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These 8 wineries have just been named Australia’s best

Credit: Oakridge Estate

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
The prestigious Halliday Wine Companion has uncorked its shortlist of the best wineries in Australia right now.

Spanning experimental micro-producers to lauded household names, Australia lays claim to an astounding number of excellent wineries – certainly too many to count. Thankfully, the Halliday Wine Companion has unveiled its 2027 shortlist, presenting a definitive list that shines a light on the top Australian wine producers currently leading the pack.

This year’s Halliday Tasting Team swirled, sniffed and sipped their way through a staggering 7520 wines from 1033 wineries before whittling down the field to just eight finalists in the Winery of the Year category. Alongside the other major category awards, the winner will be announced on 19 August 2026, so stay tuned.

South Australia dominated the shortlist, securing the largest number of finalists and reinforcing its status as one of the country’s premier food and wine regions – recently bolstered by the arrival of the SA Michelin Guide.

In no particular order, below are the wineries that made the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards shortlist for Winery of the Year.

The best wineries in Australia right now

Koomilya, McLaren Vale, SA 

best australian wineries
Koomilya operates on an old-school shiraz vineyard.

It’s hard to compete when there are so many incredible wineries in McLaren Vale, yet Koomilya stands out with its forward-thinking approach to traditional shiraz making. Stephen and Fiona Pannell have regenerated an old shiraz vineyard with organic farming and environmental care, producing single site wines that reflect each season.  

Forest Hill Vineyard, Great Southern, WA 

Forest Hill winery
You can visit Forest Hill Vineyard for cellar door experiences.

Tucked deep in the belly of Western Australia’s Great Southern region, 45 minutes west of Albany, Forest Hill Vineyard began its viticulture journey in 1965 – fuelled by an ambitious belief in the potential of the cool-climate landscape. From its vibrant rieslings to its complex cabernet sauvignon, each wine reflects the region’s unique geological character.  

House of Arras, Tas 

house of arras tasmania
House of Arras is renowned for its quality cool-climate sparkling.

Its vineyards protected by mountain wilderness and influenced by the Great Southern Ocean, House of Arras is best known for its sparkling wines borne from Tasmania’s unique crisp climate. Winemaker Ed Carr uses a meticulous fine bottle maturation method known as tirage to create the brand’s signature elegant and creamy effervescence.  

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Sami-Odi, Barossa Valley, SA 

Winemaker Fraser McKinley
Winemaker Fraser McKinley has reframed the identity of Barossa wine.

A small-batch vineyard vying for top honours against household heavyweights, Sami-Odi is a cult indie producer that creates around 1000 cases per year. Despite the winery having no cellar door, public tastings or traditional marketing, it has a dedicated mailing list of oenophiles who patiently wait to get their hands on a bottle of its unblended shiraz. 

Oakridge, Yarra Valley, VIC 

oakridge winery
Oakridge Estate delivers remarkably consistent wines.

It’s not the first time Oakridge has been nominated as a finalist for Winery of the Year, having been recognised for its unwavering consistency of quality across its vintages. The company continues to set high standards for Yarra Valley winemaking, from benchmark chardonnay to delicate pinot noir. Drop in for curated tastings of classic and award-winning Oakridge wines or join a chardonnay masterclass. 

Tolpuddle, Tas 

tolpuddle vineyard tasmania
Tolpuddle is known for its chardonnay and pinot noir. (Credit: Adam Gibson)

Located in the Coal River Valley about 30 minutes from Hobart – one of Australia’s coolest and driest climates – Tolpuddle has been named one of Australia’s best wineries for good reason. The 31-hectare vineyard has light silica over sandstone soil that ensures well-balanced grapes with intensity of flavour, producing its must-try Tasmanian chardonnay and pinot noir.  

Yeringberg, Yarra Valley, VIC 

yeringberg
Walk among prized vineyards at Yeringberg.

Established in 1863, Yeringberg is a fourth-generation family winery and farm carrying forward the de Pury legacy of traditional, unhurried winemaking. The vineyard’s wines boast remarkable longevity, with reds that can age for at least 21 years. Pre-booking is essential for visits.

Bekkers, McLaren Vale, SA

best wineries australia
Bekkers sits among the Halliday finalists for Winery of the Year.

This hyper-boutique, family-owned winery in South Australia’s McLaren Vale produces wines in tiny quantities, paying great attention to finesse and fine texture. Pop into Bekker’s tasting room for sweeping vineyard views and top drops in fine glassware. 

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Best Value Winery shortlist

  • Evans & Tate, Margaret River, WA
  • Medhurst, Yarra Valley, VIC
  • Ministry of Clouds, McLaren Vale, SA
  • MMAD, McLaren Vale, SA
  • Thomas Wines, Hunter Valley, NSW
  • Wirra Wirra Vineyards, McLaren Vale, SA

Best New Winery shortlist

  • Decades, Tas
  • Fervor, Great Southern, WA
  • Foreign Friends, Beechworth, VIC
  • L’Anima, McLaren Vale, SA
  • S. Caica, McLaren Vale, SA
  • Thunderstone, Porongurup, WA

How to vote

Wine lovers can cast their vote for the 2027 People’s Choice Award on the Halliday Wine Companion website. Nominations are based on criteria including standout cellar door experiences, outstanding restaurant offerings, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and overall quality of wines. Submissions are open until Friday, July 31, 2026. The 2027 People’s Choice Award winner, alongside the major awards, will be announced at the Halliday Wine Companion awards ceremony

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
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Discovering East Arnhem: Australia’s most unique and rewarding corner

    Joanne Millares Joanne Millares
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    Hard to reach and harder to forget, East Arnhem offers something rare in modern travel: the chance to slow down and experience Country on its own terms.

    The sky feels bigger in East Arnhem. It stretches wide and uninterrupted above rouged earth, stringybark woodland and beaches so empty they seem to belong to another era. The coastline curves for kilometres without a footprint and the horizon runs on forever.

    For comedian Lou Wall, the scale of the place was the first thing that hit them.

    “The sheer openness,” they say. “The sky feels infinite and the land stretches out endlessly. It’s pretty breathtaking visually.”

    But the physical landscape is only part of the story. The real reward isn’t only the scenery but the shift in perspective the journey brings. Visitors stop trying to tick off the destination and a real engagement takes over.

    “It made me never want to travel again,” Wall jokes. “In that I never wanted to leave East Arnhem.”

    Getting there

    Aerial shot of East Arnhem’s coastline as cars trace the curve of the shore.
    Sail along the remote coastline on an expedition cruise.

    Reaching East Arnhem is part of the adventure. Travellers typically fly into Gove Airport near Nhulunbuy via Darwin or Cairns, or arrive by expedition cruise along the remote coastline. Others make the journey overland along rutted dirt roads that cut through East Arnhem’s small pockets of monsoon forest.

    However you arrive, there’s a distinct feeling of crossing into somewhere different. Permits are required to visit the region, reflecting the fact that this is Yolŋu land where communities and traditional owners maintain deep cultural connections to Country.

    The extra planning becomes part of the experience. By the time visitors arrive, they understand they’re entering a place not just of respect, but also patience and curiosity.

    At one with nature

    East Arnhem’s  landscapes leave a strong imprint. For Wall, one place in particular still lingers in their memory: Ngalarrkpuy, also known as Lonely Beach, near Bawaka Homeland.

    “I genuinely felt like I was living inside an Instagram filter,” they say. “One of the most stunning feats of nature I’ve ever seen. The water was so clear I swear I could see even the fish smiling.”

    Across the region, natural experiences unfold at a slower pace. Fishing, beachcombing and island hopping reveal the rhythm of the coastline. The tides shape daily life and the vastness of the landscape makes even simple moments feel downright cinematic.

    For visitors with limited time, Wall says the Bawaka Homeland experience is unmissable.

    “I just left and I’m already planning when I can get back there.”

    The sense of remoteness is part of the appeal. In a country where many beaches are crowded and well-trodden, East Arnhem’s coastline still feels wonderfully wild.

    Immersing in local culture

    A visitor spends a meaningful moment alongside Yolŋu guides, gaining insight into their deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land.
    Experience authentic moments with the locals.

    Culture is woven through every experience in East Arnhem. Visitors have the opportunity to spend time on Country with Yolŋu guides and knowledge holders who share stories and traditions that have been passed down for generations.

    For Wall, one of the most powerful moments came during a conversation with a Yolŋu elder.

    “I got to meet a traditional elder, Mayalil, in Nhulunbuy,” they say. “Listening to her talk about her home made the land feel alive in ways I couldn’t have imagined.”

    The region is also home to internationally recognised Aboriginal art centres where artists shape works deeply connected to land and family knowledge.

    Music carries the same cultural energy. East Arnhem has produced globally recognised artists such as King Stingray and Baker Boy, blending Yolŋu language, storytelling and contemporary sound.

    Wall experienced this musical spirit first-hand.

    “A jam session around the fire was it for me,” they say. “Letting the deep joy and history of their music wash over me…  and meeting a few of the King Stingray musicians was unreal.”

    These moments of human connection often become the most memorable part of a visit.

    Spotting local wildlife

    An aerial view of the beach shows tiny figures lined up across the white sand, moving as if in a rhythmic dance.
    Step into a world where nature reigns.

    The wildlife of East Arnhem adds another layer to the experience. The region is home to an extraordinary range of animals, from waterbirds and turtles to dugongs, dolphins and the formidable saltwater crocodile.

    Wall admits they didn’t actually spot a croc during their visit.

    “Devastatingly, I didn’t see one,” they laugh. “But with all the stories from the locals I definitely gained a healthy respect for caution.”

    Some of the most memorable wildlife encounters can be surprisingly small., At Banubanu Beach Retreat on Bremer Island, Wall remembers walking along the beach one morning and watching it come alive.

    “As you walk through the sand you see hundreds of crabs scurrying into their holes as you pass by,” they say. “Such a small thing, but it was completely magical.”

    Moments like this reveal the quieter rhythms of East Arnhem, where even the smallest creatures seem to play a part in the landscape.

    Visitors who make the journey soon learn the most important travel tip of all.

    “Go in open-minded with a sense of curiosity,” Wall says. “Be prepared to ditch your plans. The land and the locals will guide you on an adventure no spreadsheets could ever compete with.”

    And most importantly, they add, don’t rush.

    “The land and people deserve your time and attention. You’ll be all the better for slowing down.”

    For more information on visiting East Arnhem, head to eastarnhem.com.au.

    The 8 best wineries in Australia have just been announced