McLaren Vale winery, Yangarra Estate Vineyard, tops list for SA best winery in national award
A small SA winery that specialises in grenache has been named the best in the state, and second-best in the country. See which venues made this year’s Halliday Wine Companion.
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The top 100 Australian wineries of 2023 have been named and 27 are from South Australia – with a McLaren Vale winery coming in at second place.
Yangarra Estate Vineyard in Kangarilla was SA’s top winner in the prestigious annual Halliday Wine Companion competition.
Henschke in Eden Valley, Adelina in Clare and one of the state’s best exports, Penfolds, also made the list.
Grabbing the coveted top place was a Victorian Winery, the Oakridge from Yarra Valley.
Halliday Wine Companion ‘Top 100 Wineries of 2023’ list was selected by chief editor, Campbell Mattinson.
“The selection was no easy process and required a set list of criteria to ensure wineries had an equal chance,” said Mr Mattinson.
“High scoring wines were of absolute relevance and so too was consistency – if the range of wines isn’t consistently good, then it has been downgraded in calculations.”
The team at Yangarra Estate Vineyard were celebrating the high accolade on Wednesday, telling The Advertiser it was an “honour” to be ranked second best winery in Australia.
Winemaker Peter Fraser said: “Vineyard Manager Michael Lane and I have worked with this special block for 25 years and our winemaking team’s incredible attention to detail guides this wine to its truest expression.
“We are so very fortunate to work with such a special site that makes a distinctive expression of Grenache.”
SA Winery winners
1. Yangarra
2. Grosset
3. Henschke
4. Penfolds
5. Adelina
6. Wynns Coonawarra Estate
7. Yalumba
8. Tapanappa
9. Bleasdale
10. Penley Estate
11. Gentle Folk
12. Murdoch Hill
13. Bondar
14. Bekkers
15. Shaw + Smith
16. Neldner Road
17. Rieslingfreak
18. Torbreck
19. Spinifex
20. Head Wines
21. Alkina
22. Seppeltsfield
23. Parker Coonawarra Estate
24. Ricca Terra Farms
25. Two Hands
26. MMAD
27. Mondrelle
Sharing in the delight and honour of the high ranking was also Grosset Wines, placed at number six on the long list.
The winery is based in Clare Valley and has been growing since its establishment in 1981.
Director and Winemaker Jeffrey Grosset said everyone is “delighted” to be recognised on the esteemed Halliday list.
“Being placed at No. 6 is a big deal. We are pleased and proud because what we try to do is make wine that is accessible to everybody and produce the highest quality wines,” he said.
“When I started in Clare Valley, I just wanted to make the best wine that I could and I’ve always had the view that the best wines are still to come.
“The last three vintages are the best we have ever produced and I think this is a reflection of our biodynamically grown estate vineyards.”
The Halliday Wine Companion is a resource specialising in Australia’s best wines and its annual “Top 100 Wineries” list is heralded as true reflection of the very best in the industry.
Australia’s top 100 winners
1. Oakridge
2. Yangarra
3. Mount Pleasant
4. Giant Steps
5. By Farr
6. Grosset
7. Cullen
8. Tyrrell’s
9. Bindi
10. Mount Mary
11. Giaconda
12. Henschke
13. Penfolds
14. Yarra Yering
15. Hoddles Creek Estate
16. Chatto
17. Coldstream Hills
18. House of Arras
19. Adelina
20. Yeringberg
21. Wynns Coonawarra Estate
22. Yabby Lake
23. Clonakilla
24. Gembrook Hill
25. Vasse Felix
26. Bass Phillip
27. Yalumba
28. Bannockburn
29. Tapanappa
30. Sorrenberg
31. Bleasdale
32. Serrat
33. Pooley
34. Tolpuddle
35. Dappled
36. Dr. Edge
37. Leeuwin Estate
38. Mulline
39. Penley Estate
40. Gentle Folk
41. Deep Woods Estate
42. Frankland Estate
43. Joshua Cooper
44. Xanadu
45. Place of Changing Winds
46. Murdoch Hill
47. Craiglee
48. Cherubino
49. Montalto
50. Hickinbotham
51. Seville Estate
52. Bondar
53. Bekkers
54. L. A. S Vino
55. Curly Flat
56. Savaterre
57. Collector Wines
58. Brokenwood
59. Stella Bella
60. Shaw + Smith
61. Neldner Road
62. Pepper Tree
63. De Bortoli (Yarra Valley)
64. Garagiste
65. Paringa Estate
66. Domenica
67. Stargazer
68. Crittenden Estate
69. Mayer
70. Flametree
71. Rieslingfreak
72. Castle Rock
73. Torbreck
74. Eldorado Road
75. Delamere Vineyards
76. Wantirna Estate
77. Eastern Peake
78. Juniper
79. Spinifex
80. Head Wines
81. Traviarti
82. The Story
83. Stefano Lubiana
84. Alkina
85. Scotchman’s Hill
86. Seppeltsfield
87. Best’s
88. Swinney
89. Mount Langi Ghiran
90. Parker Coonawarra Estate
91. Thomas Wines
92. Dalwhinnie
93. Paul Osicka
94. Ricca Terra Farms
95. Sailor Seeks Horse
96. Nick O’Leary Wines
97. Rochford
98. Two Hands
99. MMAD
100. Mordrelle
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