Looks like summer got the memo - your wine weekend options

I don't want to be "that guy" who calls it prematurely but I think summer has finally got the memo and arrived in Cape Town. Late, yes, but safely here. Thank you summer. To celebrate I am going to do something remarkably pro-active here and combine no less than FOUR entries into one as I effortlessly show you some different wine festivals taking place over the next few weekends. Let's get into it...

The Season of Sauvignon wine festival actually starts today and runs until Sunday. It is hosted by the Durbanville Wine Valley Association and showcases Shiraz. Not really. It showcases Sauvignon Blanc from the area. With farms like De Grendel, Diemersdal, Bloemendal and Altydgedacht all participating it should be a goodie. Expect sushi, live jazz and beautiful views of Table Mountain. 

Right...moving on. Next Friday sees the Breedekloof Outdoor Festival kick off. The weekend celebrates the area's beautiful natural surroundings and includes quad-biking, paintball, archery, fishing, mountain biking and even the Deetlefs Night Run through their vineyards. (5km and 10km). Food-wise there will be everything from - and I quote from their website - "skaapkop dinner" (umm...no) to oysters (ah thank you) to a spitbraai (maybe, depending on my sobriety at the time). I like the healthy appeal of this festival and let's not forget the quality of wineries out there. (Deetlefs, Lorraine, Jason's Hill etc.)

Okay, as if we needed another reason to go to Franschhoek they too are hosting a festival next weekend (the 10th and the 11th). Theirs is called Franschhoek Uncorked and promises to be a cracker. They have done well to organise a shuttle service to take you from one wine farm to the next and the lineup is...well...silly. Moreson. Boekenhoutskloof. Chamonix. Grande Provence. L'Ormarins. Vrede en Lust. You get the picture. I'm starting to get the picture as I write this actually. Yip, this could be the one. Screw the night run! I'll run back to the B&B! 

Lastly, we have the Robertson Wine on the River weekend. Bloody hell this sounds amazing. From the 16th to the 18th of October a place called Goudmyn Farm is your host. Situated on the banks of the Breede River, the event includes sampling wines from more than 40 wineries. There's a live blues band, country food stalls and a farmer's market selling local olives, cheese, chocolate and olive oil. There's a fu*king river cruise people! COME ON MAN! ARE YOU GETTING THIS? When I go on a booze-cruise I like to use the word meander. Yes...I think I will meander down the Breede. 

Phew, I got a bit carried away there but really...can you blame me? Summer is here and the outdoors are calling. Bring it on, it's been a long winter. 

Cheers,

Jamie Who

P.S. Check out the following sites for more info:

www.eat-in.co.za/static/events/event.php?id=718

www.durbanvillewine.co.za 

www.breedekloof.com

www.franschhoek.org.za/festivals