South Island's best wine tourism ventures revealed today

Spy Valley Wines in Marlborough was named today as one of the best wine tourism ventures in the South Island.

The annual Best of Wine Tourism Awards honour outstanding wine tourism businesses in the South Island, in awards run by the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network.

Spy Valley Wines won this year’s new category – architecture and landscapes – for its impressive and award winning building that responds to the region’s dramatic natural environment, judges said.

Christchurch | South Island, which includes the Waipara Valley, Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Central Otago wine regions, belongs to the exclusive network.

Chief Judge Dr Joanna Fountain, a senior lecturer in tourism at Lincoln University, says she was “very impressed” by the growing range of wine tourism opportunities available overall.

“I was particularly impressed by the level of initiative and innovation shown by more established operators and their dedication to demonstrating consistently high standards.”

This year’s regional winners will now go on to compete against the network’s eight other cities and wine regions from around the world at the international awards in Florence, Italy.

Melton Estate, in West Melton near Christchurch, won the Wine Tourism Restaurant category, having introduced a new chef, a seasonal and mostly local menu and a new pavillion and courtyard area.

Mayor Bob Parker says the opportunity to promote Christchurch and the tourism and wine industries of the wider South Island regularly to an international audience were a key part of belonging to the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.

“We see huge value for our city and the wider South Island in using the awards to promote our region to wine tourists, who spend a lot more and stay significantly longer than your average tourist,” says Mayor Bob Parker.

Northburn Station, in Central Otago, won the Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences for its innovative and memorable visitor experience. “The setting is truly spectacular, offering products from the farm and garden is unique, and the wine is exceptional,” says Dr Fountain.

Central Otago's specialist wine tours company, Appellation Central Wine Tours, won the award for wine tourism services for offering a “consistently excellent experience”.

Yealands Estate Wines won the award for Sustainable Wine Tourism. “Yealands is continuing to strive to provide new opportunities for the visitor to share their vision and are really creating a total visitor experience at the winery,” says Dr Fountain. This includes a new self-guided winery drive and picnic option.

The winners receive a Best of Wine Tourism trophy and plaque as well as opportunities to promote themselves locally and internationally through the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.

For more details about the winners, categories and criteria see: www.southislandwine.co.nz/awards.asp

Background

What is the Great Wine Capitals Global Network?

The Great Wine Capitals Global Network is an international network of major wine producing regions which aims to promote tourism, education and business exchange.

What New Zealand region was chosen to join this prestigious network?

Christchurch | South Island is a central hub uniting the five South Island wine regions of Marlborough, Nelson/Tasman, Waipara Valley, Canterbury and Central Otago.

These regions account for approximately 65 per cent of New Zealand's total vineyard area and 75 percent of exports. They were selected to join the network three years ago following a Christchurch City Council-led bid for inclusion.

What other regions belong to the network internationally?

Other members of the prestigious Network include Bordeaux, Cape Town, Florence, Mainz, Mendoza, Porto, Bilbao-Rioja and San Francisco-Napa Valley. Only one wine region from each country can become a member of the global network.