In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, host Anna Webster sits down with legendary Australian winemaker Louisa Rose from Yalumba. From growing up in Melbourne to becoming one of the most respected voices in Australian wine, Louisa shares her remarkable journey through decades of winemaking, sustainability leadership and innovation.

They explore Yalumba’s pioneering work with viognier, wild fermentation, vegan-friendly wines, climate adaptation, old vines, and the challenges facing the global wine industry today. This is a must-listen for wine lovers, collectors, hospitality professionals and anyone curious about where wine is heading next.

Yalumba

Yalumba on Instagram

Louisa Rose on Instagram

Halliday Wine Companion

Halliday Wine Companion on Instagram

Anna Webster on Instagram

Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion

 

Key Topics Covered
Louisa Rose’s path from Melbourne to Yalumba in the Barossa
Why Australian wine must change now | Louisa Rose of Yalumba
ow Yalumba helped revive viognier in Australia
Why wild fermentation creates better wines
The truth about vegan wine production
Sustainability in vineyards and wineries
Climate change, water use and drought-resistant rootstocks
Old-vine grenache and Australia’s winemaking heritage
The Rare & Fine Collection including Virgilius and Tri-Centenary Grenache
Why Australian wine needs stronger storytelling globally
The future of wine consumption and industry change

 

Standout Quotes

“We have to earn our place.”
Louisa Rose on the future of wine in a changing climate.

“If you can find a food match that doesn’t go with viognier, let me know.”

“The wild yeast just works so well.”

Few guests offer the perspective Louisa Rose brings. Her career spans innovation, commercial success, environmental leadership and genuine love for wine. This conversation gives listeners insight into how premium Australian wine is made, marketed and protected for future generations.


YouTube Chapters

00:00 Meet Louisa Rose from Yalumba
00:48 Growing up in Melbourne and discovering wine
02:14 Why physics was the backup plan
03:19 How Louisa landed a job at Yalumba
04:40 What Yalumba was like in the 1990s
05:51 Becoming Head Winemaker
08:42 Why wild fermentation changed everything
12:57 Vineyard yeast vs winery yeast explained
14:48 Why Yalumba made all wines vegan
16:53 Signature vineyard and old vine history
18:17 Sustainability inside a major winery
22:30 Bottle weight, packaging and carbon footprint
25:34 Climate change, rootstocks and water use 

28:32 The Concerned Elders group explained
30:25 Why the wine industry is struggling
33:00 How Australian wine is viewed overseas
33:49 Rare & Fine Collection tasting
35:40 Tri-Centenary Grenache explained
38:45 The history of The Signature wine
45:22 Why viognier became Yalumba’s Icon
50:49 Why viognier is growing again
53:13 What’s next for Louisa Rose and Yalumba
55:33 Final thoughts

 

Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Louisa Rose podcast, Yalumba podcast, Australian wine podcast, Barossa Valley wine podcast, Viognier Australia, vegan wine Australia, sustainable wine Australia, Louisa Rose Yalumba, old vine Grenache Australia, Halliday wine interview, best wine podcasts Australia

 

In this episode of the Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, host Anna Webster sits down with legendary Australian winemaker Louisa Rose from Yalumba. From growing up in Melbourne to becoming one of the most respected voices in Australian wine, Louisa shares her remarkable journey through decades of winemaking, sustainability leadership and innovation.
They explore Yalumba&rsquo;s pioneering work with viognier, wild fermentation, vegan-friendly wines, climate adaptation, old vines, and the challenges facing the global wine industry today. This is a must-listen for wine lovers, collectors, hospitality professionals and anyone curious about where wine is heading next.
<a href="https://www.yalumba.com/">Yalumba</a>
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/yalumbawine">Yalumba on Instagram</a>
<a href="http://www.instagram.com/louisarose.wine">Louisa Rose on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://winecompanion.com.au/">Halliday Wine Companion</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/winecompanion/">Halliday&nbsp;Wine Companion on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/annawebster_">Anna Webster on Instagram</a>
<a href="https://shop.winecompanion.com.au/products/2026-halliday-wine-companion">Buy the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion</a>
&nbsp;
Key Topics Covered
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Louisa Rose&rsquo;s path from Melbourne to Yalumba in the Barossa</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Australian wine must change now | Louisa Rose of Yalumba</li>
<li aria-level="1">ow Yalumba helped revive viognier in Australia</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why wild fermentation creates better wines</li>
<li aria-level="1">The truth about vegan wine production</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sustainability in vineyards and wineries</li>
<li aria-level="1">Climate change, water use and drought-resistant rootstocks</li>
<li aria-level="1">Old-vine grenache and Australia&rsquo;s winemaking heritage</li>
<li aria-level="1">The Rare &amp; Fine Collection including Virgilius and Tri-Centenary Grenache</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why Australian wine needs stronger storytelling globally</li>
<li aria-level="1">The future of wine consumption and industry change</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
Standout Quotes
&ldquo;We have to earn our place.&rdquo; Louisa Rose on the future of wine in a changing climate.
&ldquo;If you can find a food match that doesn&rsquo;t go with viognier, let me know.&rdquo;
&ldquo;The wild yeast just works so well.&rdquo;
Few guests offer the perspective Louisa Rose brings. Her career spans innovation, commercial success, environmental leadership and genuine love for wine. This conversation gives listeners insight into how premium Australian wine is made, marketed and protected for future generations.
 YouTube Chapters
00:00 Meet Louisa Rose from Yalumba 00:48 Growing up in Melbourne and discovering wine 02:14 Why physics was the backup plan 03:19 How Louisa landed a job at Yalumba 04:40 What Yalumba was like in the 1990s 05:51 Becoming Head Winemaker 08:42 Why wild fermentation changed everything 12:57 Vineyard yeast vs winery yeast explained 14:48 Why Yalumba made all wines vegan 16:53 Signature vineyard and old vine history 18:17 Sustainability inside a major winery 22:30 Bottle weight, packaging and carbon footprint 25:34 Climate change, rootstocks and water use&nbsp;
28:32 The Concerned Elders group explained 30:25 Why the wine industry is struggling 33:00 How Australian wine is viewed overseas 33:49 Rare &amp; Fine Collection tasting 35:40 Tri-Centenary Grenache explained 38:45 The history of The Signature wine 45:22 Why viognier became Yalumba&rsquo;s Icon 50:49 Why viognier is growing again 53:13 What&rsquo;s next for Louisa Rose and Yalumba 55:33 Final thoughts
&nbsp;
Halliday Wine Companion Podcast, Louisa Rose podcast, Yalumba podcast, Australian wine podcast, Barossa Valley wine podcast, Viognier Australia, vegan wine Australia, sustainable wine Australia, Louisa Rose Yalumba, old vine Grenache Australia, Halliday wine interview, best wine podcasts Australia
&nbsp;

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

 Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts – including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more – to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.

From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.

So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.
&nbsp;Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts &ndash; including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more &ndash; to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.
From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.
So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

Halliday Wine Companion

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.

Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts – including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more – to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.

From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.

So, pour a glass and settle in.

The Halliday Wine Companion Podcast (formerly known as By The Glass) is back with a new look, a new host, and a bunch of new and exciting guests.
Join Halliday editor Anna Webster as she sits down with industry experts &ndash; including winemakers, sommeliers, distillers, critics, retailers, and more &ndash; to chat about, unpack and explore a range of wine- and drinks-related topics.
From interviews with top producers and the stories behind your favourite bottles, to the science of cellaring, deep dives into wine regions and grape varieties, and much more, this fun and conversational podcast is essential listening for anyone who loves wine.
So, pour a glass and settle in.