Six SA wine destinations have just won at the 2027 SA Best Of Wine Tourism Awards
Six South Australian wine tourism operators have been recognised across seven categories in the 2027 SA Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, with winners spanning McLaren Vale, the Barossa, Clare Valley and Adelaide.
“Wine tourism is a major drawcard for visitors to our state, supporting regional jobs, local businesses and communities right across South Australia,”
Announced at the SA Wine Industry Dinner at the National Wine Centre, the awards recognise operators across everything from accommodation and food to architecture, culture, sustainability and visitor experiences.
Clare Valley’s Paulett Wines & Bush deVine Restaurant was the only operator to take home two awards, winning both Culinary Experiences and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices.
Beresford Estate in McLaren Vale was recognised for Accommodation, while Jacob’s Creek in the Barossa won Architecture and Landscape.
Fellow McLaren Vale destination d’Arenberg took out Art and Culture, Adelaide’s National Wine Centre won Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences and Château Tanunda in the Barossa was recognised for Wine Tourism Services.
They were selected following a shortlist of 11 South Australian wineries and tourism operators announced earlier this month.
The South Australian winners will now head to Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, where they will represent the state at the international Best Of Wine Tourism Awards in October.
The awards form part of Adelaide and South Australia’s membership of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, which connects major wine regions around the world. South Australia joined the network in 2016.
Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said wine tourism continued to draw visitors into regions across the state.
“Wine tourism is a major drawcard for visitors to our state, supporting regional jobs, local businesses and communities right across South Australia,” Minister Bourke said.
The awards arrive as South Australia heads into a busy few weeks for regional wine tourism.
McLaren Vale’s Grenache & Gourmet Festival begins on September 18, with events running throughout the region until October 5, including tastings, long lunches and special cellar door experiences. The current program stretches across wineries and venues throughout McLaren Vale.
It will be followed by the Clare Valley Festival of the Lamb from September 23 to 27, while the new Barossa Sessions festival will run across two weekends from September 25 to October 5, bringing 32 sessions to 12 venues across the region.
The Skilly Valley Way returns to Clare Valley on October 3, while Coonawarra Cabernet Celebrations will run from October 1 to 18, rounding out a month of events across some of South Australia’s major wine regions.