World raises a glass to SA wine tourism
It’s not just about the wine – South Australia’s top wine tourism businesses have been celebrated both nationally and internationally for their diversity and quality of experiences.
From luxury accommodation to culinary experiences and even eBikes, the state’s outstanding tourism attractions continue to drive tourism and attract visitors from across the globe.
Maxwell Wines was named a global winner in the prestigious 2026 Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, presented at the Great Wine Capitals Gala Dinner in Bordeaux, France. The awards celebrate innovation and excellence in wine tourism across the world’s most-renowned wine regions.
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.
Closer to home, the 2026 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, announced at the SA Wine Industry Dinner at the National Wine Centre, highlighted the innovation and excellence on offer in the state’s world-renowned wine regions. Seven categories including accommodation, architecture and landscape, sustainability and more showcased the exceptionality and accessibility of SA’s wine tourism sector.
The Awards are an initiative of Great Wine Capitals Adelaide, South Australia, which is a partnership between the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australian Tourism Commission, South Australian Wine Industry Association and the University of Adelaide.
The 2026 South Australian award winners are:
Accommodation – Mount Lofty House and Estate
Nestled in the heart of the Adelaide Hills – one of Australia’s most celebrated wine regions – Mount Lofty House and Estate offers two levels of accommodation specialising in boutique luxury heritage across 29 rooms. Its sister site, Sequoia Lodge, boasts world-class luxury lodge experiences across 14 suites.
The estate offers a multi-faceted experience combining world-class accommodation, fine dining and exclusive access to South Australia’s renowned wineries and producers. Celebrating and promoting local wine is at the core of the business, with carefully curated wine lists, guided tastings, cellar door experiences and wine-paired degustation menus at the three-hatted Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant. The Sequoia Lodge offers an ultra-luxury experience with private tastings, vineyard tours and storytelling sessions hosted by winemakers and local legends.
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With strong partnerships across the wine industry, Mount Lofty Estate has become a cultural and gastronomic hub for oenophiles seeking more than a cellar door – it’s a gateway to the entire wine region.
“Mount Lofty House and Estate stands out for the inspired way they have crafted their operation into a regional wine tourism hub, thoughtfully connecting guests at the charming historic house or luxurious Sequoia Lodge into the Adelaide Hills region and beyond,” judges said.
Architecture and Landscape – Vinteloper
Vinteloper is far more than a venue for sampling wine; it is a holistic space where architecture, history and the beauty of the Adelaide Hills come together. Rising from the ashes of the 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfire, the space is a testament to resilience and recovery. The distinctive architecture “re-imagines the ruin”, with the remnants of the razed 1920 farmhouse building the the foundation for a new cellar door. Historic red brick walls that survived the deadly fire blend with modern, industrial materials of concrete and steel and a copper roof.
In a poignant tribute, charred timber beams recovered from the ruins have been repurposed as totems in the landscape. Inside, natural materials, organic tones and plush furnishings create a space that feels both luxurious and as comfortable as a home.
It’s a space designed for coming together for long, lazy afternoons spent connecting with each other and with the beautiful natural landscape that surrounds.
“Vinteloper was recognised for designing an honest and welcoming space for wine tourists, which stands as a physical expression of resilience and grit that embodies the spirit of the South Australian wine industry,” judges said.
Art and Culture – Wonderground Barossa
Step into a brave, immersive contemporary art gallery and cellar door celebrating awe and wonder through art and wine. A little off the beaten path, Wonderground invites visitors to discover a different side of the Barossa Valley. Led by creativity and celebration of place, guests can enjoy a glass of wine while immersing themselves in art.
Each visitor is personally welcomed on arrival and introduced to the Wonderground Barossa story and the nine-room art gallery of carefully curated art exhibitions which rotate every seven weeks. This divergent space offers two shared or private tasting rooms and a wild weather art and wine lounge perfect for a cozy retreat on a wintery day or cool sanctuary from the sweltering summer heat.
Private, interactive Mirus tastings, private hosted gallery talks, a bookable fire pit and grapevine, charcoal-making experiences, private chef events or delicious platters on the terrace overlooking the sculptures and landscaped gardens create an air of exclusivity. But Wonderground Barossa is also a place to engage and unwind, with weekly yoga sessions, artist talks, community and art events.
“Wonderground Barossa was commended for its genuine commitment to pairing art and wine, reflected through its rapid transformation into an important cultural venue for visitors to the region and a fantastic forum for local artists,” judges said.
Culinary Experiences – Maxwell Wines
This premium, family-owned estate in McLaren Vale is home to some of the region’s oldest grenache vines, planted in 1928. The venue is also garnering a strong reputation as one of Australia’s best regional destinations, winning three hats and awarded South Australian Restaurant of the Year by Gourmet Traveller in 2024.
A new Cellar Door Snacks Menu, available daily, invites guests to explore new flavour combinations and enhance their wine tasting experience with bite-sized snacks curated by award-winning restaurant chefs, presented as in a fine dining restaurant. Combined with the newly developed Terrace space, guests enjoy a casual yet refined culinary experience.
The estate is also a popular events destination, with exclusive seasonal experiences and business events hosted at the estate, positioning Maxwell Wines as a leader in regional culinary tourism.
“Maxwell Wines continues to raise the bar for culinary experiences in South Australia, and was commended for making three-hatted dining accessible in a cellar door setting through introducing a snack menu, inviting visitors to linger longer,” judges said.
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices – Bottle Shock
A double win for the Gumeracha-based venture from the small, self-proclaimed “wine nerds” team behind Unico Zelo, Applewood Distillery and the popular Bottle Shock YouTube channel.
Bottle Shock is serious about making wine fun, transforming the often-intimidating world of wine tasting into an engaging and educational experience centred around gamified blind tasting flights – meaning the liquid in glass has to speak for itself. It’s designed to be a welcoming space for everyone, from the curious novice to the seasoned enthusiast, celebrating wine without brand bias.
“Bottle Shock was recognised for their passionate leadership and dedication to continual innovation, reflected through the evolution of their impressive digital presence into an inviting physical space that draws people in by making wine tasting inclusive and fun,” judges said.
“The B Corp certification of Unico Zelo – the business behind Bottle Shock – reflected their commitment to meeting exceptionally high standards in terms of their environmental and social impact.”
Wine Tourism Services – SA eBikes, McLaren Vale
SA eBikes is redefining wine tourism in McLaren Vale with a unique, fun and sustainable way to explore one of Australia’s premier wine regions. The business hires out pedal-assist eBikes and piloted eTukTuks, offering experiences designed for freedom, flexibility and immersion – whether guests are seeking scenic trails, cellar door indulgence or eco-friendly adventures.
Self-guided and tailored itineraries are available to connect wine lovers with boutique cellar doors, gin distilleries and local food producers via quiet roads and dedicated bike trails, including the Shiraz, Flat to Vale and Coast to Vines trails. And everyone is welcome: individuals, couples, families, groups and corporate events – with curated routes, maps, local knowledge and real-time support.
“SA eBikes were commended for delivering a practical and accessible service that connects and uplifts the whole region, and that McLaren Vale can be proud of,” judges said.
