James Halliday AM honoured with the Institute of Masters of Wine Lifetime Achievement Award
PARIS, FRANCE, 9 FEBRUARY 2025 — James Halliday AM has been named the recipient of the 2025 Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) Lifetime Achievement Award in association with the drinks business. The award was presented at Vinexposium’s V d’Or by Patrick Schmitt MW, the drinks business editor-in-chief, and Rod Smith MW, IMW chair.
The award acknowledges the substantial contribution of an individual to the global wine community, and recognises vision, determination and innovation. All recipients are considered not only to be successful in themselves, but to have materially contributed to the advancement of the wine world or its interests.
Over 55 years, James Halliday AM has shaped the Australian wine industry as a writer, critic, winemaker and judge, mentoring generations and elevating Australian wine on the world stage. He co-founded Brokenwood Wines in 1970 and Coldstream Hills in 1985, demonstrating a deep understanding of terroir, and has chaired judging panels for major wine competitions globally. Two-time winner of the James Beard Award, his accolades include Wine Spectator Book of the Year and being named as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Since 1979 he has authored and contributed to a catalogue of over 80 books and numerous articles, and his eponymous Annual Wine Companion, launched in 1986, remains a definitive guide to Australian wine.
On receiving the award, James Halliday AM remarked: “I am deeply honoured that the membership of the Institute has voted I should receive this Award in 2025, thus joining a very distinguished list of prior recipients from all corners of the globe.”
Patrick Schmitt MW, editor of the drinks business, said: “”Such has been the influence of this remarkably prolific and influential wine critic that no mention of Australian wine quality seems complete without his opinion.”
Rod Smith MW, IMW chair, added: “”It with the greatest pleasure and pride that I present this well-deserved award to the legend that is James Halliday.”
James was unable to attend the ceremony in person, nominating last year’s winner, Jancis Robinson OBE MW, to accept the award on his behalf. Jancis commented: “It was a great honour to be able to accept this award on behalf of someone I have known and admired for decades.”
Recipients are nominated and voted on by Masters of Wine. Since its debut in 2005, some of the industry’s most respected contributors have been presented with the accolade:
2005 – Robert Mondavi
2007 – Marchese Piero Antinori
2011 – Jean-Michel Cazes
2012 – Olivier Humbrecht MW
2013 – Baroness Philippine de Rothschild
2015 – Hugo Johnson OBE
2016 – Mark Savage MW
2017 – Miguel A. Torres
2019 – Paul Symington
2024 – Jancis Robinson OBE MW
NOTES TO EDITORS
Images and logos can be downloaded here.
About the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW)
The IMW is a membership organisation with an exceptional international reputation. For more than 70 years, its members – the Masters of Wine (MWs) – have been at the forefront of leadership and expertise in the world of wine. The IMW’s mission is to foster excellence, interaction and learning across all sectors of the global wine community. MWs prove their comprehensive understanding of wine by passing the MW exam, recognised worldwide for its rigour and exacting standards. In addition to passing the exam, members must sign the code of conduct before they are entitled to use the initials MW. This requires them to uphold the highest standards of commercial conduct within the industry. Today, there are 421 Masters of Wine working in 30 countries. The membership encompasses winemakers, sommeliers, buyers, journalists, shippers, consultants, viticulturalists, academics, educators and more. There are 346 students from 43 countries in the 2024-25 MW study programme. The IMW works with 37 supporters and four research and industry associates, who help promote the IMW’s mission. The five principal supporters are Austrian Wine, AXA Millésimes, Champagne Bollinger, Constellation Brands and VSPT Wine Group.
For more information visit: https://www.mastersofwine.org/
About the V d’Or awards:
The world of wine and spirits is at the forefront of major present-day issues – including declining consumption, climate change, new consumption patterns and the loss of traditional expertise – which undermine its long-term future and its performance. However, many industry stakeholders across the globe are pouring their talent, their creativity and their ingenuity into producing inspiring and innovative solutions in a bid to create a future packed with promise for wines and spirits. Every year, the V d’Or awards celebrate these initiatives that creatively address challenges in the world of wine and spirits.
James Halliday Biography
Wine Judge: Was the most senior and active wine judge in Australia 1977-2008. Also judged regularly in New Zealand, the UK, South Africa and less frequently in Europe and the US.
Winemaking: Was the co-founder of two very successful wineries. Hands-on viticulture and winemaking at Brokenwood (Hunter Valley, NSW) 1973-1983; and Coldstream Hills (Yarra Valley, VIC) 1985-1996. Also gained vintage experience in Bordeaux (1979) and Burgundy (1983). 1996-2000 Group Winemaker Southcorp responsible for Coldstream Hills, Devil’s Lair and Lindemans. 2000-2024 consultant to Coldstream Hills.
Journalist Weekly wine column to the National Times 1978-1984; 1984-2024 weekly wine column for The Weekend Australian newspaper. Over the decades has written for many Australian and overseas magazines; contributed to every issue of the Halliday Wine Companion Magazine until 2024, numerous others on a come-and-go basis.
Author: Has written over 80 books since 1979, and been a significant contributor to others, including Oxford Companion to Wine and Hugh Johnson Pocket Guide. Various books translated into French, German, Danish, Icelandic, Japanese and Polish.
Awards: Winner of Charles Heidsieck Award for Excellence in Wine Journalism 1983. 1993 joint winner (with Hugh Johnson) of James Beard Award and Clicquot Award, runner up Glenfiddich Award (for Art and Science of Wine). Wine Spectator Book of Year, 1994 IACP/Julia Child Award for Best Wine, Spirits or Beer Book (USA). Winner James Beard Award 1994 for Wine Atlas of California. SA Tourism Gold Award 1999 for Wine Atlas of Australia and New Zealand. Wine Literary Award (San Francisco) 2002 for the Wine Atlas of California. Saltram Wine Communicator Award 2005 for the 2006 Wine Companion. Louis Roederer International Wine Book of the Year 2007 for the Wine Atlas of Australia.
Other Recognitions: Maurice O’Shea Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Wine Industry 1995 (other winners include Max Schubert and Len Evans)
Made a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services for the wine industry
Trustee Len Evans Tutorial Foundation
Chairman Wine Australia1998, 2000, 2002
Member of Academie Internationale du Vin (membership by election).
Patron of the National Wine Show of Australia
Patron of Wine Communicators of Australia
Melbourne Food & Wine Festival Legend 1995
Baron of Barossa 2009 (only non-resident to be so honoured)
Annual Australia-wide Chardonnay Challenge named the James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge
Similar roles for Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache
2014 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards established trophy for Best Pinot Noir of Show named the James Halliday Pinot Noir Trophy
2015 Yarra Valley Hall of Frame
Cullen Award for Excellence 2016
Honorary lifetime membership 2023 The Association of Vinologists (VVN) (Netherlands)