La Motte Wine Estate was crowned the winner in three of the seven categories of this year’s Best of Wine Tourism Awards. This international annual competition is designed to reward the wineries in each of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network’s member regions for their excellence.
Wesgro, the Official Tourism, Trade and Investment Promotion Agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape worked closely with Vinpro, a non-profit company that represents 2 500 South African wine producers, cellars and industry stakeholders in finalising these awards.
The 2021 winners are:
- Accommodation: Lanzerac Wine Estate
- Wine Tourism Restaurants: Delaire Graff Estate
- Sustainable Wine Tourism Practice: La Motte Wine Estate
- Architecture & Landscape: Delaire Graff Estate
- Art & Culture: La Motte Wine Estate
- Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences: Creation Wines
- Wine Tourism Services: La Motte Wine Estate
“We are proud of each of our members who have pushed through the challenges our industry has faced this year by continuing to excel and innovate, and in so doing, showcasing South Africa as a world-class wine tourism destination,” said Marisah Nieuwoudt, Vinpro wine tourism manager.
The judging process entailed an in-depth review process during which the applications received scored based on the standard criteria. Roving judges then paid ‘ghost visits’ to the wineries, where after the expert judges and the roving judges held an adjudication review to determine the winners.
The judging panel the competition consisted of three roving judges and seven expert judges facilitated by André Morgenthal, judges included: Rhian van Wyk – Cape Winelands District Municipality, Maryna Calow – Wines of South Africa (WOSA), Unathi Mantshongo – Vinpro Consultant Europe (Speciality Viticulture, Wine Buying & Transformation), Teddy Ntsente – Tourism Grading Council South Africa, Jenny Handley – Gourmet Guide, Shelley Fuller – Fruit & Wine Programme Manager at WWF, Dr Luyanda Mpahlwa – Design Space Africa, Margi Biggs – Specialized Events & Tours, Ilana Clayton – CEO at Travel Smart Crew, Spencer Fondaumiere – ASI diploma Sommelier and vice chair of the South African Sommeliers Association.
“The ‘Best of Wine Tourism’ Awards serve as an industry benchmark for excellence in wine tourism, and we are honoured to have worked closely with Vinpro to recognise the wineries and wine-tourism related businesses with the highest standards. We also thank the judges for their time and effort, and well done to all our winners!” concluded Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris.
Text & Image: Editorial Desk