5 Fun harvest activities and festivals to check out

The harvest season is an exciting time of year, full of fun activities for people of all ages to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for an unique way to spend time with family and friends or just have a relaxing time enjoying your favourite wines, you can always find something interesting to do during Cape Town’s harvest season. Whatever you decide to do, you’ll be sure to have a brilliant time and make memories that will last a lifetime. Here are a few to get you started…

FRANSCHHOEK SUMMER WINES FESTIVAL

A firm Cape favourite is the stylish and sizzling Summer Wines Festival that celebrates fabulous food and excellent wines in the heart of the Cape Winelands. This year it will be held at Country Grand in Franschhoek on Saturday 4th March from 11h00 to 16h00. The dress theme is ‘All White in Country Chic’ so be sure to come dressed to show-off your chic and cool Summer attire.

Tickets for the Summer Wines Festival cost R280 pp and include a souvenir glass and a tasting from each winery.

DARLING CELLARS ANNUAL CRUSH DAY

A fun day not to be missed for all wine and outdoor adventurers. The Darling Cellars Crush Day takes place on Saturday 4th March and is a FULL day packed with exciting activities for everyone!

The day includes a  delicious Darling breakfast, a Bushvine tractor ride into the vineyards where you can hand-harvest perfect grapes, then crush your grapes before a lekker lunch of delicious hamburger & chips. There will also be wine tasting and sales, cheese platters, pizza and ice-lollies for sale, a Live Band and DJ, lots of fun activities for the kids and lots of prizes up for grabs!

CONSTANTIA FRESH FINE WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

This very popular annual garden party will be taking place on Sunday 5th March at the magnificent Cape Point Vineyards. Be ready to celebrate all that is fresh - the festival showcases the finest wines with the freshest and most creative food that the local chefs have to offer. Just last year, according to the organisers, over 1300 visitors sipped and sampled some of the country’s finest wines on offer by 45 exhibitors, whilst 6 of South Africa’s top chefs prepared food to accompany the wines.

The festival’s focus is set on “freshness” – a vital part of food, wine and life.Tickets are R750 per person and includes your wine, food, music, glass, and lots of fun! Don’t miss it!

HARVEST CELEBRATION AT BENGUELA COVE

On the Saturday 18th March you can enjoy a harvest lunch at Benguela Cove in the Walker Bay wine region. The Harvest Celebration kicks off in their picture-perfect vineyards for a little hands-on grape picking followed by a delicious lunch with wines and live music. The Harvest Celebration is a great way to learn more about winemaking and viticulture.

Be sure to wear comfy shoes as you will start in the vineyards and pick some final grapes before tasting some of the fruits of your labour! Enjoy!

BOOGIE IN THE BARRELS HARVEST CELEBRATION AT KLEIN ROOSBOOM BOUTIQUE WINERY

Everyone is quite familiar with this gorgeous and unique winery, Klein Roosboom. They are a special hidden gem in the Durbanville wine region with so much to offer. Their festival, taking place on Tuesday 21st March will be filled with LOTS of wine, grape stomping, live music, yummy food, fund and games. Tickets are only R130 per person and includes a wine glass and 3 wine tastings.

There is FREE entrance for kids under 18 so bring the family along for a day of fun in the wine valley!

So whatever you choose to do, we’re sure you’ll make the most of this amazing, jam-packed, harvest season!

- Blog by Letishia Charles