7 award-winning SA wine experiences you must do
Wine lovers, the state’s best wine tourism experiences have been announced and we’ve ‘bottled’ them into this handy guide.
Alkina Wine Estate took out the 2024 Global Wine Toursim Award for its accommodation offering.
South Australia’s 2024 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards have been announced, with seven local experiences set to compete for a Global Best Of Wine Tourism Award presented later this month.
Adelaide’s membership in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network will pit our winners against experiences in the other eleven wine capitals.
These include Bordeaux, San Francisco/Napa Valley, Verona, Cape Town, Hawke’s Bay and Lausanne.
With the high-profile awards celebrating innovation, sustainability and excellence in wine tourism, there is likely to be a rush on our local contenders when the word gets out.
Best you book in now!
Architecture and Landscape winner – Yangarra Estate Vineyard, McLaren Vale
The judges praised Yangarra cellar door’s connection to the adjacent vineyard and winery. With its striking sweeping roof, it was described as a ‘strong architectural statement’ and a ‘visual treat’.
Opened in May 2023, the new cellar door is designed to link visitors with the picturesque surrounding vineyards and nearby winery.
Upon arrival, guests are welcomed by the stunning natural surroundings of the vineyard. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook sweeping views of the estate vineyards, and visitors can gain a unique insight into the winemaking process with a dedicated viewing platform overlooking the winery’s extensive collection of ceramic amphorae fermentation vessels. A connecting overpass allows visitors to walk across to the working winery.
The cellar door’s interior design reflects the soil and landscape with an earthy palette, with luxurious hand-crafted soft furnishings creating a comfortable and warm space for guests to enjoy their tasting experiences.
Art and Culture winner – Grapes of Mirth, Multi-regional
The judges praised Grapes of Mirth for opening a new door into our wineries and regions, bringing a different demographic into the world of wine.
The perfect combination of comedy and wine, Grapes of Mirth is an outdoor comedy gala held among the vines in wine country. Attendees can enjoy the wonderful wines and food on offer with friends and family while sprawled out on a beautiful lawn, in a beautiful wine region.
Adding to the atmosphere are DJs playing tunes between comedy sets, while a dance party finishes each event in style.
Since its inception in 2017, Grapes of Mirth has hosted 17 events in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale. In 2022, Grapes of Mirth held its first two-day festival at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa, expanding its cultural offering to include live podcasts, wine masterclasses and cooking demonstrations.
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences winner – Sidewood Estate, Adelaide Hills
The judges were impressed with the uniqueness of Sidewood’s overall offering – from its foray into no- and low-alcohol wines to its array of leisure and educational activities, especially its Introduction to Wine Tasting masterclass.
Located on the outskirts of Hahndorf, the unique venue boasts a leisure area including lawn bowls, Finksa and pétanque courts, while its nature play area caters to families. For those looking for a more laid-back experience, the courtyard features luxury day beds perfect for relaxing on.
Visitors can take part in an exclusive Sabrage Masterclass, where they learn the traditional – and spectacular – technique of opening a bottle of sparkling wine using a sabre. The annual Vintage & Vinyl event celebrates vintage in the Adelaide Hills, complete with a grape stomping competition.
Sidewood has also taken an innovative approach to its tasting experiences, offering introductory classes to help beginners interpret wine terminology, while more experienced consumers can take part in a Sidewood vs France masterclass.
Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices winner – Gemtree Wines, McLaren Vale
The judges felt Gemtree remained the benchmark in South Australia for sustainable wine tourism practices, with sustainability not only a key part of its tourism offering, but its overall story and purpose.
Gemtree Wines is an organic and biodynamic certified winery. Its philosophy is to work with nature to improve the land for future generations. This mindset flows through all areas of the business, from packaging and production to administration, vineyards, and the tasting room.
Its custodians Melissa and Mike Brown are dedicated to educating all visitors about the importance of sustainable practices. Each of their tourism experiences aims to educate guests on what they have learned through sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming while enjoying the picturesque surroundings, delicious local food and Gemtree wines.
Guests can also visit the Biodynamic Hut to learn about biodynamic viticulture or walk the Eco Trail, a stunning track through tall gum trees, surrounded by native animals, birds and plants.
Wine Tourism Accommodation winner – Alkina Wine Estate, Barossa
The judges commended Alkina for creating extraordinary accommodation that feels like a home, has an outstanding connection to place and treads lightly on the landscape.
The luxury accommodation draws on the character of two meticulously restored old buildings while anchoring guests in the middle of a stunning natural setting, with vineyards on all sides.
Exclusive experiences include the Polygon Project Experience or the Rock Hammer Tasting, Tour & Lunch. Both include guided tasting flights of the rare wines that make up Alkina’s Polygon Project and a visit to a vineyard soil pit to learn more about the vineyard’s terroir.
Guests are provided with ‘dinner basket’ provisions for their stay and are invited to make use of the extensive organic kitchen garden. Or they can have a bespoke meal cooked for them over fire. Guests also have access to a cellar wine list of rare bottles from around the world.
Wine Tourism Restaurant winner – Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard, Adelaide Hills
The judges felt the restaurant’s extraordinary setting was second to none, and were impressed by its connection to the landscape and surrounding vineyards.
From humble beginnings as a garden shed nestled among the vines with a rustic homemade bar, Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard has evolved to become a multi-award-winning tourism destination.
The restaurant offers a warm rustic ambience and an elegant yet understated atmosphere for guests to enjoy. The 360-degree open fireplace warms the indoors through frosty Adelaide Hills winters, while a split-level deck offers a multitude of areas for soaking up the sun.
A new menu is carefully curated each month, ensuring the experience continually showcases fresh local produce and producers. Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard offers customised experiences, allowing guests to choose their own adventure through multiple restaurant offerings and wine matches to a range of hosted wine tasting experiences. mtloftyrangesvineyard.com.au
Wine Tourism Services winner – Pindarie Wines, Barossa
The trio of judges felt Pindarie offered an authentic South Australian experience, one that is full of joy with a strong connection to the land.
Located on the western gateway to the Barossa Valley, Pindarie is a working farm and home to vineyards, sheep, an olive grove, sustainable woodlot, native reserves and restored 19th-century farm buildings.
The cellar door and restaurant offer visitors the best of the Barossa – premium wines for tasting, regional food, heritage, natural landscapes and country hospitality.
The previously dilapidated 1850s stables and 1890s grain store have been meticulously restored and are now the rustic but welcoming Stables cellar door and Grain Room restaurant. Since opening in May 2010, the cellar door has focused on providing a complete wine, food and tourism experience.
Pindarie’s welcoming hospitality, wines and handmade lunches, combined with stunning views across the Barossa ranges, means visitors can taste, graze and relax.
