Gauteng’s most popular Wine Route celebrates 12th year

VANDERBIJLPARK. – The Vaal Meander Wine Route takes place from July 11 to 16 August 16. Every weekend over a 6 week time period, guests can visit a dozen or more venues on and around the banks of the Vaal River, who have all joined together to showcase over 200 different wines between them.

Each venue pairs with one or several different Wine Farms and then together they partner up by showcasing the best of the wines at only R20.00 for tastings of 8 wines or R40 for tastings of the venue’s whole range (some venues go up to 23 wines). This year has a nice selection of interesting Wine Estates whose wines one cannot find in your local bottle store or supermarket. All wines represented on the Route can be bought directly from the venues at cost plus 10%, so be sure to use this opportunity to stock up for the rest of the winter!

Added to this is the unique way you can enjoy these wine tastings and all the “add on’s too”. You can experience the Vaal Wine Route by houseboat, luxury cruiser, vintage car, water taxi, land taxi, mini bus, bus or just in your own car. The whole idea is that you decide which of the venues you wish to visit that day and set a route using the Vaal Wine Route map and what transport method you will use. Far more fun than the usual way one does wine tasting in the Cape! And you can do it each and every weekend for 6 weeks running!

The Venues participating are diverse from cigar lounges to cosy pubs, to lovely riverside hotels, to fine restaurants to country quaint establishments and some fun quirky places too.

“Add On’s” are extensive – and includes pairings of all kinds from food, chocolate, desserts, fondues and cheese; to weekend accommodation packages included; cruising wine tasting luncheons, spa treatments with wine tasting; children’s entertainment; even corporate wine tastings; traditional Shisanyama at the local township; a Classic Car museum tour or visit an active winery in the Gauteng area!

For more information contact each of the venues or, info@vaalwineroute.co.za or visit www.vaalwineroute.co.za to see the various packages and routes.

Participants this year include:
Bon Hotel Riviera on Vaal (016) 420-1300, Eleven Cigar & Premium Lounge (016) 982-2300, High Stakes Restaurant (016)982-8355, Liquid Lounge (016) 982-3411, Lord’s Signature Hotel (016) 423-5453, Makro Vaal 0860303999, MCafe & Heineken Lounge 0741913433, Midcorner Shisanyama & Car Wash (016) 592-9340, Purple Camel 083 778 4165, Stonehaven On Vaal (016) 982-2951/2, Sylviavale Heritage Museum (016) 932-2495, The Art Farm 079 208 8716, The Shack 082 443 2603, The Shakespeare Inn (016) 933-4821, The Waterfront Country Lodge & Spa (016) 987-3434