Reference books, historical tomes, atlases, travel guides, biographies etc.
But there is one wine book that I refer to more than any other: the annual Halliday Wine Companion. The 2025 edition (they work well ahead, the Halliday team) was released earlier in August, when I was overseas on holiday.
But I wasn't going to miss any news. My email inbox was full of newsletters detailing the high scores some of the lucky recipients received from the Halliday team.
Giant Steps from the Yarra Valley was named Winery of the Year and its 2023 Applejack Pinot Noir has won Best Pinot Noir at the awards. Winemaker Mel Chester describes the accolades as the “big daddy” of wine awards.
I don't refer to the scores that much. One reviewer's 97 is another's 93.
But the info on wineries around Australia is essential stuff.
If I need to check on who used to be the winemaker used to be at Winery X on the Granite Belt, then I know where to find the info.
And if I want to know what year the first vines were planted at Winery Z in the Swan Valley went in, the info will be right there.
The Halliday Wine Companion Award winners were determined collaboratively by the Halliday Tasting Team, including (now former) chief editor Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale, and Toni Paterson MW.
That's a collection of formidable palates.
The 2025 edition of the Companion includes over 5000 tasting notes and scores, and there are more than 7500 new notes available online at winecompanion.com.au.
The new Hall of Fame inductee was Sue Hodder, from Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate.
In case you've been living under a rock, the major award winners were:
Winery of the Year – Giant Steps, Yarra Valley
Winemaker of the Year – Liz Silkman, First Creek Wines and Silkman Wines, Hunter Valley
Viticulturist of the Year – Bart Molony, Vasse Felix, Margaret River
Best Value Winery – Mulline, Geelong
Best New Winery – Sami-Odi, Barossa Valley
Dark Horse Winery – ChaLou Wines, Orange
Wine of the Year – Oakridge 864 Drive Block Funder & Diamond Vineyard Chardonnay 2022, Yarra Valley
The Sami-Odi award is a little weird as that producer has been around for almost two decades. I also noticed typos, which is disappointing. Kate Hill’s Four Winds vineyard, for example, is called Four Wines.
In case you've been living under a rock, the major award winners were:
Winery of the Year – Giant Steps, Yarra Valley
Winemaker of the Year – Liz Silkman, First Creek Wines and Silkman Wines, Hunter Valley
Viticulturist of the Year – Bart Molony, Vasse Felix, Margaret River
Best Value Winery – Mulline, Geelong
Best New Winery – Sami-Odi, Barossa Valley
Dark Horse Winery – ChaLou Wines, Orange
Wine of the Year – Oakridge 864 Drive Block Funder & Diamond Vineyard Chardonnay 2022, Yarra Valley
The Sami-Odi award is a little weird as that producer has been around for almost two decades. I also noticed typos, which is disappointing. Kate Hill’s Four Winds vineyard, for example, is called Four Wines.
The Halliday Wine Companion 2025 has been completely revised and the book provides information about wineries and winemakers, including opening times, contact details and advice on family and dog-friendly vineyards.
It would make a perfect Father's Day gift.
The 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, published by Hardie Grant Books, is now available nationwide at an RRP of $45. winecompanion.com.au
It would make a perfect Father's Day gift.
The 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, published by Hardie Grant Books, is now available nationwide at an RRP of $45. winecompanion.com.au
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