Another year, although with similar resource challenges and financial pressures to the last. Delving into the depths of value has become more than a frugal pursuit – it is a necessity.
But value isn’t only defined by price. There is also room to champion the upper echelons of quality among the wines positioned at eye-level at your local bottle shop. So, for consistency, we have long used a simple algorithm that considers a wine’s price and the points it is awarded as criteria for special value, with those wines earning the special value rosette.
Below are our highlights of the year’s tasting for the 2027 Companion, with value as the lens.
More than ever, we congratulate this year’s Best Value Wineries.
Evans & Tate
Region: Margaret River, Western Australia
Established: 1970
Winemaker: Matthew Byrne, Feleasha Prendergast
Viticulturist: John Fogarty
Winery website: evansandtate.wine
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Six
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “It’s been a 5-star winery since 2009, in part thanks to the resounding success of the Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon under the Redbrook Reserve label. All six wines reviewed for the 2027 Companion are special value wines, four of which received 95 points or more, including single-vineyard expressions of cabernet franc and malbec.” – Katrina Butler
Medhurst
Region: Yarra Valley, Victoria
Established: 2000
Winemaker: Rohan Smith
Viticulturist: Simon Hunter
Winery website: medhurstwines.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: 12
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “Since its inception, Medhurst has been synonymous with value, capturing market share in both the everyday and fine wine realms with ease. Of the 12 wines submitted for review in the '27 edition of the guide, all were awarded a special value rosette. There’s also a focus on continuous improvement, and the wines climb new rungs of quality in the best vintages. The seamless (at least from our perspective) passing of the baton to Rohan Smith has already paid dividends.” – Katrina Butler
Ministry of Clouds
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2012
Winemakers: Julian Forwood, Bernice Ong, Lorenzo Alvino
Viticulturist: Richard Leask
Winery website: ministryofclouds.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Five
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “Best known for their single-vineyard grenache and shiraz wines, submissions for this edition saw just six wines reviewed, with five of those stamped special value. An incredible accomplishment for a producer that looks not just to its estate plantings but also to reputable sites (with expensive fruit) across the Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills and in the wider Vale. A worthy contender for the award.” – Katrina Butler
MMAD Vineyard
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2021
Winemakers: Adam Wadewitz, Martin Shaw
Viticulturist: Murray Leake
Winery website: mmadvineyard.com
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: Four
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “Thirteen of the 15 wines we’ve reviewed from this address since its inaugural vintage in ’21 have received the special value rosette. The keenly priced and highly awarded wines from MMAD Vineyard (the label is derived from the first letter of each of the founders’ names: Martin Shaw, Michael Hill-Smith, Adam Wadewitz and David LeMire) are resounding expressions of McLaren Vale and of value.” – Katrina Butler
Thomas Wines
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Established: 1997
Winemaker: Andrew Thomas
Viticulturist: Andrew Thomas
Winery website: thomaswines.com.au
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: 11
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “If you’ve never poured yourself a glass of Thomas Wines, consider this your sounding alarm. Over 400 wines from the Hunter Valley cross Toni Paterson MW’s tasting bench each year, and the single-vineyard shiraz and semillon from this address continue to impress. Eleven of its wines were awarded the special value rosette and, staggeringly, 10 of those achieved over 95 points." – Katrina Butler
Wirra Wirra Vineyards
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 1894
Winemakers: Emma Wood, Kelly Wellington, Grace Wang
Viticulturist: Anton Groffen
Winery website: wirrawirra.com
Number of wines given a value rosette this year: 14
Why they've been nominated for the 2027 Best Value Winery award: “Peruse the Wirra Wirra Vineyards portfolio and you’ll note that more than 50 per cent of the wines are priced under $30. Of the 15 wines we reviewed for this edition, 14 were awarded special value. A bottle of Church Block Shiraz (now in its second release as a single variety) will set you back pocket change, primed, at $25 a bottle, for mid-week drinking. And for the weekend? Blagrove Vineyard Grenache, a fledgling release of Wirra Wirra’s singleblock exploration, was awarded 96 points. At just $50, you can enjoy it with the folks over Sunday roast.” – Katrina Butler
2027 People's Choice Award
Voting is now open for the 2027 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 $1000. Vote now.
2027 Taste the Awards event
Tickets are now on sale for 2027 Taste the Awards. Meet some of the winning winemakers and be the first to taste the top wines of the year. Taste the Awards 2027 is an exclusive showcase of award-winning wines and wineries from the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Secure your tickets below.Taste the Awards: Melbourne
Thursday, August 20, 2026
Panama Dining Room and Bar
Book here
The winner of each category will be announced at the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards on Wednesday August 19, 2026.
The 2027 Halliday Wine Companion – Australia's most comprehensive wine guide – will be available from August 20.
*This is an edited extract from the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Katrina Butler, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by Chantel de Latour.
