When winter comes around, harvest has come to an end in the Cape’s Winelands and the vineyards begin to look a bit bare as they shed their leaves. But, this is the perfect time to taste those full-bodied red wines to ensure they will buffer us against the cold on rainy days. So, here’s a list of the Cape’s winter wine festivals where you can do just that.
Christmas in Winter, Tulbagh
Picture: Flickr Commons/ Thomas
As South Africans, we cannot really relate to Christmas movies and sleigh-ride songs depicting snowy Decembers. But, the idea of a winter Christmas celebration coupled with a wine festival sounds like a recipe for success.
The town of Tulbagh gets adorned in Christmas decorations and glittering lights and of course, Christmas trees, for a weekend in June. Restaurants serving traditional Christmas dinners and a ‘Rock with Santa Party’ held at the town theatre are some of the events on offer to get you jolly this Christmas in Winter.
When: 25-26 June 2022
Visit their website here.
Nuy Valley Festival, Worcester
Picture: Nuy Valley Festival
Just 13 km outside of Worcester lies an assuming valley with wine and olive farms, and a brewery. This outdoor festival celebrates the end of harvest with the region’s wines and country food.
READ: Worcester: the hidden valley of plenty
Spend a day exploring the bounties of the valley, with several wine farms participating, olive tastings on offer and the Six Dogs gin Distellery not too far away. the ‘Nuy Valley Express’ tractors will transport you through the vineyards and olive groves from one venue to another.
When: 14 May 2022
Visit their website here.
Bastille Festival, Franschhoek
Franschhoek will go back to its French roots, so don your red, white and blue for a festival of wine, food and entertainment at the annual Bastille Festival.
The Food and Wine Marque along the town’s main street is the hive of activity, where surrounding estates have their wine on offer to taste along with food available from Franschhoek’s acclaimed chefs.
When: 16-17 July 2022
Visit their website here.
Calitzdorp Expressed
Picture: Flickr Commons/ Koos Jooste
What was formerly called ‘Calitzdorp Uncorked,’ the port capital of South Africa has rebranded its festival that gives you the opportunity to savour the many ports on offer, a perfect winter aperitif.
This year’s event will include live music, guided walks, performances and of course, wine and port tasting with your own ‘Calitzdrop Expressed Passport’, which will give you access to tastings and transport between farms.
When: 17-19 June 2022
Visit their website here.
Honoruable mention: Stoep Sitting, Graaff-Reniet
Picture: Louzel Lombard Steyn/ Getaway Gallery
Even Though Graaff-Reniet is technically not in the Cape, its annual Stoep Sitting festival is such a mainstay on the South African wine calendar, it’s too much of a goodie to pass.
READ: Stoep sitting in Graaff-Reinet, a town on a mission
What started in 2014 with five wine producers coming to the town to host tastings on a few businesses’ stoeps has turned into a major event with winemakers from across South Africa serving their vintages in front of historic buildings, and wine drinkers going from stoep to stoep, tasting.
When: 26-28 May 2022
Visit their website here.
Picture: Pixabay
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