South Australia’s premier wine tourism experiences were celebrated last night, 19 September, at the South Australian Wine Industry Dinner and Awards held at the National Wine Centre. The occasion marked the announcement of the 2025 Best of Wine Tourism Award winners, recognising top performers in various categories within the industry.
These awards signal the state’s participation in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, highlighting South Australia alongside renowned wine-producing regions like Bordeaux and Napa Valley. This membership since 2016 underscores the region’s prestige in the global wine industry.
Among the winners was Beresford Estate, honoured in the Accommodation category for its luxurious offerings set among scenic vineyards.
Dandelion Vineyards took the Architecture and Landscape award, with its Wonder Room providing dramatic views of McLaren Vale.
In the Culinary Experiences category, Sidewood Estate was recognised for its superior gastronomy and customer service excellence.
McLaren Vale Distillery scooped the award for Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences. This recognition came due to its significant impact in fortifying wine history in Australia and diversifying the attraction to this wine category.
Kimbolton Wines and Watervale Hotel shared the honours in Wine Tourism Services, acknowledged for their exceptional visitor engagement and promotion of local wine producers.
Sidewood Estate also excelled in the Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices category. Their comprehensive approach to sustainability, coupled with community involvement and exceptional service, positioned them as leaders in this field.
These winners will now proceed to compete in the Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, set to be announced in Verona, Italy, on 24 October.
“Congratulations to all the winners of the 2025 Best of Wine Tourism Awards, representing exactly why we are one of the 12 Great Wine Capitals of the World,” Zoe Bettison, Minister for Tourism, said. “South Australia is home to the best wine tourism experiences in the world – and that is a credit to our hard-working producers and tourism operators that are committed to delivering an exceptional product to the world from our unique wine regions.”
International visitors have shown a keen interest in South Australian wineries, with more than one-third visiting a local winery during their trip pre-pandemic. These awards not only showcase the high-quality wines but also the diverse tourism experiences available across the state.
“From a hotel in the Clare Valley to a winery in Langhorne Creek, this year’s winners show the breadth of our different wine regions and the range of experiences available,” Bettison added.
Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, also praised the winners saying, “South Australia is known around the world for high quality of wine and wine tourism experiences around our state throughout our 18 wine regions.”
She highlighted the importance of sustainable practices, which play a crucial role in ensuring the longevity and enjoyment of South Australia’s wine tourism industry for future generations.
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