WeeklySA_AdminCreation Wines recently hosted 11 distinguished sommeliers from across South Africa for an immersive getaway experience at their farm situated in the South African wine region of Walker Bay in the Western Cape. These wine professionals, representing some of the country’s finest hotels, lodges, and restaurants, visited the winery for a unique adventure that included harvesting Grenache Blanc grapes, in-depth tastings, and memorable dining experiences with Creation founders Jean-Claude and Carolyn Martin at their home.
Many of the sommeliers emphasised how Creation wines stood confidently alongside international offerings, helping them encourage guests to explore South African wines. The sommeliers were unanimous in their praise for Creation’s distinctive approach to winemaking and hospitality. For many, the visit marked a profound shift in their understanding of local wine, turning them into powerful ambassadors for the Creation brand across South Africa’s finest establishments.
The sommeliers included Kim Drake from Londolozi Game Reserve; Jethro Chinho, Vee & Forti Wine Emporium, Pretoria; Conrad Cooke; Eben Mupupa from Coy Restaurant, Cape Town; Brian Nyamara; George Young; Newman Sigoga, head sommelier, Codfather Group, Sandton ; Nathi Xaba, head sommelier, Marble Group, Johannesburg ; Leigh Roux; Gray Simxole, Potluck Club at The Peach Hotel, Gauteng; Alan Pfister, food and beverage manager, Centurion Country Club;
“It’s Heaven and Earth combined in a glass,” was how Alan Pfister of Centurion Country Club, described the immersive tasting experience at the end of the visit.
Creation was voted the third-best wine farm in the world and the best in Africa. – Len Maseko
EVENTS
BUBBLY ON THE DAM
Described as one of its kind, the annual Champagne Tasting on the Dam show is expected to attract hordes of bubbly romantics when it opens in the North West town of Hartebeespoort on March 29.
The location for this event is the Bubbles Garden, which will be festooned with a variety of the best champagne brands ready to create an unforgettable experience for wine lovers. Entertainment and good food will be galore. The dress code is shades of blue.
Tickets cost R480 per person, and includes tasting coupons for the champagne on show and a flute. The event starts 11am
PICK N PAY VIRTUAL TASTING
Cape winelands’ Spier will feature as guest wine estate on the Pick n Pay Winemakers Table Virtual Tasting evening on April 3.
The evening will involve the pairing of Spier wines with delicious canapés, which will be delivered at the homes of ticket holders in Johannesburg and Cape Town only. Tickets cost R680 and R960. A ticket includes a pairing pack which consists of:
• Three bottles of wine: Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 750ml; Spier Signature Red Blend 750ml and Spier Creative Block 5 750ml.
All the ingredients for the canapés may contain nuts.
• Panko and sesame-crusted Brie, served with a lightly spiced pineapple chutney, a rich brioche croute, and a coppa crumb.
• An American-style beef brisket slider, served with a tomato relish, smoky aioli, carrot pickle, and whipped rosemary-garlic butter.
• Extra dark chocolate brownies with fennel-candied nuts, a Merlot-chocolate ganache, and a sour cherry gel.
Delivery of the pairing packs will only be made within 50kms of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
PRETORIA FIJNWYN
The annual Fijnwyn Bubbles Wine and Food Market returns to its usual base at Shokran Events Venue in Pretoria East today and tomorrow.
Organisers promise a celebration of exceptional wine, mouth-watering food, and live music. More than 30 wine estates will be showcasing their finest offerings at the event.
Each participating farm will have at least one bubble to taste, along with a selection of white, rosé, and red wines. Whether a fan of sparkling bubbles or traditional wines, organisers say there will be something for everyone.
Tickets cost R220, include a tasting glass and access to unlimited wine tastings. The venue is situated on 99 Luiperd Street, Tiegerpoort, Pretoria East.
SUMMER VINES
Summer Vines, a new wine festival promising a unique experience to wine lovers, is coming to Paarl in the Western Cape tomorrow. Described as a unique experience of a walking tour of the wine regions, the show will offer a diverse range of local wineries and some winemakers will be present to share the journey of their wines from grape to bottle. All wines are available for tasting and purchasing.
Highlights include live music, food trucks, beer tent, local charcuterie style stalls (fresh breads, jams, cheeses).Participating wineries include Ayama Wines, Kanu Wines, Keermont Stellenbosch, Painted Wolf Wines, Wightman and Sons Wine Co., Wildeberg Wines, Wolvenhoek Vineyards.
The venue is Wilderer Wilderer Distillery, which is situated on R45 Simondium. Early bird tickets cost R220 (limited) while the normal entry price is R280. Tickets include over 30 tastings plus a branded glass to take home. For more information visit www.summervines.co.za or email info@summervines.co.za for more information.
SIMONSBERG WINE FEST
RMB Simonsberg Wine Festival is to showcase the stature and prestige of the route at Plaisir de Merle estate in Franschhoek over three days from March 28.
The event will feature 40 wines from more than 10 wineries, including Plaisir, Bartinney, Thelema, Tokara, Anura, Glen Carlou, Muratie, Quoin Rock, Vuurberg, Neil Joubert, Marianne, and many more.
Other event highlights include a bubbly and gin garden, beer as well as live music from DJ and performer Shen FM, including food stands, offering Zuney Wagyu Burgers; sushi; oysters; pizza; and cheese and charcuterie picnic boxes.
Tickets for Friday night cost R1 250 per person, inclusive of food from SALT and all flagship wines (limited to 300 guests). Tickets for Saturday and Sunday cost R350 per person, including 15 wine tasting coupons, a glass, and a bag.
QUOIN ROCK HARVEST
Quoin Rock is hosting a Harvest 2025 Celebration on its Stellenbosch farm on April 10, to give wine lovers a rare insight into winemaking.
The winery invites wine lovers to step into the heart of the harvest season, where the land’s bounty, the winemaker’s art, and the spirit of fire come together for an extraordinary celebration. They will be treated to a harvest table flowing with seasonal delights, including dishes prepared with flames dancing on the braai, infusing each bite with bold, smoky perfection. These delicacies will be enjoyed along with a curated selection of Quoin Rock’s signature wines, each sip a story of passion and terroir.
Tickets cost R3 250 a person. Activities start at 4pm.
PICK N PAY FEST
The Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival Cape Town 2025 returns to the mother city for a two-day showcase on April 26 and 27. Visitors to the show will taste their way through some of SA’s top wine producers and discover a world of award-winning wines and sumptuous food. The event will take place at the Claremont Cricket Club.
Each ticketholder receives 20 wine tasting tokens and a tasting glass upon entry, the number of tokens “paid” per tasting is based on the rand value of the wine to be tasted at various stalls. Highlights include an experience at the Tasting Room, Picnic and PnP Mixology Theatre. Tickets cost R300 a person. – Compiled by Len Maseko
