Exclusive: Australia’s top winery has just been revealed

The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards have crowned Australia’s best in wine, from breakthrough newcomers to a Hunter Valley icon taking the top honour.

Australia’s most prestigious wine awards have toasted the nation’s top drops for 2026, with Hunter Valley heavyweight Brokenwood taking home the coveted title of Winery of the Year.

The announcement was made at Ormond House in Melbourne, where the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards unveiled winners across seven major categories, alongside varietal champions that spanned the country’s leading regions.

The big winners

Brokenwood Wines cellar door, Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley wine region — Brokenwood won Winery of the Year. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winery of the Year – Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, NSW
Winemaker of the Year – Virginia Willcock, Vasse Felix, Margaret River, WA
Viticulturist of the Year – Dr Dylan Grigg, Vinya Vella and Meristem Viticulture
Best New Winery – Elanto Vineyard, Mornington Peninsula, Vic
Best Value Winery – Bondar Wines, McLaren Vale, SA
Dark Horse Winery – bakkheia, Geographe, WA
Wine of the Year – Thistledown Wines’ ‘This Charming Man’ Clarendon Grenache 2024, McLaren Vale, SA (also took out Red Wine of the Year and Grenache of the Year)

Other standouts included Vasse Felix’s Heytesbury Chardonnay 2023, which scored an extraordinary 99 points to claim White Wine of the Year and Chardonnay of the Year, and Tasmania’s Stefano Lubiana Prestige 2011, crowned Sparkling Wine of the Year. The Fortified Wine of the Year went to All Saints Estate’s Museum Muscadelle NV, Rutherglen, which achieved a perfect 100-point score.

Brokenwood’s moment in the spotlight

Brokenwood Wines chief winemaker, StuartHordern — Brokenwood’s chief winemaker, Stuart Hordern. (Image: Destination NSW)

For Brokenwood’s chief winemaker, Stuart Hordern, the award was equal parts shock and delight.

“It’s quite an illustrious award. There are an incredible number of outstanding wineries in Australia on any given year, so to come out on top was quite a thrill," Hordern told Australian Traveller in an exclusive interview.

He credits Brokenwood’s success to a steadfast focus on quality, from entry-level favourites like Cricket Pitch White through to iconic wines such as Indigo Vineyard Chardonnay and the highly regarded Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz.

Hordern points to the 2023 Hunter Valley shiraz vintage as a defining moment.

“From harvest, we knew we were onto something special. The fruit had incredible natural colour, density and tannin maturity. You really only get one or two [great vintages] a decade, so to have that quality to start with is excellent."

Among them, the legendary Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz remains the clearest expression of Brokenwood’s philosophy – single-site pedigree, a strong sense of place and a legacy of excellence.

The Hunter Valley advantage

Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz at Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin — The Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz remains the clearest expression of Brokenwood’s philosophy. (Image: Destination NSW)

While Brokenwood has made waves nationally and internationally, Hordern insists the winery’s beating heart remains in the Hunter Valley.

“Aged Hunter semillon is unique in the world of wine. For a New World wine region to have a style that is incomparable to anything else – that’s rare. Aged Hunter semillon deserves its place on any table in the world," he said.

That sense of place extends to Brokenwood’s tight-knit team, which Hordern describes as “enthusiastic and hardworking," always benchmarking themselves against the world’s best to push standards higher.

Looking ahead

Couple enjoying a winery tour at Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin. — Oakey Creek Vineyard is Brokenwood’s largest semillon fruit source. (Image: Destination NSW)

Winning Winery of the Year doesn’t mean slowing down. One project Hordern is especially excited about is the Oakey Creek Vineyard, acquired from the Drayton family, which is Brokenwood’s largest semillon fruit source.

“The improvements we’re making in that vineyard, seeing the fruits of that labour come to bear, is what the team and I are most excited about," he said.

Brokenwood’s win is both recognition of its 55-year legacy and a springboard for the future.

A celebration of Australian wine

Harvested grapes at Brokenwood Wines, Pokolbin. — The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards were held on 20 August 2025. (Image: Destination NSW)

Across the board, this year’s Halliday Awards underscored the strength and diversity of Australia’s wine industry – from the Yarra Valley’s pinot powerhouses and McLaren Vale’s grenache stars to Margaret River’s cabernet sauvignon excellence and Tasmania’s sparkling triumphs.

Want more? Find out which winery took home the People’s Choice Award.

A world away from the hustle, bustle and chaos of the big smoke – yet with a distinct sense of familiarity – Victoria’s Wimmera Mallee region is an incomparable place.

Victoria’s Grampians are a visual feast, a seemingly endless vista of craggy cliffs, rolling valleys and untamed bushland. But they’re also much more than a scenic mountain landscape. Diverse and storied, each region within the range has its own rhythm. The Wimmera Mallee – a pocket in the state’s north-west, stretching from Horsham to near Mildura – is one of the most captivating.

Once known as Victoria’s agricultural heartland, the Wimmera Mallee has evolved in recent years into a dynamic, slightly offbeat hub. It buzzes with a creative hum and welcoming energy, and harbours an eclectic mix of long-time locals and tree-changers. Once you encounter its unmistakable charm, feel its warm country hospitality and taste its nationally celebrated vanilla slice, you may find yourself lingering longer than planned.

Eager to explore? These must-visit spots let you experience the inimitable spirit of this special part of the world.

Wimmera Mallee’s quirky attractions

The Dimboola Imaginarium, Wimmera Mallee victoria — Step into the whacky Dimboola Imaginarium. (Image: Denis Bin)

If you’re after something a little more unconventional, the Wimmera Mallee delivers in droves.

The Dimboola Imaginarium – located in a historic bank building in its namesake town – is a gift shop and boutique accommodation in one. Shop for unique and whimsical keepsakes, stay overnight in an elegant themed room, and lose yourself in one of the Imaginarium’s interactive experiences.

Also in Dimboola, just a short drive from the Imaginarium, is a menagerie of utter delight. Tiny Goats and Co. is home to a herd of miniature goats, with the farm offering group visits and special events like goat yoga and cuddle sessions.

Arcade aficionados should visit the Australian Pinball Museum in nearby Nhill. Here, you’ll find the biggest selection of playable pinball machines in the country, featuring modern models and classics dating all the way back to 1931.

Arts and culture in Wimmera Mallee

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed — Step into history at the Stick Shed. (Image: Visit Vic)

As a thoroughly creative community, it’s no wonder the Wimmera Mallee has a host of venues focused on its rich arts and culture scene.

Wander Trickbots Metal Art & Sculpture Garden in Nullawil, a winding trail filled with unique and quirky creations fashioned from metal odds, ends and scrap. A walk through the garden is inspiring enough, but consider buying a piece to take home and treasure.

The town of Nhill also has a significant Karen-Burmese refugee community, who make up 10 per cent of the local population. Discover the artistry of this vibrant culture at Paw Po , where you can purchase traditional hand-woven and textile products. Choose from a selection of beautifully crafted homewares, fashion and dolls.

Step into the Wimmera Mallee’s storied history at the Stick Shed , the only WWII emergency grain store still standing today. This National Heritage-listed structure takes you on a journey through the region’s agricultural past and is a dramatic sight with its towering and eerily striking timber poles.

Nature escapes around Wimmera Mallee

pink Lake Tyrrel, Wimmera Mallee, Victoria Australia — Take in the pink hues of Lake Tyrrell. (Image: Visit Vic)

Much like the majestic beauty of the wider Grampians, the Wimmera Mallee is a mélange of serene and spellbinding nature escapes.

Victoria’s pink lakes are famed nationwide, and two of them are found right here. See the flamingo-pink hues of Loch Iel, particularly vivid after a heavy downpour, or the vast and ancient Lake Tyrrell , which turns pink during wet and warm conditions.

The Snowdrift dunes in Wyperfeld National Park are ideal for adventurers. Set amid the area’s semi-arid landscape, the dunes are expansive mounds of sand deposited around 40,000 years ago. Hike or sandboard them and make sure to visit at sunset, when the sand glows golden.

And while some travellers chase the highest peaks, you can see the most modest in the Wimmera Mallee. Standing a mere 43 metres above the surrounding terrain, Mount Wycheproof is considered the smallest registered mountain in the world. Courtesy of its relatively gentle inclines, it’s a lovely spot for a walk and a picnic.

Culinary adventures in Wimmera Mallee

border inn in the Wimmera Mallee — Meet the locals at Border Inn.

As a region rich in agricultural bounty, it’s little surprise the Wimmera Mallee has such a robust and vibrant food scene. The community is fiercely proud of its local produce, showcasing the flavours and heritage of the area.

The Border Inn in the village of Apsley is a quaint country pub and meeting spot for the local community, featuring a classic country menu and warm hospitality.

The Horsham Golf Club is a popular spot for golf buffs with an adjoining bistro and bar. Try a modern twist on hearty favourites while taking in views of the green. For a taste of the area’s vintages, head to Norton Estate Wines – a boutique wine producer and cellar door open weekends.

A Wimmera Mallee jaunt wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the famed Sharp’s Bakery in Birchip. Here, you’ll find a velvety vanilla slice that’s been crowned as Australia’s best seven times.

Wimmera Mallee accommodation

Fulham Homestead in wimmera mallee — Escape to Fulham Homestead.

If you’re enjoying an extended trip, you’ll need somewhere to rest. After a day tackling Wyperfeld’s epic dunes, visit Pine Plains Lodge , also in the national park. Built from reclaimed timber planks and logs, and anchored by rugged stone fireplaces, the lodge is a rustic and cosy hideaway.

For a refined yet relaxing escape, head to Fulham Homestead – a gorgeously restored guesthouse on an idyllic working farm, complete with farm animals and scenic vistas. Built in the 1840s, it has all the elegance and charm of its heritage, plus contemporary comforts like a modern kitchen, wi-fi and air-conditioning.

The Hermitage Hotel is Victoria’s oldest inland pub and an equally delightful blend of old and new. The restored rooms are perfectly appointed and adorned with period furnishings and high-quality linens. The pub itself is a favoured food and wine spot among locals and travellers alike.

If camping is more your style, the Lake Lascelles Cabins and Camping (formerly Mallee Bush Retreat) is a sprawling oasis with powered and unpowered sites and snug cabins. The setting is stunning too, the pristine Lake Lascelles sitting right in its centre.

Annual events

Wimmera Mallee Nhill Aviation Museum — Time your visit to Nhill Aviation Museum for the annual air show.

You may not need an excuse to revisit the Wimmera Mallee, but these annual and bi-annual events will almost certainly have you returning again and again.

Each year, the Lake Chalegrark Country Music Marathon takes over the town for a spectacular line-up of musicians from around Australia. The event is easygoing, family-friendly, and set in scenic surrounds on the shores of Lake Charlegrark.

Every two years, the region holds colourful events like the Wimmera Steampunk Festival , a raucous celebration of 19th-century steampunk culture with a different theme each time; the Nhill Air Show , which features jaw-dropping aerial stunts, aircraft displays, music, activities and more; and the Nati Frinj , a festival of art, culture and performance showcasing the many talents of the Natimuk community.

From the quirky to the tasty, start planning at visitwimmeramallee.com.au