The $15 million glass-encased steel and concrete structure was one of the winners in the architectural design category in recognition of outstanding design and innovation.

The award jury, who announced their decision at a ceremony in Sydney last night, said d’Arenberg Cube “captured attention” and has driven a “massive increase” in visitor numbers to the McLaren Vale region.

D’Arenberg chief winemaker Chester Osborn says the cube, which sits five storeys high, attracts about 1500 people to the winery on its busiest days.

He said he expects the award will make “quite a difference” to visitor numbers.

“We were very excited to receive the award – it just goes to show that the enormous amount of work that went into the building, from the builder, architect, myself and the company, has paid off,” Osborn said.

“Everyone who visits the building is so in awe of it and they’re very complimentary.

“We’re getting millions of SMS messages and emails from people who want to visit or who have already been and it’s just beautiful to hear their feedback.”

The d’Arenberg Cube last year won first place in the “Best Commercial Project over 50k” category in the Australian Glass and Glazing Association’s annual awards.