Great Wine Capitals' call for entries

André Morgenthal, representative of the local chapter, as well as the communication manager for Wines of South Africa (WOSA), says: “The Cape Winelands is the third most popular visitor destination after Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront. Tourism has consequently become a greater feature of many local wine marketing strategies as producers seek to stand out in a crowded market that is home to over 6,000 labels. The capacity to create a compelling cellar door experience helps to build presence and foster loyalties, while obviously boosting income.”

Entries for the highly prestigious awards, established to raise standards and innovation in wine tourism, close on Monday, 1 October 2007.

Other member regions of the global network, based in Bilbao-Rioja (Spain), Bordeaux (France), Florence (Italy), Melbourne (Australia), Mendoza (Argentina), Porto (Portugal) and San Francisco-Napa Valley (US) are similarly calling for entries from their producers.

A single national winner will be selected from each chapter, to be announced at a gala in Porto in mid-November.

Morgenthal says the awards are structured to recognise achievements across a wide wine tourism front with seven categories open to entrants. These are:

• Accommodation
  
• Architecture, parks and gardens
  
• Art and culture
  
• Innovative wine tourism experiences
  
• Wine tourism restaurants
  
• Wine tourism services
  
• Sustainable wine tourism practices

Wineries are entitled to submit entries in more than one category.

Morgenthal says the entry process has been substantially simplified and the entry form, which can be downloaded, is quick and easy to complete.

“Positive cellar door experiences are the springboard for long-term relationships between winelovers and producers. They also enhance the perceptions of South African wines amongst local and international visitors.

“As we are now less than 1,000 days away from the 2010 World Cup, many producers are focusing on ways to enhance their cellar door offerings to match world class standards.

“Local wineries are in the enviable position of being close to the city of Cape Town and therefore easily accessible. They are also located amidst great natural beauty. However, these features are not enough to sustain wine tourism. We have to offer best practice facilities and service standards. International benchmarking through the network ensures we continually enhance the South African offering.

“Winning these esteemed awards is also a way to enhance visibility at a local, national and international level. Winners will find themselves in very good company. Vergelegen, Spier, Nederburg and Waterford, who have won in the past, have rubbed shoulders with illustrious estates such as Château Pichon-Longueville of Bordeaux, Domaine Chandon, renowned producer of luxury sparkling wines in the Yarra Valley; and Ferreira, Caves do Vinho do Porto.

Clarence Johnson, mayor of Cape Winelands District Municipality, which is supporting the awards says: “As investment in wine tourism increases, standards improve and the competition becomes tougher, as we expect to be the case this year. We have a top panel of judges who are independent, impartial and specialists in their own fields. I look forward to our industry being honoured and rewarded for its role in promoting tourism.”

Further details and entry forms are available from www.wosa.co.za and www.winenews.co.za.