You might think that if you’ve seen one wine festival you’ve seen them all. You would be wrong. Even though the different wine routes are all relatively close together, each district has its own identity and each wine farm is a treasure trove waiting to be explored. Yes, some wines taste better than others, but no matter your preference, every wine festival will have at least one wine to change your life forever.
If summer was a wine, it would probably be a Sauvignon Blanc. Summer also means family fun in the sun, so if mom and dad can enjoy a glass of wine or two while the kids make new friends and run around inventing games, what more could you ask for? Except maybe a big screen to watch that all-important rugby match? Sounds like Season of Sauvignon in the Durbanville Wine Valley.
There are two ways to go about enjoying Season of Sauvignon. If you are not that familiar with the Durbanville Wine Valley and want to acquaint yourself with the twelve farms, you could go for option one and visit each farm over the course of the two-day festival. Take note that some of the wine farms charged an entry fee or required advance bookings due to space limitations and costs accrued. For the Durbanville Wine Valley regulars, option two – parking your family and friends at one wine farm for the day – may be best.
I took option one and visited seven wine farms in one day – quite a marathon. It meant spending 30 to 45 minutes at each venue, and parking was almost always a brisk hike away. Hillcrest Estate provided a shuttle service, but we only noticed it after hiking up and down the quarry.
Although I’m pleased to have opted for venue hopping, next year I would prefer to stop at one venue for the day. Each farm conveniently had the Sauvignon Blancs of all the other farms for tasting, with the option of tasting the host’s range in their tasting room. And let’s not forget the delicious food on offer: restaurants and food stalls had guests spoiled for choice at every venue. My advice? Do your homework, pick the farm that suits you and yours best and stick with it.
It doesn’t matter if you come alone or with a convoy; the vibe in the Durbanville Wine Valley is one of close family and friends getting together for a lekker South African kuier. It’s like visiting your favourite aunt and uncle.
If summer was a wine, it would probably be a Sauvignon Blanc. Summer also means family fun in the sun, so if mom and dad can enjoy a glass of wine or two while the kids make new friends and run around inventing games, what more could you ask for? Except maybe a big screen to watch that all-important rugby match? Sounds like Season of Sauvignon in the Durbanville Wine Valley.
There are two ways to go about enjoying Season of Sauvignon. If you are not that familiar with the Durbanville Wine Valley and want to acquaint yourself with the twelve farms, you could go for option one and visit each farm over the course of the two-day festival. Take note that some of the wine farms charged an entry fee or required advance bookings due to space limitations and costs accrued. For the Durbanville Wine Valley regulars, option two – parking your family and friends at one wine farm for the day – may be best.
I took option one and visited seven wine farms in one day – quite a marathon. It meant spending 30 to 45 minutes at each venue, and parking was almost always a brisk hike away. Hillcrest Estate provided a shuttle service, but we only noticed it after hiking up and down the quarry.
Although I’m pleased to have opted for venue hopping, next year I would prefer to stop at one venue for the day. Each farm conveniently had the Sauvignon Blancs of all the other farms for tasting, with the option of tasting the host’s range in their tasting room. And let’s not forget the delicious food on offer: restaurants and food stalls had guests spoiled for choice at every venue. My advice? Do your homework, pick the farm that suits you and yours best and stick with it.
It doesn’t matter if you come alone or with a convoy; the vibe in the Durbanville Wine Valley is one of close family and friends getting together for a lekker South African kuier. It’s like visiting your favourite aunt and uncle.