CELEBRATING excellence and innovation, the ‘Great Wine Capitals’ Best Of Wine Tourism Awards recognise the top experiences on offer to those visiting the 11 greatest wine regions of the world, although, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, only six of the 11 regions participated in the 2020 contest. The participants this year comprised 200 entrants in the winelands surrounding ​​​Adelaide (Australia), Cape Town (South Africa), Mainz-Rheinhessen (Germany), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal) and Verona (Italy). In the regionals, SA winners included Delaire Graff and Lanzerac of Stellenbosch, Creation of Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge outside Hermanus as well as La Motte of Franschhoek. And it was Creation Wines that placed among the six champions internationally, with kudos also going to Wirra Wirra Vineyards in McLaren Vale, Weingut Thörle in Germany, Superuco Winery in Mendonza, Monverde Wine Experience Hotel in Porto and Albino Armani Viticoltori dal 1607 in Verona.

Creation has played a pioneering role in the field of wine-and-food pairing in the Cape, with options at the estate including Canapé and Small Plate Pairing Menus (R395pp and R695pp), a Blackboard Menu pairing involving a choice of various dishes (R50pp to R220pp), a three-course Brunch pairing (SQ) and a Wine & Chocolate Pairing (R150pp). The estate of Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin was also honoured at the local 2020 Wine & Food Tourism Awards earlier in the year, where the other winners included AA Badenhorst outside Malmesbury, Benguela Cove outside Bot River, La Motte and Leopard’s Leap in Franschhoek, Spier in Stellenbosch and Vergelegen in Somerset West.

COLLECTIVELY, the ‘Great Wine Capitals’ typically receive over 20-million visitors a year, and have an increasing number of attractions, from winery restaurants to hands-on visitor experiences to tailored food-and-wine-matching tasting experiences. Properties compete for the alliance’s ‘Best of Wine Tourism’ awards that celebrate a number of the greatest wine regions in the world: Adelaide (South Australia), Bordeaux (France), Cape Winelands (South Africa), Casablanca Valley (Chile), Lausanne (Switzerland), Mendoza (Argentina), Napa Valley (USA), Porto (Portugal), Rheinhessen (Germany), Rioja (Spain) and Verona (Italy).

SOUTH AFRICA’S 2021 GLOBAL WINNER

Creation Wines – Innovative Wine Tourism Experience
“Sensorial tasting experiences… 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…”

SOUTH AFRICA’S 2021 REGIONAL WINNERS

Delaire Graff Estate – Architecture & Landscape, Wine Tourism Restaurants
“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…”
“Talented chefs serving innovative cuisine paired with award-winning wines… Award winning menu of contemporary, bistro-chic dishes… Stylish, extensive oak-shaded terrace and extraordinary views of Banghoek Valley…”

La Motte – Art & Culture, Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices, Wine Tourism Services
Experiences include: a museum hosting an information hall, two art exhibitions and an area for listening to music; art exhibitions including JH Pierneef’s private collection; classical music concerts; historic walk; sculpture walk.
“Curated wine tastings are presented in a venue that offers views of both the working cellar and maturation cellar and features a unique Syrah Studio…”

Lanzerac – Accommodation
“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.”