Calitzdorp Port and Wine Festival - bigger and better

Promising to be better than ever, the new programme assures visitors that the festival will be a social calendar highlight. It will be hosted by port producers, Axe Hill, Boplaas, Calitzdorp Cellar, De Krans, Du'SwaRoo, Peter Bayly, TTT and Withoek, in partnership with naming right sponsor Absa, from 2012 to 2014.

Following the success of the 2009 and 2011 Festivals, the festival will again be centred at the historic Calitzdorp Railway Station, well complemented by a full programme of events at the various wine cellars and village venues.

Calitzdorp, South Africa’s Port Capital

New events

• Barrel samples of the unique Calitzdorp Blend (from Portuguese cultivars), to be launched at the festival, will be available
  at the eight cellars in Calitzdorp. Be the first to sample this unique wine offering in the country!
  
• Unique cooking demonstration with
  Emile Joubert and Lise Beyers using Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional and port wines from Calitzdorp;
  
• Ostrich on the spit braai
  
• Cheese & Wine Celebration, hosted by Cape Wine Academy Master Junel Vermeulen and a local cheese expert, will showcase regional and international cheeses with port and port cultivar wines;
  
• Special journey into the past with "Stoep Stories" will be hosted by locals and a well-known guest
  
• Surprise artist at the Port Dance, hosted by the Calitzdorp High School
  
• Lazy, slowdown late afternoon classics and port and wine sun-downers;
  
• Mediterranean themed menu on offer at participating restaurants;
  
• Wine Blending workshop
  
• Demonstration of mixing, blending and tasting of delectable port cocktails by Chef Marc Lorenz.

Festival favourites

• Tasting at the Station Barn: ports and port cultivar wines (Calitzdorp, participating Cape Port Producer's Association (CAPPA) and Klein Karoo Wine Route (KKWR) members), or visit the various cellars;
  
• "Unravelling the mysteries of port" to be presented by Carel Nel, Boets Nel and Fanie Geyser at Boplaas Cellar in conjunction with a guest geologist who will unravel the terroir of the region;
  
• The popular "Chocolate and port / Wine Decadence" will be hosted by Belgium trained Chocolatier Marita Lamprecht and Cape Wine Academy Master Junel Vermeulen. Sample local ports and port wine cultivars with the most decadent Belgium style chocolates specially handcrafted to suit the ports and wines.
  
• Youth and Local Artists Expo to be held in the DR Church Hall;
  
• Arts Meander of the wealth of artists in various media;
  
• Biodiversity Expo, Boules and Jukskei Competitions, Cultural/Historical Meander, Organ recital daily in the magnificent stone Dutch Reformed Church, Children's entertainment at the Calitzdorp Station and the main cellars,
  
• Tractor rides to the various cellars;
  
• Quality upmarket food and lifestyle stalls, coffee shops and restaurants with menus to suit everyone's taste and so much more;
  
• Indulgent and lazy end to the festival with the Mediterranean style Long Table Brunch on Sunday 20 May 2012 under the trellised vines at the Station Ticket office.

The annual domino competition winners will once again be awarded at the Festival but due to the earlier festival date, the vine pruning competition will be held in June when the vines are at their best for their annual trim.

For more information, go to www.portwinefestival.co.za. Book at Computicket and secure accommodation at www.calitzdorp.org.za.