'Winemaker, White Wine & Chardonnay of the Year' | Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2026

TRIPLE HONOURS FOR VASSE FELIX AT THE 2026 HALLIDAY WINE AWARDS

Vasse Felix is proud to announce an extraordinary evening of recognition at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards on Wednesday 20 August, where Chief Winemaker Virginia Willcock was named ‘Winemaker of the Year’ and the 2023 HEYTESBURY Chardonnay was awarded both ‘Chardonnay of the Year’ and ‘White Wine of the Year’ with an exceptional 99 points.

This milestone marks one of the most significant achievements in the history of Vasse Felix, cementing Margaret River’s reputation as a world-class region for Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, praised Virginia’s dedication: “Virginia has never lost sight of why she became a winemaker. Her parents owned a small vineyard and, as a teenager, Virginia witnessed the joy of growing grapes and turning them into something more beautiful. It became her calling. Passionate is a word too often brandished glibly about those in wine but, with Virginia, it’s palpable. She cares deeply about every aspect of winemaking, from the people she works with to those special sites producing excellent fruit for her to turn into the best wines possible. In 2026, she marks 20 years leading Vasse Felix, and she’s at the top of her game. She has done so much to promote Margaret River nationally and internationally due to the quality of her Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, and few have matched her complete dedication to the two varieties, the pinnacles of which are the TOM CULLITY and HEYTESBURY.”

In her acceptance speech, Virginia reflected on the significance of the honour: “There’s no such thing as not working hard in this industry – you give your life to it because you believe in it. This is possibly the greatest moment of my life. What drives me, and all of us at Vasse Felix, is a deep love for Margaret River – its soils, its vines, its people. From the microbes and fungi that sustain the vineyard to the joy on someone’s face when they drink a glass of wine, it’s all connection. That’s why we do this. To see the 2023 HEYTESBURY Chardonnay recognised at this level, alongside my own award has made this the greatest night of my working life”.

This recognition is a testament to Virginia’s extraordinary vision and unwavering pursuit of excellence over her almost 20 years at Vasse Felix. These awards celebrate not only her achievements but also the strength and maturity of Margaret River as one of the great wine regions of the world.