🍷 Tom Ward from Orange Shortlisted for Viticulturist Honour

Orange's thriving wine industry has once again been spotlighted on the national stage, with local talent Tom Ward from Swinging Bridge Wines being shortlisted for the esteemed Viticulturist of the Year award at the highly anticipated 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.

The prestigious awards, which celebrate the pinnacle of Australian wine, recently unveiled their winners at a ceremony in Melbourne. While the top honour for Viticulturist of the Year ultimately went to Dr Dylan Grigg, Mr. Ward's recognition underscores the exceptional viticulture expertise flourishing within our very own Orange region.

The Halliday Wine Companion also highlighted Orange as one of the key regions contributing to Australia's top sparkling wines, alongside Tasmania, Adelaide Hills, and Geelong, with several vineyards from the area making the highly competitive shortlist for the Sparkling Wine of the Year category.

This national acknowledgement reaffirms Orange's growing reputation as a significant player in the Australian wine landscape, attracting attention for both its innovative viticultural practices and the quality of its produce.