Tag Archives: Somerset West

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

 

 

185 on Beach is literally … on the beach in Gordon’s Bay, superb views and service!

 

Last week I was spoilt with a two day stay at 185 on Beach, a four star guest house as well as self-catering accommodation establishment located on Beach Road in Gordon’s Bay, a few steps from the town’s famous Bikini Beach.

What was intended as an Instagram training trade exchange became two days of spoiling by owners Richard and Jeanette Loring, and added to my portfolio of sunset photographs, given the fantastic location of 185 on Beach. Continue reading →

Corona Virus: Lockdown Journey Journal, Day 10 of Level 3, 5 August 2021.

 

Thursday 5 August 2021, Day 10 of Level 3 😷

Corona Gratitude 🙏

#grateful for a wonderful day, with more abundance 🙏; for an early breakfast, having to leave 185 on Beach after 2 days of generous spoiling by Jeanette and Richard Loring; for a coffee/tea stop at Fancy Franks in Somerset West, owned by Michael Townsend, meeting GM Duncan Bruce, not having seen each other in years, since we met at Hartford House; for getting to my Harvest Culture Eaterie in the Tyger Waterfront spot on at 11h00, despite a traffic jam on the N2, as a result of a police van having done a somersault and landing on its roof 😱; for being appointed by Harvest Culture to continue with their Social Media after a probationary period 🙏🙏🙏; for having such a Continue reading →

Restaurant Review: Grand Pavilion is grand in its Food and Decor, yet affordable, Website and Service needs attention

 

I have great admiration for what Restaurateur Michael Townsend has achieved in more than twenty years of restauranting in Cape Town, always creative in the restaurant concepts.

At a time when most restaurant owners would not dream of opening a restaurant, Michael has boldly opened the grand Grand Pavilion on Beach Road in Sea Point, opposite the landmark Pavilion, two Sea Point icons now facing each other. Continue reading →