Celebrating innovation and excellence in wine tourism throughout the eleven greatest wine regions in the world, wineries across the Western Cape entered into the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism Awards. These awards provide an opportunity for wineries and other visitor-serving businesses in each region to gain exposure and recognition for their commitment to presenting leading wine tourism options while giving visitors a one-stop list of the best places to experience.
Here is our Best of Wine Tourism Award winners 2021:
Accommodation
Winner: Lanzerac Wine Estate
On the 1st of July 2018, Lanzerac Hotel & Spa have reopened after a year-long regeneration journey that has seen the Hotel being restored to its former grandeur following a devastating fire in 2017. Like the fynbos endemic to the Cape, which rejuvenates by fire every few years, this iconic landmark is now blooming with 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.
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences
Winner: Creation Wines
Wine tourism is much more than just tasting wine. It is an immersion into the entire experience of wine and at Creation Wines they strive to maximise that experience, making it holistic and complete. During Covid-19 they have included sensorial tasting experiences even in their virtual tasting kits.
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. This includes kitchen staff, tasting room staff and personal interaction with the winemaker and the owners of the estate.
Art & Culture
Winner: La Motte Wine Estate
At La Motte Wine Estate, wine-making itself is performed as an art and an important ingredient of culture. With the added benefit of La Motte & close association with avid art lovers and collectors, the late Dr Anton and Ms Huberte Rupert, and their equally art-and-culture conscious daughter Hanneli, owner of La Motte, the incorporation of art and culture with the estates’ tourism experience is only natural.
Some of the experiences include:
- Museum hosting an information hall, two art exhibitions and an area for listening to music.
- Permanent art collection – J.H. Pierneef’s private collection.
- Temporary art collection Classical music concerts
- Art Experience – hosting experts on topics related to the current contemporary exhibition.
- Historic Walk
- The Wine Bearer – an impressive sculpture that welcomes visitors to the estate.
- Sculpture Walk
Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices
Winner : La Motte Wine Estate
La Motte is committed to the Principles and Practices of Excellence in wine production and environmental sustenance and shares its philosophy with its visitors to create awareness of environmental conservation.
La Motte is dedicated to sustainable farming practices and puts a premium on sharing the importance of environmental sustainability with guests. A dedicated corner in the Wine Tasting Room tells the tale of La Motte’s success in environmental sustainability. Visitors can view La Motte’s environmental policy, the various environmental innovations, as well as the numerous certifications, schemes and awards received.
Wine Tourism Services
Winner: La Motte Wine Estate
La Motte Wine Estate enjoys international acclaim for its innovative wine tourism offering and with the introduction of a Curated Wine Tasting Experience, guests are now invited to choose an exclusive and tailored wine tasting experience and explore their passion for wine.
Curated Wine Tastings are presented in a venue that offers views on both the working cellar and maturation cellar and features a unique Syrah Studio for an unusual acquaintance with this varietal – a comparative Syrah tasting of various vintages. Other tasting experiences include the Vinoteque tasting, Varietal-specific glass tasting, Food & Wine pairing.
Architecture & Landscape
Winner: Delaire Graff
Visiting Delaire Graff Estate is always an unforgettable experience. Situated on the crest of the vertiginous Helshoogte mountain pass, between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the 40-hectare property is at the heart of South Africa’s most historic and prestigious wine-growing region.
Delaire Graff Estate includes 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. The property’s glamorous interiors, oozing local provenance and impressive attention to detail, were masterminded by the David Collins Studio.
Wine Tourism Restaurants
Winner: Delaire Graff
Pairing innovative cuisine with award-winning wines, dining at Delaire Graff is a sensational experience. Our two restaurants transform the freshest seasonal ingredients into accomplished, artful dishes, backdropped by iconic Cape Winelands views. The dining experience at Delaire Graff Estate is one to savour, with talented chefs serving innovative cuisine paired with award-winning wines at both Delaire Graff Restaurant and Indochine. Delaire Graff Restaurant’s award winning menu of contemporary, bistro-chic dishes is a seasonally changing delight. Known for its stylish, extensive oak-shaded terrace and extraordinary views of Banghoek Valley. Serving contemporary, bistro-chic menus curated by newly-appointed Head Chef, Kayla-Ann Osborn.
Congratulations to all our winners! Meet them on the video!!