This evening, the highly anticipated 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards returned in an online broadcast, pivoting away from a physical event at the last minute due to the unfolding COVID-19 situation in Melbourne.
The festivities provided wine enthusiasts the opportunity to be part of the beloved awards and allowed those barred by recent lockdowns, including winning wineries and winemakers, the ability to celebrate virtually.
Wine-loving viewers from across Australia and the globe tuned in to learn the deserving winemakers, viticulturists, wineries and wines honoured as the 2022 award recipients.
This year, the Halliday Wine Companion tasting panel was comprised of regional specialists across five states, with the team expanding to seven. For the first time, the awards were judged collaboratively by the entire tasting team, coming together in Victoria in March to review the shortlist produced from over 9,000 Australian wines.
The awards were a celebration of Australian wine following a challenging year. The night shone a well-deserved light on wineries and industry professionals who, despite unprecedented times, have demonstrated courage, passion and determination that continues to strengthen the proud Australian wine industry.
The best of the best, identified by the Halliday Wine Companion tasting panel, hail from regions far and wide, spanning from Western Australia to Tasmania.
This year’s winners have been chosen from over 9,000 Australian wines, tasted by the seven Halliday Wine Companion tasting panellists, including Chief Editor Tyson Stelzer, James Halliday AM, Erin Larkin, Jeni Port, Tony Love, Ned Goodwin MV and Jane Faulkner. With so many amazing entrants this year, a Shortlist for each major category was developed for the first time ever.
We are delighted to announce the following accolades for South Australian wineries…
MAJOR AWARDS
Best Value Winery – Lake Breeze, Langhorne Creek, SA
VARIETAL AWARDS
Sparkling – Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs 2014 –97 points
White Wine of the Year – Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2018 (various locations) – 99 points
Sparkling White of the Year – Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs 2014 – 97 points
Sparkling Red of the Year – Ashton Hills Sparkling Shiraz 2015 – 95 points
Chardonnay of the Year (one of three winners) – Penfolds Yattarna Bin 144 Chardonnay 2018 (various locations- Adelaide Hills) – 99 points
Other White of the Year – Coriole Rubato Reserve Fiano 2020 – 96 points
Rosé of the Year – La Prova Nebbiolo Rosato 2020 – 95 points
Sauvignon Blanc of the Year – Terre à Terre Crayeres Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – 96 points
Grenache of the Year – Thistledown Sands of Time Old Vine Single Vineyard Blewitt Springs Grenache 2019 – 97 points
Cabernet Shiraz of the Year – Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Shiraz 2016 – 99 points
Other Red of the Year – SC Pannell Aglianico 2019 – 95 points
Fortified of the Year – Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny 1921 – 99 points
As noted in the Halliday Wine Companion, this year:
The Barossa Valley saw good rainfall make for close-to-average crops, after two tiny drought harvests. Quality was said to be exceptional across every category, with one top winemaker declaring the best odd-year vintage since 1991.
Eden Valley experienced an outstanding season, in spite of significant frost damage in October and November which knocked the yields of later-budding varieties.
The Clare Valley produced excellent quality and high acidities across every variety, the only caveat being low yields in riesling, down 30-40% as vines recover from the aftermath of drought.
McLaren Vale enjoyed healthy yields and the equal earliest start of vintage on record, triggered by February heat. A mild autumn kept sugar levels at bay and furnished excellent quality in whites and reds.
The Adelaide Hills saw large crop harvests of outstanding quality, a relief after challenges of the previous vintages affected by bushfires and smoke damage.
The Halliday Wine Companion book RRPs at $39.94 and is available online at the winecompanion.com.au
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