Fleurieu Distillery has taken out the top gong for the second year running at the 2023 Tasting Australia Spirit Awards, which attracted a record number of entries from across Australia.
The Goolwa-based distillery received the Best Distiller award for two of its whiskies - Don Quixote and Tapestry - at the awards, announced late last month.
It was also awarded the Premier's Spirit and Best Whisky awards for its Don Quixote whisky.
The other South Australian winners were:
- Best Gin - Triple Juniper Gin Export Strength by Never Never Distilling Co
- Best Vodka - Pluto Vodka by Pluto Spirits
- Best Brandy - St Agnes XO 15YO Brandy by St Agnes Distillery
- Best Vermouth/Bitters/Other - Aperitivo by Ragazzi e Succo
- Innovation Aard - 'Siropo' Amaro by Spirito Santo
- Best New Distiller - Pluto Spirits for Pluto Vodka and Pluto Oaked Cane Spirit.
For the full list of winners, including gold, silver and bronze medals, visit Tasting Australia Spirit Awards.
Tasting Australia Spirit Awards head judge Ollie Margan said Australia's spirits industry was one of the more diverse in the world.
“This year, 249 medals were given out including 43 gold medals, 98 silver medals and 108 bronze medals," Mr Margan said.
"It is not an easy feat to receive a medal in competitions like this one, so all the distilleries who placed should be very proud."
Meanwhile, the winners of South Australia's 2024 Best of Wine Tourism Awards have been announced.
Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard in the Adelaide Hills took out the Wine Tourism Restaurant award for its carefully curated monthly menu, served in a picturesque setting surrounded by vineyards.
The other winners were:
- Accommodation – Alkina Wine Estate, Barossa Valley
- Architecture and Landscape – Yangarra Estate Vineyard, McLaren Vale
- Art and Culture – Grapes of Mirth
- Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences – Sidewood Estate, Adelaide Hills
- Wine Tourism Services – Pindarie Wines, Barossa Valley
- Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices – Gemtree Wines, McLaren Vale
The seven winners will now compete for the Global Best Of Wine Tourism Award, which will be presented in late October as part of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network Annual Meeting and Conference in Switzerland.
The awards celebrate innovation, sustainability and excellence in wine tourism across each of the world’s 12 Great Wine Capitals.
South Australia is home to 18 unique wine regions and 340 cellar doors – 200 of which are within an hour’s drive of Adelaide.
