This year Halliday Wine Companion welcomed a total of 61 wineries to the book and website for the first time. Of those 61 wineries, just eight have been shortlisted for 2025 Best New Winery, including the Barossa’s Iggy Wines. A very impressive feat for a small-batch producer in its third year of trading.
The eponymous label might be new to the Companion this year, but Slovenian-born winemaker and owner Igor “Iggy” Kucic is not new to the wine industry by any means. “I could say I came to the industry through the back door so to speak,” says Igor. “I first learned about grapes and wine from my late grandfather, who planted a hobby vineyard in the 60s in the most challenging grape-growing region of Slovenia.
Igor, Timna, and Om, their beloved canine companion.
“I remember helping ‘Deda’ from a very tender age. He taught me how to take care of the vines, introduced me to fundamental tasks in the cellar, put a bit of pressure on teenage-era weekend wake-ups but, more importantly, he sparked my forever interest in grapes and wine.”
This interest led Igor to study agriculture, with a focus on viticulture and oenology, followed by 18 formative months at Villa Maria in New Zealand, four vintages as an assistant winemaker at Sons of Eden in the Barossa, stints at Jonata in California and Domaine Jean-Louis Chave in the Rhône Valley, and later five years as a winemaker at Powell & Son in Barossa.
With decades of experience under his belt and, encouraged by receiving permanent residency status here in Australia, Igor was emboldened to start his own label – something he’d been secretly daydreaming about since he was a student. Iggy Wines was established in 2019, with the first wine being made from Adelaide Hills grapes.
Today, Iggy Wines is based in the Barossa, where Igor cut his teeth professionally. “When I first came to the Barossa in 2009 I was immediately seduced by the aromatics of Eden Valley wines and fascinated by the abundance of old vineyards that represent an incredibly important legacy for the whole country, not only the region,” Igor says. “I see it as an honour, as well as responsibility to either directly or indirectly do my little part in helping them remain in the ground, preserved for future generations.”
For Igor, this preservation involves organic management of his vineyards. “I believe places like Barossa, with such a low disease pressure, are perfect for organic farming practices. What I would like to see even more of is mechanical control of grasses and weeds under vine. New technology is readily available now and I believe it would’ve done us all a lot of good if we omit certain chemicals in grape growing.”
Iggy Wines has a focus on terroir-driven, pure expressions of syrah from carefully selected vineyards, with the notable additions of a Hermitage-inspired white blend of roussanne and marsanne. “Balance, structure, and texture will always be my main objectives throughout the whole range,” says Igor. “I fully embrace native yeasts that work very well, add a touch of complexity, and probably a degree of differentiation from other wines in the region.”
For those who are new to the brand, Igor suggests starting with the 2021 Adelaide Hills Syrah, which is drinking beautifully after some bottle rest. All elements of this harmonious and smooth wine are nicely tucked in – a worthy successor of the brand’s very first wine. But really, you can’t go wrong with any of the wines. As Campbell Mattinson says of Iggy’s nomination for 2025 Best New Winery, “There’s no single star in the range; everything here is good."
Igor and Slovenian-native Timna Kordic, the other half of Iggy, say they are “absolutely delighted” to be shortlisted. “Especially since there are so many talented and skilled winemakers emerging every year here in Australia. It’s flattering to be part of this selection.”
Now firmly rooted in Australia's Barossa Valley, Igor faces the challenge of creating wines that honour tradition while pushing boundaries. With his wife Timna by his side, he's revitalising neglected vineyards and introducing new varietals, all while staying true to his motto: "Do good, love passionately, eat a variety of foods, drink good wine, laugh loudly, repeat."
