The Rugby World Cup final kicks off at 9 pm on 28 October; get in the mood at the Swartland Sosiaal Wynfees, which runs from noon til 5 pm on the day.
The Swartland does not spring to mind when you’re thinking about your next wine-tasting trip. But it should. The region has an interesting and varied climate and topography – all the better to make delicious wines.
And then there’s the friendliness and hospitality of the people. The old saying holds true of the Swartland: you arrive a stranger and leave as a friend.
Lucky then that you can enjoy all the best the region has to offer at the Swartland Sosiaal Wynfees on 28 October. It’s taking place at Org de Rac, one of the first organic wine farms in South Africa, and just 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town.
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On the menu are pop-up food stalls, picnics, live music and tasting the Swartland’s finest wines.
There are just 400 tickets though, so get to Quicket and book your places with a dash of speed. Only adults are permitted and tickets sell for R350 each. They include a safari-style tasting of Swartland wines, a R50 voucher towards your first wine purchase of the day as well as live entertainment courtesy of Newton & Co.
Everything has been thought of: there are 30 Designated Driver Tickets for sale on Quicket at R200 each. These include a R50 voucher towards food and a bottle of water. These ticket holders will get identifying wristbands and no alcohol will be served to them.
Not got anyone who wants to miss out? Don’t worry, shuttle services will be available from Cape Town – you’ll get details when you book – a confirmation email will include a list of shuttle services and accommodation venues.
Apart from building your own picnic basket options, Swartland Sosiaal will offer a cellar tour and barrel tasting experience; a Serious Sipper’s Lounge that includes three tutored masterclass tastings; and, a Cap Classique-and-oysters bar.
In addition to Org de Rac, participating wineries include Swartland establishments Riebeek Wine Co, Pulpit Rock Wine, Huis van Chevallerie, Leeuwenkuil Family Vineyards, Arbeidsgenot Wines, Winkelshoek Wynkelder and Wildehurst Wines Koringberg; as well as Brookdale Estate in Paarl and Deetlefs Wine Estate near Worcester.
For the foodies, pop-up stalls operated by Die Moorrees and the Hopefield Market will satisfy your needs.
Ready-made meals will include slow smoked pulled beef rolls, vegetarian quiche and sweet treats. Picnic basket items will include cheeses by the Vredendal cheesemaker Kokerboom Kaas as well as patés, preserves and seasonal fruit.
Tours of the Org de Rac cellar will be presented by winemaker Lizelle Gerber. And you’ll get to learn about the winery’s sustainable way of farming and winemaking, and taste new release vintages from barrels and tanks. But it’s an add-on tour, with just 30 tickets available at R150 each, through through Org de Rac.
Swartland Sosiaal Wynfees runs from noon to 5pm on 28 October; tickets are available through Quicket for R350 each.
You can follow Swartland Sosiaal Wynfees @SwartlandSosiaal on Facebook and Instagram to keep abreast of what is planned.
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