South Australia’s wine tourism industry is preparing for a busy month after seven businesses were recognised at the 2027 SA Best Of Wine Tourism Awards.
The winners were announced at the SA Wine Industry Dinner at the National Wine Centre on 17 September, following a shortlist of 11 wineries and wine tourism operators announced earlier this month.
Beresford Estate in McLaren Vale won the Accommodation category, while Jacob’s Creek in the Barossa took out Architecture and Landscape. d’Arenberg in McLaren Vale was recognised for Art and Culture.
Paulett Wines & Bush deVine Restaurant in the Clare Valley won Culinary Experiences and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices. The National Wine Centre in Adelaide received the award for Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences, while Château Tanunda in the Barossa was recognised for Wine Tourism Services.
The South Australian winners will now represent the state at the international Best Of Wine Tourism Awards in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, in October, where they will be assessed alongside wine tourism operators from other regions within the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
The awards are presented through Adelaide’s membership of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, with this year’s South Australian program delivered in partnership with DrinkWise, an independent not-for-profit organisation focused on responsible alcohol consumption.
The awards come as South Australia’s wine regions prepare for a series of food, wine and cultural events running through to October.
McLaren Vale’s Grenache & Gourmet Festival will run for 18 days, with tastings, long lunches, masterclasses and other experiences centred on the region’s Grenache wines and local produce.
The Clare Valley Festival of the Lamb will run from 23 to 27 September, followed by Barossa Sessions from 25 September to 5 October. The Skilly Valley Way will take place on 3 October, offering visitors a hop-on, hop-off food, wine and gin experience.
Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations will run from 1 to 18 October, featuring Cabernet Sauvignon and cellar door experiences across the region.
The events are supported through the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Regional Event Fund, which provides funding for regional events designed to attract visitors and support local communities.
South Australian officials have highlighted wine tourism’s role in attracting visitors to regional areas and supporting businesses connected to hospitality, food and tourism.
The 2027 awards follow the previous year’s programme, when businesses including Mount Lofty House and Estate, Vinteloper, Wonderground Barossa, Maxwell Wines, Bottle Shock and SA eBikes received South Australian awards. Maxwell Wines later received a global award for Culinary Experiences at the international awards in Bordeaux.
With the latest winners now heading to New Zealand and a packed calendar of regional events ahead, South Australia’s wine tourism industry is set for another month of activity across the state’s major wine regions.
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