Good news for World Cup tourists heading to Cape Town: The historic Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has won the Tourism Attraction Category in the annual SA Tourism Welcome Awards.
The awards are an initiative of South African Tourism, in association with the Tourism Grading Council and the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. They were introduced five years ago to recognise service excellence and to highlight businesses and services that provide an authentic South African experience. The awards are made in nine categories, ranging from parks to restaurants, plus a consumers’ choice award.
“What differentiates the Welcome Awards is that they recognise that excellent service is fundamental to the tourism experience. Historic buildings and beautiful surroundings may give people a reason to visit us, but hopefully it’s the hospitality and service that makes them want to come back,” says Don Tooth, Vergelegen chief executive.
Vergelegen is amongst South Africa’s top wine producers, with a string of local and international awards including New World Winery of the Year (Wine Enthusiast 2005) and Best SA Winery for five consecutive years (Wine, 2004/5/6/7/8).
Besides exceptional wines, the 300-year-old Somerset West estate is known for its natural beauty, historic buildings, extensive gardens, summer picnics and fine-dining restaurant.
It has twice been the South African winner in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best of Wine Tourism Awards.
Ongoing efforts to restore indigenous fauna and flora on the estate made it the first champion of the Biodiversity in Wine initiative.
source: SA goodnews
