The South Australian Wine Story

Adelaide, South Australia, is part of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network – the world’s most prestigious wine family. The network brings together 10 cities whose wine regions are recognised as significant economic and cultural assets. Membership acknowledges excellence in grape and wine production, strengths in research and development, a commitment to wine education and tourism services, and the way in which wine is inextricably linked to the city’s character, success and vision. Adelaide is unique, however, because its membership covers all 18 of the state’s wine regions. Peter Gago, winemaker and custodian for the iconic Penfolds Grange label, is South Australia’s Great Wine Capitals Global Ambassador. South Australia boasts some of the oldest established vineyards anywhere in the world. The four Australian regions producing the highest percentage of the very best grapes are all from South Australia. In the most recent Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine, 13 of the 22 wines rated as “exceptional” – the very best in Australia – are from South Australia. Nine of the 14 individuals to receive the Maurice O’Shea Award – recognised as the highest honour the industry can confer on one of its members – have come from South Australia. 70% of Australians think SAhas “credible wineries and wine regions.” 57% think SAhas “good food andwine”. These figures are higher than for all other states. South Australian wine represents 62% of the value of Australian wine sold into international markets. There were other significant developments as well. In 2017, South Australia signed a partnership agreement with Bordeaux’s La Cite du Vin, making the state’s wine available to the prestigious venue’s hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. South Australia also was the international guest of honour at the Mainz Wine Market in Germany, and prominent in a major wine showcase in the Chinese cities of Chongqing, Zhengzhou and Beijing. In 2018, South Australia was asked to host the network’s global AGM. Nearly 100 international delegates, enjoyed a six-day program across many of the State’s wine regions. The network is genuinely collaborative, with the aim of nurturing and supporting great wine experiences in all member cities. The results are there to see. Inviting South Australia to join in 2016 was the unanimous decision of the network’s other members. These now include: Bilbao / Rioja (Spain) Bordeaux (France) Lausanne (Switzerland) Mainz / Rheinhessen (Germany) Mendoza (Argentina) Porto (Portugal) San Francisco / Napa Valley (USA) Valparaìso / Casablanca Valley (Chile) Verona (Italy). South Australia quickly made its mark, with first Seppeltsfield then Penfolds Magill Estate winning the network’s global award for Wine Tourism Services in the first two years of membership. “The addition of Adelaide … really completes the collection of the most influential wine regions that comprise our Network.” Jacques Faurens, Chair, Great Wine Capitals Bordeaux Chapter