Image Credit: Sidewood Estate
South Australia’s premier wineries have been celebrated for their exceptional contributions to the state’s wine tourism. Seven wineries have been named winners in the 2024 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, positioning them to compete on an international platform.
The awards, a highlight of Adelaide’s participation in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, recognize the best in wine tourism, spanning 12 of the world’s most renowned wine capitals. These include notable regions from Spain, France, New Zealand, the US, and more.
Here are the South Australian standouts in the seven categories:
- Accommodation – Alkina Wine Estate, Barossa – for creating extraordinary accommodation that feels like a home, has an outstanding connection to place and treads lightly on the landscape.
- Architecture and Landscape – Yangarra Estate Vineyard, McLaren Vale – the cellar door’s strong architectural statement features a striking sweeping roof: a visual treat with an interior that reflects the soil and environment.
- Art and culture – Grapes of Mirth, multi-regional – comedy events including DJs and dance parties, podcasts, wine masterclasses and cooking demonstrations that bring a new demographic to wineries and their respective regions.
- Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences – Sidewood Estate, Adelaide Hills– On the outskirts of Hahndorf providing a unique offering, from no and lo alcohol wines to an array of leisure activities plus educational experiences such as its Introduction to Wine Tasting that helps people interpret wine terminology to enhance the overall experience.
- Wine Tourism Restaurant – Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, Adelaide Hills – with new menus, carefully curated each month in an outstanding, second-to-none setting that connects to the landscape and surrounding vineyards.
- Wine Tourism Services – Pindarie Wines, Barossa Valley – Previously 1850s stables and 1890s grain store, the cellar door and restaurant provide the complete wine, food and tourism experience on the western gateway to the Barossa Valley.
- Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices – Gemtree Wines, McLaren Vale – organic and biodynamic certified and the benchmark in South Australia for sustainable wine practices. Sustainability best practice is absolutely fundamental to Gemtree’s overall story and purpose.
These winners will now represent South Australia in the Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, set to take place in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Last year, the Grapes for Good initiative by Kimbolton Wines earned international acclaim, securing a Global Best Of Wine Tourism Award. This initiative is a collaboration between leading Langhorne Creek wine producers and Zoos SA, promoting regional visitation and supporting conservation efforts at Monarto Safari Park.
South Australia boasts 18 distinct wine regions and 340 cellar doors, with 200 easily accessible from Adelaide. The dedication and innovation of these wineries make them top destinations for visitors.
Minsiter for Tourism Zoe Bettison said that the results are a terrific demonstration of the strength of South Australia’s wine tourism industry.
“We know our wine is a key tourism drawcard for South Australia, with one fifth of all interstate tourists visiting a winery during their trip in 2022 and more than one third of all international tourists prior to the pandemic.”
“With innovative festivals in world-renowned wine regions, leading sustainability practices at well-established wineries, luxury accommodation in the vines, and top-notch restaurants serving local produce, it’s no wonder our wine tourism operators help put our state on the map.”
“Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners, and I wish them all the best as they go on to represent South Australia on the global stage.”
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said “Congratulations to each of our category winners. All are world class and offer genuine, authentic wine tourism experiences for visitors and locals alike.”
“South Australia is clearly Australia’s leading premier wine state, producing more than 80% of the nation’s premium wine from some of the oldest vines in the world.”
“The emphasis of these awards on the overall tourism experience acknowledges the many facets of the wine industry and its importance to the South Australian economy.”
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