Seven entrants from McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek have been shortlisted for the 2024 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards.

Luxury accommodation in the vineyards, a comedy festival touring world-class wine regions, an exclusive sabrage masterclass, and award-winning cellar door design are just some of the featured experiences.

This year’s program, made possible through Adelaide South Australia’s standing as a Great Wine Capital of the World, saw 29 applications from seven wine regions across South Australia.

Held annually, the Best of Wine Tourism Awards recognise the role wine tourism has in strengthening the state’s economy through innovation, sustainability, and service excellence.

SA winners go on to compete in the Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, up against front-runners from other Great Wine Capitals such as Bordeaux and Napa Valley.

Last year’s global awards held in Argentina saw a South Australian wine tourism experience, ‘Grapes for Good and Zoos SA’ started by Langhorne Creek based Kimbolton Wines, take out one of the top titles. 

The shortlisted entrants for 2024 will go to the judging panel, Helen Edwards AM, Chair of the South Australian Regional Visitor Strategy steering committee, and wine writers Nick Ryan and Tony Love.

The winner of each category will be revealed at an awards ceremony in October and will then go to an international jury for the 2024 Global Best of Wine Tourism Awards to be presented in Lausanne, Switzerland in late October.

The 2024 shortlists:

Winery accommodation 

• The Old Chaff Mill Retreat – McLaren Vale
• Beresford Estate – McLaren Vale
• Alkina Wine Estate – Barossa

Architecture and landscape 

• Shaw + Smith – Adelaide Hills
• Château Tanunda – Barossa
• Yangarra Estate Vineyard – McLaren Vale

Art and culture 

• 1837 Barossa – Barossa
• Grapes of Mirth – multi-region

Innovative wine tourism experiences 

• Sidewood Estate – Adelaide Hills
• Kimbolton Wines – Langhorne Creek
• Golding Wines – Adelaide Hills
• Gemtree Wines – McLaren Vale
• Penfolds Magill Estate – Adelaide

Wine tourism restaurant 

• The Currant Shed – McLaren Vale
• Coriole Vineyards – McLaren Vale
• Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard – Adelaide Hills

Wine tourism services 

• Simon Tolley Wines – Adelaide Hills
• Elderton Wines – Barossa
• Pindarie Wines – Barossa 

All of the shortlisted entrants will be considered for the Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices award.

The awards program is coordinated by the Great Wine Capital steering committee, which includes representatives from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions,South Australian Tourism Commission, South Australian Wine Industry Association, University of Adelaide, and University of South Australia.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison says wine tourism is one of the state’s key strengths, and the awrads recognise the operators doing wonderful things in this space. 

“Last year, one fifth of all interstate tourists visited a winery during their trip and prior to the pandemic, it was more than one third of all international tourists who did the same.

“I’m thrilled to see the quality of wine tourism experiences on offer being showcased through this awards program, which puts a global spotlight on our state when they go on to compete against other destinations known for their wine.”