A urban winery and restaurant has been named the international Best of Wine Tourism award winner at the 2022 Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards.
Penfold's Magill Estate topped the list of impressive winners in the awards presented at the 'Cheesefest - Gather and Graze' event in Adelaide.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said the awards recognised each of the winners' commitment to providing leading wine tourism experiences.
"From the expansive, picturesque hills views offered by the accommodation at Simon Tolley Wines to the sensory cellar door odyssey offered by Chalk Hill Wines, these businesses offer experiences that make people want to come back for more," he said.
"We often say that the story of wine is interwoven with the story of our great state and the land but these businesses demonstrate the tangible delivery of that, with experiences that engage the imagination as well as the palate.
"The award winners are made even more special by the fact many of their visitors this year have been South Australians, due to COVID-19.
"Due to border restrictions we have seen a surge in South Australians out and about exploring their own backyard and they have taken part in the first class wine tourism experiences that international and interstate tourists often get to.
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"In this Year of South Australian Wine, I congratulate each of these winning wineries who are offering visitors, from near and far, experiences that engage the imagination as well as the palate."
Chosen from 18 finalists in this, the Awards' sixth year, the winners are:
- Accommodation - Simon Tolley Wines - Adelaide Hills
- Architecture and Landscape - Lake Breeze Wines - Langhorne Creek
- Innovative Wine Tourism Practices - Chalk Hill Wines - McLaren Vale
- Wine Tourism Restaurant - Penfold's Magill Estate - Adelaide
- Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices - (JOINT WINNER) - Gemtree Wines, McLaren Vale and Banrock Station, Riverland
- Wine Tourism Services - Elderton Wines - Barossa
McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association General Manager, Jennifer Lynch was thrilled two of the region's wineries have been recognised alongside a distinguishable line up of South Australian wine businesses.
"Congratulations to Chalk Hill Wines and Gemtree Wines - two deserving winners with exemplary wine tourism offerings and immersive visitor experiences," she said.
"It's great to note the high calibre of South Australian's wine businesses recognised."
The local winners stand alongside nominees from 10 other Great Wine Capitals at the international awards, which will be formally acknowledged at the Great Wine Capitals global annual general meeting next week on Thursday, October 28.
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