South Africa’s only consumer-generated wine tourism competition, The Klink Awards, is back this Tourism Month. Now in its fourth year, it’s pre-selected 77 nominees across 17 different categories for the public to visit and vote for online, via Facebook, Twitter or email. Hosted in collaboration with Wesgro – the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for the Western Cape – some of this year’s fun categories are:
• Tracks & Trails: the best hikes, runs and bike routes in a vineyard
• The Wild Card: off-the-wall or unusual attractions on a wine estate
• The Tread Gently: most sustainable practices followed by wine labels and estates
• On the Hop: (new category) best craft beer made by a microbrewery on a wine farm or route
Votes can be cast for 10-weeks until 13th November where after they’re tallied and audited to announce the 2015 winners as well as the overall Supanova. Past winners include Harvest at Laborie, The Spice Route and Blaauwklippen.
Well-supported by the public in previous years – over 13 000 unique votes were cast in 2014 – the Klink Awards is a twist on the traditional wine industry accolades which are judged by heavy-weight experts; Klink turns this on its head and, by tapping into the always-on consumer community, invites the public to be the judge instead. The result is a democratic snapshot of which wine estates and routes are trending in Western Cape wine tourism right now.
We have highlighted 12 of our favourite wine estates below to give you an idea of what the Cape Winelands have to offer.
Go eat at La Colombe. Really. – The End – — This review could be just that. Feasting (yes, not eating) at La Colombe is truly a phenomenal dining experience, from the food and drinks, to the service, to the venue and its views. If you can afford to go – because let’s be honest, […] More
The Klink Awards are back! We are such a huge fan of these awards so it’s always a pleasure when we get asked to help spread the word. It’s South Africa’s only consumer-generated wine tourism competition, and this year it’s bigger than ever with 77 nominees across 17 different categories! Votes can be cast for 10-weeks until […] More
This award goes to the best of the best cellar-door restaurants in the Cape Winelands – those gastronomic destinations with signature chefs who create cuisine on the cutting edge to attract domestic and foreign wine tourists. The organisers of the Klink Awards were looking for restaurants which pay great attention to detail in terms of […] More
This award goes to the best of the best cellar-door restaurants in the Cape Winelands – those gastronomic destinations with signature chefs who create cuisine on the cutting edge to attract domestic and foreign wine tourists. The organisers of the Klink Awards were looking for restaurants which pay great attention to detail in terms of […] More
This award goes to the best of the best cellar-door restaurants in the Cape Winelands – those gastronomic destinations with signature chefs who create cuisine on the cutting edge to attract domestic and foreign wine tourists. The organisers of the Klink Awards were looking for restaurants which pay great attention to detail in terms of […] More
This award goes to the best of the best cellar-door restaurants in the Cape Winelands – those gastronomic destinations with signature chefs who create cuisine on the cutting edge to attract domestic and foreign wine tourists. The organisers of the Klink Awards were looking for restaurants which pay great attention to detail in terms of […] More
These days, cellar-door delis sell all manner of goodies: estate olives and olive oils, artisanal breads, cheeses and charcuterie, boutique chocolates and nougat, organic vegetables, farm honey, jams, pickles and picnic baskets. This award recognises the top cellar-door deli, one that tempts wine tourists with an authentic range of traditional and contemporary Winelands produce grown […] More
Situated between Klink awards for casual dining-style, country cuisine and fine dining, this award is for a Winelands restaurant in the middle category that serves seriously good food and excellent wine, attracting foodies by raising the bar and presenting local garden and winelands produce with passion and contemporary culinary style. Lust at Vrede en Lust […] More
These days’ cellar doors tempt wine tourists with special food and wine pairings at the cellar tasting centre – from biltong, nuts, dried fruits and wine to cheese, chocolate, and nougat and gourmet canapé tasting platters. The judges of the Klink Awards went looking for the best Winelands experiences in the art of food and […] More
These days’ cellar doors tempt wine tourists with special food and wine pairings at the cellar tasting centre – from biltong, nuts, dried fruits and wine to cheese, chocolate, and nougat and gourmet canapé tasting platters. We went looking for the best Winelands experiences in the art of food and wine pairing over the tasting […] More
This award goes to the most memorable outdoors experience that requires wine lovers to expend some energy on a spectacularly scenic vineyard hike, a challenging wine farm bike trail or a spirited wine route horse ride. Each outdoor adventure must also reward the hiker, biker or rider with a wine tasting experience or more. Rhebokskloof […] More
The winner of this category offers self catering and guesthouse accommodation on a wine farm that promises a relaxed and comfortable stay. The winning venue will capture the romance of a wine farm getaway and offer the facilities of home but the luxury of going away. Le Pommier Wine Estate Le Pommier is an intimate […] More