The Grapevine: SA wine region tops national rankings and new strategy for Penfolds
In this edition of The Grapevine: SA wine region listed top in nation to visit, SA wine first pick for NFL and a bargain rosé is named one of the best.
- SA wine regions ranked for autumn
- Penfolds owner restructures business model
- Barossa named ‘best-value’ region globally
- SA brand named first-ever Australian wine partner for NFL
- Affordable SA rosé in contention for top title
SA wine regions ranked for autumn
A new study conducted by The Meat & Wine Co has ranked South Australia’s top wine regions for an autumn visit, with the Barossa Valley ranking not only top in the state, but also nationally.
In fact, six of the top ten wine regions for autumn were South Australia, demonstrating the strength of the state’s wine tourism industry.
“South Australia, home to many of Australia’s most renowned wine regions, offers local travellers and global tourists alike rich, immersive experiences that showcase the very best of the state’s wine culture. Exploring both iconic and emerging regions without the peak-season crowds allows for a more relaxed and memorable journey,” The Meat & Wine Co national beverage manager Joseph Moussa said.
Top SA regions for autumn
| Rank | Region | Avg Temp (°C) | Avg Rainfall (mm) | Total Award Recognitions | Total Wine Tours | Median Prices (AUD $) | Distance to Capital City (km) | Autumnal Wine Travel Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barossa Valley | 20.79 | 1.62 | 2136 | 100 | $247 | 44.54 | 91.72 |
| 2 | McLaren Vale | 20.07 | 1.71 | 1716 | 66 | $249.50 | 33.25 | 76.77 |
| 3 | Adelaide Hills | 18.27 | 1.44 | 1026 | 72 | $250 | 21.32 | 66.92 |
| 4 | Clare Valley | 20.82 | 1.24 | 850 | 7 | $380 | 125.57 | 53.77 |
| 5 | Eden Valley | 20.01 | 1.10 | 576 | 2 | $390 | 56.33 | 50.97 |
| 6 | Coonawarra | 19.55 | 1.29 | 620 | 3 | $175 | 331.23 | 44.10 |
| 7 | Langhorne Creek | 21.41 | 1.19 | 334 | 5 | $350 | 57.73 | 42.56 |
| 8 | Piccadilly Valley | 18.31 | 1.85 | 36 | 1 | $54 | 13.42 | 41.44 |
| 9 | Kangaroo Island | 18.90 | 1.23 | 3 | 7 | N/A | 164.43 | 40.06 |
| 10 | Robe | 20.08 | 1.20 | 2 | 3 | N/A | 281.13 | 37.01 |
Top Australian regions for autumn
| Rank | Region | State | Avg Temp (°C) | Avg Rainfall (mm) | Total Award Recognitions | Total Wine Tours | Median Prices (AUD $) | Distance to Capital City (km) | Autumnal Wine Travel Score (out of 100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barossa Valley | SA | 20.79 | 1.62 | 2136 | 100 | $247 | 44.54 | 91.72 |
| 2 | Margaret River | WA | 21.86 | 2.09 | 1797 | 43 | $195 | 228.98 | 77.26 |
| 3 | McLaren Vale | SA | 20.07 | 1.71 | 1716 | 66 | $249.50 | 33.25 | 76.77 |
| 4 | Adelaide Hills | SA | 18.27 | 1.44 | 1026 | 72 | $250 | 21.32 | 66.92 |
| 5 | Clare Valley | SA | 20.82 | 1.24 | 850 | 7 | $380 | 125.57 | 53.77 |
| 6 | Yarra Valley | VIC | 19.04 | 3.45 | 453 | 67 | $310 | 49.50 | 51.65 |
| 7 | Eden Valley | SA | 20.01 | 1.10 | 576 | 2 | $390 | 56.33 | 50.97 |
| 8 | Hunter Valley | NSW | 22.02 | 2.57 | 442 | 30 | $237 | 161.63 | 47.17 |
| 9 | Rutherglen | VIC | 21.00 | 1.98 | 245 | 7 | N/A | 236.41 | 44.67 |
| 10 | Coonawarra | SA | 19.55 | 1.29 | 620 | 3 | $175 | 331.23 | 44.10 |
You might like
Penfolds owner restructures business model
The owner of Penfolds, Treasury Wine Estates, will transition to a new regional operating model as part of a strategy to manage the changing global wine environment.
This includes restructuring its business to focus on four regions: the Americas; Australia, New Zealand and Europe; Greater China; and ‘emerging markets’ (rest of Asia, Middle East and Africa).
An enhanced focus will be placed on its luxury brands, “in particular for Penfolds”, the company said.
Meanwhile, the company announced Penfolds delivered strong growth in China, particularly over the Chinese New Year period, while growth is returning in the United States.
Barossa named ‘best-value’ region globally
The Barossa Valley has been named one of the best-value vineyard markets in the world, especially for buyers looking for scale and production volume.
A new Knight Frank report included the firm’s Global Vineyard Index. It found US$1 million buys 18.18 hectares of land in the region, the greatest amount of land of the regions examined.
“If production volume is your priority, Australia and South Africa stand out, offering 16 to 18 hectares for a US$1 million budget,” the report reads.
And the region is well-placed, with the report finding that while global consumption of wine is falling, values are rising, with drinkers increasingly choosing higher-quality, artisanal and terroir-specific wines rather than mass-market bottles.
“Those vineyards with a strong narrative story focusing on provenance and craftsmanship are best placed to differentiate themselves,” the report reads.
The Barossa Valley and the Eden Valley were both identified in the report as regions to watch in Australia, where quality over quantity is the new industry mantra.
Knight Frank Australia partner Jason Oster said that Australian winemakers were struggling with oversupply and a shift in tastes towards lighter wines.
“But for those who are pursuing premiumisation strategies, focusing on higher quality regional wines, like Barossa Valley, and offering consumers unique provenance and storytelling, often through cellar-door sales, will thrive and weather the storm,” Oster said.
SA brand named first-ever Australian wine partner for NFL
South Australia’s Y Series – crafted by Hill-Smith Family Estates – has been named the official wine sponsor of the NFL in Australia and New Zealand, becoming the league’s first-ever wine partner in the market.
The multi-year deal is Y Series’ largest sporting partnership to date, and will see the brand feature at the 2026 NFL game in Melbourne this September.
Stay informed, daily
A limited-edition Y Series x NFL range will be available nationally later this year.
Hill-Smith Family Estates CEO Karl Martin said the partnership with the NFL marked a bold, long-term play for the future of wine.
“This partnership with the NFL puts Y Series right where people want us – in big moments, shared rituals and time spent together,” Martin said.
Affordable SA rosé in contention for top title
Australian wine authority The Real Review has unveiled the finalists for its Top Wineries of Australia 2026 awards, including one SA rosé that costs just $25 a bottle.
SA is a powerhouse in the awards with seven finalists, including the $25 rosé crafted by Chaffey Bros Wine Co.
“Rosé has evolved from an afterthought into a serious, high-quality category,” principal wine writer Huon Hooke said.
“The Chaffey Bros entry proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to find a rosé with genuine complexity and character.”
The full list of finalists is below. Winners will be announced on May 11.
Vigneron of the Year:
- Michael Dhillon – Bindi Wines (Macedon Ranges, VIC)
- Steve Pannell – S.C. Pannell (McLaren Vale, SA)
- Sarah Crowe & Andrew George – Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, VIC)
Rising Star of the Year:
- Aaron Mercer – Mercer Wines (Hunter Valley, NSW)
- Joshua Cooper – Joshua Cooper Wines (VIC)
- Nadja Wallington – ChaLou Wines (Orange, NSW)
Sparkling Wine of the Year:
- House of Arras Grand Vintage 2017 (TAS)
- Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2018 (Adelaide Hills, SA)
- DAOSA Piccadilly Valley Rosé Vintage 2022 (Adelaide Hills, SA)
White Wine of the Year:
- Oakridge 864 Aqueduct Block Henk Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Yarra Valley, VIC)
- Fighting Gully Road Smiths’ Vineyard Chardonnay 2023 (Beechworth, VIC)
- Crittenden Cri de Coeur Sous Voile Savagnin 2020 (Mornington Peninsula, VIC)
Rosé Wine of the Year:
- Pt Leo Estate Rosé Pinot Noir 2025 (Mornington Peninsula, VIC)
- Chaffey Bros Wine Co. Not Your Grandma’s Rosé 2025 (Barossa, SA)
- De Salis Rosé Pinot Noir 2024 (Orange, NSW)
Red Wine of the Year:
- Henschke Hill of Grace 2021 (Barossa Valley, SA)
- Thistledown Sands of Time Old Vine Blewitt Springs Grenache 2024 (McLaren Vale, SA)
- Cullen Diana Madeline 2023 (Margaret River, WA)
Sweet Wine of the Year:
- Rieslingfreak No.8 Polish Hill River Schatzkammer Riesling 2025 (Clare Valley, SA)
- Pizzini Per Gli Angeli 2014 (VIC)
- Lillypilly Noble Blend 2022 (Riverina, NSW)
Fortified Wine of the Year:
- Campbells Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat NV (Rutherglen, VIC)
- Stanton & Killeen Vintage Fortified 2022 (Rutherglen, VIC)
- Faber Vineyard Grand Liqueur Muscat NV (Swan Valley, WA
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
