Margaret River reigned supreme at the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Awards with Vanya Cullen named Winemaker of the Year.
The Margaret River Region reigned supreme at the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Awards held last night (7 August) in Melbourne.
Organic and bio-dynamic winemaker, Vanya Cullen was named Winemaker of the Year, Domaine Naturaliste was awarded Best Value Winery of the Year and the region received the largest number of Best of Varietal Awards.
Organic and biodynamic winemaker, Vanya Cullen was named Winemaker of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony. James Halliday is universally considered Australia’s foremost expert on wine, immersing himself in the latest canvas of the country’s wine by tasting 80 wines daily for his Halliday Wine Companion book, the wine industry’s equivalent of the Bible.
This is the second year in a row that a Margaret River Winemaker has received Winemaker of the Year, with Julian Langworthy of Deep Woods Estate bringing home the award last year.
“Vanya’s commitment to improving Cullen Wines while leaving the world a better place is reflected in the winery’s carbon-neutral and naturally powered status.” Halliday said of Cullen.
A tour of the Cullen Wines and Restaurant takes you direct to the heart of Vanya’s principles. You’ll learn about biodynamic preparation among the vines, tour the vineyard’s biodynamic garden and then sit down to eat the food and drink the wine you’ve just fallen in love with. An experience not to be missed.
Vanya’s commitment to improving Cullen Wines while leaving the world a better place is reflected in the winery’s carbon-neutral and naturally powered status
After nearly three decades of applying his passion and expertise to countless vintages for local producers, renowned winemaker Bruce Dukes launched Domaine Naturaliste – his own range of highly acclaimed wines. Named in homage to the south west region where he has honed his craft.
Having recently opened a cellar door in Wilyabrup, visitors can now sample Bruce’s beautiful, balanced wines among the vines. Settle in for a wine flight, explained to you by the knowledgeable cellar door team and paired with a range of local and imported cheeses and cured meats.
Margaret River is well and truly the star of the 2020 Companion, the famed region responsible for five of Halliday’s 12 best varietal awards (listed further down) that recognise the top rated wines across Australia in each grape category: