Zoos SA is roaring with excitement after its Grapes for good initiative, which supports critical conservation work in partnership with six wineries from the Langhorne Creek region, took away the award for ‘Tourism Collaboration Excellence’ in the 2023 Best of Wine Tourism Awards.

A delighted Zoos SA’s Partnership Manager Stephanie Engelaar said “Grapes for good is proof that wine can be a force for betterment. Every drop can make a real difference and help to connect people with nature and save species from extinction.

“Grapes for good has just celebrated its first birthday and what a way to celebrate! This award confirms that not only are we one of the largest tourism attractions in regional South Australia but that the South Australian community cares for the critical conservation work at our sites, in Australia and around the globe!” said Stephanie.

The award was particularly exciting for all involved as ‘Tourism Collaboration Excellence’ was a brand-new category, with Grapes for good the inaugural recipients.

“This is a very exciting time for Monarto Safari Park and the partnering wineries. Showcasing this unique initiative in a new category for the Best of Wine Tourism Awards will amplify how organisations from different sectors can work together, and hopefully inspire conservation action,” Stephanie concluded.

Zoos SA is proud to partner with six wineries from the Langhorne Creek region as part of the ‘Grapes for good’ initiative. Monarto Safari Park, Kimbolton Wines, Bleasdale, Bremerton, Lake Breeze, The Winehouse and Vineyard Road wineries have created a unique mix of wines to support Zoos SA’s conservation mission.

Giraffe, Bongo, Meerkat, Plains Zebra, Ring-tailed Lemur and African Painted Dog are species represented and benefiting by sales of the wines.

Kimbolton Wines’ Nicole Clark said she is excited to be partnering with Zoos SA with two of her excellent drops.

“I was excited when I first heard about the Grapes for good concept from Zoos SA. I was already working with the team at Monarto Safari Park to support Cheetah conservation, so I’d seen the amazing response from our customers, tourists, industry partners and the zoo community. I knew that bringing six wineries from our beautiful wine region together to support Grapes for good could only be positive for the wineries, Zoos SA’s conservation work and for the region.

“If you care about animals and you love wine, there’s never been a more exciting time to visit the six wineries based in Langhorne Creek to grab a bottle, or six, of the Grapes for good wines,” finished Nicole.

With more than 70% of the species at Monarto Safari Park threatened with extinction in the wild, support through initiatives such as Grapes for good is vital. To find out more visit: monartosafari.com.au/grapes-for-good/.