GrapeFest® Attendee Wins Trip of a Lifetime

GrapeFest Winner's Australian Adventure

Last year at GrapeFest, one lucky attendee won a once-in-a-lifetime trip for two to Australia, courtesy of Qantas Airlines. This year, the contest is back, offering another chance for one lucky winner to embark on an unforgettable journey. We caught up with last year's winner, who shared her incredible experiences exploring the Land Down Under.

Adventures in Adelaide

The adventure began in Adelaide, where our winner and her travel companion stayed at the Pullman, a high-rise hotel nestled in the heart of the city. The duo spent their days wandering the city streets, exploring local shops and taking in the sights. "We went to a Botanical Garden, which was of great interest, as we both love plants and nature. The vegetation was amazing! Similar plants were so much bigger in Australia than in Texas," she said.

Wildlife Wonders at Gorge Wildlife Park

The most cherished memory from the trip? "Our very favorite part of the trip was holding a koala and feeding the wallabies at the Gorge Wildlife Park," she shared. This was an experience they never imagined they would have and it quickly became the highlight of their Australian adventure. "The park was so interesting with many unusual animals and birds to see up close," she added.

Exploring Barossa Valley

From Adelaide, the winner was taken to the Barossa Valley, a region famous for its vineyards and stunning landscapes. They stayed at the Barossa Novotel, a beautiful contrast to the bustling city of Adelaide. "The accommodation was lovely with lots of grapevines and wide-open spaces," she recalled. A special treat was spotting wild wallabies grazing near their hotel. "We were afraid that we wouldn't see any in the wild but there they were. So precious," she fondly remembered.

Next was a tour that took them to several renowned wineries including Barossa Wine Cellar, Elderton Wines, Yolumba Family Winemakers and Lambert Estate Wines. Although neither of the travelers considered themselves wine connoisseurs, they thoroughly enjoyed tasting the different wines and learning about them. "If we had a favorite, it would be the Yolumba Winery because of all the historical items they had on display," she noted. They also got to try something new—Bush Dukkah, a mix of nuts, seeds and spices traditionally eaten as an appetizer by dipping fresh bread into oil and then into the Dukkah.

Memorable Moments and Final Farewell

The trip concluded with some time to explore the surrounding towns, each with its own sense of unique charm. They visited a town fair, saw a blacksmith shop and marveled at the 1877 Hill & Son Grand Pipe Organ, which stood as tall as a two-story building. "We even ate at a 1950s diner featuring Elvis paraphernalia and foods," she mentioned, highlighting the delightful quirks of their journey.

Before flying back home, they made a final stop in Sydney, where they took a ferry to Manly Beach and dipped their feet in the water. A tour of the Sydney Opera House marked the perfect ending to their Australian adventure.

Reflecting on her trip, our winner expressed her gratitude: "Australia was on my bucket list and I am so grateful to everyone who put the giveaway trip together. This was a trip of a lifetime."

As GrapeFest approaches, the excitement builds for the next lucky winner who will get to experience their own dream trip to South Australia. Be sure to enter the contest at this year's GrapeFest for your chance at an unforgettable adventure!