South Australia continues to solidify its standing as a premier wine destination with five local wineries making the prestigious list of finalists in The Real Review’s Top Wineries Awards 2025. The awards, now in their eighth edition, feature 24 wineries from across five states, with South Australia (SA) contributing just over 20% of the finalists—close on the heels of Victoria.
This year’s awards come after an extensive evaluation of nearly 15,000 wines, with over 400 wineries—roughly 19% of all Australian wine producers—earning Top Wineries Certification for 2025. New categories for the awards, including ‘Vigneron of the Year’ and ‘Rising Star of the Year,’ along with style-specific distinctions, have been introduced to highlight a broader range of achievements in the Australian wine industry.
Huon Hooke, from The Real Review, expressed his excitement about the new categories, stating, “It’s hugely exciting to unveil these new categories for the first time, but even more exciting to reveal the names shortlisted. The finalists represent exceptional talent, innovation, and some of the tasting team’s all-time favorite wines.”
The following South Australian wineries and winemakers have been recognized in this year’s prestigious awards:
Rising Star of the Year: Gareth Belton – Gentle Folk (Adelaide Hills)
Gareth Belton and his wife Rainbo established Gentle Folk Wines in the Adelaide Hills in 2013, starting with just three barrels. Since then, the winery has built a strong reputation for producing natural, organic, and biodynamic wines. With a background in science and biodiversity, Belton’s wines focus on minimal intervention and express the unique characteristics of the Adelaide Hills region. Today, Gentle Folk produces between six and seven thousand cases annually from eight hectares of vines.
Sparkling Wine of the Year: Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2017 (Adelaide Hills)
The Deviation Road Beltana Blanc de Blancs Vintage 2017, a sparkling wine made from 100% Chardonnay grown in the cool, high-altitude Adelaide Hills, has garnered considerable acclaim. Part of the winery’s ‘Small Batch Series,’ it boasts nutty, sweet flavors with notes of candied lemon. Having previously been named Best Sparkling White at the 2023 Halliday Wine Companion Awards, this wine is a top contender in the Sparkling Wine of the Year category.
Rosé Wine of the Year: S.C. Pannell Arido Rosé 2024 (McLaren Vale)
S.C. Pannell’s Arido Rosé 2024 from McLaren Vale is described as “summer in a bottle,” featuring vibrant flavors of watermelon, strawberry, pink grapefruit, and sherbet. Winemaker Stephen Pannell, a two-time winner of the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy and a three-time McLaren Vale Bushing King, has earned a stellar reputation for his winemaking excellence. This rosé pairs perfectly with seafood and has quickly become a favorite in the wine community.
Red Wine of the Year: Yalumba The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz 2019 (Barossa Valley)
Yalumba’s The Caley Cabernet & Shiraz 2019 is a sophisticated blend representing the pinnacle of Barossa Valley winemaking. This sleek and polished wine exemplifies careful craftsmanship, blending refinement and freshness. Yalumba, Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, has been a leader in the wine industry since 1849, and The Caley reflects its commitment to producing premium, world-class wines.
Fortified Wine of the Year: Seppeltsfield 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny 1925 (Barossa Valley)
Seppeltsfield, renowned for its fortified wines, continues to impress with its 100-Year-Old Para Vintage Tawny 1925. Described by Chief Winemaker Fiona Donald as “immediately luscious,” this wine offers a rich, complex flavor profile with lingering hints of bittersweet dark chocolate. Seppeltsfield, a cornerstone of Barossa Valley winemaking since the mid-19th century, is famous for its unparalleled collection of vintage Tawny wines.
The winners of the style-specific categories will be announced on May 19, with talent-based awards revealed on May 21. The highly anticipated rankings of Australia’s Top Wineries, including the Winery of the Year, will be unveiled on May 22.
WHAT: The Real Review Top Wineries Awards 2025
WHEN: May 19 (Style-Specific Winners), May 21 (Talent-Based Awards), May 22 (Top Wineries Ranking)
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