World’s Best Vineyards has revealed the 50 best wine tourism destinations in the world and two New Zealand wineries have made the list.
The top 50 was revealed in the first-ever virtual vineyard awards on 13 July, with Argentina’s Zuccardi Valle de Uco taking the top spot for the second year running.
Bodega Garzón in Uruguay came in second and Domäne Wachau in Austria jumped 16 places to take the third spot.
The 2020 Top 50 vineyards represented 18 countries and included first-time winners from India, Bulgaria and Japan.
Wanaka’s Rippon came in at 13th place and was named the Best Vineyard in Australasia and Hawke’s Bay’s Craggy Range was 17th.
“We were thrilled to feature in the World’s Top 50 Vineyards to Visit this year,” says Rippon’s Jo Mills. “‘Best’ is a title that doesn’t sit well with us – we don’t enter competitions and we don’t farm to be the best, only to do right by the farm, so it’s an awkward accolade for us to hold.
“That said, we are thrilled to see Rippon on the list, it’s a huge testament to the team – from vineyard, to winery and to our wonderful Cellar Door crew – and to see Wānaka and Central Otago featuring amongst the big guns of the Americas!”
The World’s Best Vineyards list seeks to raise the profile of wine tourism and despite the difficult circumstances that the travel industry has faced this year, organiser William Reed and host partner Sonoma County Winegrowers say they wanted to recognise the efforts of wineries around the globe.
For a full list of winners, click here.
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