Tag Archives: Cape Winelands

SA Winners of 2022 Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best of Wine Tourism and Ambassadors Awards announced!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The winners of the South African leg of the 2022 Great Wine Capitals have just been announced by Wesgro. Two wine estates won in two categories each.

Added to the local Awards are Tourism Ambassador Awards, not an official category in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network annual awards, but added to the South African awards only.

South Africa is one of 11 wine-producing regions of the Great Wine Capitals network. The regions are Adelaide in Australia, Bilbao and Rioja in Spain, Bordeaux in France, Cape Town and Cape Winelands in South Africa, Lausanne in Switzerland, Mainz and Rheinhessen in Germany, Mendoza in Argentina, Porto in Portugal, San Francisco and Napa Valley in the USA, Valparaiso and Casablanca Valley in Chile, and Verona in Italy.  Awards are presented annually in a number of categories pertaining to Best of Wine Tourism.

The 2022 winners of the South African Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best of Wine Tourism Awards are the following:

#   Accommodation: Delaire Graff in Stellenbosch – the accommodation offers opulence, views of the Banhoek Valley, a relaxing stay, a private patio, and a pillow menu.

#.  Wine Tourism Restaurants : Creation in Hermanus  – wine is paired to food, instead of the other way around at Creation, its latest pairing being a Canapé Pairing Menu. It also offers a Brunch Pairing, a Wine and Chocolate Pairing as well as an aromatic tea and food pairing.

#.  Architecture & Landscape: Vergelegen in Somerset West – recognised for its Octagonal Garden, the Camphor Forest, the Reflection Garden, the Sundial Garden, and the Fynbos Garden.

#.  Arts & Culture : La Motte in Franschhoek – recognised for its history and curated art shows, and Cape Dutch architecture.

#   Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences : Babylonstoren in Franschhoek – recognised for its wine tasting offered to visitors arriving with the Franschhoek Wine Tram, going on a cellar tour, and visit the new wine tunnel, representing centuries of wine making and storage.

#.  Wine Tourism Services : Creation in Hermanus – recognised for their Voormanhuis accommodation, local art, commitment to sustainability, and sourcing locally.

#   Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices : Vergelegen in Somerset West – recognised for the 20 year journey of its commitment to sustainability and rehabilitation, presented as an Environmental Tour to visitors. It is self-sufficient in water, and the meat and seafood used in its restaurants are locally sourced and ethically raised.

#   Ambassador Awards, celebrating ongoing Transformation:  AA Badenhorst, Paardenkloof Estate, and Dewetshof Estate.

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide

 

 

Tokara named 2016 Best Wine Tourism Restaurant in SA, reflects trend to local cuisine!

imageAt the conclusion of The Business of Wine & Food Tourism Conference held at Spier over the past two days, the seven South African winners of the 2016 Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Awards were announced.  Continue reading →

SA Brandy Foundation launches ‘Brandy Homes’ in the Cape, but not in homes!

imageNot to be confused with a private home in which one can drink Brandy, the new ‘Brandy Homes‘ are in fact Brandy producers in the Cape Winelands, the Karoo, and Northern Cape, which have been designed to make its visitors ‘sit back, relax, and learn all there is to know about Brandy‘. The ‘Brandy Homes‘ are an initiative created by the South African Brandy Foundation, allowing Brandy lovers Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 3 February

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Tourism Business Council of South Africa FNB Tourism Business Index reflects that the tourism industry is improving, with a score of 108 for the last quarter of 2014. A score of 100 is the norm.  The Accommodation sector did even better, with an Index of 113, despite the impact of Ebola, and the Immigration Regulation changes introduced late last year.  ‘Other Tourism‘ (e.g. transport, food and beverage) scored 104, lower than had been forecast for the quarter.  The exchange rate has played a role in the improving Index.  For the first quarter of this year an average Index of about 102 is expected.

*   The Cape Winelands is experiencing its earliest harvest in 49 years, having started very early in the new year, almost a month earlier than last year.  VinPro explains that three perfect winters with enough cold and sufficient rain, combined with an unusually warmer August, has led to the earlier harvest.  A smaller harvest is expected this year, but is expected to be of a good quality.  Winemakers are facing a challenge in their cellars in that many cultivars are ripening almost at the same time.

*   Cycling in Cape Town is one of the best ways to see our city, writes the Los Angeles Times, describing Continue reading →