Wine lovers and connoisseurs alike can enjoy a taste of what this small but varied wine route has to offer when wineries of the Durbanville Wine Valley Association host a weekend of festivities from 2 to 4 October 2009. The two-day ‘open house’ event, dubbed the ‘Season of Sauvignon’, introduces the latest vintage of the area’s superior Sauvignon Blanc wines together with food, music and fun for the whole family.
Taking part are Altydgedacht, Bloemendal, D’Aria, De Grendel, De Vallei, Diemersdal, Durbanville Hills, Hillcrest, Klein Roosboom, Meerendal and Nitida. The jubilant week-end long celebration of extreme fun invites visitors to explore great food and wine combinations; re-discover golden oldies, try sushi with sauvignon and enjoy the sounds of Abba with a zesty white. This year also sees the debut of the Durbanville Sauvignon Wine Ferry, taking to the air on Saturday, October 3rd for an adventure of fine wines and brilliant views in a fleet of Base 4 helicopters.
With stop-overs at De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal, this unique way of exploring the winelands allow for leisurely wine-tasting before taking off to the next wine destination. Take to the skies at Hillcrest with a helicopter flip around the Wine Valley or simply lounge on their lush lawns listening to the brilliant line-up of bands. “For us Springtime is Sauvignon Blanc time,” says Righard Theron, chairman of the Durbanville Wine Valley Association. “While the region produces excellent reds, the area cemented its longstanding reputation on its ideal terroir for this classic cool-climate variety.
The Durbanville Wine Valley is one of the coolest regions in the winelands because of its proximity to the chilly Atlantic – less than 15km away and in view from many of the farms – and because of the altitude of its hills. Vines are exposed to mists and the summer southeaster blowing in from False Bay on the Indian Ocean side.” These hills also offer a range of cooler and warmer aspects, giving different styles of wine from the same variety, but invariably sharing an elegance and fruitiness. And, according to Theron, the soils are ideal: ancient, shale-derived, deep and well-drained, but good at holding moisture during dry spells. “Plus, we have growers and winemakers committed to exploiting this great potential.”
Line-up of activities: Enjoy a farm-style picnic at picturesque Altydgedacht with free wine tasting at the cellar, live music and open vehicle vineyard tours. Bloemendal will be hosting their popular Blanc & Blues Festival with great live bands, fire shows and comedy acts, sushi bars and sensational Sauvignon Blanc. Saturday's line up include Boulevard Blues band, Cannon, Stremes, Dale Collins Band, Chattanooga to mention a few ...., fire shows and comedy acts. Sunday promises a line up of bands like Akkedis, Gerald Clark, Basson Laubscher, Dikazzins and many more.
The jam packed weekend kicks off on Friday night at D’Aria’s ‘Winemaker and Friends’ event with winemaker Rudi von Waltzleben and Gerald Clark bringing on the live music. Saturday’s festive atmosphere at D’Aria Poplars Restaurant includes a Prawns Festival with food stalls, wine tastings and live music. De Grendel is all about good food, great wine, fantastic music and exquisite views. Bring family and friends to enjoy the All Star Dance Ensemble – music to get you off your chair and onto the dance floor.
Treat the taste buds to a delicious Mancini Platter (selection of cold meats, pâtés, cheeses, olives and a fresh baguette) while sipping on De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2009. *Helicopter Wine Ferry Destination Taste sensational Sauvignon Blancs at Durbanville Hills with beautiful views of Table Mountain and Table Bay as backdrop – all to the beat of the Shen Trio performing Latin, jazz and rock renditions. Feast on sushi and wine at the various stalls, while the kids enjoy sand-art and have their faces painted.
Helicopter Wine Ferry Destination Meet the winemaker at De Vallei at their mini food and wine festival. Wine tastings and various food stalls are on offer with goodies ranging from sushi and olives to Belgian Chocolate. Suitable for the whole family with live music, kids entertainment and tractor rides in the vineyards. Neil Diamond rocks at the Diamonds and Diemersdal weekend. Enjoy the music of Neil Diamond, treasure hunt in the vineyards for a real diamond and drink diamond award winning wines accompanied by a delectable selection of food at the various food stalls. A day suitable for the whole family with live music, horse carriage rides, mountain bike trails and hiking in the vineyards. Drink in the views and taste sensational Sauvignon Blanc's at Durbanville Hills. Relax to the sounds of the Shen Trio performing Latin, jazz and rock renditions while nibbling on sushi.
Entertainment for the kids includes face-painting and sand art. Food, wine and cool drinks will be on sale at the various stalls. Helicopter Wine Ferry Destination Celebrate the fruits of the vine on the sprawling lawns in the beautifully refurbished quarry at Hillcrest. Rock it out with The Louise Day Band, Chasing Friday, 12th Avenue, Bad Apple, Skyeclad & Bienyameen and more. There’s wine tastings and blind tastings for grownups; jumping castles, face painting and food stalls (including abalone) for all and exciting helicopter flips around the Wine Valley.
At Klein Roosboom they are serious about having fun with wine. Enjoy their exclusive wines with a choice of sushi, tapas, cheese platters or a hearty meal and let the sound of Golden Oldies by Charles Stone take you on a trip down memory lane. At Meerendal the festivities kick off on Friday evening with ‘Boerejol’ dinner and dance at the Barn & Lawn with boerekos and freshly baked bread at the festive buffet. Boeresport for the whole family on Saturday with delicious picnics on offer Saturday and Sunday. The Bistro Restaurant offers special lunch time dishes perfectly partnered with Meerendal Sauvignon Blanc. Be prepared for a whole lot of surprises at the dam @ Nitida. Lee Scott swings with Michael Buble & Robbie Williams on Saturday; the popular ABBA Mania takes place on Sunday in true 70s fashion. Picnics and loads of activities for kids available.
Bookings: Bookings are essential and must be done directly with each of the wine farms. Bookings at Computicket for the three-destination Durbanville Sauvignon Wine Ferry helicopter rides stopping over at De Grendel, Durbanville Hills and Meerendal. R500 per person. Bookings for Hillcrest helicopter flips: R300 per person: book at Hillcrest Estate.
Information: For more information email the Durbanville Wine Valley Association on info@durbanvillewine.co.za or visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za
New: Coinciding with Season of Sauvignon for the first time, the retro-cool CY Market on Alba Guest Farm (opposite Meerendal on the Vissershoek Road) is another not-to-be-missed event, proving that the Durbanville Wine Valley is the hip and happening place to be.
Contact information: Errieda du Toit Tel: 021 913 2248 E-mail: errieda@edtpr.co.za
Issued for Durbanville Wine Association by Errieda du Toit PR