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Party with the penguins

11 Jul 2013

Join nature lovers, wine aficionados and whale watchers at De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Overberg, Western Cape on 2-4 August 2013 for the weekend celebration of wine and whales and music. More than 40% of the world's Southern Right whales come into the bay to mate, calve and see their young through their first few, vulnerable months.

Set the tone for the weekend with Friday cocktails in the Whale Bone Bar with an opportunity to chat and mingle with musicians from the Johannesburg Philharmonic orchestra, followed by a five-course food and wine pairing dinner in the Fig Tree restaurant.

On Saturday, join local wine makers from the Cape Agulhas region for a relaxed but informative wine tasting. Estates such as the Black Oyster Catcher, Creation, Jean Daneel, Quoin Rock, The Berrio, Zoetendal, Lomond, Brunia, Strandveld/First Sighting and Lands End will offer guests several opportunities for tasting and interaction. On Saturday evening, savour select wines, cocktails and canapés, while musicians from the Johannesburg Philharmonic orchestra play a Whale Time serenade. Together with Malané Hofmeyr-Burger and her string and flute ensemble, friends from the JPO will perform pieces by Bach, Haydn, Vivaldi, Boccherini and some lighter works like Ladies in Lavender, Baby Elephant Walk and Lord of the Dance.

The weekend will also include guided walks and a picnic on the sand dunes watching the Southern Right Whales at Koppie Alleen. On Sunday morning, an interpretative marine walk at low tide to visit the whales is scheduled, with resident guides who have a rare passion and deep knowledge of the hidden rock pool life of this piece of pristine coastline.

Richard von Geusau, the well-renowned Chocolatier from Greyton will be running a truffle-making workshop - learn the secret of creating delicious chocolate truffles and take a 500g of chocolates to give away as presents.

The weekend package for two nights per person sharing, which includes accommodation, breakfast, lunch, dinner, music, truffle-making, wine and food pairing and walks is R2,350. Reservations can be made at +27 (0) 21 422 4522,+27 (0) 861 334 667 or email az.oc.noitcellocpoohed@ser. For more information, go to www.dehoopcollection.co.za.