WeeklySA_AdminAs Pinotage turns 100 in 2025, a series of events have been organised to mark the anniversary of the unique South African grape variety –and many celebrations held so far have been punctuated with pride and joy.
This year, most of whoopee happened on International Pinotage Day (October 11), which is commemorated annually on the second Saturday of October.
Many wine estates and restaurants held special events – and will continue to do so until the end of the year – such as tastings, festivals and themed meals.
The Pinotage Association of South Africa will celebrate the centenary of South Africa’s iconic variety at the Pretoria Country Club tomorrow night (November 15), with an evening of tasting of fine wine and cuisine.
The evening will comprise unlimited Pinotage tastings, with guests savouring the most celebrated local Pinotage expressions – alongside some rare, international pours.
This will be enjoyed with the accompaniment of harvest table feast, a curated selection of seasonal dishes, crafted to complement each sip.
A live art performance, featuring a captivating piece brought to life and later auctioned, will be part of the evening.
The evening will also include a curated art exhibition, featuring exceptional works by local artists, from paintings to inspired sculptures.
A global wine expert will guide guests through the wines conducted, sharing insight, stories and charm.
The event starts at 18h00. Pretoria Country Club is situated on 241 Sidney Avenue, Waterkloof.
Dress to impress and raise a glass to a legacy that has shaped our nation’s wine story.
Book your ticket now using the promo code SASA and receive a special 10% discount. Tickets cost R850 a person via Quicket.
EVENTS
Backsberg features Heidi Steck
This festive season, craftsmanship takes centre stage as Backsberg Family Wines partners with acclaimed designer Heidi Steck for a unique event — the launch of Heidi Steck’s Summer 2025 Catalogue on November 29 and 30.
It will be hosted within the newly reimagined Backsberg Tasting Facility in the Franschhoek Valley. Guests are invited to join Heidi Steck and friends for a curated weekend of fine wine and fashion.
The showcase will feature a handpicked selection of leading South African designers — including, among others, Exotic Kashmir, Beatrice von Tresckow, Denise Celia and BellaBrina Moda — alongside Heidi Steck’s own collection. Together, they will present a lifestyle experience that perfectly complements the spirit of summer and the art of winemaking.
Set against the majestic backdrop of the Mont Rochelle Mountain Range, Backsberg’s tasting room provides a fitting stage for this collaboration — where design meets terroir and style meets sustainability. Guests can explore the estate’s revitalised tasting facility, where the full portfolio of wines is presented in a contemporary, welcoming space.
The weekend begins with a VIP Sundowner Launch Event on November 28, where invited guests will raise glass to summer. Following the launch, the experience will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday (November 29 and 30), from 10am to 5pm, offering a walk-in shopping and tasting experience that coincides with the vibrant atmosphere of the Capitec Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival taking place in the valley that same weekend.
NEDERBURG LONG TABLE
Nederburg will unlock its vault to showcase oldest wines at an outdoor summer party to be held at its Paarl farm on the evening of December 6.
The affair, open to the public, will be a special long-table gala garden celebration featuring wines from as far back as the 1960s right up to the present vintages.
The soirée will be heightened by live music, a DJ and dance floor, with the highlight being the pouring of seven wines, across seven decades, beginning with a 61-year-old Port from 1964. The wines from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s were all made by the legendary Günter Brözel (pictured), who was cellarmaster from 1956 to 1989.
The other wines to be featured and presented by renowned sommelier Higgo Jacobs, together with Michael van Deventer, who heads the Vinoteque and is custodian of the rare collection of Tabernacle wines, are the famed Nederburg Eminence 1989 and Nederburg Edelkeur 1991, as well as the Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Nederburg Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2021.
Jackson said the evening will start with a 17h00 with a live saxophonist, canapés and Cap Classique. Guests will be invited to dance under the stars as the perfect ending to an almost once-in-a lifetime occurrence, adds Jackson. Tickets at R1 450 per person can be purchased here: https://www.dineplan.com/widgetframe/70z2dTZc?date=2025-12-06
WHISKY LIVE
In celebration of our 23-year legacy, Whisky Live has returned to Johannesburg for its annual edition over three days, and opening last night and will continue tonight and tomorrow.
The event pays homage to the enchanting World of Whisky, and is being held at The Galleria Conference & Events in Sandton. It is a staggering showcase of over 200 whiskies, comprising a carefully curated collection of rare gems to time-honoured favourites, representing the crème de la crème of whiskies.
The Galleria is located in the Sandton district, which creates the perfect backdrop for whisky aficionados enjoying world-class whiskies and exclusive master classes.
Notably, a masterclass ticket alone does not grant one access to the tasting hall, which will require the purchase of a combo ticket, costing R995 to attend both experiences. Other packages cost R1 695 (VIP Lounge) and general access (R495), which affords the taster 18 tasting tokens.
FRANSCHHOEK BUBBLY FEST
Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival is back to pamper wine lovers from all over South Africa with a garden-party-style day filled with bubbly.
The event takes place at its usual venue – Franschhoek Huguenot Monument Festival Grounds – on November 29 and 30, from 11h00.
Set against the historic backdrop of the Huguenot Monument, the festival unfolds over a weekend rich with epicurean delights, providing plenty of reasons to raise a glass and share a toast.
Attendees can look forward to an unforgettable experience filled with floral-themed festivities, exquisite Cap Classiques, and vibrant live entertainment. The joyful sound of popping corks will resonate throughout, creating the perfect atmosphere for celebrating all things sparkling.
Over two lively days, festival-goers can enjoy performances by popular acts such as the Majozi Band and the Absolutely Fabulous Duo, returning by popular demand. As the culinary capital of the country, Franschhoek’s local restaurants and a variety of pop-up food stalls will ensure that guests indulge in artisanal gourmet goodness and French-inspired fare proudly on offer.
EXPLORE CONSTANTIA
The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel & Spa will present its inaugural Tastes of the Valley event tomorrow (November 15), celebrating Constantia’s finest wines paired with a delectable cuisine.
This relaxed, elegant wine tasting event will unfold in the hotel’s celebrated gardens, offering guests the opportunity to explore the wines of six Constantia Valley wine estates in one location.
Guests will be exposed to a relaxed tasting journey, featuring a range of wines from Beau Constantia, Eagles’ Nest, Buitenverwachting, Groot Constantia, Steenberg Vineyards, and Constantia Glen, each showcasing three to four of their signature wines.
This deftly curated collection will highlight the diversity, quality, and character of Constantia’s wine offering, from elegant whites to reds and everything in between.
Tickets costing R485 per person include a tasting glass. Only 100 tickets are available to the adults-only event split into two tasting sessions: the first from 12:00 to 15:00 and the second from 14:00 to 17:00. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the event responsibly. Booking available via Quicket.
Darling Whisky Show
The first-ever Darling Whisky Weekend, to be held from November 21 to 23, will showcase the splendour of the picturesque West Coast town.
This event will include select masterclasses and whisky tastings from some of the world’s most renowned distilleries. Inspired by the successful McGregor Whisky Weekend, founded by Hector McBeth, the event aims to unite whisky aficionados, distillers, and newcomers to celebrate craftsmanship and culture on South Africa’s Cape West Coast.
McBeth, owner of WhiskyShop.co.za and Retail stores in Woodstock and Fourways, states: “The Darling Whisky Weekend offers a unique flavour journey up South Africa’s West Coast, where event guests can savour exceptional whiskies, sample exquisite whiskies from around the globe, including Scotland’s Aberlour and Ardbeg, Ireland’s Dunvilles and Foxes Bow, Japan’s Nikka and Suntory, India’s Indri and Paul John, and South Africa’s very own TOOR and Darling Brew Reminisce.”
Tickets range from R150 for Masterclasses to R495 (Early Bird) or R550 (General) for the main event, with a Sunday Whisky Brunch at R1 000. Shuttles will run from 12:00 PM for safe and easy travel. Tickets are available from www.darlingwhiskyweekend.co.za.. – Compiled by Len Maseko
