A Coonawarra business has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious 2021 South Australian Tourism Awards program in the Tour and Transport category.
Kerry and Simon Meares have operated Coonawarra Experiences for four years after they moved from Melbourne to Coonawarra in 2017 with the intention of starting the business.
The business is recognised as a concierge for the Limestone Coast and Ms Meares said they ensured a greater dollar spend across the region.
Thanks to funding from an SATC grant they will upgrade one of their vehicles to a Mercedes Benz to offer a more luxurious experience.
“We were extremely pleased and proud to be announced as finalists and think we have a great chance of a top three finish on November 4 at the gala in Adelaide along with all of our industry peers,” Ms Meares said.
“It would be a huge honour.”
Coonawarra Experiences was the first business of its kind in the region and has grown over the years, offering bespoke tours of the Limestone Coast with a focus on Coonawarra.
“Over the past two years we have created tailored experiences that have included not only wineries and cellar doors, but also accommodation properties and dining venues,” Ms Meares said.
“We also developed a collaboration tour package with Patrick of Coonawarra that kicked us off when we all reopened in June 2020.
“And we are currently developing a multi-day, multi-region package that will offer fantastic experiences to visitors within SA but also interstate and international once the borders eventually reopen.”
Ms Meares said although COVID posed challenges in recent months with border closures and little financial assistance, everyone connected virtually on several occasions which eased the challenge of distance.
This enabled them to develop new collaborations with operators in other sectors.
“We have established strong relationships with producers in the region, which has enabled us to provide guests with behind-the-scenes experiences and opportunities to meet the many characters of the region,” she said.
People can vote for Coonawarra Experiences via the South Australian Tourism Awards website.
