Three Australian wineries have been recognised in the Top 50 on The World’s Best Vineyards 2019.
Penfolds Magill Estate, d’Arenberg and Seppeltsfield Barossa all made the list, announced in London this week.
The World’s Best Vineyards Academy is the mechanism used to create The World’s Best Vineyards list.
The Academy comprises nearly 500 leading wine aficionados, sommeliers, and luxury travel correspondents from across the globe. Each has been selected for their expert opinion of the international wine and wine tourism scene.
There were no preset list of requirements, but the Academy went beyond the wines and looked at the whole experience. The restaurant, tour, ambiance, staff, the view, the price, reputation, accessibility, everything that makes a vineyard visit a valuable and rewarding experience for visitors.
Penfolds Magill Estate (pictured main) came in at No.13 on the list, with Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago telling The Adelaide Advertiser it was “terrific” to see three South Australian wineries recognised this year.
“What a great platform to further elevate the state’s wine and tourism offering to a global audience,” Gago said.
The judges noted: “If you are a Penfolds fan, it’s not even up for debate: you must visit the Magill Estate. Even if you don’t count yourself among the Grange-adoring aficionados, this is a place where you can be assured of the most rewarding and engaging wine visitor experience imaginable. The Magill Estate Cellar Door offers a selection of wine tastings and experiences every day of the week, while a wide range of experiences now feature the recently redeveloped ‘Drives’ (tunnels) that showcase the original resting spot of Max Schubert’s ‘hidden’ Grange.”
Seppeltsfield Barossa’s executive chairman, Warren Randall, said his company was also “thrilled” to be recognised at No.47 on the list.
“It’s a truly exciting time in the industry to now have wine tourism recognised alongside the renowned International Wine Challenge,” Randall said.
“We are certainly in very good international company with the likes of Opus One, Chateau Margaux and Veuve Clicquot.”
Coming in at No.1 was Zuccardi Valle de Uco in Argentina. The judges noted:
“Located at 1100m above sea level and set against the sublime backdrop of the vast Andes Mountains, the Zuccardi winery is one of the most impressive on the planet. It’s an architectural gem that’s integrated into its surroundings, offers amazing views of the Uco Valley, but is also very functional. It’s also home to terroir-driven wines that can be tasted in one of two tasting rooms – one below a steel dome that reflects the sun and the sky, and another next to the barrel room.”
World’s best vineyards 2019
1. Zuccardi Valle de Uco, Argentina (above)
2. Bodega Garzón, Uruguay
3. R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, S.A., Spain
4. Quinta do Crasto, Portugal
5. Catena Zapata, Argentina
Equal 6. Montes, Chile
Equal 6. Clos Apalta Winery, Chile
8. Rippon, New Zealand
9. Marqués de Riscal, Spain
10. Weingut Dr. Loosen, Germany
11. Craggy Range, New Zealand
12. Robert Mondavi Winery, USA
13. Penfolds Magill Estate, Australia
14. Viña VIK, Chile
15. Weingut Tement, Austria
16. Château Smith Haut Lafitte, France
17. Viña Errázuriz, Chile
18. Antinori nel Chianti Classico, Italy
Equal 19. Opus One Winery, USA
Equal 19. Domäne Wachau eGen, Austria
21. Schloss Johannisberg, Germany
22. Château Margaux, France
23. Viu Manent SA, Chile
24. Vivanco. Bodega, Fundación, Experiencias, Spain
25. Bodega Colomé, Argentina
Equal 26. Viña Santa Rita, Chile
Equal 26. Bodegas Salentein, Argentina
28. Familia Torres — Pacs del Penedès, Spain
29. d’Arenberg, Australia
Equal 30. Viña Casas del Bosque, Austria
Equal 30. Schloss Gobelsburg, Chile
32. Bodegas RE, Chile
33. Schloss Vollrads, Germany
34. Vergelegen Estate, South Africa
35. Domaine Sigalas, Greece
36. Ridgeview, UK
37. Quinta do Bomfim, Portugal
38. Veuve Clicquot, France
Equal 39. Delaire Graff Estate, South Africa
Equal 39. Château Mouton Rothschild, France
41. El Enemigo Wines, Argentina
42. E. Guigal, France
43. Domaine Henri Bourgeois, France
44. Bodega Bouza, Uruguay
45. Creation Wines, South Africa
46. Ruinart, France
47. Seppeltsfield Barossa, Australia
48. Kir-Yianni, Greece
49. Château Heritage, Lebanon
50. Mission Hill Family Estate, Canada
