SA’s first and foremost wine route nominated for 2013 Wine Star Awards
South Africa’s granddaddy of wine routes, the Stellenbosch American Express ® Wine Routes, which might be considered a golden oldie with its wine tourism legacy spanning over more than four decades, reaffirmed its standing as a world class wine destination as a 2013 nominee for Wine Enthusiast magazine’s coveted Wine Star Awards.
Each year this leading international wine and lifestyle magazine (USA) honours outstanding achievement in wine and spirits and this year our country’s first and foremost wine route is in the running for the prestigious Wine Region of the Year title. It hopes to succeed against tough competition which includes Portugal’s Douro Valley; Paso Robles in California; Spain’s Rías Baixas and the Walla Walla Valley in the south eastern region of Washington.
“This nomination is a huge feather in our Stellenbosch cap and underlines our popularity, prowess and longevity in this highly competitive industry. Our wine route has been the pioneer of the South African wine industry for many years and marketing ourselves to the international market has just received a helping hand!” shares an elated Annareth Bolton, CEO of the Stellenbosch American Express ® Wine Routes.
The winners will be announced in the special December Wine Star Award issue, and the honourees will be presented their Wine Star Award trophies at a gala black-tie dinner in New York City on 27 January 2014.
The Stellenbosch American Express ® Wine Routes was founded in 1971 and this pioneering initiative has changed the face of wine tourism in South Africa, spawning a host of similar regional wine routes in the country of which there are 18 today.
From humble beginnings the Stellenbosch American Express ® Wine Routes now boasts more than 150 wineries as members which have been divided into five sub-routes. This bite-size approach helps visitors get the most out of their winelands experiences, on a route that caters to history buffs, golfers, families, romantic couples, nature lovers, gourmands, casual quaffers and serious pilgrims of the grape.
Visit www.wineroute.co.za or contact Tel: (+27)21 886 4310 for more information on the Stellenbosch American Express ® Wine Routes.
