What's On In The Winelands
February 2012
Hanepoot Grape Picking At De Krans Wine Cellar
During February and March, Calitzdorp wine cellar De Krans offers visitors the opportunity to pick deliciously sweet hanepoot grapes. Grapes cost ZAR4.90/kg and visitors are welcome to bring their own containers or purchase them at De Krans at a minimal cost. Every day (except Sun) 08h00-16h00. More »
Make Wine The Traditional Way At Dragonridge Winery
Do something completely different and make wine hands-on the old traditional way. Combine delicious food, wine tasting and lots of fun on Fynbos Estate, idyllic farm, mountain nature reserve and home of Dragonridge Winery. Great for groups of friends, family and teambuilding. More »
Steenberg Vineyards Sensory Tasting
The year's first Steenberg Themed Tasting brings the magic of wine to life in a new way. You will learn how to use your sense of smell to determine the underlying flavours of a wine; your sense of touch to gauge whether it’s too hot or cold; and your sense of sight to determine the blend of the wine, among others. More »
Die Heuwels Fantasties Live At Rhebokskloof Wine Estate
Hot on the heels of the release of their latest CD, über-popular and multi-awarded group Die Heuwels Fantasties hits the stage at Rhebokskloof's open-air Theatre on the Lake. Eats, cool-drinks and acclaimed estate wines available. More »
Constantia Fresh 2012
The 3rd annual Constantia Fresh festival once again explores the distinctiveness and freshness of the "wild" white grape, sauvignon blanc, while examining the red blends of Constantia and spoiling fine diners at one of the area’s best restaurants, Cellars Hohenort. More »
Robertson Wine Valley's 4th Annual Hands-on Harvest Festival
The 4th Hands-on Harvest festival offers wine aficionados and budding vintners a chance to experience the magic of harvest for a day without having to quit their day jobs. Groups are small and intimate to ensure that you have the very best hands-on experience. Note: bookings close on 22 February 2012. More »
Spier Wine Farm Harvest Festival
Join Spier's winemakers, friends and family to celebrate and bless the harvest. The estate is transformed into a wine wonderland, with wine tastings, grape stomping, live entertainment, delicious food and play activities for children. More »
Darling Cellars Crush Day
Calling wine and outdoor enthusiasts to Darling Cellars' annual day of activities, eating, drinking and guaranteed laughter. Enjoy breakfast, grape picking and crushing (your very own wine and label to come 8-10 months later), label design competition, traditional West Coast lunch, wine tasting and more. More »
Harvest Festival At Grande Provence
Start the day with tea, coffee and pastries, then ride a tractor to the vineyard for grape picking, followed by a tour of the cellar, wine tasting with cellarmaster Jaco Marais, and traditional stomping of the grapes in the barrels. Conclude with a braai feast, live musical entertainment and games under the old oak tree. More »
Farm Market At Dormershire Wine Estate
Bring your friends and family to Paul and Sunette Frost's boutique estate on the last Saturday of each month for free wine and olive tastings, and the opportunity to buy a variety of produce from the area, including home-baked products, fruit and vegetables, arts and crafts, children's toys, antiques, jewellery and more. More »
4th Annual Grape Stomp At Riebeek Cellars
Join the team at good-value winery Riebeek Cellars and experience the joy of getting barefoot into a barrel of juicy grapes and squishing them between your toes! Other highlights of this family festival include wine, music, food, freshly pressed grape must, and activities for the kids. More »
Watershed Live At Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre
Something special not to be missed: pop-rock band Watershed, one of South Africa’s most popular exports, performing live at one of the most dramatic and unusual venues in the Cape winelands. More »
March 2012
Worcester Wine & Olive Route Harvest of Joy Festival
The Harvest of Joy festival is a celebration of nature's bounty. Activities include rides on the Breede Otter riverboat, canoeing, MTB challenge, fresh farm produce, delicious food and wine, and entertainment for the kids. More »
Vusi Mahlasela Ft. Karen Zoid Live At Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre
Known simply as "The Voice", Vusi Mahlasela is celebrated for his distinct, powerful voice and poetic, optimistic lyrics. Special guest star Karen Zoid joins him for some very poignant numbers. More »
OmmiBerg "Round The Rock" Festival
Paarl’s OmmiBerg “Round the Rock” Festival is a full day out for the family, with mums and dads previewing young unfiltered wines and enjoying savoury treats, live music and wine farm ambience while the kids are entertained with a variety of activities. More »
Steenberg Vineyards What’s In A Glass? Tasting
The second Steenberg Themed Tasting of the year is presented by industry expert Richard Kellond and focuses on the different wine glass shapes and how they affect the taste of the wine, if at all. You will discover the difference in a wine when drunk from glass or crystal, and what the best shape is to show off its full potential. More »
6th Wellington Wine Harvest Festival
Be there when the heart of the Cape winelands is transformed into a one-stop venue for non-stop fun, including outdoor activities, potjiekos competitions, grape stomping, cellar visits and much more. More »
Harvest Festival At Bosman Family Vineyards
Bosman Family Vineyards will be hosting their Long Lunch under the oak trees and gazebos, with lots to feast on while enjoying the beautiful countryside with family and, of course, Bosman wines. Parents can relax while children are entertained. More »
Mischa Wine Estate Harvest Festival
Kick back in a Moroccan tent with cushions and stunning views, chill out to relaxing music and taste delicious local food and internationally acclaimed Mischa Estate and Eventide wines. More »
The Feast Of The Grape
Hosted at 12 wine farms on Human Rights Day, this one-day feast marks the end of harvest and the arrival of autumn with gastronomy, country fare, live music, squishy grape-stomping, hay rides in the vineyards and, of course, plenty of seasonal wines to sip. More »
Louise Carver Live At Rhebokskloof Theatre On The Lake
Popular singer-songwriter and pianist Louise Carver brings Rhebokskloof Wine Estate's open-air concert season to a close on a high note, with a live performance of her multi-awarded songs at the Theatre On The Lake. Eats, cool-drinks and acclaimed estate wines available. More »
Harvest Festival At Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards
Mont Rochelle's 4th annual Harvest Festival offers a more personal harvesting experience in the company of winemaker Darran Stone. Gourmet cuisine, hands-on activities and a special gift to take home, add up to an unforgettable day. More »
Nelson Mandela Bay Food, Cheese & Wine Festival
With over 300 exhibitors and 20+ presentations and shows, the inaugural Nelson Mandela Bay Food, Cheese & Wine Festival intends to place Port Elizabeth on the map with food from around the world, top wines, "potjiekos" competitions, traditional Sunday lunch "spitbraais", live music, kids entertainment and more. More »
Franschhoek Summer Wines
Celebrate the last few days of summer at Leopard's Leap Vineyards in the Franschhoek Wine Valley for the inaugural Summer Wines festival. Some of the area’s top wineries will showcase their finest bottlings, and winelovers will be able to engage with the winemakers, who would have just finished the 2012 harvest. More »
Riebeek Valley Mediterranean Festival
Rediscover the unique culinary lifestyle of the Mediterranean in the Riebeek Valley, food mecca of the Swartland. Visit wine estates and browse interesting shops for tasty samples of local products, while learning more about local traditions, people and the environment. More »
April 2012
2nd Breedekloof Cloudy Nouveau Festival
In the 2nd annual event, selected Breedekloof wineries invite you to celebrate the 2012 vintage by tasting their young wines directly from barrel and tank. More »
Mpumalanga Wine Show
The third Mpumalanga Wine Show promises a tempting array of red, white, sparkling and dessert wines from the Cape as well as a range of international wines and champagnes, plus olives and wine accessories. More »
May 2012
Steenberg Vineyards "Perold’s Creation" Tasting
The third Steenberg Themed Tasting of the year showcases pinotage, South Africa’s "national" grape variety, created at Stellenbosch University by Prof Abraham Izak Perold in 1925. You will learn about this refreshing, fruity red wine while tasting your way through examples from several top estates in Constantia and beyond. More »
Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival
Historic Klein Karoo village Calitzdorp, often referred to as South Africa's port capital, hosts an annual celebration of port, wine and food, with tastings of different port styles, lifestyle markets, food stalls, live entertainment, pipe organ recitals, art exhibits, restaurants, bars and many other attractions vying for attention. More »
2nd TOPS Gugulethu Wine Festival
Building on the remarkable success of their inaugural wine festival, local entrepreneurs Lungile Mbalo and Mzoli Ngcawuzele in association with Cape Wine Academy will host the follow-up event on the rooftop of the Gugulethu Square Mall. More »
June 2012
Durbanville Wine Valley Sip, Soup & Bread Festival
This friends-and-family-friendly winter feast takes a laid-back approach to the art of food and wine pairing, as 12 participating Durbanville estates join hands with chefs to find soulful partners for a variety of soups, chowders and gumbos from around the world. More »
Steenberg Vineyards "Spot A Fault" Tasting
In the fourth Steenberg Themed Tasting of the year, Steenberg winemaker JD Pretorius will tackle commonplace wine faults and how to recognize them. Covering very real issues such as cork taint and oxidation, guests will be able to try their hand at spotting faults and identifying their effects on wine. More »
Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show Public Tastings
The annual Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show public wine tastings afford wine lovers the opportunity to taste the best South African wines as judged at the year's show. More »
July 2012
Breedekloof Soetes & Soup Weekend
This midwinter festival is hosted by the wineries of the Breedekloof district, and features homemade country soups, live entertainment, art exhibitions and, of course, the eponymous soetes – sweet and fortifying muscadels and ports. More »
Limpopo Wine Show
Presented by wine authority Michael Fridjhon and the team which organises the country’s premier national and regional wine festivals, the event gives Polokwane wine lovers access to a prestigious array of award-winning producers. More »
August 2012
Hermanus Wine & Food Fair
Regarded as one of the best wine shows in South Africa, Hermanus Wine & Food Fair is a three-day indulgence featuring a wide array of top-class premium wine and an assortment of fresh local culinary creations. More »
September 2012
Telkom Business Michael Fridjhon Wine Experience
Michael Fridjhon takes guests on a taste discovery of some of the world’s most desired and esteemed wines, in collaboration with the Hyatt Regency Johannesburg. More »
8th Soweto Wine Festival
Africa’s wine and lifestyle festival, combining the best African vibe with the finest South African Wines, and bringing the vineyards to Soweto and Soweto to the vineyards. More »
October 2012
Season Of Sauvignon
Spring signals the start of white wine season, and the estates of the picturesque Durbanville Wine Valley invite you to a weekend celebration of the area’s signature style - sauvignon blanc. More »
Breedekloof Outdoor & Wine Festival
A celebration of wine, food, adventure and music, this fun-filled weekend includes wine tastings, live performances, food-and-wine pairing, mountain biking, fynbos hikes, tagged fishing contest, trail run and much more. More »
RMB WineX Sandton
Sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank, WineX is the premier public event on South Africa's national wine calendar, drawing thousands of wine enthusiasts every year. More »
November 2012
RMB WineX Cape Town
Meet local and international winemakers, taste their current releases and learn about the newest trends in winemaking, glassware, coolers (home storage) and wine racks. More »
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