Western Australia to host global wine event

The Margaret River Region in Western Australia will be the first Australian host for the The World's 50 Best Vineyards awards this November.

The 2025 event will be held on Wednesday, November 19, celebrating outstanding vineyards around the world that combine exceptional wine, food and visitor experiences. 

The World's 50 Best Vineyards list is compiled annually to spotlight and celebrate the leading wine tourism destinations around the globe. 

Each year, it highlights exceptional vineyards that offer unique visitor experiences, ranging from modern architectural masterpieces and UNESCO-protected ancient cellars to award-winning dining spots and intimate family-run wineries.

The event will kick off a big week in the region, with the return of the Pair'd Margaret River Region festival to follow from November 20-23.

Pair'd is a vibrant four-day event now in its second year, that showcases the south west's acclaimed wine, food and music, featuring experiences across wineries and destinations, and collaborations with the region's top chefs, winemakers and sommeliers.

Brisbane and Hobart hotels get global recognition

Brisbane and Hobart have trumped Sydney and Melbourne on a new list of the world's '50 Best' hotels for 2024.

Retaining its title as the best hotel in Australia (and Oceania), was The Calile Hotel in Brisbane (above), ranked 25th.

Joining this year's top 50 was The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Hobart, landing in 49th spot.

The organisers described The Calille as an example of "laid-back, sun-soaked, chic Aussie hospitality", noting that it "riffs on modernist Miami and Palm Springs while also nodding to the design stylings of 1960s Australia".

The Fortitude Valley hotel is operated by TFE Hotels.

The Marriott-operated Tasman was parised for its "three distinct architectural eras cleverly melded into one seamless, luxurious whole".

"What binds this eccentric collection of styles together is an uncompromising attention to detail, a sense of relaxed luxury and a uniquely Tasmanian style and pace," the awards panel said.

Capella Bangkok, overlooking the Chao Phraya River, took the top spot, climbing 10 places from No.11 in the 2023 list to also clinch The Best Hotel in Asia 2024 title.

The No.2 spot went to Passalacqua (number one last year), set in an 18th-century villa on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como.

The Rosewood Hang Kong took the No.3 spot.

Asia led the way with 19 ranked hotels in total, while Bangkok solidified its reputation as a global travel hub, boasting four hotels on the list: Capella Bangkok (No.1), Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (No.12), Four Seasons Bangkok at Chao Phraya River (No.14) and The Siam (No.26).

The awards were announced overnight at one of London’s most historic venues, The Guildhall.

The Calile general manager Chris Kemlo said the WB50 recognition reaffirmed his team's commitment to providing the best possible guest experience.

"This achievement is a testament to our dedicated hotel team, whose unwavering commitment to excellence and exceptional service drives us to continually exceed our guests' expectations," he said. "Together, we embrace our values and strive to make every stay memorable.

"We want to thank our owners for delivering an incredible brand vision and an incredibly beautiful hotel and our fellow Top 50 winners including The Tasman, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Hobart and Kokomo Private Island Fiji who made the list for the very first time. "

You can find the full list here: https://www.theworlds50best.com/hotels/list/1-50

Global recognition for Tasmanian wine stars

Tasmania has grabbed the spotlight on the international stage with both Tolpuddle and House of Arras winning significant awards for chardonnay wines.

British-based Decanter magazine named the Coal River Valley's 2021 Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay as its 2022 White Wine of the Year in its January 2023 edition.

Other award winners included Champagne Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2013 (Sparkling Wine of the Year) and Ornellaia Bolgheri 2012 (Red Wine of the Year), so the cool-climate chardonnay was in world-class company.

“This is great news for Tasmanian chardonnay, and a great reward for the Tolpuddle Vineyard team (above) and tops off an amazing 12 months for us,” said winemaker Adam Wadewitz.

It rounds off a number of significant awards for Tolpuddle Vineyard over the past 12 months.

The Tolpuddle Vineyard is located just 20 minutes out of Hobart, and is recognised as one of the finest vineyards in the island state. First established in 1988, it is planted solely to chardonnay and pinot noir.

It was purchased by Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW of Shaw + Smith in 2011 and they are committed to seeing it recognised as one of Australia’s greatest single vineyard sites.

The vineyard is named after the Tolpuddle Martyrs whose ‘reward’ for starting England’s first agrarian union was to be transported to Tasmania as convicts, some of whom worked on the property that now bears their name.

Tolpuddle Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 has an RRP of $96, but you'll be lucky to find any stock.

House of Arras, meanwhile, has seen its Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2001 awarded "World Champion Library Vintage" at the 2022 Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships - the first time the trophy has been awarded to a sparkling wine outside Champagne - as well as “Wine of Show”, at the Global Fine Wine Challenge 2022.

Established by sparkling winemaker Ed Carr (above) in 1995, House of Arras has played a significant role in lifting the reputation of Australian sparkling wines on the world stage.

“The Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2001 is the ultimate expression of the House of Arras journey and truly expresses the attributes of prestige Tasmanian chardonnay," Carr said.

"The wine is a pinnacle of the House of Arras range which sees a remarkable 15 years in tirage, resulting in a wine of incredible complexity, exceptional depth and character.

“It’s an absolute honour to have the Museum Release Blanc de Blancs 2001 judged alongside some of the best sparkling wines from across the globe. The 2001 vintage has proved to be one of the classic vintages of that decade with wines of exquisite finesse and longevity." 

The last bottles are available for sale in strictly limited numbers at select fine wine retailers - but, again, you'll good luck to find any.