Plan festive outings in Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch has already lined up an array of events for the festive season to ensure that visitors to the City of Oaks have an indulgent, entertaining time. The Stellenbosch Wine Routes and the Stellenbosch 360 tourism outfit have conjured up a wish list of seasonal pleasures to revel in as part of the annual Stellenbosch Experience programme.
October highlights include the start of Dornier Estate's Summer Season at its popular Bodega Restaurant, which includes its sixth annual Asparagus Festival.
November has the launch of the arresting Art - (de)code - (re)phrase Exhibition at D-Street Gallery in Dorp Street on 15 November, featuring works by renowned local artists (www.dstreetgallery.com).
The colourful Acara Open Gardens offers cheese and wine platters at these tranquil guest cottages (www.acara.co.za). This month also marks the start of Stellenbosch's monthly Street Soirees. Remember to diarise Kamers Vol Geskenke, a treasure trove of handcrafted creativity, which takes place at Webersburg from 4-9 November (www.kamersvol.com).
The Slow Market's Christmas Night & Day Market at Oude Libertas on 28 (night), 29 (day) and 30 November (day) is the perfect hotspot for loads of crafty presents, local designs and a foodie paradise, with wine and craft beer tastings to add to the merriment. All white styled with snowflake origami, lanterns and Christmas lights, this market offers nearly 140 stall exhibitors selling a variety of unique handmade goodies in the company of large oak trees (www.slowmarket.co.za).
December festivities
December kicks off with the Spier Festival of White Lights on 5 December. This evening is a performance arts procession across the farm, winding through heritage Cape Dutch monuments and led by Spier's Angel of Light on stilts. It also includes a dazzling display of lights, ranging from fire dancers, sculptures, lanterns and artistic performances and end with a complimentary glass of wine and relaxed tunes at the Spier Hotel (www.spier.co.za).
More light will be shed at Stellenbosch's annual Festival of Street Lights, hosted by the municipality on 7 and 8 December. Pack a picnic and bring the kids to be there when the mayor switches on the Christmas lights and sing along to your favourite songs during Carols by Candlelight on the opening night.
7 December also marks the start of Jordan Estate's monthly Sunday Evening Concerts, which cater for al fresco gatherings under starry skies until April. Resident Chef George Jardine tantalises with a superb array of mini food stations and tickets cost R350 per person, which include the food and the show. They also have a very special African Christmas Concert in store (www.jordanwines.com).
Muratie offers live music with line-ups that will impress even the Boss include the sultry Luna Paige on 13 December and famous alternative rock artist Jesse Clegg on 28 December (www.muratie.co.za).
On 14 December, Father Christmas will once again be making his appearance on his tractor at Middelvlei Wine Estate's annual Sunset Carols. As the sun sets over the Middelvlei dam, guests will be singing carols while their famous Boerebraai is served and Father Christmas delivers the presents. This year's Sunset Carols event, which costs R175 for Adults and R60 for children, will be in benefit of Stellenbosch Youth Outreach (www.middelvlei.co.za).
Christmas day dining
Sumptuous Christmas Menus worth swopping the home cooked roast for include the one by the famous 96 Winery Road Restaurant, which will serve dinner on 24 and lunch on 25 December at R475 per person (www.96wineryroad.co.za).
The Lanzerac Hotel & Spa will also be serving its gourmet three-course Christmas Day lunch, served up in the elegant Governors Hall Restaurant or on the Terrace at R528 per adult and R265 per child under 11 years of age. Or why not end 2014 on a gastronomic high and come to its lavish New Year's Eve Dinner at R950 per adult which include bubbly and a special gift on the evening (www.lanzerac.co.za).
Check out Zee's Cape Tours Festive Season specials and spoil the in-laws and overseas guests with genuine Stellenbosch hospitality this holiday (www.zeescapetours.co.za). For more information, go to www.wineroute.co.za and follow blog.wineroute.co.za for the latest festive happenings.
