Summer lovin' as 2014 Klink Awards launches

17 Sep 2014

Summer lovin' had me a blast, oh yeah...! is the exact tune that was playing through my head at the launch of the annual Klink Awards, which took place on Friday, 12 September 2014.

Members of the media were invited to the launch of the Annual Klink Awards. Now in its third consecutive year, the awards works by encouraging locals to visit and review its 79 award nominees - pre-selected by a panel - across 16 categories.

The launch featured the opportunity to jump on a City Sightseeing topless bus - the tour office is situated at the Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront - where our journey to get a taste (literally) of the Constantia wine route began.

Sunblock? Check! Sunnies? Check! We were ready to go!

I have to admit that I have never had the chance to hop on one of the topless red buses you see all over the city. It was an experience that I would recommend to anyone, even locals. There are a few facts about our city that you will discover once you jump on (See: www.citysightseeing.co.za).

First stop

We then had to do a bus swap at Beau Constantia. This is the wine stop interchange which forms part of the Wine Bus Tour on the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour. This trip takes you to three wine stops: Beau Constantia Wine Estate, Groot Constantia Wine Estate and Eagles' Nest Wine Farm.

Monika Elias, founder of The Klink Awards

Monika Elias, founder of The Klink Awards, welcomed the group and gave us a brief introduction to what the awards is really about: "South Africans are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to see and do. We have among the best beaches in the world, hotels and restaurants that rival many Riviera's and food and wine that is unquestionably world-class. With so much option and quality on tap, this makes you - the wine lovers and intrepid travellers - the perfect judge to rate and review the wine industry's tourism endeavours."

She added that nominees range from the unknown to the well-known wine farms and encouraged voters to visit and vote for firm favourites. You can cast your vote on the website or through its Facebook or Twitter feeds.

Following our brief introduction, we where whisked away on another bus to Groot Constantia where we were treated to canapés, live music and of course a few of the nominees in this year's awards. See the nominees in the various categories.

After spending time with members of the media, as well as getting to know more about the nominees, unfortunately it was time to head home. We made our way around the mountain passing the spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean...