As winemakers frequently say, “great wine is made in the vineyard.” The Awards are designed to place vineyards and growers across the nation at the heart of the Australian wine story, and the heart of the Australian wine community. We want to strengthen the connection between the wine in your glass, the place it comes from, and the way the grapes are grown.
The awards are about sustainability, innovation and the pursuit of vine health and wine quality. We want to hear what viticulture approaches are being incorporated, and shine a light on the work of our best growers.
These awards are a celebration of viticulture, and it is through the championing of top vineyards and their stewards, that we can elevate the awareness of their unique role in shaping the wines we love.
Margaret River
2023 Finalist
Claudia Gant has evolved the 467 Twenty Four Road vineyard – established by her father Graham Lloyd in 1998 – with a rich tapestry of varieties, from Margaret River’s renowned chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon to the less traditional, such as arneis, alvarinho, and touriga nacional. Tucked away in the southern reaches of Margaret River, the cool climes of Karridale, shadowed by the influence of the Southern Ocean, offer a unique microclimate. Combined with Claudia’s vineyard architecture, this delivers grapes of high natural acidity, providing a suite of options for a natural approach in the winery. Here, the fruits of Claudia and Matt Gant’s labor not only fuel their own ‘Gant & Co’ label but also five other local wineries, Domaine Naturaliste, Howard Park, Flametree, Byron and Harold, and Skigh Wine.
Barossa Valley
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2021 Innovative Vineyard of the Year
2021 Finalist
Alkina is a relatively new project on an old farm. First planted to vines by Les Kalleske in 1955 in the Barossa subregion of Greenock, the site boasts stone buildings dating back to the 1850s. When Argentinian vigneron Alejandro Bulgheroni bought the property in 2015, he planted new vines and embarked on a process of examining the site’s geology in microscopic detail over a five-year project. With general manager Amelia Nolan and vineyard manager Johnny Schuster both overseeing the certified biodynamic vineyard, the ongoing quest is to grow terroir-reflective fruit from Barossa heritage varieties and elaborate them with simple and transparent winemaking, both as blends of blocks and micro-parcels called ‘Polygons’.
Adelaide Hills
2023 Finalist
Founded in 1982 by Stephen George, Ashton Hills is a beacon of viticultural excellence nestled within the officially recognized Piccadilly Valley subregion of the Adelaide Hills. Under the stewardship of Wirra Wirra Vineyards, with the viticultural expertise of Anton Groffen and vineyard management by Jose Neves, Ashton Hills passionately focuses on a meticulously curated selection of pinot noir clones. This 3-hectare estate, lauded for its high-altitude positioning, crafts wines that embody the essence of the Piccadilly Valley’s cool climate. The offerings, including Ashton Hills Reserve, Ashton Hills Estate, and Ashton Hills Riesling, are distinguished by their precision, elegance, and a vivid expression of terroir. Ashton Hills underscores its significance through a relentless pursuit of clonal perfection, a minimal intervention philosophy, and a deep respect for the unique cool climate conditions of its subregion, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of Australian cool climate viticulture.
NSW/ACT, Hilltops
2023 Finalist
In the heart of the Hilltops region, Barwang Vineyard emerges as a testament to innovation and resilience in Australian viticulture. Founded in 1969, the site was purchased in 2021 by the Bowman family, whose farming roots in the area span six generations, and is led today by James Bowman with vineyard manager Scott Douglas. The vineyard grows not only its own esteemed Barwang wines but also plays a pivotal role as a supplier of premium grapes to notable labels including Brokenwood, Hungerford Hill, Lerida Estate, Nick O’Leary, Collector, Eden Road, and more. At a time when the industry sees many moving away from vineyard ownership, the Bowman family’s foray into grape growing exemplifies a bold faith in the future of viticulture, integrating this new challenge into their diversified farming enterprise. Their approach showcases a thoughtful stewardship of a significant 100ha site, underpinned by sustainable practices such as mixed farming, composting, mulching, and native tree regeneration.
Hunter Valley
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
The Graveyard Vineyard is one of this country’s most significant. It’s mature enough, at a little over 50 years, though that’s not particularly old in this country’s oldest winegrowing region, the Hunter Valley. It’s significant for its history, with James Halliday prominent among the three solicitors that first planted it, with the first harvest ferried by Len Evans’ Bentley to the makeshift winery. And it’s significant for what followed, with the Brokenwood ‘Graveyard Vineyard’ Shiraz becoming one of the towering icons of Australian wine. Today, the vineyard has become solely focused on shiraz, with viticulturist Katrina Barry taking the baton of vineyard manager from her father, managing the site with sustainability as a core value.
South Australia, Mount Benson
2023 Finalist
Growing on the terra rossa and limestone soils of Mount Benson, with temperatures moderated by the cool salty winds of the Great Southern Ocean, Cape Jaffa Wines has – since its inception in 1993 – been a pioneering beacon for biodynamic practices in the region (officially certified biodynamic since 2005). Led by head grower Hamish Stevenson since 2019, Cape Jaffa Wines continues to innovate and lead in biodynamics for Mount Benson, resulting in ever more characterful grapes and an evolving mix of both classic and experimental wines ‘grown’ from the vineyard. All of this while its commitment to sustainability extends to broader initiatives with a holistic approach to farming.
South Australia, Clare Valley
2023 Finalist
In Clare Valley’s subregion of Watervale, the Castine’s began planting grapevines in 1996 on their property which they had farmed for four generations. 37-hectares of vines are now spread across two distinct blocks on the vineyard, consisting of riesling, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, and grenache. Today, the site is managed by Ben Castine and his wife Jess Smythe-Castine, with a firm focus on land ecology and fruit quality. An impressive lineup of top labels are benefactors of the Castine-Morella Vineyard fruit, such as Wines by KT, Vickery, O’Leary Walker, Tim Gramp, Dorien Estate Winery, Taylors, and Kenny Wines.
Victoria, Heathcote
2023 Finalist
2020 Finalist
The Chalmers family have supplied vines and fruit to countless growers and makers over the years, with a specialisation in Italian varieties that are revered in Italy but less well known here. The Chalmers Heathcote vineyard was first planted in 2009, with 27 different varieties now in the ground that go both to their own label as well as a suite of top makers, including Momento Mori, Jamsheed, Little Reddie and Konpira Maru. The vineyard has recently achieved certification from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and the Chalmers approach – with the guidance of viticulturist Troy McInnes – is one of adaption not just through variety, but also via norm-shattering vineyard layouts and a management plan that places soil health front and centre.
Mornington Peninsula
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2020 Finalist
Crittenden Estate is one of Mornington Peninsula’s oldest vineyards, with Garry Crittenden planting his first couple of hectares in the 80s, which doubled the region’s land under vine at the time. Today, while the regional strengths of chardonnay and pinot noir remain the same, much on the Peninsula has changed. And the Crittendens have changed too, with Garry and his son Rollo steering the viticulture down a sustainable route that has seen vast benefits for biodiversity and soil health, as well as wine quality. The estate vineyard produces a suite of wines – including two savagnin-based bottlings that pay homage to the wines of the Jura – which form the premium end of the Crittenden range. Top of that tree are the Cri de Coeur wines, and they’re wines that Rollo says would not have been possible without their farming revolution.
South Australia, Barossa Valley
2023 Finalist
2020 Finalist
The Hoffmann family’s Dallwitz Block is one of the Barossa Valley’s most renowned fruit sources, with the old vines planted between 1888 and 1912. After purchasing the vineyard in the ’50s, hard times almost saw the site lost in the ’80s, but a revival started by Jeff Hoffmann and extensively expanded by his son Adrian now sees the family vineyards – with the Dallwitz Block as the centrepiece – as some of the region’s most distinguished. With shiraz the lead variety and a focus on increasing soil health, the Dallwitz Block supplies fruit to top makers, including Rockford, Agricola, Glaetzer, Chris Ringland, Torbreck, John Duval and Sami-Odi.
Victoria, Mornington Peninsula
2023 Finalist
In Merricks North, in the heart of Mornington Peninsula, lies Foxey’s Hangout’s Scotsworth Farm vineyard, one of the region’s pioneering biodynamic sites. Planted in 1998 by brothers Michael and Tony Lee, with viticulturist Chris Strickland taking the helm in 2016, this 2-hectare vineyard growing pinot noir and chardonnay has distinguished itself. Scotsworth Farm lays claim to being the first vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula to be biodynamically certified – achieving this status in 2019 after applying for certification in 2017. Today, Foxey’s Scotsworth Farm Chardonnay and Scotsworth Farm Pinot Noir are among the best of the varietal wines coming from the region.
NSW/ACT, Hilltops
2023 Finalist
Perched at 600 metres in the elevated terrains of Hilltops NSW, the Freeman Altura Vineyard stands as a beacon of grapevine diversity. Spearheaded by the visionary Dr. Brian Freeman, this vineyard encapsulates a pioneering spirit. With plantings ranging from 1975 to the present, the vineyard spans 28 hectares, showcasing 20 varieties at last count, from the classics including chardonnay and shiraz, to Italian stars nebbiolo and sangiovese, to the little known and obscure – aleatico, furmint, harslevelu, rondinella – among others. The Freeman Altura Vineyard is just one of several Freeman vineyards within a 10km radius, with just 1% of the Freeman grape production selected for their own branded products which range from $25 through to $95 per wine. The rest of their grape production is sold to over 15 other winemakers, including Hungerford Hill, Mada, Nick Spencer, Lerida Estate, Charles Sturt, Mercer Wines, Brokenwood, and Ravensworth.
Victoria, Macedon Ranges
2023 Finalist
At 34-hectares, the Glenhope Vineyard is the largest in the burgeoning Macedon Ranges, a young-ish region with a chillingly cold climate and a small cluster of wine brands developing a cult-like following. Glenhope Vineyard is actually positioned in the most northern area of the region, making it a slightly warmer ‘sub-region’ of the Macedon Ranges comparative to the dress circle of Lancefield, Woodend, Gisborne and Daylesford where most of the chardonnay and pinot noir producers reside. Under the stewardship of Scott Harrington since 2018, and embraced by its new owners James and Marlin Gevergizian in 2021, Glenhope has embarked on a journey to make the vineyard increasingly more sustainable. From its inception in 1995, this vineyard has been dedicated to producing a diverse array of varieties, including chardonnay, riesling, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot, pinot noir, and shiraz. These go into Glenhope’s own label (launched 2023), as well as a list of the who’s who of producers in the area, including: Bindi Wines (Dhillon range), Silent Way, Latta Vino, ECK Wines, Defaily, Ben Ranken, Josh Cooper and more.
Victoria, Swan Hill
2023 Finalist
2020 Finalist
Gorton Drive Estates’ 85-hectare property sits on the banks of Kangaroo Lake in the arid warmth of Victoria’s Swan Hill region. In a zone that is often characterised by yield over character, second-generation owner and viticulturist Chris Dent is changing the script, focusing on soil health and reduced yields to produce high-quality fruit. He employs biological farming methods to build resilience and reduce or eliminate reliance on inputs and chemical control measures for disease and pests, with technology streamlining operations and eliminating an overdependence on irrigation. The grapes are sold to many well-known names, such as Brown Brothers and McPherson Wines, while also filling the bottles of Dent’s new home range, Countertop.
Western Australia, Margaret River
2023 Finalist
2020 Finalist
Founded by Graham and Merilyn Hutton in 1975, Gralyn Estate – on the prime stretch of Caves Road in Wilyabrup – is one of Margaret River’s oldest vineyards. In what was originally a diversification from their cattle farming operation, the pair have never chased the same path as other Margaret River pioneers, instead opting to remain decidedly compact. There are just 3.5 hectares of shiraz and cabernet sauvignon under vine, with wines made in an array of styles, from profound reserve bottlings to unoaked reds and even a late harvest off-dry cabernet. The vineyard is now managed with organic practices (not certified) by Scott Baxter, who is pushing the boundaries even further with the elimination of copper and sulphur in the vineyard in his sights.
McLaren Vale
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
In McLaren Vale’s Tatachilla subregion, Dudley Brown and Irina Santiago-Brown’s Inkwell Vineyard is a model vineyard operation with sustainability as a driving principal. Certified organic since 2017, the vineyard has been managed with strict organics since 2008. Furthermore, in 2023 they achieved ‘Regenerative’ certification (ROC) – one of the first 15 vineyards in the world, and the first in Australia to do so. From an existing young vineyard planted solely to shiraz, the varietal mix has been tweaked since 2011 to include climate-apt grapes like primitivo, grillo and arinto, while the viticulture has been continually tweaked to improve soil health and reduce water usage. The property also houses an off-grid luxury hotel and significant biodiversity corridors. All wines are made onsite and range from varietal expressions of regional hero varieties to orange wines and preservative-free offerings.
Hunter Valley
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2021 Finalist
Field of Mars is the Keith Tulloch Wine home vineyard. Planted mostly to over 50-year-old vines on alluvial soils in Pokolbin, it rubs shoulders with some of the Hunter’s most revered semillon sites. Sustainability is a key driver of the estate, from the farming to re-establishing native scrub to using only recycled packaging for their wine. The site is run by vineyard manager Brent Hutton, with it producing premium single block varietal wines from chardonnay, shiraz, viognier and semillon in the Field of Mars range.
South Australia, McLaren Vale
2023 Finalist
Planted circa 1960s, and purchased in 2012 by Fiona and Stephen Pannell, the Koomilya vineyard combines McLaren Vale’s wine heritage with a forward thinking approach to the identity of Australian wine through the lens of ‘alternative’ climate-apt varieties. The site includes two rows of mataro that are around 100 years old, as well as some old-vine shiraz and cabernet sauvignon propagated in the 1960s from McLaren Vale’s original 1840s vines. Malbec, touriga nacional, tempranillo and grenache make up the rest of the vineyard, where the average vine age is around 25 years. Large work to replace invasive plants with native trees, coupled with further regenerative agriculture, has been taken to restore the land. The 12 hectares under vine are nestled amongst two native scrublands – preserving the endangered Grey Box Grassy Woodlands – and creek lines which define the unique setting of this 35 hectare property.
Rutherglen
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2021 Finalist
Lake Moodemere Estate is planted to red soils on an ancient riverbed of the Murray in Victoria’s historic Rutherglen region. The site has been in the Chambers family for five generations, with the first vines planted in the 1800s – though they did not see the next century due to phylloxera. A long history of focusing on sustainability has been enhanced as the years go by, with a symbiotic relationship with their mixed farming and vineyard operations of mutual benefit. The property abuts the Moodemere Reserve, with dense bushland providing a rich habitat for beneficial insects and native wildlife, which in league with their sustainable practices (including cover crops that were first implemented in the 1970s) eliminated insecticide use 40 years ago. The fruit goes to making estate wines – sparkling, table and fortified – which are made onsite and served in their lakeside restaurant, which is supplied by their farm, using everything from wheat to lamb, vegetables, fruit and honey. Joel Chambers is the vineyard manager.
Wrattonbully
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2021 Finalist
Susie Harris makes her Land of Tomorrow wines from her family’s Wrattonbully property, which they have farmed for four generations. Beginning in the 1970s, the property has been steadily revegetated from bare grazing land to re-establish woodland and wetlands, with vines first planted for the Grindstone Vineyard in 1995. Harris has sped up the process of restoring the land, with as much attention to the vineyard as the surrounding land, building biodiversity from microbes in the soil to native grasses between the rows and fauna in the re-established scrub.
Adelaide Hills
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
The Longview Vineyard in Macclesfield is somewhat of an Adelaide Hills pioneer. Although it was planted in the late ’90s, a little later than the region’s early adopters, nebbiolo was notably planted alongside a brace of more traditional varieties. That was followed with barbera and Austria’s most important grape, grüner veltliner. Those varieties have proven to be well suited to the region, with Longview making leading examples under their own label, while they have also been a source of contract fruit for many other makers. That has proven to be a significant resource for those not blessed with their own vineyards, while it has also advanced the case for those varieties amongst vignerons and drinkers alike. With ten varieties planted, Longview deviates from tradition in the Adelaide Hills. With 8 hectares of nebbiolo alone, including seven different clones, the vineyard has become one of the most significant sites for this variety in Australia. Longview is also somewhat of a Hills tourist destination, with a day spa and accommodation joining the cellar door. Christopher Mein is the vineyard manager, who is constantly evolving his methods to improve vine and soil health with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability.
Margaret River
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
Hazel’s Vineyard is the home site for Margaret River’s McHenry Hohnen, with the fruit making wines all along their range, including classic regional expressions of chardonnay and cabernet, emerging grapes like tempranillo, a mineral Southern Rhône blend and their flagship cabernets, Rolling Stone. Planted over 20 years ago, the site has been managed according to organic then biodynamic principles, with certification coming in 2020. Simon Keall manages the McHenry Hohnen vineyards with a sustainable ethos, which includes solar generation, no external water for irrigation and onsite composting.
Tasmania
2023 Finalist
2021 New Vineyard of the Year
2021 Finalist
2020 Finalist
Mewstone has appeared comet-like in its success. The wines – hailing from the banks of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel in Tasmania’s viticultural deep south – have been accorded a rapid series of accolades, but though that ascension may seem quick, it was laboriously built from the ground up. Although the vineyard is just on a decade old, an intensely thoughtful process has underpinned the processes of owners Jonathan and Matthew Hughes, with the site meticulously tended and progressively planted to optimise its potential. Today, viticulturist Alex McLean works with Jonathan Hughes to manage the 5.2-hectare vineyard, farming pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling and shiraz vines.
Adelaide Hills
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
Erinn Klein and his wife, Janet, planted the Summit Vineyard at a density of 6,600 vines per hectare on his family’s property in 2001–02. Aside from being a site of excellent potential, biodynamic farming principles had been in place for over a decade, with certification coming in 1993. That property houses the herb farm at the core of the family’s Jurlique skin-care brand, providing botanicals for their products. The approach that underscores the herb farm was always going to be central to the Kleins’ vision, who run the Ngeringa brand together from the ground up, making wine on site as well as running livestock, growing vegetables and tirelessly revegetating the native environment. From the 2-hectare Summit vineyard, Ngeringa make their premium pinot noir and chardonnay, and fruit from this site also goes into the broader estate syrah and a pet-nat.
McLaren Vale
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2021 Finalist
The Orbis wine label was founded by Brad Moyes and Kendall Grey in 2018 when they purchased an established vineyard in McLaren Vale. The Orbis name references the idea of a self-sufficient system, and the pair anchor everything they do in sustainability, from farming to bottling. Mowing between the rows is largely performed by a flock of babydoll sheep that have been given permanent residence between the vines, with chickens and ducks to join them once a fox-proof fence trial is completed. The fruit goes to the Orbis wines made by Lauren Langfield at the onsite winery, from a pét-nat and a piquette to trousseau and an old vine shiraz, with a pair of rosés and a few non-traditional blends filling out the roster. Contract grapes are also sold to make premium products for Ministry of Clouds, Hither & Yon and Samson Tall, amongst others. Macca Mackenzie, owner Brad Moyes, and general manager Lauren Langfield.
South Australia, McLaren Vale
2023 Finalist
The Thomas Block is the jewel in the crown for Paxton Wines, who have around half a dozen vineyards throughout McLaren Vale. The first vineyard purchased by David Paxton in 1978, this 26-hectare certified biodynamic vineyard boasts a treasure of old vine shiraz planted in 1887 – the oldest shiraz vines in McLaren Vale. Further plantings since 1979 give it a grape variety mix that also includes grenache, chardonnay, pinot gris, cabernet, graciano, mataro, tempranillo and fiano, going into Paxton Wines. The flagship Paxton wine, the EJ Shiraz, named after David Paxton’s mother and family matriarch Elizabeth Jean, comes exclusively from the Thomas Block.
South Australia, Coonawarra
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2020 Finalist
Founded in 1988, Penley Estate is not Coonawarra’s oldest name, but it is one of its most celebrated. Focusing on the classic offerings of cabernet blends and shiraz, Penley is a traditional icon of the region, but Ang and Bec Tolley were determined to take their estate in a different direction, which has been visibly led in the winery but firmly anchored in the vineyard. Under the viticultural direction of Hans Loder, the estate has recently achieved sustainable certification from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, and they are presently ‘in conversion’ to organic certification (NASAA). Loder ‘s viticulture program embraces technology and data to target the deployment of resources, improve soil health, and better assess fruit ripeness, resulting in wines with brighter profiles, while more experimental offerings have also been possible through the enhanced ability to select small parcels from the 80-hectare vineyard.
Victoria, Mornington Peninsula
2023 Finalist
Portsea Estate – Main Ridge Vineyard was first planted in 1997 and was recently acquired by Portsea Estate in 2021. Spearheaded by a passionate team including Matt Lugg, Sean Jones, Travis De Winton, Maddy Callahan, and Will Ross, this 5.47-hectare vineyard with red volcanic basalt (Ferrosol) soils at 174 metres elevation. It resides in the Mornington Peninsula’s sub-region of Main Ridge, which is surrounded on three sides by the waters of Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay and Bass Straight. The ‘Portsea Estate – Main Ridge’ site, making varietal bottlings of premium chardonnay and pinot noir, is bisected by Manton’s Creek forming a valley with east and west facing slopes, and is managed with regenerative agriculture since the new stewardship.
Western Australia, Frankland River
2023 Finalist
Initially planted in 1996, and expanded by Edwina and Larry Cherubino since 2010, the now 80-hectare Riversdale Vineyard is under the stewardship of Cherubino, with Jonno Reeve supporting vineyard management. The estate has dual-aspect sites, the Riversdale North block, facing north, and Riversdale South block, facing south. Across the property they have 15 grape varieties, from classics such as shiraz and cabernet sauvignon – where they remarkably have 20 clones, to alternative varieties like mencia, fiano, greco, and nebbiolo, as they aim for climate suitability. An impressive roll call of wines come from Riversdale vineyard, starting with the business’ own ‘Cherubino’ label, as well as Singlefile, and Penfolds wines.
Tasmania
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
Small Wonder is a new brand on a mature property in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley, specialising in pinot noir, chardonnay and aromatic whites. In 2020, Goaty Hill was sold to the Overstory group – which also has vineyards in Margaret River – by the founders after two decades on the property. Vineyard manager Wayne Nunn in consultation with Dylan Grigg has converted the site from 20 years of conventional practcies to certified organic viticulture, and together with group winemaker Andrew Trio, the team have undertaken concerted works to map and understand the micro terroirs of the site. Pinot noir, chardonnay, riesling, sauvignon blanc and pinot gris make up the varietal mix across 25 hectares of varied aspects and soil.
South Australia, Barossa Valley
2023 Finalist
2022 Finalist
2021 Finalist
2020 Finalist
Suzi Hilder and Wayne Ahrens’ Smallfry Wines is centred around their Barossa vineyard in Vine Vale. With a slew of vines over 100 years old, as well as climate-apt newer plantings, the pair grow grenache, shiraz, semillon, riesling, mataro, tempranillo, trousseau, marsanne, roussanne, cabernet sauvignon, cinsault, pedro ximènez and bonvedro. Their 18 hectares under vine has been certified organic/biodynamic since 2011, and they practice regenerative agriculture, encouraging species diversity of plants, animals and microfauna/flora. As well as making their own natural wines under the Smallfry imprint, the pair sell grapes to some leading makers, including Frederick Stevenson, Les Fruits, Ad Lib, Rasa and Sierra Reid.
Tasmania
Finalist
2023 Finalist
Palisander vineyard, in Tasmania’s Coal River Valley, was originally planted with 1-hectare of pinot noir and riesling vines in 2004, and later purchased by Samantha Connew – the talented winemaker behind the Stargazer label. Since then, Connew expanded the plantings to 5-hectares with the addition of chardonnay, gamay, pinot blanc, pinot gris, and gewurztraminer. The viticulture is managed by Bryn Williams with a holistic approach rather than simply a grape monoculture – providing economic sustainability as well as biodiversity. Palisander stands out for its depth of pinot noir and chardonnay clones, and unique focus on producing Alsatian blends.
Riverland
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
The Riverland has long been the bulk wine heart of South Australia, with growers churning out cheap fruit pumped up with irrigation. And while the region will likely always serve this function, the script is being rewritten by players like Starrs Reach, who both sell premium fruit and make wine under their own label. Sheridan Alm runs the operation with a focus on minimal inputs, sustainability and restoring non-vineyard land, including Mallee scrub, wetlands and floodplains. With grenache and mataro core varieties, Alm is intent on proving that the Riverland can focus on quality on a large scale, growing grapes that suit modern wine styles that focus on bright fruit flavours and freshness.
NSW/ACT, Orange
2023 Finalist
Building on the experience of his first vineyard in the Central Ranges, Jonathan Hambrook looked to the high-altitude cold climate of the Orange region for his next site. The viticulture at Stockman’s Ridge, planted from 2012, reflects Hambrook’s thoughtful approach. This includes a focus on repairing soils to the cultivation of a diverse 6-hectare vineyard planted with a density of approximately 3,400 vines per hectare. The selection of varieties is both traditional and exploratory, featuring pinot noir, shiraz, zinfandel, cabernet franc, merlot, pinot gris, sauvignon blanc, and grüner veltliner – the latter of which represents a pioneering planting in the region.
South Australia, Eden Valley
2023 Finalist
Located in the Eden Valley’s southeastern corner, a stone’s throw from Springton, Stonegarden Vineyard is a historic gem first planted from 1858. Under Glen Monaghan’s stewardship since 2015, this 20-hectare vineyard nurtures a diverse array of varieties including grenache, shiraz, cabernet sauvignon, riesling, muscat, mataro, and more, without herbicides, embodying a minimalist viticulture ethos. Stonegarden’s vines, over 165 years old, contribute to an impressive roll call of wines. Labels such as Stonegarden Wines, Chateau Tanunda, John Duval, Kellermeister, Head Wines, Eperosa, and Brothers At War showcase the vineyard’s grenache, with prices ranging from $65 to $500, underscoring the exceptional quality derived from this historic site.
Victoria, Heathcote
2023 Finalist
In Tooborac, the southernmost point of the Heathcote wine region, amongst the verdigris-mossed granitic boulders of the hillside, emerges the Syrahmi Home Block Vineyard, the labour of love for shiraz by Adam Foster. The Syrahmi label was launched in the mid-2000’s as a roaming project, taking in parcels of fruit from across Heathcote. However, it was the planting of the ‘Home Block Vineyard’ in 2017 that was the masterstroke. Since then, the vines have been hewn with blood, sweat and tears into the granitic soils at a high-density by Adam Foster alone. This young vineyard is the fastidious next chapter in an obsession and unwavering commitment to make the ultimate expression of shiraz, with the first release of wines coming from the 2019 vintage, due to be released in 2024.
New England
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
Mark Kirkby’s Topper’s Mountain Vineyard was planted over two years to an eclectic mix of 17 grape varieties in the elevated cool of New South Wale’s New England region. Over two decades, the near 10-hectare vineyard has seen many varieties removed with almost as many taking their place, searching for the best vine-to-site matches. The viticultural approach is low impact, with sheep grazing amongst the vines through the cooler months and under-vine slashing in spring. The estate wines consist of varietal bottlings and field blends, some whites with skin contact and some reds with extended macerations, and all with sulphur as the only addition.
NSW/ACT, Pokolbin
2023 Finalist
2021 Finalist
2020 Finalist
The Hunter Valley’s Somerset Vineyard has been responsible for some landmark wines, from back in the days of Maurice O’Shea in the first half of the 20th century, then later for Lindeman’s at its peak in the 60s, 70s and 80s, as well as supplying fruit to Len Evans as he reshaped the Australian wine landscape. Today, Angus Vinden tends 22 hectares of vines dedicated to his family’s eponymous label, with the Hunter stalwarts of shiraz and semillon leading the way, though he also makes some more left-field offerings under the Headcase imprint from varieties like tempranillo and gewürztraminer. Vinden has given this historic vineyard a new lease of life through regenerative inspired principles, with organic certification the next goal.
South Australia, McLaren Vale
2023 Finalist
2020 Finalist
Reborn from 19th century ruins by Greg Trott, Wirra Wirra is one of McLaren Vale’s most treasured wineries. The home vineyard has grown from a humble plot of shiraz to occupy over 20 hectares, with cabernet sauvignon, grenache, tempranillo and touriga nacional joining the roster, and all carefully planted across geological nuances that are best suited to each variety. Anton Groffen runs the viticultural operations under biodynamic certification, with the vines supplying the fruit for the flagship shiraz bottlings, the ‘Chook Block’ and ‘RSW’, as well as their iconic ‘Church Block’ red blend, amongst other key lines.
South Australia, Barossa Valley
2023 Finalist
The hero of the ‘The Tri-Centenary Vineyard’ is 1.12 hectares of 820 gnarly bush vines of grenache. Planted in 1889, the oldest vines are 135 years of age, and with further plantings in 2003 and 2016 across the 18-hectares, the average vine age is over 50 years, with around 15-hectares comprising of grenache, and a further speckling of shiraz and grenache blanc vines. Cuttings from these vines support Yalumba Nursery’s propagation of select vine material. The vineyard features deep, sandy loam layers underlain with red-brown clay. With careful management, dry grown vines on these soils can consistently produce outstanding quality fruit. A handful of wines are made from this vineyard, the most esteemed of which is the ‘Yalumba Tri-Centenary Grenache’.
Victoria, Yarra Valley
2023 Finalist
Established in 1969 by Dr. Bailey Carrodus, the Yarra Yering vineyard emerged before the modern viticulture industry in Yarra Valley took shape, marking it as a true pioneer of modern Yarra Valley. With Andrew George at the helm of viticulture for more than a decade now, this dry-grown, 28-hectare historic vineyard is evolving with consideration of a changing climate and sustainable practices. It boasts an especially diverse array of grape varieties in the context of the Yarra Valley, from classic chardonnay and pinot noir, through to a number of the more exotic, including alvarelhão, tinta amarela, and sousao, to name a few. The site grows truly iconic wines, made today by Sarah Crowe, such as their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, their ‘Dry Red Wine’ range, and their ultra-premium ‘Carrodus’ range.
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