It’s time for our annual celebration of Australia’s best cellar doors. South Australia’s best wine production featured in this year’s national awards. Here are the results:
Adelaide Hills
STAR CELLAR DOOR: Ashton Hills
A short drive from Adelaide’s CBD, The Adelaide Hills offers some of the state’s best-known food and wine. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the brightest, as well as sparkling wine.
BEST LARGE CELLAR DOOR: Longview Vineyard
BEST SMALL CELLAR DOOR: Mount Lofty Ranges
BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE: Shaw + Smith
CELLAR DOOR WITH THE BEST FOOD: Lane’s Vineyard
barossa
STAR CELLAR DOOR: Barossa Craftsmen

Steeped in a rich history, The Barossa knows how to create captivating cellar door experiences. Shiraz is an important player in this region, but Reilsling, Sémillon, Mataro, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon also shine.
BEST LARGE CELLAR DOOR: Seppeltsfield
BEST SMALL CELLAR DOOR: Alkina Wine Estate
BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE: Torbreck
CELLAR DOOR WITH THE BEST FOOD: Hentley Farm
Claire Valley
STAR CELLAR DOOR AND BEST LARGE CELLAR DOOR: Close the door

With vineyards scattered among pastures, Clare Valley produces some of the country’s most outstanding Rieslings and reds, crafted from Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Clare Valley is less than 2 hours from the city and offers visitors a wide range of experiences.
BEST SMALL CELLAR DOOR: Mr Nobody
BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE (WITH MATRIARCH AND ROGUE, ELDREDGE AND SUSSEX SQUIRE): Spring Gully Wine Tour
CELLAR DOOR WITH THE BEST FOOD: Slate Restaurant in Pikes
Coonawarra and Limestone Coast
STAR CELLAR DOOR: bellwether

With a name synonymous with Australian red wine, Coonawarra blends terra rossa soils and a cool climate to create award-winning Coonawarra Cabernet. Shiraz, Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Merlot are also strong contenders.
BEST GRAND CELLAR DOOR AND BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE: Wynns Coonawarra Estate
BEST SMALL CELLAR DOOR: wangolina
CELLAR DOOR WITH THE BEST FOOD: Ottelia
BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE: Domain Raidis
DOOR CELLR WITH THE BEST HOUSING: Padthaway Estate
Kangaroo Island & Fleurieu South
STAR CELLAR DOOR: The Carpentry Wine Cellar

Contributing to premium wines, spirits and culinary experiences, Kangaroo Island continues to be one to watch. Just two hours by ferry from the mainland, the region is a true getaway for all wine lovers.
BEST LARGE CELLAR DOOR: Island estate
BEST SMALL CELLAR DOOR: bohemian farmhouse
CELLAR DOOR WITH THE BEST FOOD: Fake cape
BEST ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Route of the sources
Langhorne Creek
STAR CELLAR DOOR: Kimbolton

Representing creative winemakers, Langhorne Creek offers the perfect blend of maritime climate and fertile soils to produce magnificent Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Malbec. Alternative varieties like Fiano, Barbera, Tempranillo and Verdelho are also strong contenders.
BEST LARGE CELLAR DOOR: Lake Breeze
BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE: Bremerton
CELLAR DOOR WITH THE BEST FOOD: The House of Wine
BETTER ADDITIONAL CELLAR DOOR EXPERIENCE (BEYOND CELLAR DOOR TOURS): Bleasdale
McLaren Vale
STAR CELLAR DOOR: sherrah, Bondar & Lino Ramble

With some of Australia’s finest beaches, McLaren Vale is known for some of the biggest names in wine. McLaren Vale Shiraz and Grenache are the stars of the region, but alternative varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano, Fiano and Barbera also shine.
BEST LARGE CELLAR DOOR: Oliver’s Taranga
BEST SMALL CELLAR DOOR: Herring wines from Berg
BEST TASTING EXPERIENCE: Gemtree
CELLAR DOOR WITH THE BEST FOOD: Mitolo
For the full national list of this year’s award winners, visit the Gourmet Traveler website here.
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