Eat, drink and explore at the Stellenbosch wine festival

This popular wine lifestyle event showcases the cream of the Stellenbosch American Express Wine Routes, which has recently been nominated for the international Wine Region of the Year title.

According to Annareth Bolton, CEO of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes, the 2014 festival promises to be bigger and better than ever.

“The Stellenbosch Wine Festival is not only about wine, it is about the Stellenbosch lifestyle. It is therefore very appropriate that the festival coincides with the annual harvest. This is a unique opportunity to experience what Stellenbosch is all about – the history, the people, the wines and great food,” says Bolton.

The line-up includes a harvest parade, a street fest in the historic Church Street, speciality tastings and tours, cultivar showcases, dine in the vine encounters, art exhibitions, special events as well as winery experiences and restaurant promotions. The ten-day wine spectacular culminates in a three-day wine expo in the centre of town.

The Stellenbosch Wine Festival Wine Expo will once again be hosted on Die Braak from Friday January 31 to Sunday February 2. The venue will be transformed into an elegant, open-air lounge with over sixty winery stands offering wine tastings, a Pick n Pay Fresh and small producers market and live entertainment. For the duration of the festival, wine lovers will also be able to enjoy dedicated American Express Winery Experiences at close to eighty wineries in the region.

On January 25, the Pick n Pay Women’s Walk will take to the streets of Stellenbosch in aid of breast cancer awareness and prevention. This initiative forms part of the Stellenbosch Wine Festival’s community involvement programme and will also see a mobile unit engaging with women from local disadvantaged communities to offer free mammogram screenings and health education.

Sports enthusiasts also have something to look forward to with the Grape Golf Challenge taking place at De Zalze golf estate on January 31.