If you’ve got a couple of go away days accruing, you may do far worse than head to the Western Cape from 4 – 9 August when Stellenbosch showcases the most effective it has to provide in wine, meals and hospitality.
Wine Town Stellenbosch 2022 is greatest defined as a post-pandemic revival of the city’s historic annual wine competition a lot expanded to give guests a broader experience of City of Oaks’ vacationer sights.
The occasion is a joint initiative between Stellenbosch Wine Routes (representing greater than 100 farms, estates and cooperatives) and the Visit Stellenbosch vacation spot advertising organisation connecting all features of native tourism.
The inaugural Wine Town Stellenbosch came about final yr as a collection of smaller occasions staged at completely different instances and locations to take Covid restrictions into consideration.
With occasion attendance limitations lifted, the organisers determined to consolidate these into a six-day all-encompassing overarching competition.
It retains, nevertheless, its decentralised format with particular person occasions hosted across the city and on wine farms.
“Wine Town Stellenbosch features a diverse series of events and experiences designed to offer something for everyone,” say the organisers.
“Among them are dwell music performances, farm walks, impressed meals, and tutored tastings – from formal to casual events – all that includes prime wines as the primary attraction.
“Oenophiles will get their fill not only at in-depth tastings with winemakers but also through events aimed at highlighting particular aspects of local wines, such as cultivar excellence or age of vineyards.”
Organisations collaborating this yr embody the Pinotage and Chenin Blanc Associations, whereas the favored Stellenbosch Cabernet walk-around tasting at Ernie Els Wines returns.
At the center of Wine Town Stellenbosch is the eponymous wine competition that takes place within the city corridor on Friday and Saturday 5 and 6 August.
More than 200 wines shall be introduced by over 30 collaborating wineries, with curated tastings focussing on particular varieties and vintages.
(I attended my first Stellenbosch Wine Festival on 3 June 1995, little realizing that the piece of historical past I used to be about to watch would grow to be a frequent incidence almost 30 years later.
It was the evening the Springboks took on Canada for the notorious “Battle of Boet Erasmus” in Port Elizabeth throughout Rugby World Cup 1995 and the lights went out simply earlier than the ill-tempered recreation was due to kick off.)
Stalls will provide tastings from 4-8pm on Friday and 2-6pm on Saturday. Participating wineries embody Spier, Alto, Neethlingshof, Middelvlei, Hidden Valley, Morgenster, Lanzerac, Villiera, Remhoogte, Groenland, Boschkloof, Peter Falke, Hartenberg, Cavalli, Kaapzicht and Zevenwa in addition to new wine route members Weltevreden Estate/Bertha Wines and Compagniesdrift.
Food ready by famend Stellenbosch and TV chef Bertus Basson shall be out there. Visitors eager to experience wines on the farms they’re made shall be spoiled for selection.
Associated highlights embody a winemaker’s lunch at Bottelary Hills, the Oppieplaas competition at Lanzerac, Spier’s wine-blending experience and dwell music at Neethlingshof.
Local eating places will run promotions throughout the competition. Among them are Clos Malverne, Peter Falke Wines, Middelvlei, Stellenbosch Kitchen, Helena’s Restaurant at Coopmanhuijs Bou[1]tique Hotel, Jonkershuis 1817 at Weltevreden Estate and Taphuis at Lanzerac.
Special offers can even be out there for guests wanting to make a lengthy weekend of the event.
Consider staying at, amongst others, Clos Malverne, Coopmanhuijs, Stellenbosch Hotel, Rivierbos, Weltevreden Estate Farm Stay Accommodation andLanzerac.
A 10km enjoyable run and different 10km stroll on the Saturday offers members the prospect to intently study Stellenbosch’s structure and riverine habitats.
Registration takes place at 7am on the Stellenbosch Town Hall with begins at 8am and eight.30am. Entry for the stroll is R110 pp and R140 pp for the run.
For extra info, please go to www.winetown.wineroute.co.za.
NOW READ: FYN Restaurant in Cape Town ranked amongst World’s 50 Best