EVENTS

BENVINO FEST

The popular BenVino Wine Festival returns to Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni on April 5.

This unique indoor and outdoor event in the Red Roman Shed will feature 150 premium wines from 24 of South Africa’s top wine estates. Guests will enjoy live music, a range of delicious foods, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Enjoy wines from Allee Bleue, Anura, Babylonstoren, Beyerskloof, Bizoe, Chamonix, Grumpy Pug, Eikendal, Ernie Els, Fat Bastard, Groot Phesantekraal, Kleine Zalze, Krone, Montpelier, Mont Rochelle, Saxenburg, Sesfikile, Spier, Stellenzicht, Strandveld, Val Di Terra (by Ken Forrester), Vergelegen, Vondeling, and By The Waters Wine.

Ticket prices are R275 (standard) per person and include a tasting glass. VIP tickets costing R1 150 for 2 persons, include tasting glasses, 1 bottle of Val Di Terra reserve wine, a harvester’s Platter, and seating in the VIP area for 2 guests. Standard ticket with lanyard: R340 per person – includes adjustable lanyard to hold your tasting glass harvester’s Platter. Fort R375 a person, includes a harvester’s platter that contains a delicious variety of cheeses, cold meats, fruits, biscuits and other treats. Kids under 18: Free. The event starts at 10am.

CHAMPAGNE ON THE DAM

Described as one of its kind, the annual Champagne Tasting on the Dam show is expected to attract hordes of bubbly romantics when it opens in the North West town of Hartebeespoort on March 29.

The location for this event is the Bubbles Garden, which will be festooned with a variety of the best champagne brands ready to create an unforgettable experience for wine lovers. Entertainment and good food will be galore. The dress code is shades of blue. Tickets cost R480 per person, and includes tasting coupons for the champagne on show and a flute. The event starts at 11am.

VIRTUAL TASTING

Cape winelands’ Spier will feature as guest wine estate on the Pick n Pay Winemakers Table Virtual Tasting evening on April 3. The evening will involve the pairing of Spier wines with delicious canapés, which will be delivered at the homes of ticket holders in Johannesburg and Cape Town only. Tickets cost R680 and R960. A ticket includes a pairing pack which consists of delicacies and Spier wine.

Delivery of the pairing packs will only be made within 50km of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.

 SIMONSBERG WINE FEST

RMB Simonsberg Wine Festival is to showcase the stature and prestige of the route at Plaisir de Merle estate in Franschhoek over three days from today until Sunday.

The event will feature 40 wines from more than 10 wineries, including Plaisir, Bartinney, Thelema, Tokara, Anura, Glen Carlou, Muratie, Quoin Rock, Vuurberg, Neil Joubert, Marianne, and many more.

Other event highlights include a bubbly and gin garden, beer as well as live music from DJ and performer Shen FM, including food stands, offering Zuney Wagyu Burgers; sushi; oysters; pizza; and cheese and charcuterie picnic boxes.

Tickets for Friday night cost R1 250 per person, inclusive of food from SALT and all flagship wines  (limited to 300 guests). Tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost R350 per person, including 15 wine tasting coupons, a glass, and a bag.

QUOIN ROCK HARVEST

Quoin Rock is hosting a Harvest 2025 Celebration on its Stellenbosch farm on April 10, to give wine lovers a rare insight into winemaking.

The winery invites wine lovers to step into the heart of the harvest season, where the land’s bounty, the winemaker’s art, and the spirit of fire come together for an extraordinary celebration. They will be treated to a harvest table flowing with seasonal delights, including dishes prepared with flames dancing on the braai, infusing each bite with bold, smoky perfection. These delicacies will be enjoyed along with a curated selection of Quoin Rock’s signature wines, each sip a story of passion and terroir.

Tickets cost R3 250 a person. Activities start at 4pm.

PICK N PAY FEST

The Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival Cape Town 2025 returns to the mother city for a two-day showcase on April 26 and 27.

Visitors to the show will taste their way through some of SA’s top wine producers and discover a world of award-winning wines and sumptuous food.  The event will take place at the Claremont Cricket Club.

Each ticketholder receives 20 wine tasting tokens and a tasting glass upon entry, the number of tokens “paid” per tasting is based on the rand value of the wine to be tasted at various stalls. Highlights include an experience at the Tasting Room, Picnic and PnP Mixology Theatre. Tickets cost R300 a person.

VERGELEGEN HARVEST

The 350-year-old Vergelegen wine estate is to host the Live Music Harvest Feast at its Somerset West estate on April 6.

Guests will join to celebrate the end of the harvest with a rustic feast in a stunning new secret venue on the farm. Offering fine wine and exceptional food, the exclusive event will take place from 16h00 to 20h30.

With just 60 seats available, guests will gather at the Wine Tasting Centre before embarking on a scenic ride in farm vehicles to a picturesque vineyard setting. Here, they’ll sip on bubbles, savour gourmet canapés, and even hand-pick their own grapes.

As the sun sets, the journey continues to a hidden pop-up venue, where two long harvest tables will be set for a lavish farm-style feast. The Ceekay Band will provide live music as guests indulge in a family-style meal. Tap your toes, sip on our wines and enjoy the festive atmosphere in our exciting new secret venue on the farm.

Tickets cost R950 per person, and include a welcome drink with canapés, a delectable harvest feast, live music, wine all afternoon, and a take-home gift.

La Motte Harvest Experience

The last chapter of Franschhoek’s La Motte harvest experience takes place this coming week – from Tuesday to Sunday. Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche is again at the helm of a process which began on March 5, keeping his winemaking on its toes to ensure that nothing is left to chance.

Guests can expect a memorable adventure that includes being guided through this celebration of unique harvest traditions.  The harvest party will also enjoy an introduction to the different varietals, harvest processes and the estate’s biologic farming practices.

In the cellar – they will experience the hand-sorting of grapes, crush, pump-overs and other cellar activities, concluded with a tasting of grape must from a fermentation tank.

Tickets cost R190 per person, including vineyard and cellar tours as well as wine tasting. The experience takes place from Tuesdays to Sundays at 10:00 and 15:30. Bookings can be made via the La Motte website.

DURBANVILLE BICENTENNIAL

Cape Town’s northern vineyards in the Durbanville Wine Valley are rolling out the red carpet in celebration of the official 200th anniversary of Durbanville town. Wine lovers are going to be in their element with a specially curated tasting experience on April 10 and 11.

This exclusive, once-off event showcases the finest wines from the region’s esteemed wineries, offering visitors a unique opportunity to savour the terroir and rich heritage that have defined Durbanville’s excellence in both winemaking and hospitality.

Participating wine farms include De Grendel, Durbanville Hills, Klein Roosboom, Nitida, Maastricht, Bloemendal, D’Aria, Canto, Meerendal, Diemersdal, and Groot Phesantekraal. Visitors can indulge in exceptional wine pairings and guided tastings with winemakers who continue to elevate Durbanville’s standing as a premier wine destination.

Some of the exclusive experiences include special evenings of wine tasting with live music. Pricing across the events varies, ensuring there’s something for everyone, and some events must be booked in advance. For the full programme, visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za… – Compiled by Len Maseko