SA vineyards fly the flag for Aussies on global top-50 destinations list

Three Australian vineyards are included among the world’s top-50 wine tourism destinations and you could visit them all in one weekend.

Penfolds winemakers Stephanie Dutton, Emma Wood and Peter Gago at Magill Estate. Picture Matt Turner.

Three South Australian vineyards are on the world’s top-50 wine tourism destinations list curated by global travel and wine experts.

The Henschke family’s Eden Valley estate in South Australia, home to some of Australia’s oldest and most cherished vineyards, including Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone, came in at number 25 on the list, which was released overnight at the Schloss Johannisberg winery in Rheingau, Germany.

The Henschke vineyard is home to some of the best shiraz and rieslings produced by the fifth and sixth generations of winemakers, with a focus on single site expressions that “tell the story of the land and the people that made them”.

With tastings personally hosted by the family, the visits were described as “very special occasions”.

“At Henschke we are proud of our rich heritage, innovative spirit and commitment to handcrafting exceptional wines for over 150 years,” said Justine Henschke, marketing manager at Henschke.

“This is a great achievement for our incredibly hardworking team at Henschke. We are very proud.”

Fifth generation custodians Prue and Stephen Henschke, from Henschke.

The event overnight combined a real-life ceremony and digital live film to showcase the world’s best and most unique vineyards.

Described as Australia’s “very own Willy Wonka of wine”, Chester Osborn’s family McLaren Vale estate d’Arenberg was ranked 31 for its estate “brimming with personality that nonetheless respects a 109-year heritage that places it among the country’s prestigious First Families of Wine”.

The famed Penfolds Magill Estate, close to Adelaide, took up the third Australian spot in the top 50 at number 37, winning praise for its ‘Ultimate Penfolds Experience’ that explains its whole philosophy, from the cottage through the vineyards to the underground cellars, finishing in a private tasting room with an array of the estate’s most sought-after wines

Argentina’s Zuccardi Valle de Uco topped the list, followed by Bodegas de los Herederos del Marques de Riscal in Spain’s Rioja region in second place and the Chateau Margaux in Bordeaux, France, ranked third.

Stephen and daughter Justine Henschke with the 2016 Hill of Grace and Mount Edelstone at the Barossa Winery on April 30, 2021. Picture Matt Turner.

The 2021 Top 50 vineyards represent 16 countries and includes first-time entrants onto the list from Lebanon and Russia.

The World’s Best Vineyards list aims to highlight the sheer diversity across both established and emerging wine tourism destinations.

It is voted by 600 global wine and travel experts and published by UK’s William Reed group.

“Wine tourism is hugely important to the global economy and local economies, creating jobs directly at the wineries but also encouraging visitors to the area and the associated revenue which that generates,” Andrew Reed, managing director, wine and exhibitions at William Reed said.

d'Arenberg Cube, South Australia. Picture: Tourism SA.

“This is more important than ever with the recent global situation, and we know that by shining the light on wine tourism as we do with the World’s Best Vineyards the message gets out to more people to come and discover the uniqueness of wine and where it is made.”

The 51-100 list was released earlier in the month and featured Seppeltsfield Barossa in SA at number 64, Tyrrell’s in NSW at 74, Cullen Wines in WA at number 78 and the Leeuwin Estate, also in WA, at 99.

New Zealand’s Craggy Range estate, nestled under the shadow of the ancient Te Mata Peak, ranked number 11, was named the best vineyard in Australasia.

Originally published as SA vineyards fly the flag for Aussies on global top-50 destinations list