Sydney beachfront hotel earns global recognition

Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder. 

To locals in the Sydney beach suburb of Manly, the Manly Pacific Hotel Sydney - MGallery Collection is a local spot with a bizarrely long name where they might wine and dine, or walk past on their nightly beach stroll. 

For the judges at the 10th annual Prix Versailles World Ceremony, held recently at UNESCO headquarters in Pari,s it was celebrated as one of the 16 most beautiful museums, hotels, restaurants, and airports in the world for 2024. 

The Prix Versailles is often described as the "Nobel Prize of Architecture and Design," and is judged by a panel of global architects, designers, and cultural leaders. 

Winners must "exemplify outstanding design, while reflecting local heritage, innovation, and sustainable practices".

Manly Pacific was one 16 hotels recognised, joining the likes of Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain, Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes, and Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel.

“I know how essential the use of time and space is to creating emotions, bonds and a sense of beauty," said Benjamin Millepied, chairman of the jury. 

"Similarly, architecture – through its design – shapes our lives, our interactions and even our dreams. Each building and each space that we are [honouring] has the power to transform our society, make our lives more harmonious and connected, and inspire us to better inhabit the world.”

In Manly, not surprisingly, they are delighted. 

"Winning the Prix Versailles is an extraordinary honour for the team at Manly Pacific, and is testament to how design can elevate hospitality into an art form,” said Dylan Cole, the hotel GM. 

“We are proud to be recognised on the global stage for creating a space that not only delights our guests, but also contributes meaningfully to the community and the environment."

The hotel recently completed a $30 million transformation to its "elevated coastal vibe". 

The latest addition is Cibaria restaurant, helmed by renowned chef Alessandro Pavoni of Ormeggio fame. 

See manlypacific.com.au or all.accor.com 

Global recognition for Henschke family

Eden Valley/Adelaide Hills family wine producer Henschke has been named the No.4 Most Admired Wine Brand in the world. 

The honour was bestowed by Drinks International with Henschke the top-ranked Australian winery on the list.

The winners were revealed over the Easter long weekend and voted on by wine industry professionals including buyers, sommeliers, wholesalers, bar owners, Masters of Wine, writers and educators from 48 different countries. 

Drinks International editor Martin Green said: “The Most Admired Wine Brands 2021 highlights the most iconic, exciting and innovative producers in the world.

“To win a place on this prestigious list is a tremendous achievement. There are thousands of wine brands vying for attention around the world, but just 50 elite icons have made the cut.

 

“Congratulations to all of the brands featured this year. They have earned the respect of hundreds of wine professionals and experts spread across the globe, and they have now gained the ultimate stamp of quality.”

 

This is the 11^th year in which Drinks International has compiled its definitive guide to the World’s Most Admired Wine Brands.

 

Stephen Henschke, owner and chief winemaker, said: “We are thrilled that our 150-year-old, sixth-generation family-owned winery has been voted in at No.4 of the Top 50 World’s Most Admired Wine Brands for 2021, up 14 places from last year, and our second inclusion in this prestigious list.

 

“We are grateful to receive this accolade from the Drinks International voting academy. This is an achievement that can be shared by our hard-working team and representatives across the world.

 

“Our philosophy has always been to be ‘better’ rather than ‘bigger’. My father Cyril, fourth-generation Henschke winemaker, was a pioneer of single-varietal and single-vineyard table wines in Australia, with his greatest legacy being the creation of Mount Edelstone and Hill of Grace in the 1950s; shiraz wines from the Eden Valley that have become an integral part of our country's fine wine story.”

Familia Torres from Spain topped the list ahead of  Catena from Argentina and Vega Sicilia from Spain. Penfolds was sixth with Felton Road from New Zealand 14th, Villa Maria 15th and Yalumba 16th.

Henschke finished ahead of brands including Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Antinori and Guigal. 

Fifth-generation Stephen Henschke and his viticulturist wife Prue are assisted by their winemaker son Johann, and daughter Justine in marketing, representing the sixth generation. 

The 2016 vintage of the Henschke family’s most prestigious single-vineyard shiraz wines from the Eden Valley; Hill of Grace, Hill of Roses and Mount Edelstone will be released on May 5. 

Henschke, one of Australia’s oldest family owned wineries, celebrated 150 years of winemaking in 2018. See www.henschke.com.au