Tasmania’s House of Arras has been named Winery of the Year in the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
Steve Flamsteed won Winemaker of the Year and Ashley Ratcliff Viticulturist of the Year.
Headed by Australia’s most celebrated sparkling winemaker, Ed Carr (pictured), House of Arras is globally renowned for its exceptional traditional method wines, crafted through Carr’s signature extended maturation in tirage program.
House of Arras also took home Sparkling Wine of the Year.
Halliday’s head of tasting Katrina Butler said, “Surely overdue, but never more deserving, we are delighted to acknowledge the tireless efforts of Ed Carr, and endorse the sentiment that Tasmanian sparkling wine is at the apex of quality wine in this country and primed for the world stage.”
Steve Flamsteed was recognised for his exceptional work across his new Tasmanian venture, Decades, his Victorian side project, Salo in the Yarra Valley and his work for Eldridge Estate on the Mornington Peninsula.
Flamsteed’s Decades label was named Best New Winery.
It was started by Flamsteed and his good friend, Stone & Wood co-founder and brewer Brad Rogers.
Despite having just two wines in its range and two vintages released to date, Decades is rapidly becoming one of Tasmania’s most exciting wine offerings.
Katrina Butler said, “Flamo, as he is affectionately known, is revered for his winemaking, but his authenticity and quiet leadership have also created a tidal wave of impact that has swept across the entire wine industry.
“From his breakthrough work in establishing the Yarra Valley’s Giant Steps, to small (and large) project consultation via his multifaceted firm Wine Network Consulting, his influence has been seismic, and Australian wine as a whole is undoubtedly better for it.”
Hunter Valley legend Bruce Tyrrell AM was inducted into the James Halliday Hall of Fame.
Recognised for his unparalleled contribution to the Australian wine industry, he became only the fourth person to ever receive Halliday’s highest honour.
Bruce is unrivalled among his peers, not only as an advocate for the ageability of Australian Semillon, but foremost as a champion of the Hunter Valley.
The Barossa Valley leads the charge nationally with the highest number of five-star wineries, closely followed by the Yarra Valley and McLaren Vale.
The Yarra Valley continues to demonstrate exceptional quality at the absolute highest level, producing approximately 26 percent of all elite 97-to-100-point wines.
An impressive 79 percent of all Beechworth wineries that submitted achieved a coveted 5-star rating, followed closely by the Yarra Valley at 73 percent and Rutherglen at 72 percent.
The 2027 Halliday Wine Companion – the 41st annual release of the publication – is now available for $50 each.
Major Awards
Winery of the Year: House of Arras (Tasmania)
Winemaker of the Year: Steve Flamsteed, Decades | Salo | Eldridge Estate (Tasmania, Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula)
Viticulturist of the Year: Ashley Ratcliff, Ricca Terra (Riverland)
Best Value Winery: Medhurst (Yarra Valley)
Best New Winery: Decades (Tasmania)
Dark Horse Winery: Balancing Heart (Granite Belt)
Wine of the Year: Mount Mary Triolet 2024 (Yarra Valley)
People’s Choice
2027 People’s Choice Award: Down the Rabbit Hole (McLaren Vale)
Varietal Awards
Red Wine of the Year & Cabernet Sauvignon of the Year: Xanadu Wines Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (Margaret River)
White Wine of the Year & Other Whites & Blends of the Year: Mount Mary Triolet 2024 (Yarra Valley)
Shiraz of the Year: Jim Barry Wines The Armagh Shiraz 2023 (Clare Valley)
Chardonnay of the Year: Kooyong Faultline Single Block Chardonnay 2024 (Mornington Peninsula)
Cabernet & Blends of the Year: Yeringberg Yeringberg 2024 (Yarra Valley)
Riesling of the Year: Best’s Wines Foudre Ferment Riesling 2025 (Great Western)
Sauvignon Blanc of the Year: Gembrook Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2025 (Yarra Valley)
Pinot Gris/Grigio of the Year: Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio 2025 (Victoria)
Grenache of the Year: Yangarra Estate Vineyard Ovitelli Grenache 2024 (McLaren Vale)
Pinot Noir of the Year: Hardys Eileen Hardy Pinot Noir 2024 (Tasmania)
Sparkling Wine of the Year: House of Arras EJ Carr Late Disgorged 30th Anniversary 2006 (Tasmania)
Other Reds & Blends of the Year: Margan Wines Saxonvale Mourvèdre 2024 (Broke Fordwich)
Wildcard Red of the Year: Ballandean Estate Wines Saperavi 2023 (Granite Belt)
Sweet Wine of the Year: Dal Zotto Wines Vin Pretto 2015 (King Valley)
Fortified Wine of the Year: All Saints Estate Museum Muscadelle NV (Rutherglen)
Wildcard White of the Year: Lethbridge Wines Radikal 2020 (Victoria)
Rosé of the Year: Koomilya Mataro Rosé 2025 (McLaren Vale)
The Inaugural Fiano of the Year: Dalwood Estate Fiano 2025 (Hunter Valley)
Semillon of the Year: Tyrrell’s Wines Johnno’s Semillon 2025 (Hunter Valley)
Hall of Fame
James Halliday Hall of Fame 2027: Bruce Tyrrell AM
James Halliday Hall of Fame 2026: Brian Croser AO
James Halliday Hall of Fame 2025: Sue Hodder
James Halliday Hall of Fame 2024: Prue Henschke
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