Best Viticulturist of the Year: Bart Molony

2025 Viticulturist of the Year

Bart Molony, Vasse Felix – Margaret River, Western Australia

Bart Molony of Vasse Felix has been named the 2025 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year.

It’s all about the dirt. It’s all about the vines. It’s all about getting grapes into the winery in the healthiest condition possible. This is the job of the viticulturist. It’s arguably the most important job in wine.

Bart Molony is celebrating his 20th year at Vasse Felix.

Vasse Felix winemaker Virginia Willcock says there are two types of viticulturists. The first is scientifically minded, loves research and can grow a good plant; the other is intuitive, is in the vineyard all the time, in all seasons, and knows what exactly needs to be done, from the earth up, to grow great fruit. Bart Molony is the latter, she says. ‘He is hands-on. He is not a desk viti. He’s always in the vineyard with those vines, I call him a vintage kelpie. He’s a lean, running machine, getting stuff organised, always. Everyone needs a kelpie on a farm.’

Molony is big on soil biodiversity, practises sustainable viticulture, and works tirelessly to ensure that the vines under his care are healthy. He’s the caretaker of the oldest (commercial) vines in the Margaret River region, the ones planted in 1967, the Vasse Felix originals. He is also responsible for subsequent vineyard plantings and management across all sites. The Vasse Felix wines are in outstanding form. The fruit in these wines is brilliant. 

Bart Molony has had his name waiting to be inscribed on this award for some time; this year we finally recognise his good work in full. Every vineyard could do with a Bart Molony. He is our Viticulturist of the Year. – Campbell Mattinson

Originally from Ararat in Victoria, Bart moved across to Western Australia and landed the position of vineyard supervisor in 2004.

This year marks Bart Molony's 20th anniversary at Vasse Felix. After growing up in Ararat in Western Victoria, he made the move to Western Australia in 1999. Bart says he'd heard how beautiful Margaret River was. "I just took any job I could, just to have a reason to come over here."

When it comes to his intuitive connection to the vineyards, Bart says he's always had an affinity for the outdoors and for farming. "I fell in love with the whole process – that connection to place and people – sharing wine, talking about it, and how important it is to people. I found that interesting, and I like to be able to improve other people's lives through what I do." Bart says it's a lifestyle. "I can't imagine doing anything else."

The previous Viticulturist of the Year recipients include Vanya Cullen (2022), Tom Carson (2023) and Mark Walpole (2024).

Join Halliday Wine Club to drink the very best of Australian wine 

The 2025 Halliday Wine Companion is available now. Secure your copy of Australia's most comprehensive wine guide at all good bookstores.

This is an edited extract from the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion, with reviews by James Halliday, Campbell Mattinson, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Marcus Ellis, Mike Bennie, Philip Rich, Shanteh Wale and Toni Paterson MW. Cover art by Vera Babida.

Image credits: Vasse Felix, Wine Australia, Driftwood Photography.