This is the award given to wineries that are not as commonly talked about as they should be yet are wildly deserving of recognition. These are regional hidden gems, the true underdogs, as nominated by the Tasting Team.
We hope that this list yields new discoveries for you, that you can go on to share these wines at your table.
Balancing Heart
Region: Granite Belt, Queensland
Established: 2020
Winemakers: Mike Hayes
Viticulturist: Mike Hayes
Winery website: balancingheart.com.au
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “Balancing Heart is a striking high-stakes project that revels in wines built on instinct and creativity with a refusal to colour inside the lines. Under the hand of winemaker Mike Hayes, these are wines that lean left of centre but prosecute their cases with deliciousness and complexity. Textural white wines, layered, medium-weight reds, lesser-sung grape varieties, some white wines with skin contact and sparkling wines all make landfall in an utterly compelling suite set firmly in the zeitgeist.” – Mike Bennie
Black & Ginger
Region: Great Western, Victoria
Established: 2015
Winemakers: Hadyn Black
Viticulturists: Hadyn Black, Paul Dakis
Winery website: blackandginger.com.au
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “Black & Ginger – by Hadyn and Lucy Black and business partner Darcy Naunton (Ginger) – is undoubtedly one the most exciting and adventurous young wine producers in the state. Based in the Grampians, B&G is unashamedly a supporter of the region’s two greatest grape varieties – riesling and shiraz – but also sees a future for new grape varieties and styles and, as such, fashions some scintillating tastes.” – Jeni Port
Cobaw Ridge
Region: Macedon Ranges, Victoria
Established: 1985
Winemakers: Nelly Cooper, Alan Cooper
Viticulturist: Alan Cooper
Winery website: cobawridge.com.au
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “Back in the ’70s, nurses Alan and Nelly Cooper had a dream: buy land, grow grapes, make wine, live the life of vignerons or something close to that ideal. In ’81, they chose a spot near the Cobaw State Forest, outside of Kyneton, and armed with a dream, the novices set about realising it, with the first vines planted in ’85. Forty years later, and along the way, they quietly became dedicated to looking after the land. Their wines are loved and coveted, and it’s here that their story is found.” – Jane Faulkner
Dune Wine
Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia
Established: 2016
Winemakers: Duncan Lloyd, Peter Lloyd
Winery website: dunewine.com
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “There’s an immense amount of quiet detail in the Dune wines, with deep thought given to how varieties at different ripeness levels intersect, nuancing fruit, spice and site facets, with as much consideration given to texture, to the pith and pucker of grape and stem tannin, to vigour, to savouriness, to sheer drinkability and also application at table. And all of this with no intrusive artefact or dogma, just elite vinous intellect and instinct.” – Marcus Ellis
Heroes
Region: Geelong, Victoria
Established: 2016
Winemakers: James Thomas
Winery website: heroesvineyard.com
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “Tucked away in the Otway Hinterland near Birregurra, 30km outside the Geelong GI, James Thomas has been quietly flying under the radar, crafting exceptional wines at his Heroes vineyard since purchasing the site in ’16. After nearly a decade of quietly fine-tuning both vineyard and winery, the ’24 vintage – from bone-dry riesling to truly exceptional pinot noir – announces that Heroes has well and truly arrived.” – Philip Rich
Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Established: 1981
Winemakers: Valentina Moresco
Viticulturist: Chris Martin
Winery website: krinklewood.com
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “Krinklewood Biodynamic Vineyard is a name that all wine lovers should know. Its high-quality wines speak with clarity and confidence, expressing the land in which they are grown and the skill and insight of the winemaker, Valentina Moresco, who makes thoroughly modern styles with flair. The wines are immediately inviting from the first pour, with fruit freshness at the fore, enhanced by astute winemaking decisions that add depth and interest without clouding the inherent essence of the fruit.” – Toni Paterson MW
Mercer Wines
Region: Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Established: 2019
Winemaker: Aaron Mercer, Kiri Irving
Winery website: mercerwines.com.au
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: '"In a region defined by legacy, tradition and established names, Aaron and Alison Mercer have forged a distinctive and progressive path with Mercer Wines, championing alternative varieties and exploring the sites where they best flourish. Their innovation, sustainability and commitment to producing site-driven wines makes Mercer Wines my nomination for Dark Horse Winery of the Year." – Shanteh Wale
Ngeringa
Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Established: 2001
Winemaker: Erinn Klein
Viticulturists: Janet Klein, Erinn Klein
Winery website: ngeringa.com
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “Pioneers of organic and biodynamic wine farming Janet and Erinn Klein have made substantial strides in quality since establishing their high-density Mount Summit vineyard in ’01. A deft touch in the winery and judicious oak handling has allowed the wines to speak clearly of the decisions made in the vineyard – with detail, restraint, elegance and poise throughout, even in the most weathered vintages. And it’s for this gentle approach, a quiet way with things, that Ngeringa is a fitting Dark Horse.” – Katrina Butler
Sailor Seeks Horse
Region: Southern Tasmania, Tasmania
Established: 2010
Winemakers: Paul Lipscombe, Gilli Lipscombe
Viticulturist: Paul Lipscombe
Winery website: sailorseekshorse.com.au
Why they have been nominated for the 2027 Dark Horse Winery of the Year award: “There are exciting and beautiful things happening in Tasmania – no great revelation there – and one of them is Sailor Seeks Horse. The wines are just gorgeous – wines that feel distinctly ‘un-mucked with’ – detailed, vivid reflections of the land from which they are grown. One of Tasmania’s, and Australia’s, quiet yet most outstanding wine producers.” – Dave Brookes
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.
