As the only wine-producing country in the world that can pinpoint the exact start of our industry, we’re excited to celebrate the birthday of South African wine on 2 February 2024! “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes,” Jan van Riebeeck wrote in his diary on 2 February 1659.
A birthday well worth celebrating, the wine industry annually hosts birthday parties and harvest festivals around this time. Here’s a roundup of exciting events to attend in honour of #HappyBirthdaySAWine.
Stellenbosch Harvest Parade 2024
The famous Stellenbosch Harvest Parade’s returning to the streets of South Africa’s wine capital at the end of January. The parade sees farmers, workers and wine lovers mount colourful floats and paint the town red to herald towards another fruitful wine grape season. And you’re invited! Join in the human train through the historic streets of Stellenbosch, experience the blessing-of-the-harvest ceremony, and share the joy of the year’s harvest.
- Where: Parade starts at the Toy Museum, Stellenbosch
- When: Saturday, 27 January 2024
- Time: 09h00
- Cost: Free
Click HERE to find out more.
Delheim Harvest Festival
A fun family feast awaits at Delheim Wine Estate’s harvest festival on 27-28 January. The most exciting part of the Harvest Festival is the opportunity for visitors to harvest their own grapes in the vineyard. Guests will snip off the ripe grapes and stomp them to remove the juice – just as was the case in the early days of wine-making. For a bit of added fun, guests can compete in a set of harvest challenges and embark on a tractor drive through the farm. Lunch will be a traditional winelands harvest spread at the Garden Restaurant. There will also be live music to add to the ambience.
- Where: Delheim Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- When: 27-28 January 2024
- Time: 09h30
- Cost: R840 pp
Click HERE to book.
Blessing of the Harvest at Lomond
Harvest has arrived! And with it comes the most popular and cherished event on Lomond Wine Estate: Blessing of the Harvest. Expect an incredible afternoon with the winemakers, Anné van Heerden and Trevor DeRuisé, like you’ve never experienced before. Guests meet up at the Lomond tasting room where they’ll board boats and head 3 km up the dam to the most secluded venue on the farm. Here, you’ll be greeted here with a glass of bubbles. Anné and Trevor will each present 4 of their own special/limited releases, including both Lomond and LOST BOY wines (8 in total). You’ll then be treated to lunch on the shores of the dam.
- Where: Lomond Wine Estate, Gansbaai
- When: 27 January & 3 February 2024
- Time: 11h00-15h00
- Cost: R350 pp
Click HERE to book.
Wine Harvest Commemorative Event
The Wine Harvest Commemorative Event is the cornerstone of #HappyBirthdaySAWine. This annual event marks the birth of South African wine and pays tribute to the country’s rich wine heritage. The event, importantly, pays tribute to the individuals who have made extraordinary strides towards the success of South African wine – and over the years, many greats have been recognised, including Nelson Mandela. Attend virtually or in-person. Virtual attendance is free, while in-person attendance costs R1 150 per person and includes a sit-down dinner with entertainment.
- Where: Groot Constantia, Constantia, Cape Town
- When: Thursday, 1 February 2024
- Time: 19h00
For more information or to book, email event@sawineharvest.co.za.
SA wine’s 365th birthday party at One&Only Cape Town
Join One&Only Cape Town in celebration of South Africa wine’s 365th birthday. The hotel will feature a series of exceptional wines from 14 estates as they consider a story that has unfolded over nearly four centuries. There will also be a feast of culinary delights to pair with the wines on offer. The unique sounds of local band Acoustic Element will provide the soundtrack as the sun sets and the lights of the city start to twinkle. Good wine, good food and smooth sounds in one of Cape Town’s most elegant venues – it promises to be a celebration to remember.
- Where: Vista Bar & Lounge, One&Only Cape Town
- When: Friday, 2 February 2024
- Time: 17h00
- Cost: R650 pp
For more details, click HERE.
Spogwijn Oesfees
Mark your calendar for Saturday 3 February 2024 for the Spogwijn Oesfees! Tyrrel and his winemaking friends have lots to celebrate – years of friendship, winemaking trials, successes and tribulations, and the excitement of the first grapes of 2024. The wine brands that are part of the Spogwijn group are Joostenberg Estate, AA Badenhorst, Raised by Wolves, Newton Johnson, Beaumont Family Wines, and Miles Mossop Wines. Join the winemakers for a sunset tasting of their wines, followed by a generous summer supper served by The Kraal team. Join the camaraderie and share delicious wines and good food.
- Where: The Kraal Restaurant, Joostenberg Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- When: Saturday, 3 February 2024
- Time: 18h30
- Cost: R490 pp
For more info, click HERE.
Darling Cellars Crush Day
Darling Cellars has been hosting guests to have some harvest fun with them since 2007. In March, it’s once again time for their annual Crush Day. Celebrate the wine grape harvest with grape picking, grape stomping, tractor rides and live music. Your ticket also includes breakfast and grape must upon arrival, lunch, and a bottle of Darling Cellars wine. Plus, there will also be entertainment for the little ones!
- Where: Darling Cellars, Darling
- When: Saturday, 2 March 2024
- Cost: R400 pp
Click HERE to book.
Rickety Bridge Harvest Festival
Celebrate the bounty of the harvest season at Rickety Bridge‘s Harvest Festival! Join them for a day of fun-filled activities, including unlimited wine and rugby talk with Os du Randt, bottomless wine tastings, grape stomping, wine-blending sessions, and cellar tours. Your ticket includes breakfast and Cap Classique on arrival, access to all the activities, limitless tastings, lunch, and a wine gift (2 bottles of 2024 harvest wines that will be shipped to your home when bottled). Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to experience the magic of the harvest at Rickety Bridge.
- Where: Rickety Bridge Winery, Franschhoek
- When: Saturday, 2 March 2024
- Time: 11h00
- Cost: R995 pp
Click HERE to book.
The Elgin Harvest Festival
In celebration of the 2024 Elgin harvest, Elgin will be hosting a festival. It is set to be a great event where you can bring your family and friends either for a day visit or a weekend getaway. What is nicer than visiting a farm to harvest your own grapes or pick your own apples! There will also be wine tasting, live entertainment, outdoor activities, and kids entertainment. A highlight of the weekend is the Medieval Harvest Banquet. Expect a good time for everyone!
- Where: Elgin
- When: 16-17 March 2024
For more details, email comms@elgingrabouw.co.za.
