The Great Wine Capitals Global Network’s Best Of Wine Tourism Awards is an esteemed recognition program that celebrates excellence and innovation across the wine tourism industry in the top wine regions around the world.
Best Of Wine Tourism Awards 2027
The 2027 Awards in South Australia are presented in partnership with DrinkWise, an independent, not-for-profit organisation that works with government, industry and community organisations to promote responsible alcohol consumption. As part of the awards, entrants will have the opportunity to showcase how they provide visitors to their cellar door with a positive experience.
Key dates
Entries open in May 2026 and close on 10 July 2026.
Eligibility
The awards are open to South Australian wineries or wine tourism businesses.
You can enter one award category only.
2026 category winners are not eligible to enter the same category this year – but you are welcome to enter in a different category.
Award categories
The awards highlight the dedication and creativity of the South Australian wine industry across a number of categories:
- Accommodation
- Architecture and landscape
- Art and culture
- Culinary experiences
- Innovative wine tourism experiences
- Wine tourism services.
Find out more about the award categories.
All shortlisted entries will be considered for the Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices Award.
How to apply
- Read the 2027 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards guide ( ).
- Read the online entry form guide.
- Gather your entry information and prepare your answers.
- Enter online.
Note: Once you start your online entry, you will need to complete it in one sitting as entries cannot be saved. We recommend you draft your answers in a word doc or similar, and then copy and paste into the online form when you are ready to do so.
Why enter the awards?
These awards can help you shine a spotlight on what you want to be known for, and tell your unique story to attract and engage your ideal consumer.
- Build local and international visibility – position your winery on the global stage and attract local and international press coverage, customers and visitors, and industry attention.
- Enhance your reputation and credibility – the award serves as a mark of excellence in wine tourism globally.
- Showcase your unique selling point – highlight your unique approaches and innovations in wine tourism, helping consumers discover the experiences you offer and creating storytelling opportunities.
- Network with industry leaders – connect with key players in the wine tourism industry from the top wine regions around the world.
- Join the alumni – be associated with the 50 wine tourism properties and operators across the state that have been recognised through the Awards over the past decade.
In addition to being recognised as a Best Of Wine Tourism Award winner, category winners will receive:
- Automatic entry into the global Award competition, and the People’s Choice Award. The global awards ceremony will be held in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand in October 2026 and is attended by key wine tourism representatives from 11 Great Wine Capital member cities.
- Trophy presented at the SA Wine Industry Dinner in front of your industry colleagues.
- Significant state-wide and international media and industry recognition and exposure through PR and the global Great Wine Capitals website, newsletters and socials.
- Opportunities to be showcased as an award winner at SA premium wine and food events. This might involve masterclasses, wine tasting, or other activities at events like Cheese Fest and major international conferences.
- Marketing toolkit and support, including a special award logo to use on your website and in your email signature, to help you fully leverage your win and promote your business.
- Networking opportunities with local and international leaders in wine tourism.
2026 winners
The 2026 Best Of Wine Tourism Award winners for Adelaide, South Australia were:
- Accommodation – Mount Lofty House and Estate, Adelaide Hills
- Architecture and landscape – Vinteloper, Adelaide Hills
- Art and culture – Wonderground Barossa, Barossa
- Culinary experiences – Maxwell Wines, McLaren Vale
- Innovative wine tourism experiences – Bottle Shock, Adelaide Hills
- Wine tourism services – SA eBikes, McLaren Vale
- Sustainable wine tourism practices – Bottle Shock, Adelaide Hills
Maxwell Wines was also recognised on the world stage, with the McLaren Vale winery winning a 2026 Great Wine Capitals Global Best Of Wine Tourism Award for bringing three-hat dining to a cellar door setting. The Award was presented at the Great Wine Capitals Gala Dinner and Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards Ceremony in Bordeaux, France in November 2025.
Find out more about the 2026 Best Of WIne Tourism Award winners.
Discover Best Of Wine Tourism Award winners from South Australia and around the world.
Testimonial
Jeremy Maxwell, Maxwell Wines General Manager said:
Winning the Great Wine Capitals Global Best Of Wine Tourism Award was a wonderful recognition of our team’s vision to make Maxwell not just a winery, but one of South Australia’s most compelling food and wine destinations.
By bringing the creativity of our restaurant into the cellar door, we’re able to offer guests an experience that’s both accessible and world-class. The awards program provides an opportunity to be recognised for creative wine tourism initiatives and, as a category winner, to represent your country on an international stage at the Global Best Of Wine Tourism Awards.
