WeeklySA_AdminCRAFT: Graham Beck’s new Artist’s Retreat pairs terroir with art through a painted wine egg…
By WSAM Reporter
Graham Beck has introduced a new cultural initiative, The Artist’s Retreat, positioning the Cap Classique house at the intersection of luxury winemaking, fine art and innovation.
Described as an immersive residency, the Artist’s Retreat invites acclaimed creatives to engage with the Robertson estate’s landscape and reinterpret its “sense of place” through original works. The first edition of the retreat welcomed celebrated multidisciplinary artist Michael Chandler, who returned to the estate following a previous collaboration with Graham Beck.
During a three-day stay in the vineyards, Chandler produced a singular artwork: a hand-painted ceramic wine egg, crafted using pigments made from the estate’s own soil.
Set across 3 000 hectares of limestone-rich terrain and protected nature reserve, the retreat is designed to deepen the understanding of terroir beyond wine — presenting it as a cultural force shaping taste, aesthetics and creative expression.
For Chandler, that meant sourcing his own materials directly from the land. Using chalky limestone and decomposed granite from Graham Beck’s vineyards, he refined the earth into pigments — translating Robertson’s geology into a palette of delicate natural colour.
His canvas, the ceramic wine egg, is a signature innovation within the Graham Beck cellar. The eggs are used as fermentation vessels valued for their purity of form, with their curved shape encouraging natural circulation while the porous ceramic supports gentle oxygen exchange — methods associated with refined texture and restrained elegance.
Chandler’s creative process unfolded across three days: gathering and preparing pigments on the first day, painting outdoors beneath the Robertson sky on the second, and completing layered imagery by the third.
The finished piece combines botanical references, geological textures and subtle echoes of the Graham Beck Nature Reserve, creating what the estate describes as a “dialogue between terroir, time and creative mastery.” The completed ceramic wine egg now resides in the estate’s “Innovation Cellar”, a space dedicated to experimentation and the future of Cap Classique.
Graham Beck said the work stands as both artefact and emblem — reflecting a belief that mastery, whether in art or winemaking, is continuously evolving.
The Artist’s Retreat will return in 2026, with new artists expected to reinterpret the landscape and expand the creative conversation between craft, culture and place.
EVENTS
Brookdale Food, Wine Sunset Dining
Brookdale Estate is set to turn February into a celebration of flavour, romance and vineyard living, as the Paarl Winelands destination rolls out a packed calendar of culinary milestones, wine highlights and golden-hour dining experiences.
The month’s festivities begin on February 1, when The Bistro marks its third birthday. To celebrate the milestone, guests booking for lunch will be welcomed with a complimentary glass of bubbly, as the estate reflects on growing acclaim and loyal patronage.
The anniversary follows a strong run of accolades, including recognition as a Top 10 Destination Restaurant in the Cape and a place among South Africa’s Top 20 Restaurants for 2025 by Dineplan.
Chef Gary Coetzee, who has shaped The Bistro’s contemporary seasonal offering, invites diners to raise a glass to the journey so far — one defined by refined comfort cuisine, relaxed elegance and a strong sense of place.
Romance takes centre stage mid-month with Valentine’s Day celebrations on February 14. The Bistro will serve its à la carte summer menu for both lunch and dinner, accompanied by a complimentary glass of Mason Road Serendipity rosé. Dinner guests will also be treated to live music by Leigh Hondy.
Wine lovers are equally catered for with Syrah Day on February 16, spotlighting one of Brookdale’s signature varietals. Visitors to the Tasting Room, open Tuesdays to Sundays, will have the opportunity to explore the 2024 Mason Road Syrah — recently awarded four stars in the 2025 Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide, a notable achievement for the estate’s winemaking team.
Adding to the seasonal appeal, Brookdale’s popular Sunset Dinner Series continues throughout February, running every Wednesday and Thursday evening until 26 March. With sittings at 17:30 and 19:30.
Montreux Jazz Franschhoek
The inaugural Montreux Jazz Festival Franschhoek (MJFSA) will take place over three days from March 27 to 29 in the Cape Winelands, marking the first African edition of the legendary Swiss music festival.
The three-day event features international artists, local talent, and intimate performances in the Franschhoek Valley, blending world-class jazz, blues, and soul with local wine and food experiences.
Over one magical weekend in March, music, art, food and wine will converge to transform the picturesque valley into an intimate stage for global voices.
Following in the footsteps of the legendary festival on Lake Geneva, we will celebrate music in all its forms - jazz-inspired, multi-genre, and deeply connected to the people and place that host it.
The festival is expected to feature a diverse line-up, connecting international acts with South African artists. It will include chef-led dining, wine pairings, and artist workshops. It partners with the Uncorked Music Academy to foster local talent.
This event brings the prestigious 50-year-old Swiss festival tradition to South Africa, aiming to build a sustainable cultural platform.
Ticket information and updates are available via the official website mjfsa.com and social media, such as Instagram.
Vibes At Durbanville Hills
Durbanville Hills’ summer music series moves into top gear with Dr Tiny T scheduled to spin the vinyls on February 8 under winery’s Sundaze blaze.
Sundaze Summer Sessions unwind from 13h00 to 17h00 with award-winning wines, cocktails, craft beer, and delicious eats available for revellers who attend.
DJs will play cool tunes ranging from Deep House, RnB to HipHop as guests relax on the lawns overlooking Table Bay and Table Mountain with food served from the Olive Grove Bistro.
Other dates for the forthcoming sessions are March 8 (Dags on Decks) and March 29 (DJ Tiny T).
Bring your picnic blanket, your besties, and your summer spirit. Durbanville Hills Winery, M13 Tygerberg Valley Road. Entry fee is R100. Sessions start at 14h00.
Wine Auction At Nederburg
The 2026 Cape Wine Auction will be hosted at the historic Nederburg Farm in Paarl on February 7, promising a day of elegance, philanthropy and premium wine experiences.
The programme will follow its established format, with the morning dedicated to the prestigious barrel auction, featuring rare wines from leading South African producers. This will be followed by the “Experience Auction & Luncheon”, where guests can bid on exclusive lots while enjoying a curated culinary offering.
New for 2026 is “The Celebration”, an open-access event designed for guests who want to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere without participating in formal bidding. It will feature gourmet food stations, curated wine stands, live entertainment and interactive experiences. Tickets cost R650 and R3 150 per person available via Webtickets.
Commemorative Gala
The historic Groot Constantia Wine Estate will host the SA Wine Harvest Commemorative Event on February 5, bringing together wine lovers and industry leaders for a black-tie gala dinner celebrating the origins and legacy of South African wine.
Held in the Constantia Wine Valley in Cape Town, the annual event honours the country’s unique wine heritage, which can be traced to an exact recorded date — February 2 1659.
Initiated by the Board of Groot Constantia, the gala also recognises achievements across the sector and those inspiring new levels of excellence in the wine industry. Bookings and ticket enquiries can be directed to event@sawineharvest.co.za
Western Luxe In Wellington
An electrifying blend of Western-inspired luxury, live music and social purpose comes to Wellington in the Cape winelands on February 28, when The Wake-Up Call takes over Dunstone Country Estate for an evening designed to entertain — and to give back.
Created by social media power duo Kiki La Coco and Malcolm Wentzel, The Wake-Up Call promises a “Western luxe with a conscience” experience, combining country music under the stars, flame-grilled food, exceptional wines, fashion, art and thought-provoking conversations.
Guests will move through curated spaces across the estate, beginning with welcome drinks and fire-grilled bites at the manor house, followed by a fashion show, live performances and keynote moments. Guest speakers include NLP coach Michelle Israel, reality TV personality Anita Lloyd, and country singer John Casey.
A highlight of the evening is a charity art auction featuring works by leading artists, with all funds raised going towards improving conditions at Pioneer House, an elderly care home in Vanderbijlpark.
Set against the Hawequa Mountains, Dunstone Country Estate provides a dramatic backdrop for a night where glamour meets generosity — and celebration becomes an impact. The event starts at 16:00 and ends at 22:00. Tickets cost R1 200 per person. Bookings via itickets.co.za.
Stellenbosch Harvest Parade
Stellenbosch will usher in the 2026 wine season with its much-loved harvest parade tomorrow, in a special edition celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes.
The free public event will feature a colourful street procession of floats, vibrant costumes and lively brass band music as the town honours the year’s grape harvest and the people behind the region’s vineyards and cellars.
The parade begins at 09:00 at the Toy and Miniature Museum in Market Street, moving through Alexander, Bird, Church and Plein Streets before arriving at the town hall at 09:30 for the official blessing of the harvest, then returning along the same route. – Compiled by Len Maseko
