In a particularly challenging year for most, value has never been so important. We have certainly felt the need to showcase Australia’s best buys, both suitable for the mid-week and for special occasions.
In a market where manufacturing, resourcing and labour have become both difficult to source and challenging to reckon with, particularly for small businesses, we must acknowledge the key players that are consistently turning out fabulous wines, worthy of our rainy-day money. We are proud to present our Best Value Wineries of this year.
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Evans & Tate
Where: Margaret River, Western Australia
Established: 1970
Winemaker: Matthew Byrne, Feleasha Prendergast
Viticulturist: John Fogarty
Winery website: evansandtate.wine
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: xxx
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “xxx”
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Medhurst
Where: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Established: 2000
Winemaker: Rohan Smith
Viticulturist: Simon Hunter
Winery website: medhurstwines.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: xxx
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “xxx”
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Ministry of Clouds
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2012
Winemaker: Julian Forwood, Bernice Ong, Lorenzo Alvino
Viticulturist: Richard Leask
Winery website: ministryofclouds.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: xxx
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “xxx”
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MMAD Vineyard
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2021
Winemaker: Adam Wadewitz, Martin Shaw
Viticulturist: Murray Leake
Winery website: mmadvineyard.com
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: xxx
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “xxx”
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Thomas Wines
Where: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Established: 1997
Winemaker: Andrew Thomas
Viticulturist: Andrew Thomas
Winery website: thomaswines.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: xxx
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “xxx"
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Wirra Wirra Vineyards
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 1894
Winemakers: Emma Wood, Kelly Wellington, Grace Wang
Viticulturist: Anton Groffen
Winery website: wirrawirra.com
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: xxx
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “xxx”
2026 People's Choice Award
Voting is now open for the 2026 Halliday People's Choice Award. While the Awards celebrates the best of the best in Australian wine, the People's Choice Award honours the best winery experience from around the country. Cast your vote and go into the running to win the ultimate prize pack valued at over $1400. Vote now.
2026 Taste the Awards events
Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Taste the Awards events. Meet some of the winning winemakers and be the first to taste the top wines of the year. Taste the Awards 2026 is an exclusive showcase of award-winning wines and wineries from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Secure your tickets below.Taste the Awards: Melbourne
Thursday August 21, 2025
Sophia, Prahran
Book here
Taste the Awards: Sydney
Thursday August 28, 2025
Hyde Park Ballroom, Sydney
Book here
The winner of each category will be announced at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards on Wednesday August 20, 2025.
The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion – Australia's most comprehensive wine guide – will then be available from August 21.
*This is an edited extract from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by James Coe.
Quotes by Head of Tasting Katrina Butler.
