The Great Wine Capitals Global Network announces the international winners of the 2010 ‘Best Of’ wine tourism awards
Château Giscours in Margaux hosted the 7th annual international ‘Best Of’ Wine Tourism’ awards ceremony on November 5th. The award winners were chosen by an international jury from the 56 winners from each member city of the Network.
[Picture – Bodegas Mugas, Bilbao | Rioja, receiving the award]
The winners are:
Accommodation: Algodón Wine Estates – Mendoza
Algodón Wine Estates, at the base of the Andes, provides peaceful lodges and villas and emphasises eco-friendly concepts, such as natural fertilizers and organic crops, solar energy and clean power.The estate offers golf, winemaking and several excellent restaurants.
Architecture, Parks & Gardens: Quinta do Seixo – Porto
Located near Pinhão in the heart of the Douro winelands, visitors can see traditional vineyards on terraces as well as more modern planting styles. An excellent visitors’ centre explains these dramatic, often breathtaking, methods of production, with excellent wine tasting opportunities.
Art & Culture: Clos Pegase – San Francisco | Napa Valley
Owners Jan and Mitsuko Shrem created Clos Pegase as a temple to art and wine, sharing their wine and personal art collection with customers. Figures from Greek and Roman mythology – from Pegasus to Bacchus and Gaia – make continual appearances in the art and architecture of the winery and the cave theatre.
Innovative Experiences and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices:
Bodegas Muga – Bilbao | Rioja
Bodegas Muga, one of the first wineries in Rioja to open its doors to tourists, provides visitors with a quality learning experience. The cellars contain their own cooperage, allowing visitors to learn about the process of barrel making, so central to the Muga style.
Sustainable wine tourism practices: Weingut Hemmes – Mainz | Rheinhessen
The Hemmes family, owners of a wine estate in Bingen-Kempten, has extended the idea of sustainablity from vineyards to the local environment. They have restored an historic schoolhouse in the heart of the village, converting it into a wine school with tasting rooms, a professional kitchen, and areas for presentations, readings or celebrations. Not only has this preserved a key piece of history, but energy is supplied to the building by geothermal heat.
Restaurants:
Castello del Trebbio – La Sosta del Gusto – Firenze
The large outside terrace is a perfect setting for this lovely restaurant, located in the Trebbio Castle, built as a small fortress in 1184 by the Pazzi Family, and passed into the hands of the present owners in 1968 who carried out extensive renovations. A restaurant, La Sosta del Gusto, was opened in 2006. It is renowned for its excellent seasonal menus and imaginative wine list.
Rust en Vrede Restaurant – Cape Town
The first South African estate to specialise in the exclusive production of red wine, Rust en Vrede, in the foodie destination of Stellenbosch, is now also famous for its top quality restaurant.The restaurant is located in the former wine cellar and is now a national monument. The kitchen is in full view of diners, creating a relaxed but exciting atmosphere. Diners can also choose an intimate side area for private dinners.
Wine Tourism Services: Château Pape Clément – Bordeaux
One of the best known châteaux of the Pessac-Leognan appellation, owner Bernard Magrez has invested heavily in winemaking and in restoring the château and winery. The Orangerie, the Barrel Cellar, and the Pavillon du Prelat offer spaces for personal and professional events, with a team on hand to organise everything. Luxury wine tastings are also offered, as are tours around Magrez’s other Bordeaux vineyards.
To learn more about the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, follow this link:
http://www.greatwinecapitals.com
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