WHAT’S ON? EVENTS IN AND

CONSTANTIA FRESH, BUITENVERWACHTING ESTATE, 21 FEBRUARY Over the past 10 years,

CONSTANTIA FRESH has become one of the most-loved outdoor wine events in South Africa. Enjoy wine and food in one of the country’s oldest winemaking regions with participants from other areas too. Among other highlights of the festival will be top local chefs preparing food at the event, craft beer, and, of course, live music. Tickets are R650pp. www.constantiafresh.com

CONSTELLATIONS, FROM 26 NOVEMBER SPIER’S latest event, Constellations, was conceptualised by acclaimed theatre director and playwright Brett Bailey. The event takes several small groups on an outdoor trail through the farm after dark. The groups rotate amongst a sequence of three campfires, gathering for about 35 minutes at each. Every campfire is presided over by its own unique Guardian – an artist, poet, musician, performer or storyteller–who will host each campfire experience. Tickets are R800pp via webtickets. www.spier.co.za

WHAT’S ON

Festivals and Events Around SA

CELEBRATING THE LOVE OF ART, 25 JANUARY31 DECEMBER To mark the 15th year of LA MOTTE’S Rupert ownership, owner Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg invites art-lovers to an exhibition of her and her family’s art collection. “ is special exhibition features works with personal meaning and remembrance that I would like to share with guests to La Motte,” says Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg. Celebrating the Love of Art features works by Irma Stern, Maggie Laubser, Jean Welz and Cecil Higgs and takes place at the gallery at La Motte in Franschhoek. www.la-motte.co.za

Irma Stern (1894-1966). Zanzibar Woman. 1949. Oil on canvas.

THE CAP CLASSIQUE GARDEN PARTY, 5 & 6 DECEMBER While folks might be disappointed the Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival has been postponed to 2021, here’s a bubbly event that will speak straight to the MCC lovers of the Western

Cape. THE CAP CLASSIQUE GARDEN PARTY will take place on the rolling lawns of the beautiful Plaisir de Merle Wine Estate in Paarl. Enjoy bottomless bubbles, oysters, ice-cream, live music and more. Tickets are R1250pp from www.webtickets.co.za

LET THEM BE WILD AND FREE

Create unforgettable memories and make the Steenberg Hotel & Spa your summer family holiday destination. And with their current special rates for locals—including free accommodation for children under 12—how could you not? With local tourism on the rise, this 5-star boutique hotel, situated on a farm in the heart of the Constantia Wine Valley, is the ideal base for exploring the Cape Peninsula. Social distancing is a breeze on the 300-hectare farm with lush vines and gardens in full bloom. Bikes and trikes are on hand, allowing the whole family to take in the outstretched vistas. To make the little guests feel extra welcome, there is plenty for them to enjoy, including lawn games, pool action, kiddies’ menus and, for the ultimate spoil, mini-spa treatments. www.steenbergfarm.com. Introducing a Sauvignon Blanc called NEAT that bursts with flavour and contains less than 0,5% alcohol. The new de-alcoholised wine is great for anyone watching their intake, whether at a business lunch or as a designated driver. Less alcohol also equals fewer calories, so Bonnievale NEAT is soft on the waistline too. Soon to be with retailers and restaurants around the country or go to www.bonnievalewines.co.za for delivery options.

WINE & DINE

THE GÅTES ARE OPEN

What’s New in Food and Wine

Quoin Rock’s fine dining experience at Gåte has reopened - and with a new concept to boot, thanks to new culinary Head Chef, Jack Coetzee. This new chapter for the restaurant will focus not only on using local ingredients from the area but ingredients that are found within the Quoin Rock wine estate itself. The aim is to create dishes that embrace the unique flavours of their surroundings. www.quoinrock.co.za.

New from Damascene

The Second Edition of the Damascene Portfolio: Cape winemaker Jean Smit and David Curl, owner of Moya Meaker in Elgin, home of estate-grown Pinot Noir, have partnered to launch the second edition of the DAMASCENE PORTFOLIO of wine. The wines come from dozens of sites throughout the Western Cape winelands and the latest portfolio includes: Syrah 2019, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Cabernet Franc 2019, Franschhoek Semillon 2019 and Moya Meaker Pinot Noir 2019.

2020 DETOX, ANYONE?

If there is anything we all need right now, it’s a trip to the spa. A simple 2020 detox would do us wonders. If you’re in the Breedekloof Winelands area, we have a recommendation for just that. BOSJES ESTATE has opened a new spa, ‘Die Stalle’ ( e Stables) on the estate as part of their move towards creating a unique lifestyle destination. e spa menu o ers a diverse selection of treatments and half-and full-day spa packages. To see the spa menu or book a treatment, go to www.bosjes.co.za.

Fancy a Picnic?

Who Spiked the Sparkling Water?

FROST SPARKLES is a ready-to-drink vodka-based drink blended with purified sparkling water and infused with natural flavours, sweetened with fructose, and based on the very popular seltzers overseas. Available in two flavours––Mixed Berry, and Pineapple & Coconut––this new addition to the SA drinks market has a 5% alcohol content. It is also lowcalorie, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. Here’s a new treat for all picnic lovers. DIEMERSFONTEIN has opened a deli called PROE. Expect the broadest choice of top-quality charcuterie, cheeses, fresh bread, preserves, and more to be enjoyed in a laid-back setting on the farm. Proe means ‘taste’ in Afrikaans and as such, reflects not only local cultural flair, but also the all-round offering that awaits visitors. Visitors first make a selection from the deli, then hand their baskets to a waiter for plating and serving. Both the deli seating and shady lawns below provide views across the farm dam and the mountains beyond. www.diemersfontein.co.za.

CHANGES AT KLEINE ZALZE

As the winelands face a new world of post-Covid tourism, they are still confronted with many challenges. In response to this, fan-favourite Kleine Zalze has announced the opening of

the KLEINE ZALZE RESTAURANT. e restaurant will be housed in the space previously home to Terroir restaurant. A er nearly 16 years of operation, Terroir proved hugely successful. Still, the new tourism landscape and safety concerns prompted Kleine Zalze to rethink – and reboot – the farm’s food o ering. Moving away from ne dining, the menu will change regularly and o ers a compact selection of plats du jour (a collection of dishes inspired by classic cuisine) and delicious tapas too. www. kleinezalze.co.za