Christchurch Winery 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 comments “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 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.”

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.