It’s time for the third Klink Wine Tourism Awards – the social savvy awards where you help decide who wins. Spanning 16 categories that are more about visitor experience than wine tasting, the Klink Awards invite you to vote for your favourite restaurants, family-friendly destinations, places to stay, unusual attractions, and the best wine pairing experiences from a shortlist of wine estates across South Africa’s wine routes.
Vote. Explore. Tag. Win!
Not only can you vote for your favourite in each category, you also stand the chance of winning fantastic prizes along the way. By voting, you are automatically entered into weekly draws to win wine experiences, such as a meal at a wine farm restaurant, a night at a wine farm guesthouse, a special wine pairing, and, of course, bottles of wine!
You’ll also be entered to win prizes by sharing your winelands adventures on social media. So grab your friends, get snap happy, and tag your photos with #KlinkAwards on Instagram, Twitter, or the Klink Awards Facebook wall.
Check out the fabulous Klink Awards nominees and please note that you can only vote once per category. Click here to vote and enter the weekly draw!
Klink Awards launch on the Constantia Wine Route
I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Friday afternoon than taking the topless CitySightseeing Bus to a private pop up food and wine festival under the wrinkled oak trees of Groot Constantia. The Constantia Wine Route estates teamed together to showcase the best of what the valley has to offer – delectable cheese, gourmet canapés, and incredible wines – especially their Sauvignon Blanc. As acoustic music and the earthy smell of acorns wafted on the light breeze, we were treated to tastings from each estate – many of which I’ve never had the privilege of trying, despite living in Cape Town for so long.
If you haven’t yet visited the Constantia Wine Route estates, grab the first opportunity you can and do so. Even if you’re not a wine fan, the atmosphere of a wine farm is so different to everyday life. Whether you’re surrounded by old Cape Dutch architecture or classic, modern lines, each wine estate has its own sense of lighting, sound, and décor that create a unique brand experience. Don’t make my mistake of thinking you’ve seen them all when you’ve only visited a handful.
My highlights of the day included the Sparkling Wine and creamy range of cheeses from Steenberg, the Metis Sauvignon Blanc and Marlbrook Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot from Klein Constantia, and the flavour-packed taste bud teaser from Buitenverwachting Restaurant. I also enjoyed the valley’s only organic wine from Silvermist, who also has interesting new projects on the cards, including 2 new restaurants, accommodation upgrades, a spa, and something super secret!
We’d like to say a big thank you to Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Silvermist Vineyards, Beau Constantia, Eagles Nest, Steenberg, Constantia Glen, Buitenverwachting Winery, and CitySightseeeing for a memorable day in the vineyards.
CitySightseeing Wine Bus:
As part of the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour, the Purple Wine Tour offers a topless bus trip through the Constantia Valley vineyards. The Wine Tour starts at Constantia Nek and stops at Groot Constantia, Eagles Nest, and Beau Constantia. The 3 estates offer very different settings and experiences, and are a great way to get a taste of the Constantia Wine Route.
Constantia Wine Route Nominees:
- Happy Times (Most Memorable Wine Route): Constantia Wine Valley
- Heritage (Most Welcoming Cellar Door Experience): Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia
- New (Best New Cellar Door Attractions): Silvermist Wine Estate
- Beyond Expectations (Great Food and Excellent Wine): Steenberg
- Gourmet (Best Gourmet Restaurant at the Cellar Door): Buitenverwachting Restaurant
- Crowd Pleaser (Best Wine Route Event): Constantia Food & Wine Festival
- Wild Card (Most Unusual Attraction on a Wine Route): CitySightseeing Wine Bus
Click here for the fill list of Klink Awards nominees.
Why we love wine tourism
The wonderful thing about wine tourism is that you don’t have to like wine to enjoy a day at a wine farm. As Wine Tourism South Africa puts it, “Wine Tourism in South Africa is a multi-sensory experience that will not only deepen your appreciation of fine wines, but will also enhance your appreciation of the country itself. Wine tourism is found in the glass, on the plate, around the table, in the bed, and for the planet!”
South Africa has over 500 wine farms that offer tastings. Over 150 of these have a restaurant and/or accommodation, and more than 300 host regular events and concerts. Some estates even offer activities such as fruit picking, farmers markets, horse riding, Segway tours, game drives, and hiking and mountain biking trails.
The Klink Awards have once again reminded me how many fabulous wine routes and estates there are in South Africa. I’ve barely tasted a drop of the wine industry barrel and after discovering new fruits of the Constantia vines, I’m more excited than ever to klink my way through the winelands.
I’m casting my votes in the Klink Awards and holding thumbs to win cool wine experiences. How about you? Click here to vote and enter the weekly draw. Voting ends 31 October 2014.
Follow the action on Twitter with @KlinkAwards #KlinkAwards.
