We’re honoured to be named in the Halliday Top 100 Wineries – two years in a row!
We’re incredibly proud to share that Fighting Gully Road has once again been named among the Halliday Wine Companion’s Top 100 Wineries, coming in at #71 for 2025. To be recognised two years in a row is both humbling and deeply rewarding, a reflection of the dedication, curiosity, and care that drive everything we do here in Beechworth.
The Halliday Top 100 celebrates the very best of Australian wine; producers who are not only making exceptional wines today, but helping to shape the future of the industry. To stand among such inspiring company is an honour we don’t take lightly.
For me, wine has always been about exploration. Over the years, I’ve developed what Halliday kindly described as a “philatelist-style obsession” with grape varieties – from early plantings of Tempranillo rescued from the Hunter Valley back in the 1980s, to my ongoing love affair with Sangiovese. At Fighting Gully Road, we’ve worked hard to let Beechworth’s hero varieties shine, while also giving a platform to lesser-known grapes like Verdicchio, Gros Manseng, and new-comer Petit Arvine. Each of these wines tells a story of place, patience, and possibility.
What makes this recognition so meaningful is that the Halliday Top 100 isn’t just about high scores. It also celebrates consistency across a winery’s range, sustainable practices, and contribution to the broader wine community. Mentorship and collaboration have always been central to my work, and it’s a joy to see those values reflected in an award like this.
We’re grateful to everyone who’s supported us along the way – our team, our growers, our peers, and of course, everyone who enjoys a bottle of Fighting Gully Road wine. Being part of this list for a second year reminds us why we do what we do: to make wines that speak honestly of their origin and bring a little joy to those who share them.
Here’s to the next vintage, and to continuing the journey.
— Mark Walpole