Forbes names Adelaide winery second-best in the world
A major global publisher has ranked a much-loved eastern suburbs winery as the world’s second best, its offerings blitzing some of the most picturesque European and South American cellar doors.
A Forbes ranking of the world’s 50 best wineries placed Penfolds’ Magill Estates in second position, making it the top-ranked winery in Australia.
Ranked by wine experts at Virgin Wines who used a “data-driven framework” to compile the list, Magill Estate was lauded for its “original bluestone cellars and Grange Cottage” and the Magill Estate Restaurant “where seasonal degustation menus pair native ingredients with rare Penfolds pours – all framed by sweeping views of the city skyline and surrounding vineyards”.
Virgin Wines assessed applications via more than a dozen global tourism boards on criteria including heritage and longevity, innovation in viticulture, transparency through ESG reporting and packaging choices.
Chilean winery Santa Rita Winery in the Maipo Valley was ranked number one. The estate, dating back to 1880, had viticultural roots stretching back to the 17th century, Forbes said.
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Magill Estates placed ahead of beautiful European wineries like Bodega Marqués de Murrieta in Spain, Argentinian Malbec pioneer Trapiche Winery and Mendoza’s oldest family-run winery Bodega Lagarde.
Magill Estate was one of only five Australian wineries to make the cut alongside tw0 other South Australian cellar doors d’Arenberg at McLaren Vale (ranked #24) and Seppeltsfield at the Barossa Valley (ranked #39).
Victorian wineries Brown Brothers and All Saints Estate were ranked number 12 and 46 respectively.
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“We are honoured that Penfolds Magill Estate has received this recognition,” Magill Estate Restaurant director and chef Scott Huggins told InDaily.
“This accolade is a testament to the unique experiences that our talented team offers at Magill – we blend local produce with modern skills to create experiences that honour the history of the site while also celebrating the innovation that the last 180 years have inspired.”
Magill Estate was founded in 1844 by Dr Christopher and Mary Penfold, with the Grange Cottage at the heart of the estate, the couple’s original home.
Magill Estate Restaurant unveiled its refreshed interior, new menu and dinner offering in April. It claimed to have taken inspiration from intimate wine bars across the globe, with is interiors designed by Australian architecture and interior design firm, studio gram.
McLaren Vale’s d’Arenberg was lauded for its status as a “surrealist icon”, with the five-storey d’Arenberg Cube labelled a “geometric marvel reflecting the layered intricacies of winemaking”. Its collection of Salvador Dalí sculptures was also highlighted, as was its more than 80 wines.
Seppeltsfield, meanwhile, was recognised as “one of Australia’s most historic estates”. Forbes highlighted the Barossa Valley cellar door’s palm-lined avenue, its restored 1888 Gravity Cellar, the FINO restaurant, the Prohibition Gin Distillery and the newly opened Tiny Knife Shop.
