Halliday Wine Companion enters new era

After almost four decades at the helm, James Halliday has retired completely from the Halliday Wine Companion, leaving his beloved annual guide in the trusted hands of the Halliday Tasting Team and triggering the next stage of the brand’s evolution. 

James, who recently turned 86, has been preparing for this inevitability since 2008 when he decided to future-proof the Companion by enlisting Ben Edwards, a senior wine show judge and then head of the Australian Sommeliers Association, to help with tasting. Ben joined for the 2010 edition and stayed for five years. After he left to run a luxury retreat in Victoria's Alpine Valleys, Campbell Mattinson, and Tyson Stelzer for sparkling wines, came on board.

In 2020, shortly after his 82nd birthday, James appointed Tyson as chief editor of the Halliday Wine Companion, and while he was still heavily involved in writing reviews, articles and tasting notes for the guide, Halliday magazine and website, it was Tyson’s job to manage the process and expand the Tasting Team. 

The Tasting Team, from left to right: Philip Rich, Marcus Ellis, Shanteh Wale, James Halliday, Mike Bennie, Toni Paterson MW, Dave Brookes, Jane Faulkner and Jeni Port.

Under Tyson, the Tasting Team – which then comprised Ned Goodwin MW, Jane Faulkner, Jeni Port, Steven Creber, Tony Love and Erin Larkin, plus James – took a regional focus for the first time, with each member responsible for reviewing wines from specific regions around the country. This, Tyson said at the time, allowed for “stronger links with regions and wineries, offering continuity, connection and specialist expertise. The panel will be on the ground, and more active than ever in seeking out all the best wines of the year to introduce in the Companion, the magazine and website.”

In 2022, Tyson resigned from his position and was replaced as chief editor by Campbell Mattinson, an honour which Campbell said “could be viewed as a great opportunity, but… the greater truth is that it’s a responsibility, and an important one.” To the Tasting Team, which by then included James, Ned, Jane, Jeni, Dave Brookes and Philip Rich, Mike Bennie and Shanteh Wale joined, and then a year later, after Ned left, on came Marcus Ellis and Toni Paterson MW. 

Confident in the expertise, ability and diversity of the Tasting Team, Campbell stepped down as chief editor in 2024, at the close of the 2025 Wine Companion tasting season. In his place, Halliday’s own Head of Tasting, Katrina Butler, joins the panel. 

The 2026 Halliday Wine Companion will be the first without James’ involvement, although he says he is looking forward to watching from the sidelines. And while he will be forever missed, and, of course, utterly irreplaceable, the Halliday team are confident that they will be able to continue his legacy and ensure the Halliday Wine Companion remains the definitive authority on Australian wine for years to come. 

The Tasting Team, including Katrina Butler (second from the left, back row), but missing Dave Brookes.

Read more about the Tasting Team here.