10/14/2008 - The Great Wine Capitals "Best Of" Wine Tourism award winners for the San Francisco-Napa Valley region have been announced:
Accommodations: The Meritage Resort and Spa
Wine Tourism Restaurants: Domaine Chandon
Architecture, Parks & Gardens: Rubicon Estate
Art & Culture: Robert Mondavi Winery
Innovative Wine Tourism Experiences: The Hess Collection
Wine Tourism Services: Viviani Destination Management
Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices: Long Meadow Ranch
More than 30 applications were entered into competition this year for the seven categories of merit making this Napa Valley's most successful regional Great Wine Capitals "Best Of" thus far. Local judges included writer Paul Franson, wine tutor John Thoreen, Napa County Supervisor Brad Wagenknecht, and Napa County Agricultural Commissioner Dave Whitmer.
"We are pleased at Long Meadow Ranch to have the opportunity to share a unique experience within Napa Valley," said Lydia Damian, director of hospitality & LMR general store manager. "Our guests learn from the taste of our extraordinary products that this is a result of our philosophy of being one of Napa Valley's most responsibly farmed vineyards, orchards, and gardens through our sustainable and organic farming practices."
The regional winners will now move forward to compete in the international awards, which will be presented at the organization's Annual General Assembly being held this November in Cape Town, South Africa.
Great Wine Capitals Global Network is an alliance of eight internationally renowned wine regions - Bordeaux, France; Cape Town, South Africa; Florence, Italy; Mainz, Germany; Mendoza, Argentina; Porto, Portugal; Bilbao-Rioja, Spain and San Francisco-Napa Valley, USA. The "Best Of" international competition is designed to reward wineries and other wine-tourism focused businesses in each member city that have distinguished themselves in terms of the excellence of their facilities in the various categories.
"The Meritage Resort and Spa is thrilled to be chosen "Best Of" for Wine Tourism Accommodations. We are honored that our vision encompassing the Napa Valley experience of food, wine and spa is being recognized by this prestigious organization," said Sheri Thomas, director of sales and marketing. "Having a world-class spa as well as the Trinitas tasting room in our estate cave sets the tone for our guests enjoying the Valley for business or pleasure. We can now truly say that we are 'the perfect blend for the perfect stay'."
The Napa Valley Great Wine Capitals committee, including the County of Napa, Global Wine Partners, Napa Chamber of Commerce, Napa Valley Vintners, St. Helena Chamber of Commerce, and Trinchero Family Estates, would like to thank all of the applicants for their participation in this important local and global competition.
2008 Entrants:
Bounty Hunter Rare Wines & Provisions
Bridgeford Flying Services
Casa Nuestra Winery & Vineyards
Chateau Boswell Winery
Clos Pegase
CONSTANT
Domaine Chandon
Duckhorn Vineyards
Heitz Wine Cellars
The Hess Collection Winery
Judd's Hill
Long Meadow Ranch
Mount View Hotel & Spa
Mumm Napa
Newton Vineyard
NV Hoppers
Paraduxx
PEJU
Quintessa
Robert Mondavi Winery
Rubicon Estate
Schweiger Vineyards
Silverado Vineyards
St. Supery Vineyards & Winery
Swanson Vineyards
The Meritage Resort & Spa
The Westin Verasa Napa
Trefethen Family Vineyards
V. Sattui Winery
Viviani Destination Management
White House Inn & Spa
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High Resolution Image of Regional Winners
Low Resolution Image of Regional Winners
Contact: Terry Hall, Communications Director 707-968-4217 thall@napavintners.com
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