Best of Wine Tourism Awards

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (14:55): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development. Will the minister inform the chamber about the—

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: The hardest working member, come on, keep quiet. Will the minister inform the chamber about the global Best of Wine Tourism Awards recently held in Switzerland?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:55): I thank the honourable member for his question and I refer members to when I have discussed some of these topics in the past. I recently updated the chamber about the Great Wine Capitals—Best of Wine Tourism Awards, which saw seven outstanding South Australian wine tourism businesses being recognised for their innovation and dedication.

These seven award winners represented South Australia at the global Best of Wine Tourism Awards, which were held last week in Lausanne, Switzerland. I am very pleased to advise the chamber that Alkina Wine Estate in the Barossa Valley took home a global Best of Wine Tourism Award for wine accommodation. This is an award that recognises wineries across the 12 Great Wine Capitals around the world.

The global Best of Wine Tourism Award was presented by the Australian Ambassador to Switzerland, Elizabeth Day, at the Great Wine Capitals AGM in Lausanne, and the South Australian Minister for Tourism, the Hon. Zoe Bettison, accepted the honour on behalf of Alkina Wine Estate. Alkina Wine Estate, in their own words, is described as a new story on an old place, providing luxury accommodation in a restored cottage and homestead. Their farm was established in 2015 by vintner Alejandro Bulgheroni and winegrower Amelia Nolan. They have lovingly and carefully restored the property's 1850s buildings and planted new vines.

Both the accommodation and a tasting room opened to the public in 2020, and a stay at the homestead offers visitors an opportunity to enjoy bespoke food and wine that showcase the quality produce of the Barossa Valley region. Alkina Wine Estate is dedicated to sustainable farming practices, and they work to ensure that they leave the soils and the ecosystems in a healthier state than when they found them.

The Great Wine Capitals—Best of Wine Tourism Awards are coordinated by the Great Wine Capitals Steering Committee, which includes PIRSA, the South Australian Tourism Commission, the SA Wine Industry Association, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Congratulations again to the team at Alkina Wine Estate: your win highlights both the strength of our wine regions and the passion of our local wine tourism businesses. I also pass on my congratulations once again to all the nominees who represented South Australia at the global awards for providing an incredible showcase of our world-class wine tourism industry.