See the winners of the 2013 Best of Wine Tourism Awards in South Africa.
South African 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
http://www.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 the 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
Creation Wines
Hemel en Aarde Road, Hermanus, 7200
Phone: +27 28 212 1107
Fax: +27 28 212 1127
Email: info@creationwines.com
http://www.creationwines.com
Taking pride of place on the scenic Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, Creation is more than a wine farm, it is a glorious destination. Among the many highlights is an exciting excursion through the vineyards and a guided tour of the modern production and maturation cellars. The welcoming ambience of the tasting venue allows for relaxed, informal tasting whilst absorbing the splendid views. Innovative food and wine pairings, wine & chocolate pairings, exciting art exhibitions, seasonal food & wine and music events, innovative group activities such as ‘Blend your own Bottle’ and the introduction of iPads to enable guests to post wine reviews, place wine orders online and add details to the Creation database in order to receive exclusive offers and quarterly updates, all enhance the wine tourism experience.
Regional Winner: Accommodation
Grand Dédale Country House
Doolhof Wine Estate, Rustenburg Road, The Bovlei, Wellington, 7654
Phone: +27 21 873 4089
Fax: +27 21 873 4188
Email: info@granddedale.com
http://www.granddedale.com
Grand Dédale, located on Doolhof Wine Estate close to Wellington at the foot of the Bainskloof Pass, invites guests to an exclusive brand of elegant country house living. The deluxe five star facilities offers sweeping views of the valley as well as the Groenberg, Limietberg and Hawekwa mountains. Accommodation consists of beautifully appointed and individually designed rooms all reflecting the Cape Dutch elegance of the buildings with 21st century comfort and luxury. Facilities and leisure activities comprise outdoor swimming pool, spa room, hiking and 4×4 trails up Bainskloof Pass, various walks and a wine tasting centre, mountain bike trails, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting, river rafting as well as golf just a short drive away.
“We are delighted to have been included amonst the elite and best establishments in the Country and obviously honoured to receive the top award in our category. This is the result of three years of hard work and commitment to establish not only Grand Dédale but also promote Wellington as the Heart of the Cape Winelands.”
Regional Winner: Art and Culture
Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate
Main Road, Franschhoek, 7690
Phone: +27 21 876 8600
Fax: +27 21 876 8601
Email: reservations@grandeprovence.co.za
http://www.grandeprovence.co.za
Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, part of Huka Retreats, wears her 300 year history with style. She sits in the beautiful Franschhoek valley, surrounded by 47 acres of lush vines. Home to award winning wines, superb cuisine, contemporary art and 5 star accommodation. The Gallery has is leading location for contemporary South African art and home for some of the most highly regarded artists, established and emerging, featuring all the visual art forms. The 5-star Estate boasts an impressive sculpture garden and adding to this is The Shop for bespoke items and The Jonkershuis for special dinners and intimate functions.
Regional Winner: Wine Tourism Restaurant
Tokara Restaurant
R310 Helshoogte Pass, Between Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, 7599
Phone: +27 21 885 2550
Email: reservations@tokara.com
http://www.tokararestaurant.co.za
The Tokara Restaurant, situated 400 meters above sea level on top of the Helshoogte Pass outside Stellenbosch, offers its guests terroir focused contemporary cuisine, award-winning wines and dramatic views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. The building housing the restaurant is a Cape architectural icon utilising glass, steel and stone. The à la carte menu changes every season, while daily specials offer something new and exciting to returning guests. A new feature of the renovated restaurant includes a bar with a clear view of the hustle and bustle in the kitchen or the sun setting through a picture window. Please confirm opening days and hours with the restaurant, as it may vary according to season.
Wilhelm Kühn, Tokara Restaurant operator commented “We’re delighted to be included in such a prestigious list and that we’ve managed to retain the “Wine Tourism Restaurant” award amidst very strong competition. We look forward to welcoming delegates from the Great Wine Capitals Global Network with thousands of tourists who wll be visiting our unique wine producing region in the coming year.”
Regional Winner: Wine Tourism Services
Waterford Wine Estate
Blaauwklippen Road, Helderberg, Stellenbosch, 7600
Phone: +27 21 880 0496
Fax: +27 21 880 1007
Email: cellardoor@waterfordestate.co.za
http://www.waterfordestate.co.za
Owned and run by the Ord and Arnold families since 1998, in 14 years Waterford Estate has become one of South Africa’s most recognized and highly regarded wine brands. The Cellar Door Experience is second to none and includes standard wine tastings, the Waterford Estate Wine and Chocolate experience, the Vintage Reserve Tasting and the Waterford Estate Wine Drive. Waterford Estate is a destination estate, offering a variety of informative, authentic, fun and innovative tasting options. Guests are encouraged to walk through the vineyards, taste the grapes, smell the soil and really get a feel for what happens outside the bottle.
Regional Winner: Architecture & Landscapes
Waterkloof Estate
Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West, 7129
Phone: +27 21 858 1292
Fax: +27 21 858 1293
Email: info@waterkloofwines.co.za
http://www.waterkloofwines.co.za
Waterkloof is a beacon of architectural excellence. The spectacular building design is based around virtues that echo its winemaking style, such as honesty and transparency. Cocooned in a contemporary glass and concrete sphere, the deep, open barrel cellar becomes apparent immediately as you enter the building and make your way to the modern, unadorned tasting lounge which spills onto the ‘glass box’ restaurant. Respecting the natural beauty of the fynbos and vine exterior, the interior was kept stylistically understated with an earthy palette of brown and black tones adding a sense of calm to the more masculine yet refined, designer furnishings.
“Our perception of the building at Waterkloof is changing as the surrounding landscape develops. We are so lucky to have won for two consecutive years – the canvas remains the same but the painting is in constant flux.” Paul Boutinot, owner of Waterkloof.
Written by Decanter
