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.

From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.

Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park

From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.

Murray River

A paddle steamer down the Murray in Echuca — The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)

A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.

Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell

the Twelve Apostles, Great Ocean Road — The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.

You Yangs, Geelong

kangaroos in You Yangs — Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.

Redwood Forest, Yarra Valley

Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.

Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland

the Wilsons Promontory — Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)

The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.

Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges

This six-million-year-old volcanic rock  was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.

Sovereign Hill, Ballarat

exploring Sovereign Hill — Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic  streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.

The Great Stupa, Bendigo

Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.

Cape Schanck Lighthouse, Mornington Peninsula

the Cape Schanck Lighthouse from above — Heritage-listed Cape Schanck Lighthouse. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)

Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.