Sunday, September 15, 2024 The winners of the inaugural Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism Awards were announced, highlighting four standout Hawke’s Bay businesses across seven key categories. These awards honor excellence in wine tourism and showcase Hawke’s Bay as a premier global wine destination, solidifying its status as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World . Judge Anna King Shahab , a well-known food, wine, and travel writer, praised the caliber of entries, noting the high standard of competition in each category.
The judging panel also included Jesse Mulligan , a renowned radio and TV personality, and Anna Nielson , General Manager of Destination Wairarapa. The winners in each category were: These local winners will now compete at the Best Of Wine Tourism international awards in Verona, Italy, later this year. Anna King Shahab commented on the impressive standard of the entries, particularly noting the excellence in dining and accommodation, which reflected the region’s unique charm.
She remarked that the warmth and attentiveness of Hawke’s Bay’s wine tourism operations left a lasting impression on both the judges and visitors. Hamish Saxton , Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Tourism, expressed pride in the region’s success, noting that these awards underscore Hawke’s Bay’s reputation as a top wine tourism destination. He added that the opportunity to compete on the global stage would bring further international recognition.
.