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The results of the 2021 Great Wine Capitals\u2019 Best of Wine Tourism Awards have just been announced, not only the best Winery per country, \u00a0but 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. \u00a0The wine estate also won the South African award in the Innovative Wine Experience category. <\/p>\n
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. \u00a0The 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.<\/p>\n
The six wineries winning the 2021 Best of Wine Tourism country awards <\/u><\/b>were \u00a0the following:<\/p>\n
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# \u00a0 Creation, Cape Town and the Cape Winelands<\/p>\n
# \u00a0 Superuco Winery in Mendoza, Argentina<\/p>\n
# \u00a0 Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, in Adelaide in Australia<\/p>\n
# \u00a0 Weingut Th\u00f6rle, Mainz – Rheinhessen, Germany<\/p>\n
# \u00a0 Monverde Wine Experience Hotel in Porto, Portugal<\/p>\n
#. \u00a0Albino Armani Viticoltori dal 1607 in Verona, Italy<\/p>\n
Creation was praised as follows: \u00a0\u2018Wine 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 \u201ctasting ambassador\u201d from the Creation Team to each visitor, limiting guest\u00b4s interaction to that one person and ensuring exclusive attention and engagement.\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n
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The wineries winning the regional 2021 Cape Town and Cape Winelands Best of Wine Tourism Awards<\/b><\/u> were as follows:<\/p>\n
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# \u00a0 Accommodation: Lanzerac Wine Estate<\/u><\/p>\n
\u2018On 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.\u00a0 On arrival at this 326-year-old working wine estate on the outskirts of historic Stellenbosch, visitors will be received in the elegant Governor\u2019s 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.\u00a0 Space and privacy are inherent.\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n
# \u00a0 Innovative Wine Tourism Experience: Creation Wines<\/u><\/p>\n
\u2018Wine 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\u00a0tasting kits.\u00a0Apart from the tasting of wines and the culinary pairing options, it is\u00a0also about the finest glassware, the modern local art on exhibition and the\u00a0interaction that\u00a0visitors can have with the Creation team. This includes kitchen\u00a0staff, tasting room staff and personal interaction with the winemaker and the\u00a0owners of the estate\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n
# \u00a0Art & Culture: La Motte Wine Estate<\/u><\/p>\n
\u2018At 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\u00a0Huberte Rupert, and their equally art-and-culture conscious daughter Hanneli, owner of La Motte, the\u00a0incorporation of art and culture with the estates’ tourism experience is only natural.<\/i><\/p>\n
Some of the experiences include:<\/i><\/p>\n # \u00a0Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices : La Motte Wine Estate<\/u><\/p>\n \u2018La Motte is committed to the Principles and Practices of Excellence in wine production and environmental\u00a0sustenance and shares its philosophy with its visitors to create awareness of environmental conservation.\u00a0La Motte is dedicated to sustainable farming practices and puts a premium on sharing the importance of\u00a0environmental sustainability with guests.\u00a0A dedicated corner in the Wine Tasting Room tells the tale of La Motte\u2019s success in environmental sustainability.\u00a0Visitors can view La Motte\u2019s environmental policy, the various environmental innovations, as well as the numerous\u00a0certifications, schemes and awards received\u2019.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n # \u00a0 Wine Tourism Services: La Motte Wine Estate<\/u><\/p>\n \u2018La Motte Wine Estate enjoys international acclaim for its innovative wine tourism offering and with the introduction\u00a0of a Curated Wine Tasting Experience, guests are now invited to choose an exclusive and tailored wine tasting\u00a0experience and explore their passion for wine.\u00a0Curated Wine Tastings are presented in a venue that offers views on\u00a0both the working cellar and maturation cellar and features a unique Syrah Studio for an unusual acquaintance with\u00a0this varietal – a comparative Syrah tasting of various vintages. Other tasting experiences include the Vinoteque tasting, Varietal-specific glass tasting, Food & Wine pairing\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n # \u00a0 Architecture and Landscape: Delaire Graff<\/u><\/p>\n \u2018Visiting Delaire Graff Estate is always an unforgettable experience.\u00a0Situated on the crest of the vertiginous Helshoogte mountain pass, between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the 40-hectare\u00a0property is at the heart of South Africa\u2019s most historic and prestigious wine-growing region.\u00a0Delaire Graff Estate\u00a0includes an ultra-modern winery with an elegant wine lounge, two restaurants, a tranquil spa and a collection of villa-style\u00a0lodges. 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\u2019s modern interpretation of Cape Dutch vernacular style.\u00a0The property\u2019s glamorous interiors, oozing local provenance and impressive attention to detail, were masterminded by the\u00a0David Collins Studio\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n # \u00a0 Wine Tourism Restaurants : Delaire Graff<\/u><\/p>\n \u2018Pairing innovative cuisine with award-winning wines, dining at Delaire Graff is a sensational experience. Our two restaurants\u00a0transform the freshest seasonal ingredients into accomplished, artful dishes, backdropped by iconic Cape Winelands views.\u00a0The dining experience at Delaire Graff Estate is one to savour, with talented chefs serving innovative cuisine paired with\u00a0award-winning wines at both Delaire Graff Restaurant and Indochine. Delaire Graff Restaurant\u2019s award winning menu of\u00a0contemporary, bistro-chic dishes is a seasonally changing delight.\u00a0\u00a0Known for its stylish, extensive oak-shaded terrace and\u00a0extraordinary views of Banghoek Valley. Serving contemporary, bistro-chic menus curated by newly-appointed Head Chef,\u00a0Kayla-Ann Osborn\u2019.<\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 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:<\/p>\n # \u00a0Superuco Winery, a biodynamic and organic wine producer in the Uco Valley of Mendoza, # \u00a0 Diam\u2019s at Diamandes Winery, winning the Country Award for Best of Wine Tourism Restaurant.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Congratulations to all our local as well as he international winners.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com\/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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winning the Country award for Best of Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices (Photograph)<\/p>\n