Barossa winery wins global tourism award
A small winery at Greenock in the Barossa Valley has taken out a Global Best of Wine Tourism Award for its luxury accommodation, beating nominees across the 12 ‘Great Wine Capitals’ of the world.
Alkina Wine Estate took out the 2024 Global Wine Toursim Award for its accommodation offering.
Alkina Wine Estate’s luxury accommodation was named the world’s best at a ceremony in Lusanne, Switzerland overnight.
It triumphed over wineries across the globe’s 12 ‘Great Wine Capitals’ which included wine businesses from Bordeaux in France, the Napa Valley in California, Verona in Italy and more.
The South Australian winery was recognised for its restored cottage and homestead in the Barossa, which reopened to the public in 2020 after Argentinian vintner Alejandro Bulgheroni partnered with winegrower Amelia Nolan in 2015 to plant new vines and create the Alkina Wine Estate.
South Australian Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison accepted the honour on behalf of Alkina at the ceremony run by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network in Lusanne.
Six other South Australian wine businesses were up for global titles as well last night after winning regional awards earlier this month, including Yangarra Estate Vineyard, Grapes of Mirth, Sidewood Estate, Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, Pindaire Wines and Gemtree Wines.
However, Alkina was the only local winery that took home a title at the Awards which recognise South Australia as one of the world’s finest wine tourism regions.
Other winners included Château Giscours from Bordeaux, France for its wine tourism services, Alpamanta Winery from Mendoza, Argentina for its sustainable wine tourism offering and Steins Traube from Germany for its restaurant.
The Vivanco Foundation in Rioja, Spain was awarded a prestigious ‘Special Achievement Award’ last night for its contributions to global wine tourism. Great Wine Capitals said it was only the second time this Award had been given in the history of the initiative.
Alkina Wine Estate managing director Amelia Nolan said she was “incredibly excited to receive this global recognition”.
“Our accommodation offering, situated in the heart of our beautiful organic vineyard, provides guests with a truly immersive and authentic Barossa and Alkina experience,” she said.
Bettison congratulated the Alkina Wine Estate team for the achievement.
“This win highlights the passion and dedication in our state’s tourism industry and the strength of our wine regions,” she said.
“With more than one third of all international tourists visiting a winery during their trip prior to the pandemic, we know how important it is to have recognition like this on the global stage.
“Europe is a significant source of our international visitor economy in South Australia worth $182 million pre COVID, and I’m thrilled to have been in Switzerland to accept this award on behalf of our state as we continue to showcase South Australia as a must-visit tourism destination.”
