2015 Klink Awards nominees announcedThe mid-year hump is over and it's all downhill to the sunny season in South Africa. The media were allowed a taste of summer as we were bussed off to the Franschhoek wine valley to celebrate the nominees in this year's Klink Awards (@KlinkAwards). Yin & Yang nominee, Leopard's Leap Now in its fourth year, the Klink Awards is partnering with the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency in the Western Cape, Wesgro. "We've decided to partner with The Klink Awards as it encourages consumers to discover new places while giving the industry an opportunity to showcase their products and services. It also drives geographic spread which is a priority for us in terms of driving feet to the outer regions of the province," explains Tim Harris, CEO of Wesgro. The Klink Awards goes beyond just the wines and recognises establishments and wineries for offering holistic experiences - from accommodation to hiking trails. While the Klink Awards selects the nominees, all the power lies with consumers who decide the ultimate winners. Wild Card nominee, Franschhoek Wine Tram Consumer-picked winners"From our point of view, we really value the Klink Awards because they are consumer-based," said Jenny Prinsloo, CEO of Franschhoek Wine Valley, at the media launch. "It's about delighting your customer, it's about the story and experience that the customer has." Voting, via Facebook, Twitter, or email, is open for 10 weeks until 13 November. Unique votes will be tallied and audited to reveal Klink's top 17, as well as the overall campaign's Supanova winner on 19 November at the official awards gala evening, presented in collaboration with Wesgro. Power to rate or hateMonika Elias, Founder of The Klink Awards "The public has been incredibly supportive of Klink to date. In 2014 for instance, 13,000 uniques were cast in the 10-week period," says awards founder, Monika Elias. "With the support of our stakeholders, we anticipate that Klink will continue to grow alongside an always-on, connected consumer who, thanks to mobile phones, has the power to rate or hate an experience with the touch of a button and wi-fi access," says Elias. With the growing interest in microbrewing and craft beer, a new category, On the Hop, has been added to this year's proceedings. This year's categories and nominees are:Beyond Expectations: Award for Great Food and Excellent Wine
Comfort Zone: Best Casual Dining on a Wine Farm
Connoisseur: Best Vintage Tasting Experience
Country Comfort: Best Accommodation on a Wine Farm
Crowd-pleaser: Best Wine Route Event
Delicious Deli: Best Deli on a Wine Farm
Family Day Out: Best Child-friendly Winery
Gourmet: Best Gourmet Restaurant on a Wine Farm
Happy Times: Most Memorable Wine Route
Heritage: Most Welcoming Cellar Door Experience
New Release: Best New Cellar Door Attraction
On The Hop: Best Craft Beer on a Wine Farm
Spoil Me: Best Luxury Accommodation on a Wine Farm
Track & Trails: Most Memorable Outdoor Experience
Tread Gently: Most Green Wine Farm
Wild Card: Most Unusual Attraction on a Wine Farm
Ying & Yang: Best Food & Wine Pairing
For more information, go to www.klinkawards.co.za or www.facebook.com/klinkawards, follow @KlinkAwards and use #klinkawards. |