by Wine Business International
The 2008 International Best of Wine Tourism Winners have been announced at a ceremony in Oporto, Portugal. The winners were chosen from businesses situated in or around members of the Great Wine Capitals
an association of eight wine cities - Bordeaux, Bilbao-Rioja, Cape Town, Florence, Melbourne, Mendoza, Oporto and San Francisco-Napa Valley.
The winners were:
Bilbao-Rioja (Architecture, Parks and Gardens)
Marques de Riscal
Located in the heart of the Rioja, this Frank Gehry-designed building offers a choice of restaurants, bars and lounges, plus a vinotherapy spa.
Bordeaux (Innovative Wine Tourism Experience)
Planète Bordeaux
This is an interactive space that offers a hands-on, multi-sensory experience based on Bordeaux wine.
Cape Town (Arts and Culture)
Vergelegen
One of the Cape’s oldest wine properties, Vergelegen offers eighteenth century gardens, winery restaurants, picnics in the park and other attractions.
Florence (Accommodation)
Castello di Meleto
Meleto Castle, in the heart of Chianti, was originally a fortification of the Florentines against the Sienese.
Mendoza (Innovative Wine Tourism Experience)
Familia Zuccardi
Zuccardi is one of the oldest names in Argentine wine and its visitor centre offers vineyard and winery tours, tastings, a restaurant and even a museum. Visitors can buy experimental blends and cuvees yet to be released.
Melbourne (Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences)
Victorian Alps Winery
Next to Buckland Ranges in Victoria, the winery offers views over the Ovens Valley, plus cellar door experiences, concerts , theatre and even cinema under the stars.
Porto (Art and Culture)
The House of Sandeman
Located on the banks of the Vila Nova de Gaia, the history and heritage can be found at the Sandeman Visitor Centre and Porto Wine Museum, as well as in the Museum of Lagares in the Duoro Valley. The tour takes in ancient cellars purchased by George Sandeman in 1811.
San Francisco-Napa Valley (Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices)
Grgich Hills Estate
Biodynamic and organic winemaking practices, traditional grape crushing by foot and the installation of solar energy put this winery ahead.
