The win, made known at a gala event in Oporto, Portugal, this week (November 12) came hot on the heels of the election of Mayor of the Cape Winelands District, Clarence Johnson, as vice-president of the global network for 2008. He will assume the presidency in 2009.
Johnson said the estate, a regular recipient of international and international accolades for its wines, had earned the 2008 title for its outstanding offerings in the arts and culture and significant wine tourism categories, meticulously maintaining its extensive 18th century gardens, historic buildings, library and archival assets while offering wide-ranging and innovative visitor programs. Last year, it won in the arts and culture and architecture categories.
As the new national winner, the celebrated Helderberg winery joined the company of some of the world's leading wineries also recognised for their achievements in promoting wine tourism. Amongst the other overall winners in the eight-member network were Spain's Marques de Riscal, located in the heart of the Rioja region, for its now famous Frank Gehry-designed hotel; Portugal's renowned port producer House of Sandeman in the Douro Valley; and iconic Californian producer of biodynamic and organic wines, Grgich Hills Estate.
Johnson said Vergelegen's achievement placed it on an equal footing with several world-famous wineries. “The global network is an important forum for international exchange that provides the opportunity for our wineries to benchmark themselves against acknowledged world leaders.”
Don Tooth, CEO of the estate, added: “To be a flagship for the wine tourism industry of South Africa is enormously satisfying. The real interest for us is not only external recognition but the chance to measure ourselves against international wine properties.”
