The 2025 edition of Top Wineries of Australia marks the expansion of the awards to include eight new category awards celebrating varietal excellence and industry talent, with the shortlisted finalists now unveiled.
Now in its eighth year, the new award categories include Rising Star and Vigneron of the Year along with style-specific categories such as Sparkling, White, Rosé, Red, Sweet and Fortified Wine of the Year.
Huon Hooke, Principal Wine Writer of The Real Review, which hosts the awards, says: “It’s hugely exciting to unveil these new categories for the first time, but even more exciting to reveal the names shortlisted. The finalists encompass exceptional talent, innovation, and some of the tasting team’s all-time favourite wines.
“Introducing new categories like Rising Star and Vigneron of the Year allows us to spotlight the diverse achievements across Australia’s wine landscape. It’s an exciting evolution that reflects the dynamic nature of our industry.”
More than 15,000 wines have been assessed by an expert tasting panel and 400 wineries have been recognised with Top Wineries Certification – representing 19 per cent of Australian wineries.
Of the new category awards, the 24 finalists represent five states, with Victoria accounting for almost half of the shortlist, while the Yarra Valley is the most represented winemaking region. South Australian wineries account for 20 per cent of the shortlisted wines.
Style-specific award winners will be announced on 19 May, followed by industry talent category winners on 21 May and the prestigious Winery of the Year, to be revealed on 22 May.
The 24 finalists for the new Top Wineries of Australia category awards are:
Vigneron of the Year:
- Michael Dhillon – Bindi Wines (Macedon Ranges, VIC)
- Vanya Cullen – Cullen Wines (Margaret River, WA)
- Sandra de Pury – Yerinberg (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Rising Star of the Year:
- Tom McCarthy – Quealy (Mornington Peninsula, VIC)
- Tessa Brown & Jeremy Schmölzer – Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown (Beechworth, VIC)
- Gareth Belton – Gentle Folk (Adelaide Hills, SA)
Sparkling Wine of the Year:
- Printhie Swift Late Disgorged Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2012 (Orange, NSW)
- Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2017 (Adelaide Hills, SA)
- House Of Arras Grand Vintage 2016 (Tasmania)
White Wine of the Year:
- Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Yarra Valley, VIC)
- Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2021 (Margaret River, WA)
- Tyrrell’s Single Vineyard Stevens Semillon 2018 (Hunter Valley, NSW)
Rosé Wine of the Year:
- Dominique Portet Single Vineyard Rosé 2024 (Yarra Valley, VIC)
- L.A.S. Vino Albino PNO 2023 (Margaret River, WA)
- S.C. Pannell Arido Rosé 2024 (McLaren Vale, SA)
Red Wine of the Year:
- Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz 2019 (Barossa Valley, SA)
- By Farr RP Côte Vineyard Pinot Noir 2022 (Geelong, VIC)
- Yeringberg 2022 (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Sweet Wine of the Year:
- De Bortoli Noble One 2021 (Riverina, NSW)
- Brown Brothers Patricia Noble Riesling 2022 (King Valley, VIC)
- Nugan Estate Cookoothama Limited Release Botrytis Semillon 2022 (Riverina, NSW)
Fortified Wine of the Year:
- Seppeltsfield 100 Year Old Para Vintage Tawny 1925 (Barossa Valley, SA)
- Chambers Rutherglen Grand Muscat NV (Rutherglen, VIC)
- Pfeiffer Grand Rutherglen Topaque NV (Rutherglen, VIC