This Victorian vineyard just took out Australia’s winery of the year

Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
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And it’s not the first time…

Calling all wine lovers – Australia’s top winery of 2025 has officially been crowned. An expert tasting panel from leading wine authority, The Real Review , assessed tipples from cellar doors across the country to determine the winner.

Clocking the title of Winery of the Year is a pretty big deal, considering Australia is home to 65 designated wine regions and roughly 2700 producers. But with over 15,000 wines tasted and 414 wineries ranked, the hard work is over and the titleholder has been revealed.

Which is the best winery in Australia?

Taking out the best winery in Australia for 2025 is Wine By Farr in the Moorabool Valley, just outside of Geelong in Victoria. It marks the fifth consecutive year in which a Victorian winery has taken out the top spot, and the second victory for Wine by Farr following a win back in 2022.

Wine by Farr in Geelong, Victoria
Wine by Farr is the 2025 Winery of the Year.

“Wine by Farr is a thoroughly deserving recipient of Winery of the Year. Nick Farr and his team continue to produce wines of exceptional quality and character, year after year," says The Real Review’s principal wine writer, Huon Hooke.

“Our tastings confirmed this, with the RP Pinot Noir earning an impressive 99 points and a finalist position for Red Wine of the Year. It was closely followed by a trio of 98-point wines: the GC Chardonnay, Tout Près Pinot Noir and By Farr Shiraz."

Wine by Farr in Geelong, Victoria
The family-owned business has a unique winemaking style.

The family-owned and -operated business has been in the vinification game since 1994, focusing on minimal-intervention wines that reflect the land and seasons. Boasting 14.5 hectares of vineyards – with the remaining 30 hectares dedicated to grazing and cropping for cattle – the cellar door prides itself on its distinctive style; a style that’s clearly turning heads.

The vintners at Wine By Farr reap the rewards of its geographical location, a unique microclimate created from ancient riverbed deposits that date back thousands of years and result in six distinct soil types across the property. The team use this to grow small yields of intensely flavoured fruit that create an inimitable range, from smooth pinot noirs to aromatic chardonnays. And while there’s no cellar door to visit, its products are available at most major bottle shops.

Wine by Farr in Geelong, Victoria
The vineyard sits atop ancient riverbed deposits in the Moorabool Valley.

Wine By Farr is among friends, too. The state of Victoria secured nine positions in the top 20, demonstrating its strong hold in the world of wine. South Australia also impressed, claiming seven of the top 20 spots.

Hooke added, “Victoria featured prominently in the top rankings this year… this is echoed in our new selection of category winners: the White Wine of the Year and Red Wine of the Year both hail from the Yarra Valley and reflect the region’s strength in cool-climate styles."

Wynns Coonawarra Estate in South Australia
South Australia’s Wynns Coonawarra Estate took out fifth place.

“South Australia again contributed the largest share of the rankings, accounting for just over 35 per cent of the Top Wineries list," Hooke says. “Wynns Coonawarra Estate stood out as the highest-ranked South Australian winery, rising 21 places this year to claim the number five position."

Completing the top five wineries of 2025 are the Yarra Valley’s Yarra Yering , Levantine Hill and Giant Steps respectively, a testament to the region’s remarkable cellar doors. South Australia’s Wynns Coonawarra Estate rounds out the top five. And so it seems that Aussie wine lovers should start packing for a winter weekend down south ASAP.

The top 10 wineries in Australia

  1. Wine By Farr, Vic
  2. Yarra Yering, Vic
  3. Levantine Hill Estate, Vic
  4. Giant Steps Wine, Vic
  5. Wynns Coonawarra Estate, SA
  6. Yalumba Winery, SA
  7. Seppeltsfield Estate, SA
  8. Oakridge Wines, Vic
  9. Cullen Wines, WA
  10. Wendouree Wines, SA

Find the full list of winners here .

Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to visit places like Norway and New Zealand, her favourite place to explore will forever be her homeland.
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Victoria’s most memorable guided tours to book now

    Lara PiconeBy Lara Picone
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    Get around the natural beauty and bounty of regional Victoria on a guided tour that reveals extraordinary moments from coast to country.

    Walk the Great Ocean Road

    forest walk along the Great Ocean Road
    Swap your car for walking shoes on the Great Ocean Road.

    The Australian Walking Co’s immersive three-day, lodge-based walk is absolute bucket-list fodder. The easy-going, guided coastal hike is marked by epic scenery and end-of-day luxury. You’ll have no need for heavy packs or tents, instead expect fresh-caught crayfish, post-walk canapés and local wines. Each day explores the drama of this ocean-facing landscape with an approachable three-hour-ish walk, leaving plenty of time to unwind at the lodge.

    Swim with seals and dolphins at Port Phillip Heads

    dolphins swimming in Port Phillip Head Marine Park
    Swim with dolphins in Port Phillip Head Marine Park.

    Dive into Popes Eye, within Port Phillip Heads Marine National Park, for this wild swimming experience with mankind’s BFFs of the sea. On the See All Dolphin Swims 3.5-hour experience, departing from Queenscliff, you’ll begin in shallow, calm waters before venturing off to Chinaman’s Hat and beyond to meet seals and dolphins in their own habitat. All gear is provided and all ages are welcome.

    Get your ghost on in the Grampians

    For those with a penchant for the paranormal, get ready for goosebumps when you embark on the Lantern Tours J Ward Paranormal Investigation excursion that takes place under the moonlight in the west wing of Aradale Lunatic Asylum. As you keep a lookout for supernatural activity, you’ll enjoy tales of the criminally insane inmates that will make the hairs on your neck stand to attention.

    Paddle along the mighty Murray

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    Glide along the scenic Murray on a stand-up paddleboard.

    Swoosh softly through the silky waters of the mighty Murray on a stand-up paddle board with Echuca Moama Stand Up Paddle . This gentle downstream sojourn meanders for one-and-a-half hours covering 4.5 kilometres of the river, taking in the beauty on the banks and the vibrant birdlife. From Echuca Moama slip under the Moama Bridge and glide beside its iconic paddlesteamers and the historic port.

    Sip and cycle in the Yarra Valley

    cyclists exploring Yarra Valley
    Cycle around Yarra Valley wine country.

    Wine and wheels make a great pairing on the Tour De Vines six-hour Yarra Valley tour that weaves through vine-threaded roads. It’s a relaxed pace along 20 kilometres of the Warburton Rail Trail as you spot native birds and stop in at local vineyards and produce stores. You’ll pull in at a local winery for a tasting and enjoy lunch before hitting up a couple of cellar doors. Depending on your pedal power, there may be time to sneak in a visit to a chocolate or cheese factory.

    Dig for gold in Bendigo

    Think you have what it takes to unearth a gilded treasure? Try your hand at prospecting and learn the art of gold-digging (in the geological sense) on the two-hour Gold Nugget Hunter tour in the Loddon Valley. On the tour, mine the wisdom of locals Shane and Jackie – who have honed their hobby of gold-detecting into an art – to learn how to read the land and use a gold detector. You may even go home with a nugget of your own.

    Cruise around Wilsons Promontory

    the Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom
    Cruise around Skull Rock in Wilsons Prom. (Image: Connor Vaughan)

    It’s a thrill to drive directly from the sand into the waves aboard the Wanderer Adventures ’ bright-yellow amphibious boat. On this 2.5-hour tour, you’ll skip along the water to take in Wilsons Prom’s top highlights, such as the imposing Skull Rock, The Glennies, Anderson Islets and Anser Island. Spot seals, penguins and seabirds as you absorb the tranquillity of this stunning environment.

    Walk with llamas in the Macedon Ranges

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    Make friends with a llama in the Macedon Ranges.

    If you’ve always felt an affinity for long-lashed camelids, then bonding with a llama on a leisurely walk might just be the thing for you. Opt for either a three-hour, five-kilometre hike or a longer 12-kilometre trek along the Domino Rail Trail paired with a gentle, hooved friend. Things kick off with a llama orientation, where you’ll learn how to lead and look out for your new mate before you hit the track. It’s a lovely way to explore the beauty of the region with a sensitive and curious companion by your side.

    Go underground in the Grampians

    a subterranean tour of Seppelt Wines
    Take a subterranean tour of Seppelt Wines. (Image: Ben Savage/We Are Explorers)

    Oenophiles and cave-lovers alike will enjoy going underground at Seppelt’s ‘Drives’ . The largest underground cellar in Australia, The Drives were dug by local goldminers in 1868 and meander for three-kilometres – keeping wine treasures at a temperate 16-degrees year-round. A 50-minute tour through the heritage-listed granite tunnels happily conclude with a tasting of the label’s celebrated sparkling wines.

    Discover island life in the Mornington Peninsula

    a guided tour of French Island
    Discover the Mornington Peninsula’s flora and fauna on a guided tour of French Island.

    Eject from the mainland on a catamaran bound for the wildlife haven of French Island with Naturaliste Tours . Once you disembark from the boat, you’ll hop into a 4WD to explore the pristine flora and fauna, from salt marshes to vast Fairhaven Beach. Look out for echidnas and koalas and enjoy short walks and historic sites on this half-day tour.

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    The southernmost tip is a haven for wildlife. (Image: CMcConville)