Appellation Central Wine Tours strikes gold with its very first award

Posted by on 29 September 2010

Central Otago wine tourism is going global with the help of premier wine tour company Appellation Central Wine Tours, which was won the award for Wine Tourism Services at the Great Wine Capital Global Network’s Best of Wine Awards last week (22 September).

The Queenstown-based wine tour experts were one of four winners in the inaugural Christchurch/South Island Best of Wine Tourism Awards. The winners will go on to represent New Zealand in the Great Wine Capitals Global Network International awards.

Managing director and co- owner Philip Green said he and co-director Wendy Johnston were delighted to win the award.

“We think this award will be significant in raising the international profile of the wonderful wines of this region through Great Wine Capitals of the World. It aligns Central Otago with Bordeaux, Rioja, Napa Valley and other well established global wine regions.”

“The wines of Central Otago are world class, award winners, our scenery is awe inspiring – this, combined with our consistent efforts to provide each and every guest with an outstanding experience, has allowed us to build a great wine tourism business which in turn helps promote the region and the wines. This award is also testament to our amazingly passionate and dedicated guides, and to the huge support we get from vineyards, suppliers and activities booking agents both locally and internationally.”

“It’s personally rewarding for us too. For judges to single us out as one of the finalists from dozens of regional entries was pretty staggering, we’re very excited to go on to represent New Zealand at an international level,” he said.

The Great Wine Capitals ‘Best of Wine Tourism’ recognises excellence on a global level among the various wine tourism activities including the wineries, restaurants, museums and wine tours of a specific region.

The winners were decided after judges visited each of the finalists’ during September. Judges said this year’s winners stood out because “they all shared a passion for wine and a commitment to providing their customers with the highest level of service and a complete experience. Their enthusiasm and knowledge about wine-making made them great ambassadors for the wine producing regions of the South Island.

Appellation Central Wine Tours will be formally recognized as the winner of their category at the Great Wine Capital Global Network’s AGM and International Wine Conference to be held in Christchurch from October 31 to November 4. The overall international winners of each category will be announced on November 2.