Just 12 tables and 1,300 wines earn Adelaide Hills restaurant double MICHELIN recognition

Tweet

Pictured above: Head Sommelier Maxime Martin

An Adelaide Hills restaurant boasting more than 1,300 wines and just 12 tables has received international recognition, with its head sommelier taking home a major honour at Australia’s first MICHELIN Guide ceremony.

Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, located within Mount Lofty House in Crafers, has been named in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide South Australia 2027, while Head Sommelier Maxime Martin received the prestigious MICHELIN Sommelier Award.

The announcement was made at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday night, marking another milestone for the historic Adelaide Hills estate.

For Maxime, the recognition celebrates the work behind one of the state’s most extensive restaurant wine collections.

He oversees a wine list featuring more than 1,300 labels, described by the restaurant as the largest in South Australia, spanning local, interstate and international producers.

The collection also includes an exclusive sparkling wine made for Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant and received a Best of Award of Excellence in Wine Spectator’s 2026 Restaurant Awards, making it one of just 20 Australian venues to achieve the distinction.

“Receiving the Michelin Sommelier Award is a tremendous honour. Wine has always been central to the experience at Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, and this recognition belongs to our whole team and to the South Australian, Australian and International winemakers whose work we are proud to share with our guests,” Maxime said.

Despite the scale of its wine collection, Hardy’s Verandah offers an intimate dining experience, with just 12 tables available each evening overlooking the Piccadilly Valley.

Behind the scenes, the restaurant is supported by a team of more than 50 people, including five sommeliers, with the estate believing it has the largest fine dining team in South Australia.

The kitchen is led by Head Chef Alessandro Mangione, whose career has taken him from northern Italy’s Piedmont region to London, New Zealand and the Adelaide Hills.

Alessandro was part of the original team when Hardy’s Verandah opened in 2017, before returning as Head Chef in 2025.

Since his return, he has refined the menu around seasonal South Australian produce, drawing on his Italian heritage and experience working internationally.

Head Chef Alessandro Mangione

His dishes reflect the changing seasons, with ingredients sourced from local farmers, growers and artisan producers.

The restaurant’s history also influences the dining experience.

Mount Lofty House was originally built in 1852 as a summer residence for prominent South Australian statesman Arthur Hardy, becoming known for its elaborate social gatherings.

Today, the historic property operates as a luxury adults-only retreat, with Hardy’s Verandah at the centre of its dining offering.

The latest recognition follows a successful period for the estate, with Hardy’s Verandah awarded three hats by the Australian Good Food Guide in 2025, while Mount Lofty Estate also received recognition in the MICHELIN Hotel Keys awards last month.

For estate owner David Horbelt, the recognition reflects the team’s commitment to delivering a memorable experience from the moment guests arrive.

“Elevation from the first interaction to the final course is a responsibility the restaurant holds with pride and is honoured to be recognised within this historic culinary milestone for South Australia,” David said.

The restaurant is led by Estate Food and Beverage Manager Fraser Bock alongside Alessandro, with the broader team continuing to build on the property’s reputation as one of the Adelaide Hills’ leading dining destinations.

With South Australia becoming the first Australian destination featured in the MICHELIN Guide, the recognition places another international spotlight on the region’s food, wine and hospitality industry.