Brian Croser has won just about everything worth winning in wine, but his latest accolade – induction into the James Halliday Hall of Fame – means a lot to him.
“This is a special one, because James has been such a long-term friend,” Brian says.
“He’s been a friend for 48 years.
“Not too many people have ever done as much for the Australian wine industry as James, and I’m very honoured.”
Katrina Butler, head of tasting at the Halliday Wine Companion, says, “Brian believes real success comes from producing the very best wines possible.
“The pointy end of table wine in Australia would not be where it is today without him.
“We induct him as our third entrant into the James Halliday Hall of Fame, and the honour is all ours.”
The award represents not only a lifetime commitment to an industry he helped to shape, but also his role in establishing the global reputation of Australian wine.
It recognises Brian’s unwavering commitment to, and pursuit of, creating some of Australia’s finest wines.
Alongside his many accolades, Brian points to several personal and professional milestones as defining accomplishments throughout his career, including the establishment of the Riverina College of Advanced Education (now the Charles Sturt University Wine Science course) and establishing The Tiers Vineyard in the Piccadilly Valley.
“I think the most defining thing of all was making the decision to come to the Adelaide Hills and plant The Tiers Vineyard where we have,” Brian says.
“The Tiers Vineyard was our initial goal in going out on our own – to grow our own Chardonnay, very specifically in the right place, managed in the right way, to make the best Chardonnay in the world.
“I think we’ve done that.”
Brian also recognised the work he had done in supporting the development of other grapegrowers, winemakers and wine scientists through the Riverina College of Advanced Education.
“Writing that course was a defining moment,” he says.
“We recently had the 50th anniversary of those first students and all have done exceptionally well in the industry with major contributions down the years.
“Interesting thing is, most of them have retired well before me.”
Brian also expressed his honour in following the two other inductees to the James Halliday Hall of Fame – Prue Henschke and Sue Hodder.
“It’s not just an honour to be inducted because James is a very old friend, but also a privilege to follow the two women who were inducted before me: Prue Henschke and Sue Hodder, both of whom I respect enormously,” he says.
“They’re both pioneers of the same philosophy, which is to fastidiously manage vineyards and produce great wine; Sue did that in Coonawarra, where she’s redefined viticulture for her company and manages her vineyards in the sort of studious way that allows her to produce wonderful wines.
“Prue, for exactly the same reasons, with the Hill of Grace and managing the vineyards that Henschke treasures.”
Brian’s legacy continues at Tapanappa through his daughter, Lucy, and son-in-law, Xavier.
The Tiers Vineyard remains in family hands alongside two other distinguished sites: the Whalebone Vineyard in Wrattonbully and the Foggy Hill Vineyard on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
To celebrate Brian’s induction, Tapanappa has released a special collection of back-vintage wines from notable vintages throughout the winery’s history – the Brian Croser James Halliday Hall of Fame Collection.
Tapanappa again received a Red 5 Star Rating in the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion as well as a number of high scoring reviews.
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