WeeklySA_AdminEXPERIENCE: Waterford Estate will celebrate Women’s Day with an intimate brunch in the Stellenbosch Winelands, offering just 25 guests a morning of award-winning wines, gourmet cuisine and insights from its resident winemaker…
By Len Maseko
Waterford Estate is hosting an exclusive Women’s Day brunch experience that combines fine wine, gourmet food and the art of winemaking in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands.
The event, which takes place on August 10 from 10 to 12noon, will welcome only 25 guests to the estate’s Tasting Room, where they will enjoy a relaxed morning designed to celebrate friendship, achievement and shared experiences.
Guests will be greeted with a glass of Cap Classique and canapés before sitting down to a leisurely communal brunch paired with the estate’s wines and freshly brewed coffee.
The experience will also feature a guided conversation with Waterford Estate winemaker Jamie Papenfus, who will share her expertise and passion for crafting premium wines.
Each guest will also receive a complimentary bottle of Waterford Rose-Mary to take home as a keepsake of the occasion. Tickets cost R1,400 per person. Waterford Estate is situated on Upper Blaauwklippen Road.
Nestled in the scenic Blaauwklippen Valley beneath the Helderberg Mountains, Waterford Estate has earned an international reputation as one of the world’s leading premium red wine producers.
The estate has been recognised among the top 100 vineyards globally and has received acclaim for its cellar door experience, while its wines consistently earn high ratings from respected wine critics and competitions.
The estate says every bottle reflects the character of its vineyards, the unique conditions of each harvest and the craftsmanship of its winemaking team. Its philosophy combines traditional techniques with sustainable farming practices to produce wines that express the distinctive terroir of Stellenbosch.
Established in 1998 and owned by the Ord family, Waterford Estate has built its reputation on blending old-world winemaking traditions with modern innovation while embracing a diverse range of grape varieties suited to South Africa’s climate.
EVENTS
Stellenbosch Wine Fest
The Stellenbosch Wine Festival takes place at the local town hall over two days from July 31 to 1 August 1.
A celebration of wine in and around the Cape winelands route, the event features the very best of Stellenbosch wine, food and hospitality. Visitors will have the opportunity to taste their way through more than 200 premium wines from over 60 top wine producers while enjoying food, live music and the vibrant atmosphere of Wine Town Stellenbosch.
Tickets cost R600 online or R650 at the door and are available on Plankton. The ticket includes access to taste 200+ plus wines and 20 wine tasting tokens; bottomless culinary creations by renowned chefs Bertus Basson and Adel Grewar; and live music and entertainment.
Dates and times are July 31 (17h00 – 21h00) and August 1 (14h00 – 18h00).
Pirates Wine Fair
The Pirates Wine Fair will celebrate its second year of existence with another showcase on August 9, which will be dedicated to women.
A prime selection of wine farms aims to highlight the increasing role of Women in Wine, and their contributions to the world class South African wineries.
Participating wineries showcasing their wines include Bon Courage Estate, DeMorgenzon, David Finlayson Wines, HER Wine Collection, Kleine Zalze, Krone, La Bri, Leeuwenkuil, Nitida, Rietvallei, Rustenberg Wines, Sutherland Vineyards, Thelema, Twee Jonge Gezellen.
Live Music, Entertainment, Food and of course a selection of Wines to celebrate with your beloved partner.
Tickets cost R250 per person or R400 per couple and include a free welcome mimosa, as well as a Pirates Wine Fair tasting glass and access to the wine farms boutique selections. Pirates Club 25 is situated on Braeside Road, Greenside, Randburg. Showtimes are from 12noon to 5pm.
Pick n Pay Wine Fest
The Pick n Pay Wine and Food Festival is set to usher in spring with a celebration of South Africa’s finest wines, gourmet food and live entertainment at The Wanderers Club in Johannesburg on August 8 and 9.
The popular festival will showcase more than 70 leading wine estates, giving visitors the chance to sample an extensive selection of award-winning wines, from premium still wines and elegant Cap Classiques to luxury Champagne and refreshing Mimosas.
Festival-goers looking for a relaxed outdoor experience can pre-order a picnic bag to share on the lawns. The picnic option is available as an add-on when purchasing Early or General Access tickets through Webtickets.
Interactive experiences return with the Pick n Pay Tasting Room, flavoured by Robertsons Spices, where acclaimed chef Tjaart Walraven pairs gourmet canapés with premium wines during exclusive sessions limited to just 40 guests each.
Making its Johannesburg debut is the Pick n Pay Liquor Mixology Theatre, presented by Diageo, where visitors can learn to create two signature cocktails in entertaining 30-minute classes.
General Access tickets cost R350 and include entry, a tasting glass and 20 wine-tasting vouchers. Tasting Room and Mixology Theatre bundles are available at R500 each, while picnic bags cost R350 as an optional add-on.
Caroline’s Reds Showcase
Wine lovers, collectors and industry professionals will once again have the opportunity to sample some of South Africa’s finest flagship red wines when Caroline’s 2026 Red Wine Review takes place at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town July 30.
Now in its 38th year, the prestigious tasting event, hosted by renowned wine retailer Caroline Rillema of Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar, has become one of the highlights of the South African wine calendar.
The annual showcase will feature 90 of the country’s most acclaimed red wines, with each invited producer presenting just one flagship wine. The tasting line-up spans South Africa’s leading Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz/Syrah, Merlot, Pinotage, Cinsault and Grenache wines, alongside a selection of niche varietals and acclaimed Bordeaux-style, Rhône-style and Cape blends.
The event will be staged in the Members’ Lounge on the fourth floor of the DHL Stadium.
The tasting runs from 17:00 to 21:00. Tickets cost R550 per person, while secure undercover parking is available for R70 per vehicle.
Lesotho Wine Fest
Wine enthusiasts from across Southern Africa will gather in Maseru October 10, for the 13th edition of the Lesotho Wine Festival, one of the kingdom’s premier wine and lifestyle events.
Hosted at the Maseru Club, the festival promises a day of tasting, entertainment and socialising, featuring more than 240 wines from over 45 producers. Since its launch in 2012, the event has grown into a celebrated showcase of wine culture, attracting both seasoned connoisseurs and curious newcomers.
Organised by Station Off Sales (Liquor City Group), the festival operates on a non-profit basis and is dedicated to promoting a refined wine experience while supporting local talent and celebrating an elevated Lesotho lifestyle.
Running from 11am, the event offers an ideal opportunity to discover new favourites, meet producers and enjoy a memorable day in the Mountain Kingdom.
Tickets are available online via lesothowine.co.ls. – Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news
