2023 Results: Halliday Wine Companion Awards

When Deep Woods Estate winemaker Julian Langworthy told local media in the aftermath of this year’s Halliday Wine Companion awards that Margaret River was “winemaking nirvana” he wasn’t exaggerating.

A regional population of just 57,000 that—as of the 2023 Halliday awards—is now home to more Halliday anointed five-star wineries than anywhere else in Australia. Oh, and Australia’s best winemaker in residence.

Dive a little deeper into the award results for the Margaret River Region below.

Turns out Xanadu Wines really is paradise for Chief Winemaker Glenn Goodall.

It’s been almost 25 years at Xanadu for Glenn, and two consecutive years as a Winemaker of the Year finalist in the Halliday awards nominations list. This year has seen him take home the trophy and the recognition. Xanadu was established in 1977, Glenn coming on board in 1999 and becoming Senior Winemaker in 2006.

“I’m excited and feel very honoured to receive the Halliday Winemaker of the Year award. I’ve been fortunate enough to lead the Xanadu team for many years, and winemaking is definitely a team sport. This award acknowledges everyone, including our growers, who have been involved in the Xanadu journey over the years, and I feel really proud to represent this group.” Goodall said.

The welcoming Xanadu cellar door is open for tastings daily, or book in for an indulgent lunch for the full experience.

“A thrilling disregard for accepted price point quality” was how the Halliday Companion judge Erin Larkin phrased it.

For you and me, Deep Woods Estate Chief Winemaker Julian Langworthy’s commitment to affordable excellence makes top-class vino attainable.

Julian praised the region’s climate for its contribution, and its clear both the winery and the winemaker are on a roll: the 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded ‘best in show’ at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards.

It’s frequently written that Nic Peterkin is Margaret River Region wine royalty—the Chief of Everything at L.A.S Vino is son to Mike, founder at Pierro Winery, and nephew of awarded winemaker Vanya Cullen. But the success of L.A.S Vino owes entirely to him.

Awarded Young Winemaker of the Year in 2016 by Gourmet Traveller Wine, he’s now gone on to take the coveted Dark Horse Winery trophy at the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion awards. The Dark Horse award recognises lesser known winery’s doing great things, with Nic’s winery achieving its inaugural five-star Halliday rating.

L.A.S Vino is now firmly a blip on the national winemaking radar.

It wouldn’t feel right if the Margaret River Region couldn’t take out best Chardonnay. The Leeuwin current helps to create the climate famed for its consistently outstanding production of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals.

Stella Bella Wines Chief Winemaker Luke Jolliffe alongside Viticulturist Steve Martin have created Stella Bella Wines Luminosa Chardonnay, the 2020 vintage winning the top gong in this year’s Chardonnay category with a score of 98 points.

The beauty of the Margaret River Region is that even quieter vineyards are making big noises on the national awards scene. A self-confessed “tiny little grape grower”, Flowstone in the southern region of Forest Grove took home best Sav Blanc with 96 points awarded to its Queen of the Art Sauvignon Blanc 2020.