Tourism Award 2022
Salgesch, November 15, 2021: After winning the Global Winner – Best of Wine Tourism award in Mainz, Germany, at the end of October, the best Swiss winemaker of the decade and the best Swiss winemaker of the years 2018-2011-2007 has now also prevailed against strong international competition in the final of the international Public Choice Award.
Diego Mathier’s sustainable wine tourism concept initially impressed the jury of 72 experts in Mainz on November 4, thus securing him the title of Global Winner – Best of Wine Tourism. At the subsequent international Public Choice Award, the 66 finalists once again faced the global public in seven categories. After 14 days, it was clear that Diego Mathier’s concept had won by far the most votes against competitors from Australia, Spain, France, South Africa, Argentina, Italy, the USA, Germany and France. “The fact that our vision of the wine tourism concept, which began to take shape eight years ago with the Barrique restaurant, has now received such a prestigious award at an international level naturally makes us extremely proud,” says a visibly delighted Diego Mathier.
Diego Mathier’s winning concept Valais Wine Experience is primarily all about wine. This includes experiences at the successful winemaker’s vineyard, guided hikes in the vineyards, sleeping in the BnB Vino Veritas, which is themed around wine and the Valais mountains, and of course the matching culinary experiences in his restaurant Barrique “Wine & Raclette”. Guests can also choose from no less than 100 tourist, gastronomic and cultural excursion tips in the Upper and Lower Valais. The Salgesch winegrower is keen to ensure that the year-round bookable offer opens up wine tourism in the RhĂ´ne valley in a holistic and sustainable way, without neglecting the mountain regions. Diego Mathier is convinced that “anyone who travels to Valais drinks Valais wine” and, following the latest award, is looking forward to an international audience discovering and enjoying the Valais wine and vacation region.