EVENTS

FRANSCHHOEK BASTILLE

Franschhoek is set to once again dazzle and delight as it gears up for another annual Bastille celebration on the Cape winelands town on July 13 and 14.The Cape’s very own French outpost gears up for a weekend extravaganza of gastronomic delights, exquisite wines and all things French heritage. It will be held at the Franschhoek High School rugby field. Renowned for its culinary prowess and world-class wines, the Franschhoek Wine Valley to immerse in the rich tapestry of French culture. Visitors indulge in the abundant wine tastings in the marque with food stalls and live entertainment. Advance ticket bookings are recommended. Tickets available through webtickets.

STELLENBOSCH EXPERIENCE

Gauteng wine lovers will be indulged with Stellenbosch’s prime selection of wines during two exclusive tastings billed for Johannesburg and Soweto on June 10 and 11.

The tastings – billed as “Stellenbosch Experience” – will bring a host of winemakers, winery owners and key ambassadors from the world-famous Cape winelands route to showcase 50 wines to the City of Gold. Among them will be Nongcebo Langa of Delheim, Danie Steytler from Kaapzicht, Ntsiki Biyela of Aslina Wines. The event on June 10 takes place at Sandton Sun Hotel in Sandown, Sandton, from 18:00 to 21:00. Tickets are R450 per person, available via Plankton. The masterclass with Dr Steyn, takes place from 15:00 to 17:00.

Tickets are R800 per person and are also available via Plankton. The event on June 11 includes live music and takes place at Just Badela in Orlando West, Soweto, from 18:30. Tickets are R330pp and available via Plankton.

TROPHY WINE SHOW

The Johannesburg edition of the Trophy Wine Show Public Tasting at the Sandton Convention Centre, Pavilion (Bill Gallagher Room), in Sandton on June 1.

The show is brought by Investec is hosting a one-night only tasting of the 2024 award-winning wines selected at this year’s competition, after three days of blind tastings. The wines are selected from a line-up of around 1 000 wine entries judged ‘blind’ by a panel of judges chaired by South Africa’s wine authority Michael Fridjhon.

A total of 150 wines will be up for tasting. Trophy winning wines at the public tasting will include Best Red, Best White, Discovery of the Show (Best Value) and the International Judges’ Trophy award.  Show times are from 17:00 to 21:00. Tickets, available through Webtickets, costing R295 per person, include sampling of all wines, a delicious deli snack (value R100) and the tasting glass to take home. Discounts for Smart Shopper cardholders apply (two tickets for the price of one).

CRAFT BEER FEST

Gauteng beer lovers are surely bracing themselves for festive frothy moments when the Capital Craft Beer Festival returns to its usual venue – the Pretoria National Botanical Gardens – on June 15. The event celebrates 11 years of beer cheer. Buzzing crowds, bountiful brewers, the best local and international beer, an abundance of entertainment for all music tastes, and a diverse selection of food will be the order of the day. More than 40 beer brands will be available on the day. Entertainment will be provided from three stages, featuring acts such as Soweto String Quartet, Spoegwolf, Skeleton Jacket, Qadasi & Maqhinga and Springbok Nude Girls. Ticket sales are spread over the dates: from R285 up to May 31; R300 until June 7; R325 up to June 14; and (subject to availability) R350 on the day.

GIN & RUM FEST

Casalinga Restaurant will be hosting the annual Joburg Gin and Rum Festival on its grounds in Muldersdrift, west of Johannesburg, on June 1. Cocktail lovers can look forward to delicious gin and/or rum cocktails curated by a team of mixologists together with artisanal food stalls and the best in local music. The event, which starts at 12 noon, is a celebration of some of the finest Gins and Rums with curated cocktails to suit all taste buds.

Tickets costing R120 and R230 include entrance, event glass and one free taster. Entrance for kids under 12 with parents is free. Kids aged from 12 to 18 not permitted. Casalinga is situated on Rocky Ridge Rd, Muldersdrift.

VAAL WINE EXPO

The Vaal Wine Expo 2024 will take place at Stonehaven on The Vaal in Vanderbiljpark on June 1. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a prime selection of unlimited superb wine tasting right on the banks of the Vaal River in Gauteng! This year, the event will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Swirl, sniff and sip great SA wines while cruising down Millionaires Mile on a luxury cruiser in Gauteng! Once again, the Vaal River Meander Wine & Spirit Expo is being hosted jointly by Stonehaven on Vaal on the banks of the Vaal River in Gauteng. Tickets cost R300 per person which includes: a branded tasting glass to use and take home; unlimited tastings of over 200 different wines; 30 minute Vaal River Cruise voucher OR a R50 food voucher to use on the day; access to food stalls, kiddies play area, restaurant & bar.  Tickets limited to 3 000 tickets.