIDAY HALL OF FAME
James Halliday Hall of Fame: Wine – Seppeltsfield 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny 1923, Barossa Valley, SA (100 points)
James Halliday Hall of Fame: Wine Industry – Prue Henschke of Henschke Wines, Keyneton, SA
2024 MAJOR AWARD WINNERS
Winery of the Year – Bleasdale Vineyards, Langhorne Creek, SA
Winemaker of the Year – Kate Goodman, Penley Estate, Coonawarra, SA
Viticulturist of the Year – Mark Walpole, Fighting Gully Road, Beechworth, VIC
Best New Winery – Joshua Cooper Wines, Victoria
Dark Horse – Anderson & Marsh, Alpine Valleys, VIC
Best Value Winery – Oakridge Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC
Wine of the Year – Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2021, McLaren Vale, SA 2024
VARIETAL WINNERS
Red Wine of the Year – Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2021, McLaren Vale, SA – 99 points
White Wine of the Year – Landaire at Padthaway Estate Chardonnay 2021 Padthaway – 98 points
Sparkling Wine of the Year – Sittella Wines Grand Prestige Late Disgorged 2010 Pemberton – 97 points
Riesling of the Year – Limefinger Solace Riesling 2022 Clare Valley – 98 points
Chardonnay of the Year – Landaire at Padthaway Estate Chardonnay 2021 Padthaway – 98 points
Semillon of the Year – Pepper Tree Wines Museum Release Limited Release Tallawanta Single Vineyard Semillon 2013 Hunter Valley – 99 points
Sauvignon Blanc of the Year – Domaine Naturaliste Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Margaret River – 96 points
Pinot Gris/Grigio of the Year – Mayer Bloody Hill Villages HealesvillePinot Gris 2022 Yarra Valley – 96 points
Other Whites & Blends of the Year – John Kosovich Wines Bottle Aged Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018 Swan Valley – 98 points
Rosé of the Year – Sutton Grange Winery Fairbank Rosé 2022 Central Victoria Zone – 97 points
Pinot Noir of the Year – Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 Yarra Valley – 98 points
Grenache & Blends of the Year – Yangarra Estate Vineyard Old Vine Grenache 2021 McLaren Vale – 99 points
Shiraz of the Year – Murdoch Hill The Landau Single Vineyard Oakbank Syrah 2021 Adelaide Hills – 99 points
Cabernet Shiraz Blend of the Year – Bleasdale Vineyards Wellington Road Shiraz Cabernet 2021 Langhorne Creek – 98 points
Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year – Bleasdale Vineyards The Iron Duke Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Langhorne Creek – 98 points
Cabernet & Family of the Year – Houghton C.W. Ferguson Cabernet Malbec 2020 Frankland River – 98 points
Other Reds & Blends of the Year – Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No. 3 2021 Yarra Valley – 97 points
Sweet Wine of the Year – De Bortoli (Riverina) Noble One Botrytis Semillon 2020 Riverina– 96 points
Fortified Wine of the Year – All Saints Estate Museum Muscat NV, Rutherglen – 100 points
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