Adelaide Hills restaurant named home to Australia's Best Listing of South Australian Wines

SA’s own Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant has taken out Australia’s Best Listing of South Australian Wines at the 2025 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards, recognised among some of the country’s very best wine lists for its top-notch curation.

Located within the stunning surrounds of Mount Lofty House in Crafers, Hardy’s Verandah is known for its elegance, indulgence and destination dining. It now holds a coveted accolade in Australian hospitality, awarded for the skill, creativity and dedication behind its spectacularly curated wine offering. With more than 1,350 wines on the list and 35 available by the glass, this is a cellar that invites exploration at every level.

Judges praised the list as an outstanding example of an upmarket, thoughtful and generous approach to wine curation. “The collection of local icons offered by the glass is exemplary. So, too is the wonderful range of white and red wines offered by the glass. The range available will appeal to visitors as well as locals, with fascinating choices of overseas wines as well. In fact, the most difficult thing you’ll do all day is narrowing your choices and making a decision,” wrote the Australian Wine List of the Year team.

At the centre of it all is a deep respect for South Australian wine. Head sommelier Maxime Martin describes the award as a genuine honour, reflecting both the strength of the local industry and the trust placed in the team to evolve the list continually. “It is a real honour and a great recognition of such a special state, South Australia, where we are certainly producing some of the best wines in the country. We are grateful to have so many amazing local wineries and providers who continue to support us. This achievement means so much to the team and for our owners who are trusting us to continually develop our wine list, day after day, which is very exciting,” he said.

The connection runs even deeper when you consider Mount Lofty House’s history, founded by Arthur Hardy in 1852, who planted the first vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. Today, that legacy lives on through a wine list that celebrates the diversity, quality and global significance of South Australia’s regions, from the Adelaide Hills and Barossa to McLaren Vale, Clare Valley, Coonawarra and Langhorne Creek.

Standouts on the list include Australian greats like Hill of Grace, Grange and The Florita, alongside an adventurous and rare selection by the glass. Guests can enjoy back-vintages like Jim Barry Lodge Hill Riesling 1999, Wynns John Riddoch 1998 or even a Seppeltsfield Tawny from 1924, offerings rarely seen outside private cellars. Adding another layer of exclusivity is Hardy’s own estate-grown sparkling wine, crafted with Xavier Bizot of Tapanappa.

Photo: John Krüger

“We are always trying to source the exceptional and the rarest wines for our guests to enhance their experience while dining with us,” shared Maxime. “Our guests love hearing the story of our historic vines and this vintage, especially since it has produced a vibrant and traditional method sparkling.”

Pairing these wines with the restaurant’s Modern Australian menu is a collaborative and creative process, shaped closely with head chef Alessandro. Together, the kitchen and cellar work together, tasting, refining and building pairings that elevate both the plate and the glass. It’s an approach that feels intuitive, generous and distinctly Hills-driven.

“Food and wine pairing is an exercise, and I take great pleasure in creating wonderful unions. Everything starts from Alessandro’s, our Head Chef’s, inspiration. He shares with us his ideas and inspirations, and then I bring forth a selection of wines that I instantly think are potential candidates to match with the courses, and then we move forward with tasting together with his menu. It is a very unique, creative and honest experience.”

As we get deeper into summer, Hardy’s Verandah continues to invite guests to experience one of the country’s great wine lists in an equally spectacular setting. Whether you’re heading on down for a relaxed afternoon on the terrace overlooking the Piccadilly Valley, a refined High Tea, or a full degustation journey, this award-winning cellar makes sure every visit is memorable.

Find them at 1 Mawson Drive, Crafers, SA 5152.

Hardy’s Verandah
When: Open 7 Days
Where: 1 Mawson Drive, Crafers, SA 5152
For more information, click here.

To read more about the 2025 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards, click here.