Announcing the World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025
Gala dinner and award ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025
Gala announcement of The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia-@JENDEBERIGNY-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCY
The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025
A sumptuous evening of revelry and celebration capped off two events hosted by Tourism Western Australia for the announcement and the award ceremony for The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025.
Welcome dinner at Nature’s Table at Tanah Marah, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia- @JCRISPINPHOTO-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCY
A welcome at Nature’s Table at Tanah Marah set the tone with an immersive wine and culinary dinner.
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The gourmet feast was set deep in the forest, in an open-air setting. It was as impressive for its superb execution as for its delicious offerings, including premium wines such as the Riesling from Castle Rock Estate and the artfully designed Garden Plate first course.
Artfully designed Garden Plate, first course at Nature’s Table at Tanah Marah, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia- @JCRISPINPHOTO-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCYunique
The harp and flute’s musical accompaniment, with its melodic sound wafting across the expanse, further enhanced the evening’s enchantment.
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The second event, the gala award reception, ceremony, and after party, was held at Amelia Park Wines, the official venue host.
Musical greeting for guests at Nature’s Table at Tanah Marah, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia- @JCRISPINPHOTO-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCY
The lush Margaret River vineyard was superbly situated and set up to welcome hundreds of visiting delegates, international winemakers, and media.
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Already winners of accolades for their productions of the highest calibre. Daniela Gordon, owner of Amelia Park Wines, greeted guests with tastings of their Amelia Park Pinot Gris 2023, Riesling 2023, Chardonnay 2024, and their Amelia Park Cabernet Merlot 2014, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, and Reserve Shiraz 2021.
Amelia Park wines served at the World’s 50 Best Vineyards Awards Ceremony, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia- @JCRISPINPHOTO-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCY
The wines, accompanied by freshly shucked oysters and the world’s best wagyu from Jack’s Creek, the Official Australian Premium Beef Partner, satiated appetites as anticipation built for the grand announcement.
Emma Sleight, from The World’s 50 Best Vineyards, provided insights into who and how the list is developed.
Experts are relied upon to formulate the candidates’ list
She said, “We rely on academy chairs, who are well-travelled, experts in their area and regions, and ultimately be able to recruit credible voters and judges. We look at different personalities and profiles.
Some academy chairs are in the media or have worked in the industry. It is not a job; they do it voluntarily. Academy chairs are rigorously vetted and cannot have any vested interest in the vineyards.
The world’s best wagyu served by Jack’s Creek, Official Australian Premium Beef Partner, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia-@JENDEBERIGNY-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCY
No vineyard can ask to be visited or vetted. Sponsors and staff are not allowed to vote. The list is a complete secret until it is announced.”
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She emphasised that “the list is compiled by merit, and it is a collection of opinions and thoughts over a specific time frame with an objective to focus on hospitality and the holistic experience.”
Oysters served at Amelia Park Wines, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia-@JENDEBERIGNY-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCY
A rapid-fire countdown from fifty preceded the naming of the number one vineyard.
There were audible gasps as some surprises came, and applause when familiar vineyards won a place. As the build-up to number one progressed, tension and electric energy infused the room.
Vik of Millahue, Chile, won the top accolade
Vik won the top accolade, prompting raucous applause that broke out as the vineyard owners, Alex and Carrie Vik, made their way to the stage to accept their award.
Amelia Park Wines tasting room
In the post-ceremony press conference, Alex, Carrie, and Gastón Williams, the CEO of Vik Chile, provided background on their vision and how they decided to establish the winery in Chile’s Millahue Valley.
Chosen for its terroir, unique attributes, and stunning Andes backdrop, Vik is a destination winery, established in 2004 to offer a holistic experience.
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Vik offers a full range of hospitality services, including a hilltop retreat with suites, fabulous wines, and fine dining. Perfectly positioned for a high ranking on the list, they also offer a spa, bike tours around the vines, cooking and yoga classes.
Asked if they were surprised at their win, Alex said. “We didn’t expect it, but we were hoping.”
Carrie added. “It has been a remarkable ride for us, from the beginning nineteen years ago when we planted the first vine.
Amelia Park Wines
Really, it has been an incredible learning experience for us, not coming from the wine world and enjoying every moment… building what we’ve built… It’s such an honour and a culmination of so much passion, caring and hard work by our team. We are extraordinarily thrilled at this.”
The win and the placement of several other Chilean vineyards on the list will undoubtedly add to the global acclaim of wineries in Chile.
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Some surprises, such as two young Japanese wineries, 98 Wines, which opened in 2017, and Château Mercian Mariko Winery, established in 2019, making it onto the list, were unexpected.
It shows that Japan, as a wine-producing country, is rapidly gaining strength and renown.
Emma Sleight from The World’s 50 Best Vineyards hosts a press conference with No. 1 Vineyard Vik, Credit: World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025 Australia-@JENDEBERIGNY-@LIGHTFOOTAGENCY
With the reveal of this year’s fifty best, it will be an incentive for vineyards to respond and up their game by integrating more immersive ways to experience the wine landscape.
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As Emma Sleight noted, the list is essentially a guide, “for people looking for an authentic tourism experience and who want to build their trips around vineyards around the world.”
The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025
No. 1 Vik, Millahue, Chile
No. 2 Schloss Johannisberg, Rheingau, Germany
No. 3 Bodegas Ysios, Rioja, Spain
No. 4 Bodega Garzón, Maldonado, Uruguay
No. 5 Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Bordeaux, France
For the complete list of The World’s 50 Best Vineyards, go to: worldsbestvineyards.com
Text Cammy Yiu and photos as credited
