The Great Wine Capitals Global Network is a network of nine major global cities in both the Southern and Northern hemispheres which share a key economic and cultural asset: their internationally renowned wine regions. One of the cornerstones of the Networks’ mission is the development of wine tourism across the Network. To promote wine tourism and reward excellence the Network established an international tourism awards program in which wineries can be judged in different categories. These are: Accommodation; Wine Tourism Restaurants; Architects and Landscapes; Art and Culture; Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences; Wine Tourism Services and Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices.

The motivation to offer the Best of Wine Tours (or farm trips) to Best of Wine Tourism Awards entrants was twofold: firstly, to reach a different audience as opposed to traditional media in order to create awareness of the Best of Wine Tourism Awards and Great Wine Capitals.

Secondly, to alert wineries to the existence of this initiative, and to the value and promotional opportunities it offers, not only through possibly winning a category, but also the extended exposure via social media. These WOSA tours are unique to South Africa in the Network context and were met with applause by Cape Town’s counterparts at the CWCGN AGM last year.

Lynne and The Green Cab

The Green Cab Company was the tour transporter, an eco-innovation company which provides South Africa’s first cost-effective, aggressively green transport solution. They do this by utilising Liquified Petroleum Gas and BioDiesel.

Waterkloof Restaurant

Our first visit was to Waterkloof Wines, where the restaurant, tasting lounge and cellar are perched dizzily on the slopes of the Schaapenberg overlooking False Bay. The quality of wines here set an impossibly high standard to copy and were loved by each of us in the tour group. This farm has so much going for it not the least the fact that farming operations are bio-dynamic. I can’t wait to return to Waterkloof.

Panoramic views from Waterkloof restaurant

Hard at work - Jan Langenhoven, Di Procter, Kitty Snyman, Glenda van Blerk and Carla van der Merwe

Vergelegen Estate, Somerset West, welcomed us next in the form of wine host, Arnoux who outshone the other wine presenters of the day by far. He was passionate, engaging, knowledgeable and never in a rush to go and pour wine at the next table. Quite the opposite. He remained our host for our whole visit. Vergelegen offers innovative wine experiences and the “Camellia Inspired Tasting” was presented to us where four wines were thoughtfully paired with four Camellia blossoms. Vergelegen Estate has much to offer the visitor apart from award-winning wines. Things like garden tours, restaurants, picnics, barrel tastings, environmental walks and full moon vineyard walks.

Vergelegen Camellia Tasting

National Monument Camphor Trees

Our next wine tasting was at Rust en Vrede, Stellenbosch. What stands out about their wines is that they must have huge appeal for the wine collector who is purchasing wines to lay them down as they clearly need much time in the bottle to reach their full potential. Our wine presenter certainly knew her lines but seemed to lack interest and personal charisma.

Rust en Vrede

When I learned that tour lunch stop would be at Spier’s new organic food restaurant Eight, I was curious and excited. Our group was not disappointed – each dish ordered was delicious and of the highest quality plus Spier Private Collection Chenin Blanc was loved by all. Sitting close to the Eerste River in the beautiful Winter sunshine was such a treat. To get a feel for the light, airy feel of the setting, visit Eight’s Facebook page here. Spier offers many different attractions for visitors of all ages and backgrounds and deserves a place in the GWCGN hall of fame.

Eight at Spier

The open kitchen at Eight

Gershwin serving our table

The “dessert” stop was at The House of J C Le Roux for a sparkling wine, marshmallow and meringue pairing featuring five sparkling wines. Certainly innovative in their approach, the tasting room setting and products will be popular with trendy, Generation Y wine lovers.

The House of J C Le Roux

Sparkling wine, marshmallow and meringue tasting

Finally let me introduce my travel companions:

Kitty Snyman of Rufaro Travel. Twitter @kitty_rufaro

Carla Van Der Merwe of Wine.co.za. Twitter  @carla_wino

Di Procter, writer of Wineblog-diana. Twitter @DiProc

Jan Langenhoven, writer of Tappets On The Run. Twitter @JanTappets

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Beating the Australians hands down, South Africa came sixth overall after Chili, earning 80 medals. The winning country was France, followed by Spain, Italy, Portugal and Chili. 7,000 Wines and spirits were judged.

Here are South Africas winners -

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles

Grand Gold Medals

Engelbrecht Els 2007

Spier Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2008

Gold Medals

Almenkerk Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Backsberg Pumphouse Shiraz 2007

Boschendal 1685 Chardonnay 2009

Boschendal Sauvignon Blanc Grand Cuvee 2009

Douglas Green Chenin Blanc 2009

Drostdy-Hof Chardonnay 2009

Ernie Els 2006

Douglas Green Chardonnay 2009

Drostdy-Hof Chardonnay 2009

Fairhills Cabernet Sauvignon Petit Verdot 2009

Fairview Primo Pinotage 2008

Grande Provence Chardonnay 2008

Grande Provence Shiraz 2007

Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Hartenberg Chardonnay 2008

Kaapzicht Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2007

KWV 10 Year Old Potstill Brandy

KWV 20 Year Old Potstill Brandy

La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Linton Park Proprietor’s Reserve Shiraz 2007

Mont Rochelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Oude Meester Demant

Ridgeback Journey 2005

Riebeek Cellars Reserve Chenin Blanc 2009

Riebeek Cellars Reserve Shiraz 2007

Rust en Vrede Shiraz 2007

Saronsberg Shiraz 2007

Spice Route Chakalaka 2008

Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2007

Stormhoek Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Leopard Frog Vineyards Tantra 2005

KWV The Mentors Canvas 2008

KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2008

KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009

Distell Three Ships Aged 5 Years

Distell Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish

Distell Three Ships Select

Van Ryn’s 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve

Van Ryn’s 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve

Villiera Traditional Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2009

Fairview Shiraz 2008

Hartenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2009

La Motte Chardonnay 2008

Lourensford Winemaker’s Selection Chardonnay 2009

Naledi Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Nederburg Viognier Chardonnay 2009

Remhoogte Estate Wine 2006

Ridgeback Shiraz 2007

Rust en Vrede 1694

Rust en Vrede Single Vineyard Syrah  2007

Saronsberg Chardonnay 2008

Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2007

Spice Route Malabar 2006

Spier Creative Block 2009

Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2008

Spier Private Collection Pinotage 2007

Spier Private Collection Syrah 2007

Stormhoek Pinotage 2009

KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2008

KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Silver Medals

Boland Cellar Reserve No 1 2007

Boland Cabernet Reserve 2007

Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2008

Boschendal Grand Cuvee Brut 2006

Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat Chardonnay 2008

Cederberg Sauvignon Blan c 2009

Cirrus  Ernie Els Wines 2007

Boland Cellar Reserve No 1 2007

Boland Cabernet Reserve 2007

Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2008

Boschendal Grand Cuvee Brut 2006

Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat Chardonnay 2008

Cederberg Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Cirrus  Ernie Els Wines 2007

Distell Collison’s White Gold

Douglas Green Chardonnay 2009

Fairhills Cabernet Sauvignon – Petit Verdot 2009

Fairview Primo Pinotage 2008

Grande Provence Chardonnay 2008

Grande Provence Shiraz 2007

Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Hartenberg Chardonnay 2008

Kaapzicht Cabernet Sauvignon 2007

Kaapzicht Steytler Pinotage 2007

KWV 10 Year old Potstill Brandy

KWV 20 Year old Potstill Brandy

La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2009

La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Linton Park Proprietor’s Reserve Shiraz 2007

Mont Rochelle Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Distell Nachtmusik

Oude Meester Demant

Ridgeback Journey 2005

Riebeek Cellars Reserve Chenin Blanc 2009

Riebeek Cellars Reserve Shiraz 2007

Rust en Vrede Shiraz 2007

Saronsberg Shiraz 2007

Spice Route Chakalaka 2008

Spice Route Flagship Syrah 2007

Stormhoek Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Leopard Frog Vineyards Tantra 2005

KWV The Mentors Canvas 2008

KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2008

KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2009

Distell Three Ships Aged 5 Years

Distell Three Ships Bourbon Cask Finish

Distell Three Ships Select

Van Ryn’s 15 Year Old Fine Cask Reserve

Van Ryn’s 20 Year Old Collectors Reserve

Villiera Traditional Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2009

For the complete list of all the winners  click here.

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Rianie Strydom

More than two dozen local winemakers and vintners are involved in the Napa Valley based women’s wine group which was founded by Sharon Harris of Amici Cellars. Woman winemakers from around the world gathered with leading local vintners of Napa Valley for three days of workshops, tasting, seminars and networking which culminated in a trade and press tasting representative of 5o labels. This tasting was accurately termed “the most beautiful wine tasting in the world“  by Sharon Harris.

Rianie’s selection came as no surprise as she is highly regarded for her ten years of winemaking at Morgenhof Estate  as well as a vintage at Bilton Wines. One of the awards which Rianie has garnered is best New World Wine in Decanter Magazine which was decided by Stephen Spurrier. Keeping it all in the family, Rianie is married to Louis Strydom, cellar master at Ernie Els Wines after having made his reputation at Rust en Vrede.

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Rust en Vrede Merlot 2008

As a festive season splurge we opened the merlot to experience a complex nose of dark fruit with a touch of spice. This full-bodied wine has great structure but with subtle oak, ripe plum and and long finish.

We love the quotations by Thomas Jefferson on the back label.

Rust en Vrede Merlot 2008 sells for R130.00 ($18) from the farm.

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