Feast of the Grape

Itching for grape amusement? Kick off your shoes for some squishing and splatting at the Durbanville Wine Valley's Feast of the Grape, a weekend of harvest fun hosted by 12 wine farms in the Durbanville Wine Valley. The festival takes place on 1 and 2 March 2014, at the picturesque D'Aria wine farm, surrounded by vineyards and nature, with plenty of seasonal wines to sip.

The farms coming together to take part in the grape frolics are: Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D'Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Groot Phesantekraal, Hillcrest, Klein Roosboom, Meerendal, Nitida and Signal Gun.

"This year's festival will be very special as it brings all our member farms together on one wine farm, rather than each hosting its own separate harvest celebration", says winemaker Etienne Louw, chairperson of the Durbanville Wine Valley Association who organises the event. "With this we salute the region's great harvest traditions of the past, bringing together the community to celebrate the season's bounty.

A mere 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, the charming wine route set in rolling hills is the perfect place to enjoy the last summer days with family and friends. Great food, excellent wines, the sensory experience of grape stomping, music by Chris Rain and Sven Blumer, happy crowds and the natural surroundings create a most memorable festival.

Tutored tastings for wine enthusiasts is a first for the festival. Wine estate restaurants bring their personality to festival feasting with creative dishes such as oysters with Sauvignon Blanc jelly, and baguettes with Boerejongens. Family-friendly and fun-focused, the two day celebration also pays homage to harvest machinery and farm equipment.

Festival highlights

Wine-tasting: Taste the wines of Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D'Aria, De Grendel, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Groot Phesantekraal, Hillcrest, Klein Roosboom, Meerendal, Nitida and Signal Gun.

A Taste of Durbanville: Meander from stall to stall and take your pick from the harvest-inspired, festival-friendly dishes on sale, selected to compliment their wines.
-Try Durbanville Hill's venison pate baguette with grape and onion jam; or their brie baguette with boerejongens, star anise and grape chutney.
-Enjoy D'Aria's gourmet burgers and oysters with sauvignon blanc jelly which promise to be the talk of the town.
-Hillcrest's artisan bread, pork belly and egg rolls, together with gourmet sarmies, pickles and jams;
-Meerendal's home-made pies bubbling with goodness and the selection of street food style schwarma.
-Groot Phesantekraal's mini quiches and chocolate brownies;
-Altydgedacht's rustic Mediterranean fare and farm bread;
-Diemersdal's tacos

Tutored tasting Theatre: Winemakers and a Cape Wine Master explore the Durbanville terroir and wine styles in intimate tastings. Individualistic, outspoken and passionate, the presenters are as informative as they are entertaining.

Saturday. 1 March, 12h00: Thys Louw (Diemersdal) and Elzette du Preez (De Grendel) present a selection of Sauvignon Blancs from the valley including current and older vintages.
Saturday. 1 March, 14h00: Etienne Louw (Altydgedacht) and Cape Wine Master, Bennie Howard (Meerendal) talk Shiraz and Pinotage.

Sunday 2 March, 12h00: Martin Moore (Durbanville Hills) presents Bordeaux Varieties.
Sunday 2 March, 14h00: In a session themed 'Quirky beautiful' Charles Hopkins (De Grendel) explores the more unusual grape varieties grown in the Durbanville wine valley.

Note: The tutored tastings are free of charge. Booking essential via az.oc.sllihellivnabrud@noskcajk
Bookings will also be taken at the festival entrance on the day. 30 seats available per session.

Kids Country Zone: with the festival's strong family orientation, children's activities will keep the young festival fans entertained in a special Kids Country Zone. Kids love the juicy grape-stomping: be prepared to hose them down afterwards and bring a change of clothing.

The Durbanville '12 wine farms, 1 wine project': Very special grape must (mos) can be tasted at the festival! This must represents the first stage in the making of a unique Durbanville Wine Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 to be released later in the year. In this brand new initiative the 12 farms on the wine route all contributed 1 ton of grapes towards making the first Durbanville Wine Valley Sauvignon Blanc truly depictive of the region's terroir and the winemakers.

Grape-stomping: This is an invitation for festival goers to kick off their shoes, roll up their sleeves, and squish some sauvignon blanc between the toes. As ancient as wine-making itself, this fun activity brings homage to wine traditions and the soul.

Tickets: R50 from www.webtickets.co.za to enter festival
R50 for tasting kit with tasting glass and tasting coupons - buy at the festival.
Children under 12: Entry free. R20 entry to Kids Country Zone
Hours: Saturday: 11h00 - 19h00/Sunday: 11h00 - 18h00

Date: 01 March 2014 to 02 March 2014
Time: 11:00 - 19:00
Venue: D'Aria Wine Farm, Cape Town
Cost: www.durbanvillewine.co.za

More info:

D'Aria Wine Farm, M13 (Racecourse Road), Durbanville