The best of business and tourism in the McLaren Vale region have again been toasted through the McLaren Vale Business Awards on Friday 15 October.

Hosted by the McLaren Vale Business and Tourism Association, the awards ceremony was held in the Eileen Hardy Room at Hardy’s Tintara Winery, with invited guests enjoying a cocktail evening catered by Tatachilla Lutheran College students.

The big winner of the night, named both Business of Year and Best New Business, was Vine Shed Venue & Cellar Door.  

According to the McLaren Vale Business and Tourism Association’s Jenni Mitton, the Sand Road McLaren Vale business submitted “a stand out application which impressed all of our judges”.  

Vine Shed Venue & Cellar Door receive a $500 print and design voucher from longtime awards supporter, Ink on Paper, plus $500 cash from Bendigo Bank for being crowned Business of the Year. 

The People’s Choice winner, She Sews, receives a holiday to Kangaroo Island from Sealink South Australia. All award finalists, excluding the employee category, are eligible for People's Choice. According to Jenni, the People’s Choice received double the amount of votes compared to 2020, “thanks to QR codes being back in vogue!” Jenni muses.

After listening to feedback from the community, the awards committee decided to bring back The Environment Award in 2021. Jenni says the category was very well supported with a broad range of nominations. Finalists included Yummy Nuts, Southern Suburbs Pest Control and the winner, Beyond Beautiful Style Lounge.  

In another highlight of the evening, both Ellis Butchers (Retail category) and Willunga Physiotherapy & Pilates (Business & Professional Services category), were inducted into the Hall of Fame, having won their respective categories for the third time. 

2021 McLaren Vale Business Award winners were:

Professional & Business Services

Willunga Physiotherapy & Pilates

Retail

Ellis Butchers

Tourism & Experiences

Fleurieu Arthouse

Trades

Southbound Locksmiths

Environment

Beyond Beautiful Style Lounge

Home Based Business

Unveiling SA

Hospitality

Harry’s Deli @ Wirra Wirra

New Business

Vine Shed Venue & Cellar Door

Employee 

Sue Turner – Willunga Physiotherapy & Pilates

Fleurieu App owner, Susie Williams, was delighted to be named a 2021 awards finalist, in the Home Based Business category. It’s the Fleurieu App's second time as an award finalist since Susie launched the business two years ago, with the App being recognised in the New Business category last year.

Susie congratulated Unveiling SA and all of the award winners, finalists and nominees, and thanked the association and the community for their support of all of the local, family-run businesses in the McLaren Vale region. 

"We're thrilled to be part of such a supportive and thriving business community," she says.

For more information about the awards and the McLaren Vale Business and Tourism Association, follow the group on Facebook.