Bot River features 11 wine farms – most of them family-owned and run – and during the Spring Weekend each of them will share something unique to their ‘farm cupboard’. All farms will be open from 10am-4pm on both days.
In addition, attendees may expect olive oils, fresh produce, deli offerings, honest wines, farm fare, indigenous greenery and local talent. Attendees may also choose take a drive to see the canola fields in the Botriviera.
The Bot River Spring Weekend commences on Friday 2 September with a sommelier lead Bot River Magnum Magnificence at Beaumont Wine Estate, one of the oldest wine establishments in the area. The sommeliers will match the local producers’ wines with delicious pairings.
On Saturday and Sunday (3 and 4 September) the farms dotted along the 10km enclave will showcase various tastes, including a sausage making course at Luddite, well-known for its technology-resistant winemaking philosophy. Genevieve MCC will also be providing Oysters & Bubbles all weekend long and have magnums of its newly released 2012 vintage on sale.
Early birds may choose to have breakfast at Goedvertrouw. Outdoors fans may attend a guided fynbos hike amongst the Nguni Stud at Paardenkloof Estate, where family picnics prevail. Nature lovers may visit the Ecology Lifestyle Farm, which offers specials on fynbos plants at their nursery, a petting zoo and Paardenkloof wine tastings and pairings. Alternatively, guests may create their own picnic basket and enjoy the live music.
Forage Restaurant at Wildekrans where the chef offers an indigenous dining experience with ingredients from the pastures outside.
Gabriëlskloof, situated atop a hill with views of the Overberg, offers hearty, slow-cooked meals. During the Spring Weekend they will also be experimenting with pickles and preserves in their kitchen, selling them in their deli and pairing them with their wines in the tasting room.
Child-friendly host, Beaumont Estate, offers a pink sweet stall, pink kiddies bowling action, a playground and tractor rides. Adults may enjoy the food and wine, and purchase plant and produce boxes as well as jewellery.
Barton Estate offers a jumping castle and tractor rides for children. Adults may experience a complimentary canapé, wine or beer pairings and enter a wine blending competition.
On the Saturday evening of the Spring Weekend, a Pink Gin and Bubble Polo affair will take place from 5pm at Maramanna Polo Estate. Locally made gin and a bubbly bar will be available.
“We will have some bubble soccer on the go for those who are up for a quick game of ‘inflated’ action. You know those big bubbles kids usually play with on water. Imagine those… but with adults in them, trying to kick a goal through the posts. It should make for some hilarious viewing while we all sip on flutes of bubbly and G&T’s,” chuckles Penny Verburg of Luddite Wines.
Tickets are available at www.quicket.co.za and a weekend pass costs R100 per adult which includes a wine glass and an informative booklet to be collected at the tourism office opposite the local hotel.
Limited tickets for the exclusive Magnum Tasting & Dinner at Beaumont cost R450 per person and include rare cellar releases, food and sommelier excellence.
Tickets for the Pink Gin and Bubble Polo sunset party cost R150 per head and include a welcome drink, a happy box of spring snacks and the bubble soccer action.
Transport will take attendees to the farms of their choice for R100 per person per day.
For accommodation options in the area visit: www.botriverwines.com.
For more information on the Bot River Spring Weekend 2016 contact Melissa Nelsen at cell: 083 302 6562 or email az.oc.ccmeveiveneg@assileM.
