After 23 years at Xanadu Wines, chief winemaker Glenn Goodall is used to winning trophies and awards.

But none have been as rewarding as being named Winemaker of the Year overnight in the latest 2023 James Halliday Wine Companion.

Halliday is considered the godfather of wine critics in Australia, his annual companion awards worn by winners like a badge of honour.

Goodall’s cabernet sauvignons have been collecting gongs at major national wine shows for years on end now, thanks in part to Margaret River’s excellent run of good vintages, but mostly due to Goodall’s penchant to letting the grapes and the vineyards they come from, speak for themselves.

“We’re really blessed where we are, with a great Mediterranean maritime climate, awesome soils and some great people… just a lovely confluence, Margaret River is batting well above its average,” he told Liam Bartlett on 6PR Mornings.

Other major winners from WA included Margaret River’s L.A.S. Vino for Dark Horse Winery and Deep Woods for Best Value Winery, while the 2020 Battles Wine Granitis Shiraz from Perth Hills won Shiraz of the year and the 2020 Stella Bella Wines Luminosa Chardonnay won Chardonnay of the Year.

LISTEN 👇 to Glenn reveal the private wine label he and his wife also run