To truly encapsulate the meaning of ‘Best New’, we have recalibrated this award. Best New will no longer refer to wineries submitting to the Companion for the first time, though these will still be identified throughout the pages of this book by the new vine symbol.
Rather, this award celebrates a new winery with newly established vines (seven years’ vine age or younger) or a new winery (no older than five years) making wines with established, owned or sourced fruit.
And, on this premise, we are delighted to acknowledge the following new wineries and their contributions to the Australian wine landscape.
About Time
Where: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Established: 2021
Winemaker: Henry Borchardt
Winery website: abouttimewines.com.au
Why they are deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 New Winery of the Year: “Henry Borchardt and James McLeay love chardonnay. So, in 2021, the two friends set out to produce expressive cool-climate examples of the variety from the Woodside and Echunga vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. They don’t single out any one style of winemaking, be it traditional or minimal in approach, but everything they make is unfiltered and unfined. This is one of the most exciting small producers to come out of the Adelaide Hills.”
Bulman Wines
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Winemakers: Mark Bulman
Winery website: bulmanwines.com.au
Why they are deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 New Winery of the Year: “When Mark Bulman released his first vintage under Bulman Wines, a storm of anticipation and urgency rose so quickly that the wines sold out before we’d even had a chance to reckon with the significance of them. Bulman’s understanding of grenache and his immense respect for the sites he works with, coupled with his intrinsic ability to know when to back off in the winery, made for a fine and detailed inaugural release.”
By Fabiano
Where: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2021
Winemaker: Fabiano Minchella
Viticulturist: Giovanni Minchella, Fabiano Minchella
Winery website: byfabiano.com.au
Why they are deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 New Winery of the Year: “Equipped with 22 years of global vintage experience, 2021 saw Fabiano Minchella launch his own winery, By Fabiano. Minchella embraces his Italian heritage and his wines are influenced by the styles of Southern Italy. Still, the genuine and meticulous approach to viticulture and respect for his Tatachilla Road vineyard is what makes By Fabiano all the more memorable... One to keep tabs on.”
Elanto Vineyard
Where: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Established: 2018
Winemaker: Sandro Mosele
Viticulturist: Peter Murray
Winery website: elantovineyard.com.au
Why they are deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 New Winery of the Year: “We first discovered Elanto when taster Jane Faulkner wrote about the close-planted vineyard for the Winter 2024 edition of Halliday magazine. It’s not often Jane is so emphatic in her praise, but it also isn’t every day you identify a future icon in the making. And that’s exactly what Elanto is.”
Kenny Wine
Where: Clare Valley, South Australia
Established: 2020
Winemaker: Andrew Kenny, Victoria Kenny
Viticulturist: Andrew Kenny, Victoria Kenny
Winery website: kennywine.net
Why they are deserving of being a finalist for the 2026 New Winery of the Year: “Andrew and Victoria Kenny haven’t had wealth, be it of resources or wisdom beyond their own journey together as first-generation vignerons. And yet, Kenny Wine looks and feels more established and of greater legacy than it is. This is credit to the couple behind it, who are committed to leaving the land in a better condition than they found it. And the wines are very good."
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 $1900. 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 8, 2024
Sophia, Prahran
Book here
Taste the Awards: Brisbane
Thursday August 15, 2024
Blackbird, Brisbane City
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 is available from August 21. You can pre-order your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide here.
*This is an edited extract from the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Katrina Butler, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by James Coe.
Quotes by Head of Tasting Katrina Butler.
