The 2025 Best Of Wine Tourism and Wine Tourism Ambassador Awards, hosted by Wesgro, shone a spotlight on the exceptional innovation and excellence within the Western Cape’s wine industry. The prestigious event, held in partnership with the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, acknowledged the outstanding contributions of local wineries in shaping the region's reputation as a global wine tourism leader.
Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, shared her pride during her address, stating, “The Cape Winelands value and appreciate the work in our wine industry to build on our wine culture, create exciting opportunities, grow our economy, and showcase our experiences. We are extremely proud of our wine tourism ambassadors. Our wine industry competes on a global level, and our South African wine culture is a constant front-runner. We salute our wine tourism industry!”
This year’s Best Of Wine Tourism Awards included categories celebrating accommodations, culinary experiences, and sustainable practices. Notable winners included:
Accommodation: Delaire Graff (Winner), Brookdale Estate (Runner-up)
Culinary Experiences: FABER at Avondale (Winner), Rust en Vrede (Runner-up)
Wine Tourism Services: Creation Wines (Winner), Ernie Els (Runner-up)
Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices: Creation Wines (Winner), Jordan Wines (Runner-up)
Architecture & Landscape: Babylonstoren (Winner), Delaire Graff (Runner-up)
Art & Culture: Spier Wine Farm (Winner), Delaire Graff (Runner-up)
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences: Vergelegen Wine Estate (Winner), Constantia Wine Walk (Runner-up)
In addition to these categories, the Wine Tourism Ambassador Awards highlighted wineries demonstrating outstanding sustainability and unique visitor experiences:
Wine Tourism Diversity Award: Van Loveren
Authentic South African Experience Award: A.A. Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein (Winner), Muratie Wine Estate (Runner-up)
Conservation Pioneer Award: Hartenberg Wine Estate
Wesgro CEO Wrenelle Stander emphasized the economic impact of the wine tourism industry, which generates over R9.3 billion annually and supports more than 40,000 jobs. “These awards celebrate the pioneers pushing the boundaries of excellence, ensuring that the Western Cape remains a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts,” said Stander.
As the Western Cape continues to showcase its rich wine heritage, the industry remains a key driver of economic growth and international recognition for South Africa.