Sister city: Grapevine, Texas

Each year, Barossa is proudly represented at GrapeFest, bringing a taste of the region to Texas. From masterclasses and exclusive tastings to food and wine pairing experiences, Barossa winemakers share their knowledge, stories, and wines with festival-goers. In 2024, winemaker Dean Hewitson of Hewitson Estate led a series of masterclasses, offering insights into Barossa’s rich winemaking traditions.

This partnership extends beyond wine, creating opportunities for education, sport, and cultural exchange. A local high school student cohort will soon travel to Grapevine to learn about agriculture, viticulture, and event management, gaining hands-on experience while fostering lifelong connections. Meanwhile, the Sister City Touchdown & Taste off – held as part of the Barossa Vintage Festival – celebrates the growing ties between the two communities, bringing together sport, food, and friendly competition.

More than a formal agreement, this is a relationship built on shared experiences, new friendships, and a mutual appreciation for community and culture. Through ongoing exchange programs and joint events, Barossa and Grapevine continue to learn from each other, strengthening the bond between two regions that, despite being half a world apart, feel remarkably connected.

The results, due to a combination of the integrity of the system coupled with the talent of the judges, are an extremely good indicator of which producers are performing well. Whilst being a judge on the main judging panel is invite only, there is one guest associate position open to wine enthusiasts, who can bid on the position through the annual wine show award dinner auction. Bidding is fierce for this opportunity, with past successful bidders coming from overseas and interstate.