McLaren Flat’s Maxwell Wines has been named a global winner in the prestigious 2026 Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards in France, for its outstanding food and wine offerings.

Presented at the Great Wine Capitals (GWC) Gala Dinner in Bordeaux, the awards celebrate innovation and excellence in wine tourism across the world’s most renowned wine regions.

The judges praised Maxwell Wines for raising the bar for culinary experiences in South Australia, commending it for making three-hatted dining accessible in a cellar door setting through the introduction of a snack menu to enhance the wine tasting experience.

“Bite sized snacks curated by award winning restaurant chefs, are exquisitely presented as if in a fine dining restaurant enticing visitors back for more.”

South Australia’s six Best Of Wine Tourism Award winners were recognised on the global stage and will be in the running for a People’s Choice Award, open for public voting around the world in late November.

The awards were part of the GWC Annual General Meeting and Conference. This year’s conference opened with two significant announcements. Jo Collins, Executive Director of Industry, Strategy and Partnerships at the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), was unanimously elected President of the global network for the next two years.

South Australian wine producers were also celebrated at an international showcase event including Chalk Hill, Pewsey Vale, Seppeltsfield, Shaw + Smith, Sidewood Estate, and Yangarra Estate Vineyard.

In addition, as part of the state government’s partnership with Bordeaux’s iconic La Cité du Vin world wine museum, which attracts around 400,000 visitors annually, South Australian wineries are featured for visitors to sample including Penfolds, Bremerton Wines, Claymore Wines, Freestone Estate, Knappstein Wines, Laughing Jack Wines, Saint-Clar Estate, Sidewood Estate, St Mary’s Vineyard Penola and Wirra Wirra.

Mawson MP Leon Bignell says it is fantastic to see Maxwell Wines being honoured on the global stage. 

“Mark Maxwell was born and raised in the oldest cottage in McLaren Vale and his family business has been a stalwart of fine wine and food for decades. 

I'm so happy for the Maxwell family and their team who exude excellence in everything they do. 

Jeremy Maxwell is the current General Manager of Maxwell Wines.

“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised on a global level for our culinary experiences - it’s a reflection of the passion and dedication that drives our team.

“This award celebrates our commitment to excellence, and our snack menu has been a key part of that vision. It gives guests another way to experience the estate and connect with what makes McLaren Vale so special.

“To be acknowledged among the best in the world reinforces our belief in the enduring appeal of South Australian wine tourism.”

The GWC Global Network world-leading wine regions that share a key economic and cultural asset: their internationally renowned wine tourism industry. Member regions include Adelaide (South Australia), Bordeaux (France), Bilbao-Rioja (Spain), Hawke’s Bay (New Zealand), Lausanne (Switzerland), Mainz-Rheinhessen (Germany), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal), San Francisco–Napa Valley (USA), Valparaíso–Casablanca Valley (Chile) and Verona (Italy).

Membership of the network is a partnership between the Government of South Australia, the South Australian Wine Industry Association, and the University of Adelaide.