your tagline here
Historic Waipara vicarage wins inaugural wine tourism award
22 Sep 2010
An historic Waipara vicarage which offers guests accommodation among the vineyards of the Waipara wine valley has won a Christchurch | South Island Best of Wine Tourism Award.
The Old Glenmark Vicarage was named today as one of four winners in the inaugural awards run by the prestigious Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
The awards honour outstanding wineries and other tourism related businesses in the Network’s member cities and regions. Christchurch | South Island, which includes the Waipara Valley, Canterbury, Marlborough, Nelson and Central Otago wine regions, was welcomed as the newest member of the Network in November 2009.
The Old Glenmark Vicarage, built in 1907, won the accommodation section of the awards. The vicarage is sited on the grounds of a boutique winery and offers its guests beautiful accommodation and an enticing insight into the world of wine-making.
Dr Joanna Fountain, a senior lecturer in tourism at Lincoln University and one of the judges for the awards, said the two properties the judges had to assess in the accommodation category were both of a very high standard but offering very different experiences.
“The Old Glenmark Vicarage was chosen as the winner because of their unique and memorable offering, and because of their close proximity and networks with cellar doors and restaurants within the area. Their involvement in Greening Waipara and plans to establish a cycle trail in the area, meant it was a place we felt we could strongly recommend as a base for those seeking a wine tourism experience in the region,” Dr Fountain said.
Congratulating the Old Glenmark Vicarage on its award, Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism chief executive Ian Hay praised the owners, Damian and Janette MacFarlane, for their enthusiasm and commitment to both the wine and tourism industries.
“They offer visitors a fantastic experience and an intimate insight into Canterbury’s wine-making industry and as such are fantastic ambassadors both for our wine industry and our region,” Mr Hay said. “The service and facilities they offer are first-class and they are deserving recipients of this inaugural award.”
The Old Glenmark Vicarage, along with the other award recipients, will now go on to compete in the Network’s international awards. The international winners will be announced at a gala dinner during the Great Wine Capital Global Network’s AGM and international wine conference, Wine Discovery NZ 2010, which is being held in Christchurch from October 31 to November 4. They will receive a Best of Wine Tourism trophy and plaque, as well as international recognition through the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.
