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DO THE HARVEST STOMP Renowned Paarl winery Nederburg, one of South Africa’s most trusted and recognisable wine brands, will be hosting the Harvest at Dusk Festival on Saturday, 8 February.

Harvest is the most frenetic period of the winemaking year – and this is a special opportunity for members of the public to feel part of the process, to not just stomp the freshly harvested grapes underfoot but to sip and savour the previous vintage wines as well.

Nederburg’s team of winemakers will be on hand to speak about how the 2020 harvest is shaping up while also giving some advice to participants on how to pick and squash the grapes. After freshening up, guests can help themselves to a bountiful harvest feast on the lawn in front of the historic Nederburg manor house, while popular South African music group, Kaleidoskoop provide the soundtrack for the festivities.

Although the menu is a closely guarded secret, expect family-style table platters, laden with bountiful mezze, meats, salads and vegetables, as well as delectable desserts all of it as fresh as possible.

A selection of Nederburg wines, soft drinks, mineral waters, coffees and teas will be available to purchase. With the sun still fierce at 16h00 when the gates open guests are advised to bring hats and liberally apply sunscreen. Places are limited and booking is strongly advised. Tickets are R650 for adults and R200 for children between 12 and 18. Reservations to www.webtickets.co.za.

WHAT A BREWTIFUL DAY ... Lovers of the hoppy golden brewed liquid – whether it be pilsner, lager, ale, IPA or weiss – the first Saturday in February is South African National Beer Day.

Keep your eyes on local and community media such as newspapers, websites and radio stations for more information on the many small scale events which are happening throughout South Africa. Alternatively, visit the website www.beerday.co.za to find an event near you. Who knows, you might even be inspired to host an event at home – and add it to the list of tastings and pairings taking place.

PICNIC AMONGST HISTORIC TREES Al fresco picnics needn’t be uncomfortable affairs which come with a side order of ants or bees.

Vergelegen, one of the country’s top wine estates as well as one of the most historic, having hosted numerous presidents and even the Queen of England in recent years, has announced that its summer picnic season has begun. The impeccably maintained property boasts not just a historic manor house, rolling lawns and camphor trees which are hundreds of years old, but a winery, tasting centre, two restaurants and no fewer than 17 beautiful gardens. Little wonder then that it was declared a Provincial Heritage Site in 2019 – the same year it was judged the best wine estate in Africa.

The picnics are served in fine style in a lush forest of camphor trees, which were seeded from the original giant camphors planted three centuries ago by the estate’s former owner Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Guests reach the picnic site via a world-class rose garden, displaying over 80 rose varieties. “We offer standard, vegetarian or pescatarian, vegan and children’s menus – please specify when booking,” said hospitality manager Sharon Hosking.

Food is served in traditional picnic baskets and guests are seated at tables covered with white tablecloths, and shaded by elegant umbrellas.

With the picnics costing around R310 per person (R115 for children), the offering is not your standard loaf of bread and a cheese selection! The standard menu includes artisanal bread with red wine and truffle-flavoured farm butter, duck liver pâté with thyme butter, and farm style pork pâté layered with forest mushrooms, served with chilli tomato and aubergine chutney, and zucchini pickle.

The starter is gin-cured salmon with roasted beetroot and chive crème fraiche, followed by a selection of cured meats, coronation chicken, spanakopita and a traditional Greek salad. Cheeses are served with homemade biscuits. Dessert is baked yoghurt lemon tart with mixed berry compote, rounded off with filter coffee.

The picnics are available until the end of April and the estate is open Monday to Sunday from 09h30-17h00. There is an entrance fee of R10 a head. Picnic bookings are essential and can be made by calling 021 847 2131, or by booking online at www.vergelegen.co.za/picnic.html.

FAREWELL TO FEBRUARY The last weekend in February – which includes a leap year on Saturday, 29 February – is when Spier wine farm in Stellenbosch celebrates the annual grape harvest with music, song, dance and performance.

The family friendly Spier Harvest of the Arts takes place on the lawns of the Spier Werf from late afternoon and into the evening. Those in the know suggest that it’s a good plan to arrive early to enjoy a relaxed picnic and possibly a leisurely wine tasting before all the festivities and performances kick off in the evening.

At the helm of events is director Brett Bailey, a talented man whose theatrical productions saw him awarded France’s Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2019.

Numbers are limited to just 400 people because of the space available and tickets at R150 a head (R60 per child under 12) will be sold on a “first come, first served” basis through www.webtickets.co.za. For more details on performances and timings, visit www.spier.co.za.

GAUTENG WINE POP-UP The winelands heads north for a pop-up at Casalinga in Muldersdrift on Saturday, 29 February when Spier gives up-country winelovers a taste of the Cape.

The Spier pop-up will not only feature the farm’s wines but its seasonal produce including the ethical pasture-raised meat products from Farmer Angus’ pigs, cows and chickens. Just because it’s made as naturally as possible without any additives (Spier is carbon neutral and one of the most eco-friendly wine operations in the country) doesn’t mean it’s not decadent or delicious ... like their deep-friend ice cream which will be available for tasting!

Tickets are R200 a head and include five wine tastings, a complimentary Spier glass and bottle of Spier Signature Chardonnay/Pinot Noir to take home. The kids are not forgotten with their R100 ticket giving them a grape juice tasting, complimentary Spier glass as well as access to a dedicated play area. The venue is Casalinga, Rocky Ridge Road, Muldersdrift and the event runs from 11h00 to 18h00. Tickets can be obtained from www.webtickets.co.za.

DELHEIM HARVEST FEST Simonsberg winery Delheim always has one of the best harvest celebrations in the SA winelands. The emphasis is always on good, clean family fun – OK, perhaps not-soclean because picking and then foot treading your own barrel of grapes can be a sticky business!

Saturday 25 January is the date to diarise for this event. Participants can be as energetic or as relaxed and laid back as they choose. Should anyone want to get stuck in and wield a pair of secateurs to pick grapes, they are most welcome to do so – and to stomp the juice from them too. If not, they are equally welcome to chill out with either a bottle of 2019 Delheim Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc which will be received on arrival. (For fans of red the 2017 Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon is also an option.)

It’s not all fun and games as a portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Pebbles Project, a non-profit organisation enriching the lives of children and their families in the Winelands farming communities in the Western Cape. Pebbles Project promotes early childhood development and educational as well as social support and has had remarkable success in its less than two decades of operation.

There will be live music, tractor rides and plenty of food and drink provided in true festival-style by various food stalls.

Grape picking kicks off at 10h30 while the lunch feast begins at noon.

Tickets are limited and cost R480 a head (R280 for under 18s) – and R100 of this price goes straight to Pebbles. Ticketholders get four food items, a complimentary bottle of Delheim wine, live music, grape picking and stomping, a tractor ride as well as an exclusive –rather grand – take-home gift as well. Tickets are limited and must be purchased online via Quicket (www.quicket.co.za). For more information visit www.delheim.com or contact Delheim on info@delheim.com or 021 888 4600.

Share a taste of summer

Now that the decadent festive fare is out the way, it’s time to ring in

the New Year with the bright, fresh flavours of this sensational salmon dish. Pair it with a fruity Rosé and you’ve got the makings of a perfect start to 2020.

Great as a light lunch or dinner, it’s a wonderful reason to gather

family and friends around the table, once again.

Salmon & Potato Salad

INGREDIENTS 400 g baby potatoes

200 g can SPAR Pink Salmon pieces, drained

2 Tbs SPAR Original Mayonnaise

2 Tbs chopped parsley

1 red onion, thinly sliced

Zest of 1 lemon

Salt to taste

SPAR Rainbow Peppercorns

METHOD 1. Boil potatoes in salted water until tender. 2. Allow to cool, cut into halves and add the drained pink salmon. 3. Add the mayonnaise, parsley, onion and lemon zest and gently toss until combined. 4. Season with salt and freshly ground peppercorns to taste

serves 4

THE PERFECT PAIRING This Rosé, with its delicate pink, luscious nose and upfront fruit and rose petal flavours, is the perfect aromatic pairing with our salmon dish. Excellent on its own or served with salads, fish, poultry, pork and pasta dishes, it’s sure to be your go-to Rosé this Summer.