Eighteen wineries from eight different wine regions across South Australia have been announced as finalists in the South Australian Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

This includes three Coonawarra wineries vying for various categories at the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards to be held next month.

The finalists in each category are:

Accommodation: Beresford Estate (McLaren Vale), Lanzerac Country Estate (Barossa Valley), Simon Tolley Wines (Adelaide Hills).

Architecture and Landscape – Balnaves of Coonawarra (Coonawarra), Brand’s Laira (Coonawarra), Lake Breeze Winery (Langhorne Creek).

Innovation: Chalk Hill Wines (McLaren Vale), Kimbolton Vineyards (Langhorne Creek), Paulett Wines/Bush DeVine Winery Restaurant (Clare Valley).

Sustainability: Banrock Station (Riverland), Gemtree Wines (McLaren Vale).

Restaurants: Gather at Coriole (McLaren Vale), Penfolds Magill Estate (Adelaide), Slate Restaurant (Clare Valley), Upstairs at Hollick (Coonawarra).

Tourism Services: Elderton Wines (Barossa Valley), Hardys Wines (McLaren Vale), Yalumba (Barossa Valley).

No finalists were selected in the Awards’ seventh category – Art and Culture – with COVID-19 unfortunately curtailing a number of projects in that space across the year.

The local winners will be announced during the 2021 CheeseFest, to be held in Adelaide later this month.

The local winners will stand alongside nominees from nine other Great Wine Capitals at the international awards at the Great Wine Capitals Annual General Meeting on October 28.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the awards recognised the most outstanding wine tourism experiences in South Australia.

“With border restrictions due to COVID-19, wineries have seen less international and interstate tourists and instead many locals holidaying in their own backyard,” Minister Basham said.

“The Best of Wine Tourism Awards have had 36 entries this year, demonstrating the high calibre of wine tourism experiences across our regions.

“What we offer in South Australia as far as wine tourism experiences is unique and unlike anything else you will experience around the world.

“We not only produce 80% of Australia’s premium wine, but South Australia offers warm and knowledgeable hospitality and culinary excellence.

“The Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards 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.

“This year there are 18 finalists across eight of our world-class wine regions stretching from the Coonawarra in the south east to Clare Valley in the mid north.”