by Paige Donner
Founded 20 years ago by Catherine Leparmentier (@https://twitter.com/Cath_Leparm) in association with the CCI Bordeaux (Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce acting in conjunction with City Hall), Great Wine Capitals celebrated their wins this year in Bordeaux. The last time the week-long conference, topped by a Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony, was celebrated in Bordeaux was 9 years ago.
Pictured on Right, Catherine Leparmentier, Founder of Great Wine Capitals
The concept of this Best of Wine Tourism awards is to hold the government-private partnerships working meetings and vineyard visits in a different Wine Capital each year.
There are 10 member city/wine regions in the Great Wine Capitals organization, of which Bordeaux, a region known both for its wines, its legendary surrounding vineyards and its beautiful city, is the founding member. The following are current members and each region was competing for an award in various categories pertaining to wine tourism and experiential wine visits.
*Le Réseau des Capitales de Grands Vignobles/Great Wine Capitals réunit Adelaïde / South Australia (Australie), Bilbao/Rioja (Espagne), Bordeaux (France), Lausanne (Suisse), Mainz/Rheinhessen (Allemagne), Mendoza (Argentine), Porto (Portugal), San Francisco/Napa Valley (Etats-Unis), Valparaiso/Casablanca Valley (Chili) et Vérone (Italie).
The winners, announced at the Gala Dinner held at the Palais de la Bourse on Thursday evening, November 7th, were the following:
Best of Wine Tourism – Gironde
ARCHITECTURE ET PAYSAGES (Architecture and Landscape)
Le Cloître des Cordeliers (or)
Château Tour Saint ChristopheART ET CULTURE (Art and Culture)
Château la Dominique
Château de FerrandVALORISATION PRATIQUES ENVIRONNEMENTALES (Environmentally responsible/sustainable practices)
Château Angludet
Château d’EyranHEBERGEMENT A LA PROPRIETE (Lodging on-site at the wine estate)
Château Malescasse
Château Pape Clément
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey (or)
Château Malartic-LagravièreDECOUVERTE ET INNOVATION (Innovative ways to discover the property)
Château de Reignac
Château la Tour Blanche
Château de SeguinSERVICES OENOTOURISTIQUES (Wine tourism services)
Camping Saint-Emilion
Tendance SudCOUP DE CŒUR : (Honorary winner for)
Château la Fleur de Boüard
A l’occasion de la 17ème Nuit des Best Of Wine Tourism, une édition extraordinaire pour le 20ème anniversaire de Great Wine Capitals, le Château de La Dauphine a non seulement remporté un trophée d’or, mais il a également reçu le grand prix international. Ces prix récompensent l’expérience unique proposée aux visiteurs : une immersion dans l’art de vivre à la française à bord d’une 2 CV comprenant une « Visite Patrimoine » qui débute dans le parc du château. Le guide dévoile l’histoire de la propriété et de Fronsac avant de mettre le cap vers le vignoble, puis le « carrelet » en bordure de la Dordogne et la truffière. C’est sur le plus haut coteau que les visiteurs peuvent déguster trois divins breuvages accompagnés de gourmandises locales : lamproie, beurre à la truffe, magret séché, fromage de brebis basque et cannelés.
Chateau de La Dauphine won for the International Best of Wine Tourism 2020 category BIG this year. They won not only the Gold but also the Grand Prize International.
Chateau de la Dauphine was awarded for their immersive 2CV (French style vintage Citroen car) a Grand Heritage tour around their Fronsac vineyards, topped by a ride along the Dordogne River with a stop at one of the traditional fishing huts or ‘carrelet’ emblematic of the region then finishing with a stop at their truffle gardens.
Villa Quaranta Tommasi Wine Hotel & Spa (Verona)
An impressive location in the heart of Valpolicella Classica region, Villa Quaranta Tommasi Wine Hotel & Spa
Casa Valle Viñamar (Valparaíso|Casablanca Valley)
Recently renovated, Casa Valle Viñamar reopened with a new concept that incorporates sustainability as one of its five corporate values.
Louis M. Martini Winery (San Francisco-Napa Valley)
Built in 1933, the winery was one of the first five in Napa Valley to open after the repeal of Prohibition and has been meticulously restored.
Quinta da Pacheca (Porto)
On their first visit to Quinta da Pacheca, the current owners envisioned the possibility of sleeping in giant barrels when they first entered the estate’s aging Port wine cellar and became enamored with the size of the existing vats. Within a few months, in collaboration with the architect Henrique Pinto, the first sketches of what would become the current estate were created. Surrounded by the centuries-old vineyards, each of the 10 giant barrels features unique architectural and design elements, and interior decorative elements inspired by vintage references. An original circular glass door gives access to the outside deck from where visitors can admire the stunning landscape of the Douro Valley. (from GreatWineCapitals.com)
Rosell Boher Lodge (Mendoza)
Rosell Boher Lodge is located at the foot of the Andes Mountains, in Mendoza Province. The Lodge has a guesthouse with three spacious luxury rooms and 11 private Vineyard Villas with jacuzzi
Ingelheimer Winzerkeller (Mainz|Rheinhessen)
As a historic winery building, the wine cellar authentically epitomises a piece of Ingelheim’s history as the “red wine town.” After extensive renovation, since 2019 the building has been home to a local vinotheque of 24 Ingelheim winegrowers as well as a distillery, a restaurant and a tourist information centre.
Bouche à Oreille (Lausanne)
To listen to wine, to taste words, “From mouth to ear” (in French this expression means ‘word of mouth’ and is used in the same way, to indicate a great place that people share withe their friends as an insider tip) is a unique project, imagined and led by Marie Linder, wine specialist, and Mathieu Bessero-Belti, an actor.
Château de la Dauphine (Bordeaux)
At Château la Dauphine, visitors can immerse themselves in the French way of life by climbing aboard a legendary Citroën 2 CV.
Gemtree Wines (McLaren Vale, Adelaide)
Sustainability and ecology are at the core of everything Gemtree Wines does. Certified organic and biodynamic, Gemtree has one of the largest certified biodynamic vineyards in Australia.
Bodegas Valedmar/Museo Villa Lucia (Bilbao|Rioja)
Villa Lucia Museum in Laguardia, in partnership with Bodegas Valdemar, located in Oyón-Oion, have collaborated to develop an extensive all-inclusive tourism program that enables consumers to visit wineries and museums without any visual, auditory or physical limitations. Throughout the properties and without the need for prior appointments, people with disabilities can learn about wine and wine production and enjoy an integrated experience.
ALL Photos ©Paige Donner 2019 More on FoodWine.photography
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Listen to Paige’s podcast, Paris GOODfood+wine, on Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud, iHeart Radio and more. @parisfoodwine @Bordeauxfoodvin
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