2025 Halliday Ratings for Austin’s

Wine Companion have announced their ratings for the 2025 Halliday Awards and Austin’s is proud to share our results.

Austin’s Wines is recognized as a 5-star winery. This means that we are:

Outstanding winery capable of producing wines of very high quality, and did so this year. Will have at least two wines rated at 95 points or above.

We are proud to have received 4 gold and 4 silver ratings this year. We are especially proud that our new Woolshed Series have all won awards, a testament to our small-batch, hand-crafted winemaking that honours the environment, soil, topography, and climate of our spectacular Moorabool Valley location.

You can purchase all of our wines online and to get the very best deals, by joining our wine club you receive 25% off wines, all year round.

Without further ado, here are the 8 wines recognised by the 2025 Halliday awards.

AUSTIN’S WOOLSHED PINOT NOIR 2023 – 95 points

Made with 30% whole bunches and fermented in two concrete eggs. Matured in both 1-year-old barriques and one new puncheon. A bright ruby red. With its aromas of poached strawberries, cranberries, a little underbrush and flowers, this is a charming wine. This theme continues on the light-to-medium-bodied, nicely detailed and gently structured palate. Totally approachable and delicious now but will also reward at least four to six years in the cellar. – Philip Rich, published 8 August 2024

AUSTIN’S WOOLSHED RIESLING 2023 – 95 points

A bright, green gold, this highly aromatic wine smells of makrut lime leaves, citrus and orange blossom. There’s just a hint of sweetness on the palate, which is perfectly balanced by the wine’s tingling acidity. The finish is chalky textured and long. Very nicely done. – Philip Rich, published 8 August 2024

AUSTIN’S WOOLSHED CHARDONNAY 2023 – 94 points

Barrel fermented in 50% new wood and left on full solids for eight months; 50% mlf. A bright green gold. Gently exotic with its aromas of apricots, lemon oil, white flowers and a smidgen of crème brûlée. Even better on the creamy, yet saline, structured and balanced palate. Good depth and intensity. This is a wine that’s drinking well now and will continue to do so for the next three to four years. – Philip Rick, published 22 October 2024

AUSTIN’S WOOLSHED NATUREL SHIRAZ 2023 – 93 points

Whole-berry fermented without any additions and matured in stainless steel. Not sure about the use of the French word naturel, but you get the idea. As for the wine, it’s a brilliant crimson purple, redolent of ripe blackcurrants, dark cherries, juniper berries and violets. Medium bodied, the palate is both flavoursome and svelte with fine, silky tannins rounding out a wine to enjoy in the short- to medium-term. – Philip Rich, published 10 June 2024

AUSTIN’S CHARDONNAY 2023 – 96 points

Barrel fermented in barriques, 25% new. A very bright green gold. Open and engaging with its scents of orchard fruits, lemon verbena, grilled nuts and a little fresh vanilla bean. Just as good on the gently creamy yet still compact and very nicely balanced palate. A wine to enjoy now and over the next two to three years. – Philip Rich, published 8 August 2024

AUSTIN’S PINOT NOIR 2023 (to be released) – 95 points

Fermented with 15% whole bunches in open fermenters and matured in French oak (20% new). A bright ruby crimson. Primary and brightly fruited with its bouquet of dark cherries and raspberries, which are complemented by subtle florals and spice. Medium bodied, there’s a touch of blood orange on the refreshing, gently persistent palate. Finishes with silky tannins that bode well for the medium-term. – Philip Rich, published 8 August 2024

AUSTIN’S RIESLING 2023 – 92 points

A slow, cold fermentation in tank and then left on lees for six months prior to bottling. Light, bright green gold. Grapefruit pith, green apple and hints of orange blossom can all be found in this subtle expression. Chalky textured, this finishes lemony, bright and bone-dry. – Philip Rich, published 7 August 2024

AUSTIN’S SHIRAZ 2022 – 94 points

Fermented in a five-tonne open fermenter, 20% whole bunches. Matured mainly in French oak, with 10% Croatian. A bright crimson ruby. There’s an abundance of small red berries on the nose together with a little black and white pepper and a hint of dried roses. Appealing stuff. Medium bodied, there’s good fruit intensity through the middle and the ripe, velvety tannins are nicely integrated into the wine. – Philip Rich, published 7 August 2024


So cheers to another great year of wines here at Austin’s. We are so proud of our viticulture and winemaking team who continually produce wines of amazing quality. 

You can purchase all of our wines online and to get the very best deals, by joining our wine club you receive 25% off wines, all year round.

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