2019 CELLAR DOOR OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM

Nominations are now invited for the 2019 Cellar Door of the Year Award.

Nominations are invited from any business within Hunter Valley Wine Country. This year’s Awards will be decided upon by the Mystery Shopper, and the cost to nominate for this Award is $220 (+GST) for members. All nominees will be visited anonymously by a Mystery Shopper, and provided with a detailed report which can be utilized to assist entrants with their on-going marketing activities and assist with future planning of your procedures within your cellar door.

Criteria

The public perception and profile of our wine industry is influenced by experiences at our cellar doors. The award recognises excellence at a Hunter Valley cellar door. To be eligible for entry the cellar door must be open for visitation without appointment and demonstrate:

• The discernible promotion of Hunter Valley wines.
• Active involvement in wine/tourism industry activities and events.
• Cellar door staff must exhibit exemplary wine knowledge of the Hunter Valley and in general local knowledge, and the ability to sell the Hunter Valley brand.

The External Judging Process

The Mystery Shopper will award points for:

• Customer Service (major point weighting), including welcome and overall friendliness, tasting experience, wine knowledge of staff, local knowledge, and positive referral to other cellar doors.
• External presentation of signage, entry, parking, landscaping etc.
• Internal facilities including layout of cellar door, amenities, tasting area etc.
• Other services offered, e.g. digital marketing strategy, up selling to include wine club and other direct marketing, dinners, and wine education classes.

Nominations must be received by Friday, 8th February 2019.