Halliday Wine Companion

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion podcast, Halliday taster, drinks writer and liquor merchant Mike Bennie shares his path into the wine industry, his passion for natural wines, and how Australia’s wine scene has evolved. He reflects on founding Sydney’s groundbreaking Rootstock Festival, the challenge of defining natural wine, and judging Halliday’s inaugural ‘wildcard’ category. Mike also makes a case for judging wine by style, explains why he’s a champion of under-the-radar regions such as Queensland’s Granite Belt, and discusses how personal style influences wine culture. The conversation wraps with a playful debate on wine and cheese pairings. Connect with us: Mike Bennie on Instagram Halliday Wine Companion Halliday Wine Companion on Instagram Halliday Wine Club Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion LANGTONS LANGTONS on Instagram Takeaways  Mike Bennie transitioned from law into the wine world. Natural wine covers a broad range of styles. Rootstock Festival shone a spotlight on natural wine producers. Australia’s natural wine movement has grown and matured. Natural wine is grounded in organic farming and minimal intervention. Halliday’s new wildcard category fosters diversity. Mike argues wine should be judged by style rather than variety. He often gets pigeonholed as a ‘natural wine guy’. He champions regions like Queensland’s Granite Belt. Wine and cheese pairings are often overrated. Chapters 00:00 Acknowledging the Land and Introduction00:53 Mike Bennie’s Journey into Wine02:06 The Allure of Natural Wines03:28 Founding Sydney’s Rootstock Festival05:09 Evolution of the Natural Wine Scene06:25 Defining Natural Wine08:15 Shifts in Natural Wine Styles10:01 The Wildcard Category in Wine Judging11:26 Categorisation in Wine Judging14:12 Proposing Changes in Wine Judging17:01 The Importance of Style in Wine Lists18:28 Pigeonholed as a ‘Natural Wine Guy’19:56 A Deep Dive into Wine Knowledge24:15 Personal Style and Image in the Wine Industry27:23 Championing Under-the-Radar Wine Regions34:50 The Wine and Cheese Debate37:06 Quickfire Questions and Personal PreferencesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, recorded the morning after the 2026 Halliday Awards, Anna Webster sits down with Vasse Felix’s chief winemaker Virginia Willcock over a strong coffee to discuss her latest accolade, Winemaker of the Year. Virginia reflects on her remarkable career in the wine industry, shares the stories behind iconic wines such as Tom Cullity and Heytesbury Chardonnay, and details the evolution of her winemaking practices and the role of terroir in shaping exceptional wines. Virginia also highlights her passion for sustainability, the importance of community, and her aspirations for the future of Margaret River winemaking. Connect with us: Vasse Felix Vasse Felix on InstagramHalliday Wine Companion Halliday Wine Companion on Instagram Halliday Wine Club Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion LANGTONS LANGTONS on Instagram Key Takeaways Virginia Willcock reflects on a week filled with awards and recognition Wine is rooted in community, culture, and connection Margaret River’s terroir is central to producing outstanding wines Vasse Felix has undergone major evolution since Virginia joined in 2006 Natural winemaking practices bring out authenticity and quality The story of Tom Cullity is intertwined with Vasse Felix’s history Heytesbury Chardonnay showcases Margaret River’s finest expression Sustainability is a core focus for the future of the winery Virginia’s passion for wine is evident in every stage of her journey Sharing the story of Margaret River globally remains a key mission Episode Chapters00:00 – Winning Winemaker of the Year02:09 – Virginia Willcock: A Winemaker's Journey05:45 – The Unique Terroir of Margaret River08:58 – Evolution of Vasse Felix11:59 – Natural Winemaking Practices14:57 – The Story Behind Tom Cullity17:49 – The Heytesbury Chardonnay20:53 – Future Aspirations and Sustainability24:06 – Quickfire Questions and Personal InsightsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, respected wine critic and educator Philip Rich reflects on his decades-long journey through the Australian and global wine landscape. Drawing on his early days in wine retail, including co-founding Prince Wine Store, Philip shares insights into the evolution of wine knowledge and the challenges of modern wine sourcing. He unpacks what makes Burgundy so compelling, the nuances of pinot noir, and the delicate balance required in curating a successful wine list. The conversation is rich with personal stories, professional learnings, and thoughtful observations on tasting and judging wine in different contexts.  Connect with us: Philip Rich on Instagram About Philip Rich Wine Companion on Instagram Halliday Wine Companion Halliday Wine Club LANGTONS Key Takeaways: Philip Rich began his wine career in the early 1980s at Crittendens Fine Wine Merchants. Over time, wine professionals and consumers have become significantly more informed. Restaurant wine lists are now considered just as important as the food menu. Sourcing wine has become increasingly difficult due to market and production shifts. Burgundy is revered for its clear expression of terroir, particularly through pinot noir. Wine buying requires an understanding of both consumer tastes and industry trends. A strong wine list balances customer satisfaction with profitability. Wine shows now serve as marketing platforms and provide critical feedback for producers. Effective wine tasting involves both sensory skill and situational context. Vertical tastings and personal experiences deepen wine understanding. Chapters: 00:00 Philip Rich's Journey into the Wine Industry03:00 Evolution of Wine Knowledge and Industry Changes06:05 Sourcing Wines: Past vs Present09:02 The Allure of Burgundy12:04 Pinot Noir: A Unique Expression of Terroir14:59 The Role of a Wine Buyer17:52 Creating a Balanced Wine List22:03 Judging Wines: Show vs Review24:48 The Impact of Wine Shows on Producers27:46 Tasting Mechanics and Wine Education31:44 Personal Wine Preferences and ExperiencesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 17: Rowly Milhinch, Scion, Rutherglen Rutherglen is one of Australia's oldest wine regions. Grapevines came to the region in the 1850s during the gold rush and Rutherglen, as many of you will already know, became Australia's unchallenged capital of fortified wines. The future of regions like Rutherglen rely heavily on either new blood moving in or subsequent generations, from existing wine families, continuing to carry those legacies into the future. Rowland Milhinch, known as Rowly about town, is a descendant of George Francis Morris - one of Australia's pioneering vignerons of the mid 19th century. Formerly a graphic designer - Rowly applied his creative mind to the art of wine making and is now, arguably, one of the most progressive and playful wine makers in the region. To chat about the importance of new age thinking...in regions steeped heavily in tradition....please welcome Rowly.  Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at bytheglass@hardiegrant.com and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Want to know what wine we were drinking?  Scion After Dark Rutherglen Durif 2018 Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 15: Daniel Tokar, Tokar Estate, Yarra Valley Today we are talking all things Tempranillo!  There’s no denying it’s the signature wine grape of Spain, and a very very old one at that…dating back to 1100 BC. There are about 500 clones of Tempranillo in Spain alone, and it is not only one of the world’s most planted grape varieties, it’s one of the most expanded varieties globally. Meaning it’s on the increase. Daniel Tokar, from Tokar Estate in Victoria’s Yarra Valley has been surrounded by this variety since his parents established the winery in 1995. A chef by trade, Daniel provides an interesting perspective on this very old and much loved variety. Please welcome, Dan.  Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at bytheglass@hardiegrant.com and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Want to know what wine we were drinking?  Tokar Estate Amphora Special Release Yarra Valley Tempranillo 2019 Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 13: Ben Ranken, Wilimee Wines, Macedon Ranges.  Today’s topic is of huge interest to me. Underwater wine. I’m fascinated by it. It’s a process whereby wine is aged or preserved under water. And there are some high-profile cases. Now, back in 2010 it was reported divers found bottles of champagne…some 230 years old…at the bottom of the Baltic. It's reported the champagne found was from house Veuve Cliquot…and interestingly they have since buried 300 bottles and 50 magnums in the Baltic sea in an ageing experiment to commemorate this very discovery. But they aren’t the only ones doing it. Wineries across the world….from Spain, to France, Italy, Greece and Chile are trying their hand at this new way of thinking. And today we are looking at a home-grown example here in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. Five years ago Ben Rankin, from Wilimee Wines, submerged 20 dozen bottles of his Pinot Noir in 5000 litre tanks. Now, this year he drained one of those vats for consumption and comparison, to the same vintage aged via traditional cellaring methods. Want to know what wine we were drinking?  2015 Wilimee Pinot Noir  2015 Wilimee 5 Years Underwater Pinot Noir Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at bytheglass@hardiegrant.com and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.  Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 11: Wine educator Nicole Bilson on Malolactic Fermentation Today we sit down with wine educator Nicole Bilson to learn about the winemaking technique, malolactic fermentation. Now, while many of you may not have heard of this technique before - most of you will have tasted the effects of it! Particularly if you're a chardonnay drinker. It's what gives some chardonnays that beautiful rich, creamy, buttery sensation on the palate. I met Nicole while studying my WSET - she was one of our educators - and you're going to love learning from her. She is absolutely fabulous at what she does.  Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at bytheglass@hardiegrant.com and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halliday Wine Companion 'By the Glass' EP 9: Kate Laurie, Deviation Road, Adelaide Hills. We catch up with Kate Laurie, winemaker and Sparkling Wine of the Year recipient at the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, to discuss all things sparkling wine and champagne.  Raised in WA Kate actually lived in Champagne, France, for three years after graduating university, to hone her skills in traditional method sparkling. So she is the perfect person to discuss the various styles, winemaking techniques and food pairings that make this much-loved wine, so unique.   Any thoughts or suggestions for upcoming episodes? Please email us at bytheglass@hardiegrant.com and don't forget to follow Halliday Wine Companion over on instagram here. Want to know what wine we were drinking?  2014 Beltana Blanc de Blancs 2018 Southcote Blanc de Noirs Deviation Road Altair Adelaide Hills Brut Rosé  Looking for a little more wine inspiration? For more information on Australian wines and wineries, including tasting notes, head over to winecompanion.com.au. Interested in becoming a Halliday Wine Companion member? Click here. Hardie Grant acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the country on which we work, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation and the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, and recognises their continuing connection to the land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.Support the show: https://www.winecompanion.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.