Winter port festival offers long weekend delight

The festival, run by renowned port producers, Axe Hill, Boplaas, Calitzdorp Cellar, De Krans, Du'SwaRoo, Peter Bayly, TTT and Withoek, will be partnered for the first time this year by the Absa group.

Highlights

• Port Auction - winemakers will be offering five auction bottles, ranging from three through to nine litres, with fundraising for the Calitzdorp Fund for the Needy being a major beneficiary
  
• Visit the Station Barn for a full tasting of the ports and port cultivar wines of not only Calitzdorp but also the participating South African Port Producer's Association (SAPPA) members.
  
• Youth and Local Artists Expo - a new event at the Calitzdorp Town Hall Arts Meander - a showcase of the artists exhibiting in galleries in and around
• Calitzdorp with a competition
  
• Boulle Competition
  
• Cultural/historical treasure hunt
  
• Historical Meander with Noel-Jean Creil, who will also give an organ recital daily in the stone Dutch Reformed Church
  
• Port Dance - at Calitzdorp High School with the theme "A Taste of Portuguese" in celebration of Ports' origins,
  
• Biodiversity Expo - Station Ticket Office with presentations throughout the day
  
• Mountain Bike (MTB) stage racing and the Klein Karoo Klassiek
  
• Master Chef Francois Ferreira of the Eden School of Culinary Art with food and port/port wine pairing with his "Boerekos, Port, Bollywood & Ballroom" show so early booking is an absolute must to avoid disappointment.
  
• Belgium trained chocolatier, Marita Lamprecht and Junel Vermeulen will pair chocolates with port/port wine,
  
• Brian and Jo Dick will offer cheeses paired with port/port wine
  
• Chris Serfontein will present olive oils and olives of the Klein Karoo
  
• Boets Nel, Carel Nel and Fanie Geyser will unravel the mysteries of port
  
• Festival ends with Long Table Brunch - Mediterranean Portuguese style on Sunday 19 June under the trellised vines at the Station Ticket Office

Go the festival website at www.portwinefestival.co.za for full event and programme details.