Yet among its 550 wineries, with their smorgasbord of things to do,
there are a handful of mavericks who deserve an award for going above and
beyond the norm to firmly put the region on locals’ and foreigners’ travel
maps. They are the 17 Klink Awards
2014 winners.
Launched in 2012 by Monika Elias, publisher of The Wine Tourism
Handbook, the awards recognises and honours industry innovation and shines
the spotlight on the sector’s significant contribution to the Western Cape’s
GDP (R5-billion) and job creation. Unlike other wine awards, the judges are
Klink’s 79 nominees’ customers. “In a changing world where the customer is
King, securing their vote is gold in my view as it says that a winery’s most
important stakeholder - their customer - thinks they are doing something very
right,” Elias explains. In 2014, almost 13 000 consumers voted.
Blazing Klink’s trails this year are those nominees who
entertained visitors with superior experiences that any intrepid traveller or
foodie worth their salt would be impressed by. Across its 16 categories, Elias
proudly reveals the 2014 winners as:
-
Beyond Expectations:
Harvest at Laborie
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The Connoisseur:
Waterford Estate
-
Country Comfort:
Dunstone Guava Cottage
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The Crowd Pleaser:
Franschhoek Bastille Festival
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Delicious Deli:
Fairview Wine Farm
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Family Day Out:
Blaauwklippen family Market
-
Gourmet: The Restaurant
at Waterkloof
-
Happy Times:
Franschhoek Wine Valley
-
Heritage: Weltevrede
Wine Estate
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Best New Cellar Door:
Silvermist Wine Estate
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Spoil Me: Rosendal
Winery and Wellness Retreat
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Tracks and Trails: Van
Loveren Fish Eagle hiking trail
-
Tread Gently: Villiera
-
Wild Card: Game Drives
at Groote Post
-
Yin and Yang: Creation
Wines
“From the newcomers like Silvermist, to pioneers of vineyard tracks and
trails like Van Loveren, the winners are a mixed-bag of up-and-coming small
gems to industry Grande Dames who strategically combine current consumer trends
with originality to offer best-in-breed experiences,” explains Elias.
But one winner takes the 2014 cake. Crowned the “Supanova”, it is the
nominee that out-did its peers to receive the most number of votes. It is
Harvest at Laborie.
Located on a historic French Huguenot wine farm in the Paarl Valley, the
restaurant’s Executive Chef, Matthew Gordon, who serves South African cuisine
with an international twist, says “Klink celebrates excellence from the
perspective of the customer – the most important voice! It also drives
awareness and engagement of nominees and consumers on social media – a critical
medium for this industry.”
Kerryn Lancaster, Brand Manager of Laborie added, “We’re thrilled to win
the Beyond Expectations category, however winning the overall award is
beyond our expectations and is a true testament to the hard work and
investment that we have put into the Laborie Wine Farm. This gives us even more
affirmation to expand and grow.”
For the full list of Klink Award winners, visit www.klinkawards.co.za.