Halliday Wine Companion

What does it take to become Australia's best winemaker? And what happens when you win two of the country's most prestigious wine awards in the same year?

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, we sit down with Steve Flamsteed, the 2027 Halliday Winemaker of the Year, whose Tasmanian wine venture, Decades, also claimed the coveted Best New Winery award.

From helping transform Giant Steps into one of Australia's most celebrated producers of Yarra Valley pinot noir and chardonnay to launching an award-winning Tasmanian winery with longtime friend and Stone & Wood co-founder Brad Rogers, Steve's journey is anything but conventional.

Originally trained as a chef, Steve's career has taken him from the kitchens of Maggie Beer's Pheasant Farm to cheesemaking in France, winemaking at Leeuwin Estate and more than 17 years shaping the wines of Giant Steps alongside founder Phil Sexton.

Steve shares the fascinating story behind Innocent Bystander's wildly successful Pink Moscato, how its commercial success helped fund Giant Steps' expansion into exceptional single-vineyard sites, and the lessons he learnt along the way.

We also head south to Tasmania's Coal River Valley, where Steve and Brad have turned a friendship spanning more than three decades into Decades, a boutique producer focused on premium cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay.

Steve explains what makes Tasmanian pinot noir so different from Yarra Valley pinot, the importance of soils, clones and whole-bunch fermentation, and why the 2025 Decades Pinot Noir might be one of the best wines he's ever made.

But beyond the awards, vineyards and wines, there's a philosophy at the heart of Steve's approach to winemaking: wine isn't an industry – it's a community.

From the generosity of fellow winemakers to the importance of challenging convention, continuing to learn and surrounding yourself with great people, Steve reflects on what really makes a great winemaker.

In this episode, we explore:

• Steve's unlikely journey from chef and cheesemaker to Halliday Winemaker of the Year.

• Working alongside Maggie Beer and the lessons that shaped his approach to winemaking.

• The early days of Giant Steps and Phil Sexton's vision for Yarra Valley pinot noir and chardonnay.

• How Innocent Bystander Pink Moscato helped finance the growth of Giant Steps.

• The story of Decades and Steve's 30-plus-year friendship with Brad Rogers.

• Why Tasmania's Coal River Valley is such an exciting region for cool-climate wine.

• The differences between making pinot noir and chardonnay in Tasmania and the Yarra Valley.

• Vineyard selection, whole-bunch fermentation and the pursuit of exceptional pinot noir.

• Why collaboration, curiosity and community are essential to making great Australian wine.

  
  

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About the guest

Steve Flamsteed is the 2027 Halliday Winemaker of the Year and one of Australia's most respected cool-climate winemakers. Formerly chief winemaker at Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley, Steve helped establish its reputation for exceptional single-vineyard pinot noir and chardonnay. Today, he is a director and senior consultant at Wine Network Consulting, produces Salo chardonnay, and co-owns Decades in Tasmania's Coal River Valley with longtime friend Brad Rogers.

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Discover Decades:

https://decadeswine.com.au/

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Steve Flamsteed – Wine Network Consulting:

https://winenet.com.au/team/steve-flamsteed/

Steve Flamsteed – Halliday Winemaker of the Year:

Read Steve's Halliday Winemaker of the Year profile

Discover Decades on Halliday Wine Companion:

Read the Decades winery profile

What happens when a love of wine turns into three vineyards, a restaurant and an entirely new way of thinking about the land?

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, we’re joined by Pen Naish and Nicholas Brown of Black Estate, one of North Canterbury’s most distinctive family-owned wineries.

Pen and Nicholas took over Black Estate in 2007, but neither started out expecting to build a life in wine. Pen was working as a corporate lawyer, while Nicholas found his way into winemaking through wine retail, vineyard work and vintages across New Zealand, Italy and the Napa Valley.

Nearly two decades later, Black Estate encompasses three organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards plus a fourth leased site, a celebrated restaurant and cellar door, and a philosophy centred on expressing place as clearly as possible.

In this conversation, we explore the evolution of Black Estate, the people who influenced Nicholas’s approach to winemaking, and why North Canterbury has become such an exciting region for pinot noir, chardonnay and emerging varieties.

Nicholas explains the challenges of transitioning established vineyards away from conventional farming, from managing vine vigour and water to understanding what is really happening beneath the soil.

We also get into the role of native yeast, why vineyard biodiversity matters, the use of cattle and regenerative grazing, and how increasing organic matter can dramatically change the amount of water a vineyard can retain.

Then there’s chardonnay.

Despite pinot noir historically taking much of the spotlight in New Zealand’s South Island, Nicholas believes North Canterbury has the ingredients to produce exceptional chardonnay, with its cool nights, naturally low yields and remarkable mix of clay, gravel and limestone soils.

Pen and Nicholas also share what they’re experimenting with next, including chenin blanc, cabernet franc and a high-wire vineyard system designed to allow sheep to graze beneath the vines during the growing season.

A conversation about wine, farming, family and why some of the most interesting things happening in the vineyard start long before the grapes reach the winery.

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About the guests

Pen Naish is co-owner of Black Estate and leads the winery’s sales, marketing, restaurant and cellar door.

Nicholas Brown is Black Estate’s winemaker and leads its vineyard program. His career has included vintages in Marlborough, Italy and the Napa Valley before returning to North Canterbury.

Discover Black Estate:https://blackestate.co.nz/

Black Estate on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/blackestate/

Pen Naish – New Zealand Wine:https://www.nzwine.com/en/media/our-people/pen-naish/

Chapters

00:00 – The Black Estate story

03:28 – How Nicholas found winemaking

10:29 – Growing Black Estate

14:38 – Converting to biodynamic farming

18:17 – Native yeast and terroir

20:17 – The history of Netherwood vineyard

24:21 – Chenin blanc and cabernet franc

28:39 – Black Estate’s winemaking philosophy

30:02 – Frost and a changing climate

33:24 – Regenerative farming and soil health

38:12 – Why North Canterbury chardonnay stands out

42:11 – What varieties could be next?

43:45 – The future of Black Estate

Stephen Pannell is one of Australia’s most influential winemakers and a driving force behind the rise of modern McLaren Vale grenache.

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Steve shares how a childhood spent working in vineyards in Margaret River eventually led him to winemaking, despite his best efforts to avoid the family profession. From producing more than 200 million bottles of red wine at Hardys to rediscovering his creativity in Barolo, Steve explains how pinot noir and nebbiolo shaped his unique approach to grenache.

The conversation explores what makes McLaren Vale grenache so expressive, the importance of tannin, picking decisions and old-vine vineyards, and why great wine should reflect the land rather than the hand of the winemaker. Steve also takes us inside his Little Branch vineyard in Blewitt Springs, where century-old grenache vines produce his distinctly different Sunrise and Sunset wines.

Steve also discusses the restoration of his Koomilya vineyard, the inspiration behind his Halliday award-winning Mataro Rosé, and his mission to preserve the future of warm-climate Australian shiraz. He also makes a passionate case for taking rosé, sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio and merlot seriously, while encouraging wine drinkers to trust their own tastes.

As the Australian wine industry faces one of its most challenging periods, Steve reflects on why the country has never made better wine and considers the Mediterranean and Italian varieties that could define its future.

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Explore S.C. Pannell wines: https://scpannell.com.au/

In this episode:

• How Steve Pannell found his way into winemaking

• The evolution of modern Australian grenache

• What pinot noir and nebbiolo taught Steve about grenache

• Why tannin is essential to the identity of red wine

• The influence of soil, ironstone and the ocean in McLaren Vale

• What makes Blewitt Springs such a distinctive grenache region

• The story behind the century-old Little Branch vineyard

• How Sunrise and Sunset grenache express two parts of the same site

• Restoring biodiversity at the Koomilya vineyard

• Why premium fruit is essential to serious rosé

• Protecting the future of warm-climate Australian shiraz

• Mediterranean grape varieties suited to Australia’s changing climate

• Why wine drinkers should never feel intimidated by personal taste

• Steve’s hopes for the future of Australian wine

Bruce Tyrrell AM has spent more than five decades shaping Australian wine. As the fourth generation of one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries, he has helped transform Tyrrell’s, champion Hunter Valley semillon around the world, and preserve some of Australia’s most important old-vine vineyards.

Fresh from being named the 2027 James Halliday Hall of Fame inductee, Bruce joins the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast to reflect on growing up at Tyrrell’s, joining the family business in 1974 and witnessing the evolution from fortified wine and manual vineyard work to modern winemaking.

Bruce shares the story behind Tyrrell’s iconic Vat 1 Semillon, including the secret decision to hold the wine back for five years despite the pressure it placed on the winery’s cash flow. He also explains why Hunter Valley semillon is unlike any other wine in the world, how screw caps changed wine quality, and what makes the Hunter Valley one of Australia’s most challenging regions for growing grapes.

The conversation also explores Tyrrell’s historic vineyards, including the 1908-planted HVD vineyard, and the Sacred Sites collection, along with the family succession plan involving Bruce’s children, Chris, John and Jane.

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In this episode:

• Bruce’s earliest memories of growing up at Tyrrell’s

• How a rugby injury led him back to the family winery

• The evolution of Australian drinking and dining culture

• Tyrrell’s role in producing Australia’s first commercial chardonnay

• Why Bruce secretly stored Vat 1 Semillon to delay its release

• How Hunter Valley semillon earned international recognition

• The story behind Johnno’s Semillon and Tyrrell’s Sacred Sites

• Why Tyrrell’s embraced screw caps

• The challenges of making wine in the Hunter Valley

• Bruce’s advice for Tyrell’s next generation

• What comes next after more than 50 years in the wine industry

  
  

Explore Tyrrell’s Wines and discover more about the winery’s family history.

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This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge them as the enduring custodians of this Country and recognise their continuing cultural practices of caring for the land and waters. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to the Traditional Owners of the many lands across Australia and beyond whose wineries and stories we are privileged to share.

What really goes into reviewing thousands of Australian wines and selecting the very best for the Halliday Wine Companion?

To celebrate the release of the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion and the annual Halliday Awards, Halliday’s Head of Tasting and General Manager, Katrina Butler, takes us behind the scenes of Australia’s most comprehensive wine guide.

Katrina explains the wine submission process, how the Halliday Tasting Team assesses quality and maintains consistency, and why the reviews are written with everyday wine drinkers in mind.

The conversation also explores score inflation, the value of bronze-medal wines, and how to remain objective when wine tasting is inherently subjective. Katrina reveals how approximately 9000 wines are narrowed down for the Companion and how the country’s best bottles are selected through blind judging.

You’ll also hear how winners are chosen across categories including Winery of the Year, Winemaker of the Year, Best New Winery, Dark Horse Winery and the James Halliday Hall of Fame.

Plus, Katrina and host Anna Webster discuss the current state of Australian wine, the growing diversity of grape varieties, the increasing prominence of women in wine and why the quality of Australian wine has never been stronger.

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In this episode:

• How wineries can submit wines to Halliday Wine Companion

• What Halliday’s critics look for when reviewing a wine

• Blind tasting versus reviewing wines by producer

• How critics manage palate fatigue

• The difference between Halliday reviews and wine show judging

• How a nine-person Tasting Team maintains consistent scores

• Whether score inflation is affecting the 100-point wine system

• Why bronze-medal wines deserve more recognition

• How approximately 9000 wines are narrowed down for the Companion

• How the annual Halliday Wine Companion Awards are judged

• What makes a winery worthy of Winery of the Year

• The strict criteria wines must meet to be inducted into the Halliday Hall of Fame

• How climate change and market conditions are reshaping Australian wine

• Why Australian wine belongs on the world stage

Whether you’re a winemaker considering submitting your wines, a collector searching for the best Australian bottles or simply curious about how wine scores and awards are determined, this episode offers a rare look inside the Halliday Wine Companion tasting and judging process.

This podcast was recorded on the unceded lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. We acknowledge them as the enduring custodians of this Country, and we recognise their continuing cultural practices of caring for the land and waters. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

We extend that respect to the Traditional Owners of the many lands across Australia and beyond whose wineries and stories we are privileged to share.

A single glass of Alsatian pinot blanc changed the direction of Eddie McDougall’s life.

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, host Anna Webster sits down with winemaker, entrepreneur, TV personality and founder of The Flying Winemaker, Eddie McDougall.

Eddie shares how his upbringing between Hong Kong and Australia, his father’s extraordinary entrepreneurial journey, and an unexpected encounter with wine inspired him to abandon the conventional business career expected of him and pursue winemaking.

That decision took him from putting nets on vineyards at Shadowfax to working alongside respected winemakers at O’Leary Walker, Clyde Park and Giant Steps, before travelling to Italy to work at renowned Barolo producer Vietti.

Eddie also reveals how he became involved with a pioneering urban winery in Hong Kong, where grapes from regions including the Clare Valley, McLaren Vale, Bordeaux, Tuscany and Piedmont were snap-frozen and transported to the city for winemaking.

The conversation explores the explosive growth of Hong Kong’s wine market, the rise of Chinese fine wine, changing drinking preferences across Asia and the global perception problem currently facing Australian wine.

Eddie explains why Australian wine is too often viewed internationally as either inexpensive and uncomplicated, or represented solely by a handful of famous luxury producers. He believes Australia needs to present its wines with greater confidence, pride and aspiration.

Anna and Eddie also delve into the creation of his premium E.J. McDougall label, including its old-vine McLaren Vale Shiraz and Grenache, Margaret River Chardonnay and forthcoming Tasmanian Riesling.

They discuss the importance of trusted grower relationships, limited production, international allocations and Eddie’s ambition to produce wines capable of representing Australia on the world stage.

Plus, Eddie shares the remarkable story behind The Flying Winemaker television series, his work promoting Chinese wine through the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards and the philosophy that continues to guide his career.

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Discover The Flying Winemaker

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In This Episode

• The glass of pinot blanc that changed Eddie’s life
• Growing up between Hong Kong and Australia
• Learning winemaking at Shadowfax, O’Leary Walker and Giant Steps
• Working at Vietti in Piedmont
• Making wine inside a Hong Kong industrial building
• How snap-frozen grapes can be used for winemaking
• Why Hong Kong became one of the world’s major wine hubs
• How The Flying Winemaker business model works
• Why Australian wine is struggling for global recognition
• The launch of the premium E.J. McDougall label
• Old-vine Shiraz and Grenache from McLaren Vale
• Margaret River Chardonnay and Tasmanian Riesling
• The changing Chinese wine market
• Creating The Flying Winemaker television series
• The growth of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards
• Why relationships remain essential in the wine industry

00:00 Introducing Eddie McDougall
00:29 Growing up in Hong Kong and Australia
01:46 The glass of wine that changed Eddie’s life
03:24 Leaving business behind to study winemaking
04:31 Eddie’s first vintage at Shadowfax
07:32 O’Leary Walker, Clyde Park and Giant Steps
09:56 Working at Vietti and discovering fine wine
12:24 Inside Hong Kong’s urban winery
17:04 What happens when grapes are snap-frozen?
18:40 How Hong Kong became a global wine hub
21:09 The Flying Winemaker business model
24:24 Australian wine’s international perception problem
29:01 Creating the E.J. McDougall fine wine label
30:50 McLaren Vale old-vine Shiraz
35:40 Producing Margaret River Chardonnay
38:41 Tasmanian Riesling and international allocations
41:30 Turning The Flying Winemaker into a television series
45:03 Connecting wine with Asian food and culture
47:23 The rise of Chinese fine wine
51:45 Why Australian exports to China have changed
53:19 Relationships, responsibility and giving back
54:35 Eddie’s pursuit of simplicity and mastery

Eddie McDougall, Halliday Wine Companion podcast, Australian wine, The Flying Winemaker, E.J. McDougall Wines, Australian winemaker, McLaren Vale Shiraz, McLaren Vale Grenache, Margaret River Chardonnay, Tasmanian Riesling, Hong Kong wine industry, Chinese wine, Australian fine wine, wine podcast, Anna Webster, Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards.

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In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Anna Webster sits down with Gwyn Olsen, senior winemaker at Henschke, one of Australia’s most iconic family-owned wineries.

Gwyn’s path into wine was anything but predictable. Born in Cairns and raised in Indonesia, she went on to study biochemistry before discovering winemaking through postgraduate oenology at the University of Adelaide. From her first vintage in the south of France – a job she landed thanks to Google Translate – to roles at Villa Maria, McWilliam’s, Mount Pleasant, Briar Ridge and Pepper Tree, Gwyn’s career has been shaped by science, resilience, family-owned wine businesses and a love of site-driven winemaking.

Now based in the Barossa’s Eden Valley, Gwyn shares what it is like to work with some of the most famous vineyard sites in Australia, including Hill of Grace, Mount Edelstone, The Wheelwright and Cyril Henschke. She talks about the pressure of making wines with such deep history, the importance of patience in the winery, and how small one-percent improvements in picking, topping, sulphur, oak and blending can help protect and elevate Henschke’s legacy.

Anna and Gwyn also explore the story behind The Nurturer, a bright, crunchy new Henschke wine inspired by Prue Henschke’s experimental plantings, plus the future of Lenswood, sustainability, old vines, biosecurity and what succession might look like inside one of Australia’s most respected wine families.

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🍷 Gwyn’s childhood in Indonesia and unlikely path into wine
🍷 Studying biochemistry before discovering oenology
🍷 Her first vintage in France after using Google Translate to apply
🍷 Working at Villa Maria, McWilliam’s, Mount Pleasant, Briar Ridge and Pepper Tree
🍷 How she landed the senior winemaker role at Henschke while on maternity leave
🍷 The pressure of making Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone
🍷 Why patience has become central to her winemaking philosophy
🍷 The story behind Henschke’s The Nurturer
🍷 How Prue Henschke’s vineyard experiments are shaping new wines
🍷 What sustainability, old vines and succession mean for Henschke’s future

00:00 Meet Gwyn Olsen
01:29 From biochemistry to winemaking
03:05 Gwyn’s first vintage in the south of France
04:57 Learning winery French and working in Saint-Émilion
06:08 Villa Maria and family-owned wine businesses
08:45 McWilliam’s, Mount Pleasant and the Hunter Valley
09:22 Pepper Tree, Briar Ridge and career-defining awards
12:17 Landing the Henschke role while on maternity leave
16:19 The blind tasting moment in the Henschke interview
21:20 The pressure of working with iconic vineyards
23:08 Small changes and one-percenters in the winery
27:41 The story behind The Nurturer
31:35 Tappa Pass Shiraz and a cooler Barossa vintage
32:39 Mount Edelstone, Hill of Grace and the single vineyard sites
35:40 The weight of Henschke history
39:31 Apollonia Shiraz and new expressions
46:45 How Gwyn’s winemaking philosophy has evolved
47:42 Succession and Gwyn’s role in Henschke’s future
54:47 What’s next for Henschke

Gwyn Olsen, Henschke, Henschke wine, Hill of Grace, Mount Edelstone, Eden Valley wine, Barossa wine, Australian wine podcast, Halliday Wine Companion, Prue Henschke, Stephen Henschke, Australian winemaker, female winemaker, The Nurturer Henschke, Tappa Pass Shiraz, single vineyard wine, old vine Shiraz.

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What makes a truly iconic Australian wine?

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Anna Webster sits down with Brokenwood Chief Winemaker Stuart Hordern to explore the history, philosophy and future of one of Australia’s most celebrated wineries.

From growing up on a small Hunter Valley vineyard to becoming only the second chief winemaker in Brokenwood’s history, Stuart shares the lessons learned from legends like Iain Riggs and PJ Charteris, the pressure and privilege of making the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, and why Hunter Valley semillon remains one of Australia’s greatest gifts to the wine world.

The conversation dives deep into vineyard expression, wine evolution, vintage variation, cellar ageing, the realities of modern winemaking, and why Brokenwood sources fruit from some of Australia’s best wine regions including Beechworth, McLaren Vale and Orange.

You’ll also hear the remarkable story behind Brokenwood’s Halliday Winery of the Year win, the evolution of the Oakey Creek vineyard, and why some of Australia’s greatest wines are defined not by power, but by finesse.

Whether you're a wine lover, collector, sommelier or simply curious about how great Australian wine is made, this is a fascinating deep dive into one of the country’s benchmark producers.

Brokenwood Wines

Brokenwood on Instagram

Stuart Hordern on Instagram

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What to expect:

• Stuart Hordern’s journey from family vineyard to Brokenwood Chief Winemaker
• Growing up in the Hunter Valley wine region
• Working harvests in France and California
• The influence of Iain Riggs, PJ Charteris and Simon Steele
• Why Brokenwood sources fruit from multiple wine regions
• The story behind Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz
• Why Hunter Valley semillon ages so uniquely
• The philosophy behind ILR Reserve Semillon
• The impact of the 2020 bushfires on Australian wine
• How Brokenwood became Halliday Winery of the Year
• The future of Oakey Creek Vineyard and Hunter Valley Chardonnay

Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Acknowledgement of Country
00:25 Meet Stuart Hordern from Brokenwood
01:20 Growing up in the Hunter Valley
03:06 First vintages & cellar work
05:31 Studying winemaking in Adelaide
07:48 Returning to the Hunter Valley
09:23 What makes Hunter Valley wine unique
10:34 Joining Brokenwood
12:16 Learning from Iain Riggs & PJ Charteris
17:26 The evolution of Brokenwood
20:07 Why Brokenwood sources fruit outside the Hunter
24:01 The challenge of Australian vintages
28:36 The story of Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz
37:06 Brokenwood’s winemaking philosophy
38:56 The ILR Reserve Semillon story
43:59 Why some vintages are never released
45:10 Winning Halliday Winery of the Year
50:15 What’s next for Brokenwood

Brokenwood Wines, Stuart Hordern, Halliday Wine Companion, Hunter Valley wine, Hunter Valley Semillon, Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, ILR Semillon, Australian wine podcast, Australian winemaker interview, fine wine Australia, wine ageing, Hunter Valley Shiraz, winery of the year, Beechworth Chardonnay, Australian wine industry, single vineyard wine, premium Australian wine, Halliday winery of the year, wine collecting, Australian wine regions

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What happens when a former linguistics student leaves the Hunter Valley to help build one of Victoria’s most ambitious wine estates from the ground up?

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Anna Webster sits down with Alex Beckett, Director of Wine at Marnong Estate, to unpack the philosophy, ambition, and evolution behind one of Victoria’s most talked-about wine destinations.

From cool-climate pinot noir and chardonnay to Italian varieties like fiano and sangiovese, Alex explains how Marnong is shaping a modern identity for the historic Sunbury wine region while balancing accessibility, family values, and serious winemaking ambition.

Marnong Estate

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Alex Beckett on Instagram

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The conversation explores:

• Why Alex left the Hunter Valley to join Marnong Estate
• The vision behind building a winery, restaurants, and community destination in Mickleham
• The evolution of Marnong’s wine program and estate-grown philosophy
• Cool-climate viticulture in Sunbury and why the region is underrated
• Italian grape varieties thriving in Victoria
• The future of Australian chardonnay and site-driven winemaking
• Alex’s Master of Wine journey and obsession with terroir
• Why wine should feel accessible, communal, and exciting

Alex also shares insights into Marnong’s expanding vineyard plantings, future hotel plans, and the long-term ambition to create wines that sit amongst Australia’s best, while still remaining approachable and family-oriented.

If you’re interested in Australian wine, emerging wine regions, cool-climate viticulture, or the intersection of hospitality and wine culture, this episode is packed with insight.

Australian wine podcast, Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Marnong Estate, Alex Beckett, Sunbury wine region, Victorian wineries, cool climate Chardonnay, cool climate Pinot Noir, Fiano Australia, Sangiovese Victoria, Australian winemaking, wine tourism Victoria, Melbourne winery destination, Master of Wine Australia, Australian wine regions, boutique wineries Victoria, winery near Melbourne, wine and hospitality podcast, terroir driven wine, Australian Chardonnay podcast

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In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, host Anna Webster sits down with legendary Australian winemaker Louisa Rose from Yalumba. From growing up in Melbourne to becoming one of the most respected voices in Australian wine, Louisa shares her remarkable journey through decades of winemaking, sustainability leadership and innovation.

They explore Yalumba’s pioneering work with viognier, wild fermentation, vegan-friendly wines, climate adaptation, old vines, and the challenges facing the global wine industry today. This is a must-listen for wine lovers, collectors, hospitality professionals and anyone curious about where wine is heading next.

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Louisa Rose on Instagram

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Key Topics Covered

• Louisa Rose’s path from Melbourne to Yalumba in the Barossa
• Why Australian wine must change now | Louisa Rose of Yalumba
• ow Yalumba helped revive viognier in Australia
• Why wild fermentation creates better wines
• The truth about vegan wine production
• Sustainability in vineyards and wineries
• Climate change, water use and drought-resistant rootstocks
• Old-vine grenache and Australia’s winemaking heritage
• The Rare & Fine Collection including Virgilius and Tri-Centenary Grenache
• Why Australian wine needs stronger storytelling globally
• The future of wine consumption and industry change

Standout Quotes

“We have to earn our place.”
Louisa Rose on the future of wine in a changing climate.

“If you can find a food match that doesn’t go with viognier, let me know.”

“The wild yeast just works so well.”

Few guests offer the perspective Louisa Rose brings. Her career spans innovation, commercial success, environmental leadership and genuine love for wine. This conversation gives listeners insight into how premium Australian wine is made, marketed and protected for future generations.

YouTube Chapters

00:00 Meet Louisa Rose from Yalumba
00:48 Growing up in Melbourne and discovering wine
02:14 Why physics was the backup plan
03:19 How Louisa landed a job at Yalumba
04:40 What Yalumba was like in the 1990s
05:51 Becoming Head Winemaker
08:42 Why wild fermentation changed everything
12:57 Vineyard yeast vs winery yeast explained
14:48 Why Yalumba made all wines vegan
16:53 Signature vineyard and old vine history
18:17 Sustainability inside a major winery
22:30 Bottle weight, packaging and carbon footprint
25:34 Climate change, rootstocks and water use 

28:32 The Concerned Elders group explained
30:25 Why the wine industry is struggling
33:00 How Australian wine is viewed overseas
33:49 Rare & Fine Collection tasting
35:40 Tri-Centenary Grenache explained
38:45 The history of The Signature wine
45:22 Why viognier became Yalumba’s Icon
50:49 Why viognier is growing again
53:13 What’s next for Louisa Rose and Yalumba
55:33 Final thoughts

Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Louisa Rose podcast, Yalumba podcast, Australian wine podcast, Barossa Valley wine podcast, Viognier Australia, vegan wine Australia, sustainable wine Australia, Louisa Rose Yalumba, old vine Grenache Australia, Halliday wine interview, best wine podcasts Australia

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