Global Wine Tourism Awards Announced

Global Wine Destinations Celebrated in Mendoza

Mendoza, Argentina hosted the annual gathering of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network where the Best of Wine Tourism awards were announced.

The GWC is a network of some of the world's leading wine-producing areas created to promote international practices in wine tourism.  The awards are judged by a panel of experts in tourism, food, hospitality, architecture, landscape gardening and culture.  In all, 343 applicants were received this year.

And the winners are....

From Spain: Rioja's historic Bodegas Marques de Murrieta, for its splendid restoration of Ygay Castle founded in 1852 and built by Luciano Murrieta, the first owner and driving force of this iconic winery.

From France: The St. Emillion estate, Chateau La Croizille, for the eye-catching architecture of its new cellar and magnificent reception room in the stylish modern building which can accommodate up to 100 people.

From South Africa: Waterford Estate in Stellenbosch, famed for service excellence, in a destination estate, offering a variety of informative, authentic, fun and innovative tasting options.

From Germany:  The 17th-generation at Weingut Dr Hinkel in Framershein for its most innovative approach where the winery regularly offers color-wine tasting in its specifically equipped wine event room.

From Argentina:  Trapiche, which is Argentina's biggest wine producer and a multi-award winner as well as one of the first Argentine wineries to enter the international scene.

From Portugal:  The highly rated Museu do Douro-Museu de Territorio whose objective is to represent the Douro Demarcated Region's natural and cultural heritage designated World Heritage by UNESCO.

From USA:  The acclaimed Hall Wines of the Napa Valley where visitors are invited to explore the Gold Leed Certified state-of-the-art hospitality center and winery, the renovated historic Bergfeld Winery, and expansive art collection.

From Chile:  Casablanca Valley Restaurant Macerado at Vinamar aims to create an intense and enjoyable harmony between cuisine and sparkling wine, a careful task that embodies the Vinamar Spirit.

The eight international winners were announced during the GWC conference on November 6 at the Bodega Los Toneles in Mendoza, Argentina.