Accommodation
Alkina Wine Estate – Barossa
Alkina's luxury accommodation offering draws upon the character of two meticulously restored old buildings, while anchoring guests in the middle of a stunning natural setting, with vineyard on all sides.
The Homestead was built in 1900 and features an original bluestone façade and wrap-around verandah, while the nearby cottage dates back to the 1850s. Both have been lovingly restored to an exceptional standard, blending luxury elements with a strong connection to their surroundings and the life of a working vineyard and winery.
During their stay, guests can enjoy a broad range of exclusive experiences, including the Polygon Project Experience or the Rock Hammer Tasting, Tour and Lunch. Both include guided tasting flights of the rare wines that make up Alkina's Polygon Project, and a visit to a vineyard soil pit to learn more about the vineyard's terroir.
Guests are provided with 'dinner basket' provisions for their stay, and are invited to make use of the extensive organic kitchen garden to pick and cook with seasonal vegetables, fruit, and herbs. Those looking to up the ante can choose to have a bespoke meal cooked for them over fire, while all guests also have access to a cellar wine list of rare bottles from around the world.
Visit alkinawine.com
Architecture and Landscape
Yangarra Estate Vineyard – McLaren Vale
Opened in May 2023, Yangarra Estate's new cellar door is designed to link visitors with the picturesque surrounding vineyards and nearby winery.
Upon arrival at Yangarra's new cellar door, guests are welcomed by the stunning natural surroundings of the vineyard. Featuring floor to ceiling windows overlooking sweeping views of the estate vineyards, visitors can gain a unique insight into the winemaking process with a dedicated viewing platform overlooking Yangarra's extensive collection of ceramic amphorae fermentation vessels as well as a connecting overpass that allows visitors to walk across to the working winery.
The cellar door's interior design reflects the soil and landscape with an earthy colour palate, with luxurious hand-crafted soft furnishings creating a comfortable and warm space for guests to enjoy their tasting experiences.
Visit yangarra.com
Art and Culture
Grapes of Mirth – Multi-regional
The perfect combination of comedy and wine, Grapes of Mirth is an outdoor comedy gala held among the vines in wine country. Comedy and wine can be enjoyed together in a casual setting, where attendees at no time feel like they're in any rush but instead can take their time to enjoy the wonderful wines and food on offer, with friends and family, while sprawled out on a beautiful lawn, in a beautiful wine region.
The atmosphere is further enhanced by DJs playing tunes between comedy sets, and a dance party finishes each event in style.
Since its inception in 2017, Grapes of Mirth has hosted 17 events in the Adelaide Hills, Barossa, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale. In 2022, Grapes of Mirth held its first two-day festival at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa, expanding its cultural offering to include live podcasts, wine masterclasses and cooking demonstrations.
Visit grapesofmirth.com.au
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences
Sidewood Estate – Adelaide Hills
Located on the outskirts of Hahndorf, Sidewood continues to be one of the most popular destinations in the Adelaide Hills. Its unique venue boasts a leisure area including lawn bowls, Finksa and pétanque courts, while its nature play area caters to families. For those looking for a more laid-back experience, the courtyard features luxury day beds perfect for relaxing on.
Visitors can take part in an exclusive Sabrage Masterclass, where they learn the traditional – and spectacular – technique of opening a bottle of sparkling wine using a sabre. The annual Vintage and Vinyl event celebrates vintage in the Adelaide Hills, complete with a grape stomping competition.
Sidewood has also taken an innovative approach to its tasting experiences, offering introductory classes to help beginners interpret wine terminology, while more experienced consumers can take part in a Sidewood versus France masterclass. Its range of no and low alcohol wines is ideal for those looking to cut back their alcohol consumption.
Visit sidewood.com.au
Wine Tourism Restaurant
Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard – Adelaide Hills
From humble beginnings as a garden shed nestled among the vines with a rustic homemade bar, Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard has evolved to become a multi-award-winning tourism destination.
The restaurant offers a warm rustic ambience and an elegant yet understated atmosphere for guests to enjoy. The 360-degree open fireplace warms the indoors through frosty Adelaide Hills winters, while a split-level deck offers a multitude of areas for soaking up a little sun.
A new menu is carefully curated each month, ensuring the experience continually showcases fresh local produce and producers. Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard offers customised experiences, allowing guests to choose their own adventure through multiple restaurant offerings and wine matches to a range of hosted wine tasting experiences.
Visit mtloftyrangesvineyard.com.au
Wine Tourism Services
Pindarie Wines – Barossa
Located on the western gateway to the Barossa Valley, Pindarie is a working farm and home to vineyards, sheep, an olive grove, sustainable woodlot, native reserves and restored 19th century farm buildings.
Pindarie’s cellar door and restaurant offers visitors the best of the Barossa – premium wines for tasting, regional food, heritage, natural landscapes, and country hospitality.
The previously dilapidated 1850s stables and 1890s grain store have been meticulously restored and are now the rustic but welcoming Stables cellar door and Grain Room restaurant. Since opening in May 2010, the cellar door has focused on providing a complete wine, food and tourism experience.
Pindarie’s welcoming hospitality, wines, and handmade lunches, combined with stunning views across the Barossa ranges, means visitors can taste, graze and relax.
Visit pindarie.com.au
Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
Gemtree Wines – McLaren Vale
Gemtree Wines is an organic and biodynamic certified winery in McLaren Vale. Gemtree's philosophy is to work with nature to improve the land for future generations. This mindset flows through all areas of the business, from packaging and production to administration, vineyards, and the tasting room.
Gemtree's custodians Melissa and Mike Brown are dedicated to educating all visitors about the importance of sustainable practices. Each of their tourism experiences aims to educate guests on what they have learned through sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming while enjoying the picturesque surroundings, delicious local food and Gemtree wines.
Guests can further enhance their visit by visiting the Biodynamic Hut to learn more about biodynamic viticulture, or by walking the Eco Trail, a stunning one-kilometre track through tall gum trees, surrounded by native animals, birds and plants.
Visit gemtreewines.com
