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As Bordeaux celebrates a 21% rise in wine tourist numbers, the region has again rewarded the most welcoming, innovative experiences on offer to its visitors.
The ‘Best Of’ Wine Tourism Prizes, now in their sixth successful year, are an initiative of the Great Wine Capitals. This group is made up of eight world-famous capitals linked to wine-producing regions of internationally recognised prestige: Bilbao-Rioja, Bordeaux, Cape Town, Florence, Mainz-Rhine Valley, Mendoza, Porto and San Francisco-Napa Valley.
In the Bordeaux region, the competition is open to wineries and wine-related businesses. This year, a total of 87 candidates were competing for the prizes.
The national winners of the 2009 Best Of Wine Tourism Awards, will go on to compete for the prestigious international prizes in Cape Town, in November 2008. Last year saw over 320 properties from five continents competing for the international titles.
Find out all the winners on www.greatwinecapitals.com
The winners of the sixth “Best Of” Wine Tourism competition in Bordeaux are as follows:
Sustainable Wine Tourism: Chateau Cablanc
Chateau Cablanc is only ten minutes from Saint Emilion but is located in a tiny hidden-away valley. The family-orientated tour takes visitors on a nature trail through the valley and its vineyards, explaining the importance of protecting the local environment in quality wine-making.
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences: Chateau d’Agassac
One of the oldest estates in the Medoc, dating back to the 13th century, but with one of the most innovative approaches to wine tourism. The informative tour has separate circuits for adults and children, and gives each visitor an iPod to guide them around the property. Wine-making is explained through a search for princesses and fairytales!
Accommodation: Chateau Carbonneau
An easy drive from both Saint Emilion and Bergerac, this idyllic property offers luxury accommodation in individually- decorated rooms, and can organise wine discovery programmes for visitors.
Architecture, Parks & Gardens: Chateau Franc Mayne
Within walking distance of Saint Emilion centre, this Grand Cru Class property is set in striking, perfectly proportioned grounds. Both the exterior and interior of this chateau has been architecturally-designed.
Business Tourism: Chateau Haut Bailly
This beautiful Pessac Leognan property, with large entertaining and work space for conferences or meetings, is owned by financier Robert Wilmers and run by Veronique Sanders. 2008 has seen the launch of a successful partnership with Mollat books and the opening of a boutique selling a range of titles on wine, food and art de vivre – giving even further prestige to a business event held here.
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences, Special Jury Prize: Chateau La Rose Bellevue
Chteau La Rose Bellevue in Cotes de Bordeaux: Blaye is run by the Eymas family, who receive visitors with genuine warmth and charm. They have recently opened the Secret Garden; an innovative tourism circuit offering food and wine matching and picnics to tourists in the grounds of their property.
www.chateau-larosebellevue.com
Find out all the winners on www.greatwinecapitals.com
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