EXPERIENCE:   Cap Classique, Champagne and a new selection of non-alcoholic alternatives will share the spotlight as Franschhoek welcomes summer with a weekend of wine, food, music and fashion…

By Len Maseko

Franschhoek will usher in the summer season with a celebration of sparkling wine when its Cap Classique & Champagne Festival returns to the Huguenot Monument on December 5 and 6.

Bringing together South African Cap Classique producers and a select offering of imported Champagnes, the two-day event promises opportunities to discover new favourites, meet the people behind the wines and enjoy the valley’s hospitality.

Presented by Capitec and Franschhoek Wine Valley, this year’s festival carries the invitation “Step Into The Light”, with a programme that extends from wine tastings and gourmet food to live performances and a fashion competition.

A new addition is a curated selection of non-alcoholic alternatives, broadening the choice for adult guests who want to take part in the celebration without drinking alcohol.

For wine enthusiasts, the central attraction remains the opportunity to explore South African Cap Classique alongside Champagne. Visitors will be able to sample the selection, enjoy wines by the glass or purchase bottles.

Each ticket includes a commemorative wine flute and 10 tasting tokens, giving guests a starting point for their discoveries across the festival. Gourmet food vendors will offer dishes selected to complement the wines.

The occasion also puts the work behind the celebration into focus, recognising the producers, makers and entrepreneurs whose commitment sustains the wine industry.

Francois Viviers, Capitec’s group executive of marketing and client experience, says the partnership celebrates both that craftsmanship and the connections formed around it.

“For the third year, this partnership has brought people together to celebrate, connect and enjoy the best of the Cape Winelands,” he says.

Viviers describes the festival as a reminder of the craftsmanship and endurance of wine producers, makers and entrepreneurs who have dedicated years to their work.

That spirit of celebration will carry through to the entertainment programme, with live performances by Coda SA, Amy Jones and ShenFM. DJ sets spanning Deep House, Amapiano and Afro-electronic music will add to the weekend’s soundtrack.

Guests seeking a more private space will have the option of the new Crystal Lounge. Inspired by light and reflection, the lounge experience includes a welcome cocktail, access to a private relaxation area and dedicated luxury restrooms.

Fashion will have its own moment through the returning Best Dressed Competition. This year’s theme, “Colours in Motion”, invites guests to interpret movement through flowing fabrics, reflective details and expressive use of colour, with prizes for the most stylish interpretations.

Together, the wine, food, entertainment and fashion programme gives visitors several ways to shape their day — from exploring the tasting selection to settling in for the music or dressing for the competition.

With the Huguenot Monument as its setting, the festival brings these experiences into the heart of Franschhoek for a weekend built around discovery and the start of the summer season.

The Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, 2026. Tickets will be available through Webtickets, and organisers recommend early booking. No guests under the age of 18 will be admitted.

EVENTS

Bushveld wine celebration

South African wines, gourmet food and African hospitality will take centre stage when Masingitana Boutique Hotel hosts Wine in November on November 21.

Set in Timbavati Village, Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, the boutique Bushveld experience runs from 11h00 to 18h00, bringing together wine enthusiasts, food lovers and local artisans.

Guests can explore premium wine tastings alongside a gourmet selection of artisanal breads, handcrafted canapés, seasonal produce, fine cheeses and savoury treats.

A slow-roasted spit braai, prepared over an open fire, promises to anchor the dining experience, celebrating the traditions of communal feasting.

An exclusive wine auction will give enthusiasts an opportunity to bid on a curated selection of distinguished bottles, while African craftsmanship and lifestyle exhibitors add to the occasion. Live entertainment rounds off a programme designed to encourage discovery, conversation and connection in a relaxed setting.

Tickets cost R500 and are available through Quicket for the event at the hotel, situated at Stand 425.

COASTAL SIPS IN SIMON’S TOWN

Discover new wines and meet the people behind the labels at the Simon’s Town Wine Festival on November 20, at the newly renovated Lord Nelson Inn Boutique Hotel.

Set in the historic heart of the coastal village, the evening brings together 15 participating producers, including a distillery, for a relaxed celebration of South African wines and handcrafted spirits.

Wine enthusiasts can explore familiar favourites and new producers, chat to winemakers and estate representatives, and enjoy canapés and savoury platters. An exciting prize draw adds to the evening’s attractions.

With its coastal charm and atmospheric setting, the festival offers an inviting opportunity to deepen your appreciation of Cape wines while enjoying good company.

The event runs from 18h00 to 20h30 at 58 St George’s Street, Simon’s Town, Cape Town. Tickets cost R200 per person and are available online only. No tickets will be sold at the door.

PAARL UNCORKS GRENACHE

The versatility of Grenache will take centre stage when the Paarl Wine Route hosts its new festival, The Grenache Collective, at Nederburg on Saturday, November 28.

Bringing together 12 producers, the event will give visitors an opportunity to explore the variety through Grenache Noir, Grenache Blanc, rosé and Grenache-led blends, poured by participating producers.

The line-up includes Anco Wines, Avondale, Boland Cellar, Brookdale Estate, Cape Wine Company, Doran Vineyards, Fairview Wines, Marianne Wine Estate, McFarlane Wines, Nederburg, Perdeberg Wines and Vrede en Lust.

Designed for both enthusiasts and those discovering Grenache for the first time, the walk-around tasting will showcase the different ways producers across the route are interpreting the grape.

Food trucks and picnics will complement the tastings, with Nederburg’s lawns providing the setting for a relaxed day in the winelands. The programme will also offer Grenache masterclasses, art workshops and wine-blending workshops. Tickets for these additional experiences will be released separately, with details to follow.

The Grenache Collective aims to bring wine lovers and producers together around a variety finding growing expression in the region — offering visitors a chance to taste, compare and discover new favourites in one place.

Plett wine showcase

Ten wine producers from Constantia, Hemel-en-Aarde and Plettenberg Bay will gather at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa for Tastes of Our Valleys on November 14.

Set in the Constantia hotel’s gardens, the tasting expands on last year’s inaugural Tastes of the Valley event, inviting guests to explore three distinctive South African wine regions.

Constantia’s line-up comprises Eagles’ Nest, Constantia Glen, Groot Constantia, Steenberg, Buitenverwachting and Beau Constantia. Ataraxia and Creation will represent Hemel-en-Aarde, while Newstead and Kay & Monty bring a coastal contribution from Plettenberg Bay.

The regions also connect three properties in The Liz McGrath Collection: The Cellars-Hohenort, The Marine in Hermanus and The Plettenberg.. – Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news