Melton Estate Sparkles with award for Best Wine Tourism Restaurant
Melton Estate, a boutique winery in West Melton
Christchurch is toasting its success after being judged Best Wine
Tourism Restaurant in Christchurch / South Island for the Great
Wine Capitals of the World 2012 Wine Tourism Awards.
The award recognized a strong focus by Melton Estate on
wine hospitability. Owner Tracy Caunter says "We've always focused
on providing the very best service we can as every day we are
judged by our customers on our service, food and wine. Following
the earthquakes in Christchurch wine tourism was probably the last
thing on people's minds. However we decided to do even more by
offering winery events and shows so that Christchurch people could
escape, even for an afternoon. The feedback we received was
amazing".
Melton Estate is currently expanding to meet the demand
for its restaurant and event venue. "Through the winter we have
been busy with conference and events, and on the weekends with our
winery lunch service. Our summer season is looking very good and we
decided to invest further in our facilities to meet the
demand."
A new outdoor event building is under construction and due
for completion in December. The "Pavilion" will provide a new event
space for shows, winery lunches and as a wedding chapel. New
landscaping connects the winery building to the lawns and
vineyards. A wine trail through the vineyard is also being
planned.
Melton Estate was encouraged by Christchurch and
Canterbury Tourism to enter in to the awards. "This is the first
major award we have won, and is a positive sign for the growing
wine business in Canterbury", says Caunter.
Chief Judge Dr Joanna Fountain commented on the award:
"Melton Estate are worthy winners in this category this year; they
have overcome regional adversity to provide a restaurant and venue
offering high quality food and a strong hospitality atmosphere,''
Dr Fountain says. "There is little doubt that the presence of
Melton Estate is providing real benefits for the local community
and Canterbury region as a whole."
View our Melton Estate page
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