The results of the 2021 Great Wine Capitals’ Best of Wine Tourism Awards have just been announced, not only the best Winery per country,  but also the winners in a number of categories in each of six countries in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network. Creation Wines in the Hemel en Aarde Valley has done our country proud by winning the Country Award for South Africa.  The wine estate also won the South African award in the Innovative Wine Experience category.

The Great Wine Capitals is a Global Network of countries which share internationally renowned wine regions as a key economic and cultural asset. The wine tourism network of eleven wine tourism regions around the world hosts an annual Best of Wine Tourism awards competition, first on a country wine region basis, and thereafter country winners are announced. For the first time since its inception, not all the member countries participated in the Awards competition this year, given the Covid-19 pandemic.  The participating wine regions this year were Cape Town and the Cape Winelands in South Africa, Porto in Portugal, Mendoza in Argentina, Mainz & Rheinhessen in Germany, Verona in Italy, and Adelaide in Australia.

The six wineries winning the 2021 Best of Wine Tourism country awards were  the following:

 

#   Creation, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands

#   Superuco Winery in Mendoza, Argentina

#   Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, in Adelaide in Australia

#   Weingut Thörle, Mainz – Rheinhessen, Germany

#   Monverde Wine Experience Hotel in Porto, Portugal

#.  Albino Armani Viticoltori dal 1607 in Verona, Italy

Creation was praised as follows:  ‘Wine tastings at Creation Wines are always a complete immersion into the entire experience of wine. On the back of COVID-19 this winery situated in the picturesque Hemel en Aarde Valley, launched the virtual tasting packs to allow their customers to enjoy a sensory and guided tasting of 6 wines in the comfort of their own homes. Another innovative initiative is to assign one “tasting ambassador” from the Creation Team to each visitor, limiting guest´s interaction to that one person and ensuring exclusive attention and engagement.’

 

The wineries winning the regional 2021 Cape Town and Cape Winelands Best of Wine Tourism Awards were as follows:

 

#   Accommodation: Lanzerac Wine Estate

‘On the 1st of July 2018, Lanzerac Hotel & Spa have reopened after a year-long regeneration journey that has seen the Hotel being restored to its former grandeur following a devastating fire in 2017. Like the fynbos endemic to the Cape, which rejuvenates by fire every few years, this iconic landmark is now blooming with enhanced guest experiences.  On arrival at this 326-year-old working wine estate on the outskirts of historic Stellenbosch, visitors will be received in the elegant Governor’s Hall. The hotel has 53 exquisitely styled rooms or suites, all of which reflect the rich history of the Estate, but with contemporary influences carefully blended in.  Space and privacy are inherent.’

#   Innovative Wine Tourism Experience: Creation Wines

‘Wine tourism is much more than just tasting wine. It is an immersion into the entire experience of wine and at Creation Wines they strive to maximise that experience, making it holistic and complete. During Covid-19 they have included sensorial tasting experiences even in their virtual tasting kits. Apart from the tasting of wines and the culinary pairing options, it is also about the finest glassware, the modern local art on exhibition and the interaction that visitors can have with the Creation team. This includes kitchen staff, tasting room staff and personal interaction with the winemaker and the owners of the estate’.

#  Art & Culture: La Motte Wine Estate

‘At La Motte Wine Estate, wine-making itself is performed as an art and an important ingredient of culture. With the added benefit of La Motte & close association with avid art lovers and collectors, the late Dr Anton and Ms Huberte Rupert, and their equally art-and-culture conscious daughter Hanneli, owner of La Motte, the incorporation of art and culture with the estates’ tourism experience is only natural.

Some of the experiences include:

• Museum hosting an information hall, two art exhibitions and an area for listening to music. 
• Permanent art collection – J.H. Pierneef’s private collection. 
• Temporary art collection Classical music concerts 
• Art Experience – hosting experts on topics related to the current contemporary exhibition. 
• Historic Walk
• The Wine Bearer – an impressive sculpture that welcomes visitors to the estate. 
• Sculpture Walk’ 

#  Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices : La Motte Wine Estate

‘La Motte is committed to the Principles and Practices of Excellence in wine production and environmental sustenance and shares its philosophy with its visitors to create awareness of environmental conservation. La Motte is dedicated to sustainable farming practices and puts a premium on sharing the importance of environmental sustainability with guests. A dedicated corner in the Wine Tasting Room tells the tale of La Motte’s success in environmental sustainability. Visitors can view La Motte’s environmental policy, the various environmental innovations, as well as the numerous certifications, schemes and awards received’. 

#   Wine Tourism Services: La Motte Wine Estate

‘La Motte Wine Estate enjoys international acclaim for its innovative wine tourism offering and with the introduction of a Curated Wine Tasting Experience, guests are now invited to choose an exclusive and tailored wine tasting experience and explore their passion for wine. Curated Wine Tastings are presented in a venue that offers views on both the working cellar and maturation cellar and features a unique Syrah Studio for an unusual acquaintance with this varietal – a comparative Syrah tasting of various vintages. Other tasting experiences include the Vinoteque tasting, Varietal-specific glass tasting, Food & Wine pairing’.

#   Architecture and Landscape: Delaire Graff

‘Visiting Delaire Graff Estate is always an unforgettable experience. Situated on the crest of the vertiginous Helshoogte mountain pass, between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the 40-hectare property is at the heart of South Africa’s most historic and prestigious wine-growing region. Delaire Graff Estate includes an ultra-modern winery with an elegant wine lounge, two restaurants, a tranquil spa and a collection of villa-style lodges. The architecture is contemporary and sophisticated while remaining uniquely South African. Thatched roofs, sleek gables and polished plaster walls in earthy tones are part of the Estate’s modern interpretation of Cape Dutch vernacular style. The property’s glamorous interiors, oozing local provenance and impressive attention to detail, were masterminded by the David Collins Studio’.

#   Wine Tourism Restaurants : Delaire Graff

‘Pairing innovative cuisine with award-winning wines, dining at Delaire Graff is a sensational experience. Our two restaurants transform the freshest seasonal ingredients into accomplished, artful dishes, backdropped by iconic Cape Winelands views. The dining experience at Delaire Graff Estate is one to savour, with talented chefs serving innovative cuisine paired with award-winning wines at both Delaire Graff Restaurant and Indochine. Delaire Graff Restaurant’s award winning menu of contemporary, bistro-chic dishes is a seasonally changing delight.  Known for its stylish, extensive oak-shaded terrace and extraordinary views of Banghoek Valley. Serving contemporary, bistro-chic menus curated by newly-appointed Head Chef, Kayla-Ann Osborn’.

 

Last year I was fortunate to spend four days in Mendoza, going on three wine tours. I visited two of the wineries on the Argentinian 2021 Best of Wine Tourism Awards List, Superuco Winery being named the 2021 Country winner:

#  Superuco Winery, a biodynamic and organic wine producer in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, winning the Country award for Best of Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices (Photograph)

#   Diam’s at Diamandes Winery, winning the Country Award for Best of Wine Tourism Restaurant.

 

Congratulations to all our local as well as he international winners.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein

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