Words: Kit Heathcock | Images: Supplied
Nothing says summer like a glass of wine or two on the grassy banks of a smoothly flowing river. The annual Wine on the River festival, in partnership with Nedbank, in the Robertson wine valley, anticipates the season with a weekend of fabulous wine tastings, food and live music from 26 to 28 October at Goudmyn Farm between Robertson and Bonnievale. It’s a family-friendly festival, with plenty of kids’ activities and lots for serious wine lovers too.
Wine happenings
Interactive wine tastings hosted by the Cape Wine Academy alongside local winemakers are a must for those wanting to learn more about the Robertson valley wines. These need to be pre-booked, as do the new wine safari truck tours of nearby wine farms. On these you’ll accompany one of the local winemakers and hear more about the terroir, visiting underground cellars to get the inside story of the latest vintages. In the wine tent there are over 250 wines from 30 wine estates to taste; these tastings are included in the ticket price, and you can buy your favourites at cellar door prices to take home.
Living the lifestyle
If a lazy laid-back approach to soaking up the scenery appeals, you can take to the river on the Viljoensdrift boat cruise raising funds for the Breede River Hospice. Arm yourself with a bottle of MCC at cellar door prices and enjoy floating views of vines bursting into fresh spring leaf, rolling hills with mountain backdrops and the gently flowing Breede River. There’s cuisine from the valley, from tapas to hearty country meals, cool food trucks and a market selling artisan fare and crafts. Pre-book a festival shuttle service, running on the Saturday to central spots in the local towns of Robertson, Bonnievale and Montagu, so you can enjoy all this without worrying whether you’ve tasted one too many wines.
Glamping
This year for the first time a couples’ glamping weekend package is offered. Comfortable tented accommodation just 15 minutes from the festival site – and, of course, a shuttle to and from the festival – allows you to enjoy the whole experience at a leisurely pace and finish it off with stargazing by the camp fire. The package includes weekend passes for the festival, boat cruise tickets and an interactive wine tasting.
Wine on the River
023 626 3167
wineonriver.com
