The awards ceremony was held at Vergelegen Wine Estate on 27 November 2013 and attended by 80 guests.
Picture: The team from Vergelegen with Alderman Cornelius De Bruyn, Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality
South African winner and international Best Of Wine Tourism winner: Art and Culture
Vergelegen Wine Estate
Lourensford Road, Somerset West, 7130
Phone: +27 21 847 1334 (Head Office) / +27 21 847 2122 (Information & Wine Tasting Centre)
Fax: +27 21 847 1608
Email: info@vergelegen.co.za
vergelegen.co.za
Set in the pastoral tranquility of extensive gardens and grounds, the Vergelegen Homestead and associated buildings have been refurbished and offer interiors that provide a layered historicism of the 300 years of Vergelegen’s existence. This is achieved through the display of treasured antiques, objets and ceramics set against the backdrop of important artworks from the Permanent Collection of Iziko Museum’s South African National Gallery. For the visitor’s added enjoyment and interest, there are informative displays at the Homestead focusing on Cape cultural history. The ‘Stables at Vergelegen’ Bistro and ‘Camphors at Vergelegen’ Restaurant offer visitors a new eclectic display of South African artwork including community based initiatives, reflecting the harmony between the ‘old’ and ‘new’ at Vergelegen.
Regional winner: Wine Tourism Restaurant
Vergelegen Wine Estate
Lourensford Road, Somerset West, 7130
Phone: +27 21 847 1334 (Head Office) / +27 21 847 1346 (Camphors Restaurant)
Fax: +27 21 847 1608
Email: info@vergelegen.co.za or camphors@vergelegen.co.za
vergelegen.co.za
‘Camphors at Vergelegen’ is Vergelegen’s signature restaurant which takes its name from the magnificent camphor trees planted in 1700 – situated in front of the historic homestead. The restaurant overlooks expansive lawns and beautiful trees which compliments the overall dining experience and creates an ambiance never to be forgotten.
Vergelegen produces classic wine varietals which Executive Chef PJ Vadas and his team have carefully paired with dishes that reflect a modern take on local and international classic food. The menu reflects a cuisine style that shows simple restraint with complex precision whilst supporting only local producers. PJ is passionate about sourcing only local ingredients and is often heard boasting that no foreign products will be found in his ‘pantry’ (besides his partiality to Belgian chocolate). Restaurant Manager and Sommelier, Christo Deyzel, and his team guide visitors through the menu and preferred wine selection to ensure a truly relaxed but informative food and wine experience. This experience is tailored seamlessly to wine & food connoisseurs and everyday visitors alike who want to enjoy an unpressured dining experience.
Regional winner: Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
La Motte Wine Estate
R45, Main Road, Franschhoek, 7690
Phone: +27 21 876 8000
Fax: +27 21 876 3446
Email: cellar@la-motte.com
la-motte.com
La Motte Estate is situated in one of the most scenic areas of the Cape Winelands – the Franschhoek Valley. Amongst its special attributes are a wine tasting room, a restaurant, a museum, hiking trail and farm shop – all contributing to an entertaining and educational Winelands experience. Being farmed in a sustainable and organic way, further add to La Motte’s appeal and guests are invited to learn more on guided walks. Environmental management remains a priority at La Motte. A formal environmental policy is in place. The sensitive ecosystem of fynbos has been rehabilitated and all farming is organic. Numerous awards acknowledge La Motte’s commitment towards the environment.
Regional Winner: Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences
The Spice Route Destination
Suider Agter Paarl Road, Paarl, 7624
Phone: +27 21 863 5200
Fax: +27 21 863 3797
Email: info@spiceroute.co.za
spiceroute.co.za
The Spice Route experience is a completely unique concept for the wine and hospitality industry. A carefully curated selection of artisans showcase a wide range of innovative and unique winelands experiences at one destination. It is a collaboration of artisans that showcase their produce and share their knowledge with their visitors and each other. Tasting and experiences include wine tasting, beer tasting, biltong tasting, artisan chocolate tasting, tea tasting and Grappa tasting. The visitors experience is further enhanced with a glass blowing studio and the Spice Route Restaurant.
Regional Winner: Wine Tourism Services
Delaire Graff Estate
Hellshoogte Pass, Stellenbosch, 7602
Phone: +27 21 885 8160
Fax: +27 21 885 1270
Email: info@delaire.co.za
delaire.co.za
Delaire Graff is one of South Africa’s most desirable art, hospitality and wine destinations, featuring two outstanding restaurants, a state-of-the-art winery, exclusive Lodges, a destination Spa and two luxury boutiques. Guests of the Delaire Graff Wine Lounge are offered an opportunity to experience the ultimate tasting in a refined but inviting setting. The relaxed lounge allows its guests to enjoy a leisurely tutored tasting conducted by knowledgeable staff. One may also heighten the experience with pre-arranged tours of the cellar, recently renovated into one of the most advanced in the southern hemisphere.
Regional Winner: Architecture & Landscapes as well as Accommodation
Babylonstoren
Klapmuts/Simondium Road, Paarl, 7670
Phone: +27 21 863 3852
Fax: +27 21 863 1727
Email: enquiries@babylonstoren.com
babylonstoren.com
A 240 hectare working wine and fruit farm that dates back over 300 years, with an exceptionally well-preserved werf. A Garden of Diversity pays tribute to the gardening traditions of the Cape. Guest accommodation reflects the integrity of the original architecture of the Drakenstein Valley and its symplistic blending with landscape and climate. Guests may enjoy a walk in the remarkable fruit and vegetable garden, along the Clivia lined stream, sample wines grown on the slopes around the Simonsberg and enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants where distinct flavours celebrate the seasons and the bounty of the garden.
About the Great Wine Capitals Global Network
Founded in 1999, the Great Wine Capitals Global Network is an alliance of ten internationally renowned wine regions – Bordeaux, France; Cape Town|Cape Winelands, South Africa; Christchurch|South Island, New Zealand; Florence, Italy; Mainz|Rheinhessen, Germany; Mendoza, Argentina; Porto, Portugal; Bilbao|Rioja, Spain; San Francisco|Napa Valley, USA and Valparaiso|Casablanca Valley, Chile.
The Best Of Wine Tourism awards serve as an industry benchmark for excellence and recognize leading wineries and wine-tourism related businesses within each Great Wine Capital that have distinguished themselves in areas such as innovation, service and sustainable practices. For more information visit greatwinecapitals.com.
Written by Decanter
