Wirra Wirra vineyards takes out the top award

13 November, 2020

McLaren Vale's Wirra Wirra Vineyards has won a global wine award, adjudged the Great Wine Capitals Global Network International Best of Wine Tourism Award winner.

The winner, selected by an international panel of experts, was announced by the Great Wine Capital's Global Ambassador, Peter Gago, and presented by the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, David Basham on Saturday (7 November) at Gather and Graze by Cheesefest.

Wirra Wirra Vineyards was one of seven winners in the 2021 South Australian Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

Wineries from the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills and Clare Valley were crowned winners across a number of categories from 19 finalists.

Minister Basham congratulated the Best of Wine Tourism Award winners who have all demonstrated great innovation during recent challenges of COVID-19 restrictions, bushfires and drought.

"Wirra Wirra have shown both resilience and innovation by using the temporary closure of their McLaren Vale cellar door to bring forward plans to make their experience more unique and memorable," Minister Basham said.

"It is this kind of hard work and dedication that makes South Australian wine such a leading component of the state's economy.

"South Australia's wine industry is critically important to our state economy and supporting regional jobs and I'm continually impressed by the innovation on display.

"I congratulate them, and all the winners, for their hard work and continued leadership in this area.

"Our state produces 80 per cent of Australia's premium wine and 50 per cent of all its bottled wine.

"Our wine is consumed throughout Australia and more than 60 per cent of wine production is exported to 97 countries around the world."

The annual Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards – now in its fifth year – celebrate innovation and excellence in wine tourism and provide an opportunity to gain exposure and recognition for their commitment to providing leading wine tourism experiences.

Adelaide is one of 11 members of the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network, a group of international cities whose wine regions are recognised as significant economic and cultural assets.

South Australia's membership to the Great Wine Capitals Global network is a partnership between the State Government, the South Australian Wine Industry Association, the South Australian Tourism Commission, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia.

The winners across seven categories are:

Accommodation – Longview Vineyard – Adelaide Hills

Architecture and Landscape – Yalumba Family Winemakers – Barossa

Art and Culture – d'Arenberg – McLaren Vale

Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences – Unico Zelo – Adelaide Hills

Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices – Tscharke Wines – Barossa

Wine Tourism Restaurants – Paulett Wines – Clare Valley

Wine Tourism Services – Wirra Wirra Vineyards – McLaren Vale