Sunday Society Picnics with Graham Beck, which take place on the first Sunday of every month, have become the Joburg’s prime go-to events for the city’s revellers who like to go easy on a Sunday – pampered with Graham Beck bubbly, music and good company while lolling The Maslow Sandton’s lush lawns and tucking into the meticulously curated basket full of tempting eats to share.

The picnic basket, which costs R1 500, has BBQ beef skewers, grilled fish medallions with potato caponata, sticky soy or spicy peri peri chicken wings.

The cold items include strawberries, a watermelon salad, herbed cous cous salad and a mini cheese board. Finish with baked cheesecake and chocolate brownies before you lie back.

April 7 is the day when all the fun intersects with fun lovers, who will be dressed as for high tea. The picnics are from 13h00 until 17h00, with live entertainment starting at 14h00.

EVENTS

CEDERBERG’S DURBAN DATE

Cederberg Wines kicks off its Harvest Celebration tour in Durban with an evening of elegance and indulgence on April 4.

Guests will experience the essence of Cederberg Cellar’s harvest 2024 as they embark on a wine journey with David Nieuwoudt and team.

The venue is 9th Avenue, Waterside, Durban, for a Harvest Celebration dinner like no other. Expect a beautiful journey of great food, some tank and barrel samples and beautiful wines from Cederberg and Ghost Corner wines the 2024 harvest celebration – the cellar’s first one in Durban! Guests will indulge in canapés and a three-course meal whilst David takes them through the winery’s bountiful harvest. Tickets are priced at R850 per person.

GIN SPIRIT IN BLOEM

Next week, the annual Schweppes Gin Festival goes to the Free State city of Bloemfontein, where it is set to spice up things for the local lovers of the spirit.

The date is April 6, and venue Ramblers Club, 52 Aliwal Street, and the event starts at 12 noon and will last until 10pm. This year’s event will apparently be bigger and better in every way. Guests can expect a variety of some of the finest gin, food trucks and live music.

Ticket includes a complimentary gin cocktail on arrival. Camp chairs and picnic blankets are welcome. General access tickets cost R240 and the sip and paint tickets are priced at R390 per person. Classes run between 12:00 and 18:30 on the day of the event. Guests may join any class they wish during the course of the day.

Cape Town’s P n P Wine Fest

Discover a world of award-winning wines & delicious food at the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival at the Western Province Cricket Club in Rondebosch on April 27 and 28.

Discover a world of award-winning wines and celebrate the finer things in life at the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival. Sniff, swirl and sample wines from top local wine estates while socialising with friends to the sounds of local live music in a chic, relaxed environment.

A Pick n Pay Tasting Room will host food-and-wine pairing demonstrations. Chefs and winemakers will share personal picks from various estates, and pair them with canapés in a tasting masterclass.

PINOTAGE & BILTONG

The popular Pinotage & Biltong Fest  is back in 2024 to showcase two of SA’s best loved treats true to local heritage.

The Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Noord-Agter Paarl Road, Windmeul on April 27 and 28. On offer will be plenty of Pinotage in a range of fizz, white, red, rosé, dry and sweet styles, each paired with a different biltong flavour.

Apart from the many delicious biltong flavours by Jansen Pure Beef to be paired with all the Pinotage styles. Live entertainment with groovy music. Regular Tickets – R370 per person, includes wine glass, all wine and biltong pairings, entrance to the festival, live entertainment, wine and biltong pairing card. Dedicated Driver Tickets – R270 per person – includes entrance to the festival, live entertainment, a biltong card and all biltong tastings.

PARYS WINE FEST

Free State’s own wine calendar event – Parys Wine Festival 2024 – will be held on The Garden on 8th on Middel on March 29.

Tickets, costing R150 a person, are available via Quicket. Parys, situated in the Northern Free State, is less than an hour’s drive (120km) from Johannesburg. There is also an exclusive and small distillery for brandy and liquors. For beer lovers, there are three beer breweries in die Parys area where honey beer, various ales, stout, buchu beer, weiss beer, pilsner and porter beer are being brewed. For South African “mampoer” where you can taste 52 different kinds. There are 18 restaurants which cater for an exciting and diverse culinary experience.

DISOUFENG’S SPIRITS RAGE

Spirit Fest SA will take place at one of Soweto’s hottest hospitality venues, Disoufeng Pub & Restaurant, in Zone 10, Meadowlands on March 30.

Tickets cost R100 and R300. The show starts at 11am. #SpiritFest is about celebrating the world’s best spirits! Join the fun at Disoufeng Pub for a local and global showcase of premium spirit brands in the heart of Soweto.

WINES OF COLOUR

WineofcolourSA Food & Wine Show is gearing to give Gauteng wine lovers an unforgettable experience when it opens doors at Silverstar Casino in Krugersdorp on April 6 and 7.

This two-day event will showcase the best in wine and food from around South Africa. On offer will be a selection of exquisite wines and delicious food from some of the country’s best winemakers and chefs.

Relax and take in the atmosphere of the show as you sip on your favourite tipple and sample the delights of the local cuisine. An array of entertainment to enjoy including live music and performances is lined up.

Taste a selection of the best wines and food while enjoying performances from some of the country’s best artists. Tickets cost R100 to R300 a person. The show starts at 11am.

WINE AT ZULA BEACH

The Durban Wine Festival heads to Richard Bay for the first time ever to provide a rare experience to the wine lovers in the coastal KwaZulu-Natal town on March 31.

The legendary Wine Wednesdays is presenting the province’s biggest wine at the iconic Zula Beach, along with a prime selection of wines, food, best Djs and live music.

Zula Beach Richards Bay is situated at Anchors Cast Building, Bridgetown Road, Tuzigazi. Tickets cost R100 and R700.

WINE IN MBOMBELA

Unwined Food and Wine Show makes its annual return to Mpumalanga’s Mbombela Golf Club, Mbombela on May 4.

The event will showcase the best of South African wines. By bypassing intermediaries, the organisers empower both wine enthusiasts and vintners, forging a direct connection that celebrates the artistry of winemaking. In tandem, we’re shaping futures by offering local students a platform for skills development within the vibrant tapestry of event coordination.

In addition to the carefully curated selection of wine estates, a diverse range of food vendors and restaurants will be available to showcase their cuisines for the day. Indulge in a gastronomic adventure as you explore a myriad of flavours, from gourmet bites to artisanal specialties.