Two local wineries have been named among the 50 best wineries in the world, according to Forbes and wine experts at Virgin Wines.

Featured on a global wine map stretching from England to Australia, Brown Brothers of Milawa has been ranked 12, and All Saints Estate of Rutherglen is ranked 46 - among only five Australian wineries to make the list - which includes wineries in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Portugal and more.

Virgin Wines said wine experts conducted analysis based on criteria including heritage and longevity, mentorship of future winemakers, sustainability certifications, social responsibility, innovation in viticulture, transparency through ESG reporting, and even packaging choices.

Virgin Wines buying director Sophie Lord said the final line-up showcased those that achieved the highest scores across a range of benchmarks, with sustainability and social responsibility carrying particular weight as "values that have become increasingly vital to the global wine industry and central to our judging process”.

Brown Brothers winemaker and fourth generation Brown family member, Katherine Brown, said they were "incredibly honoured" to be internationally recognised by such a prestigious program.

Founded in 1889, Brown Brothers has been crafting wine for more than 136 years, is still family-owned and operated through four generations from its historic Milawa home, and is a founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine.

“This award is a testament to our dedication for outstanding winemaking and the incredible experiences we create for our visitors," said Katherine Brown.

“For more than a century Brown Brothers has been a place of learning, mentorship and opportunity for aspiring winemakers.

“We’re led by a philosophy that knowledge shared strengthens the industry as a whole.

"Many of Brown Brothers’ past winemakers and oenologists have gone on to lead some of the world’s most respected wineries, including Rick Kinzbrunner (owner and winemaker, Giaconda), Trina Smith (Mumm Terroir Pacific Winemaker, Pernod Ricard, and Cate Looney (Australian Women in Wine, Australian Winemaker of the Year 2020).”

Katherine Brown said being at the forefront of innovation, especially with its sustainability initiatives, was also integral to its strategy and legacy.

All Saints Estate, one of Australia's oldest family-owned wineries, has been crafting wines in Victoria's renowned Rutherglen region since 1864.

As part of Saints Collective, which also includes St Leonards Vineyard (est. 1860) and Mount Ophir Estate (est. 1891), sibling owners, Eliza, Angela and Nicholas Brown, operate three of the region's most historic properties.

The Forbes evaluation placed significant emphasis on consistent wine quality across multiple vintages and wines, and All Saints Estate said its portfolio demonstrated excellence through major critic ratings, international medal wins, and recognition in respected global and regional wine rankings.

Saints Collective sales and marketing director Angela Brown said to be ranked among the world's elite wineries is a testament to the family's unwavering dedication to quality and the region's distinctive character.

"This recognition from Forbes honours not just our heritage, but our ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability and most importantly, producing world-class wines vintage after vintage," she said.