THIS IS the first year that the Stellenbosch Wine Festival is held in Cape Town, instead of Stellenbosch! And just how much progress has Riesling from the Cape winelands made over the past 10 or 20 years? There are quite a few top Wine SA events to contemplate going to in April 2019, whether you’re in Nelspruit, Cape Town, Bot River, Noordhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch or Elgin – see below. All top Wine SA Events here.

5 & 6 APRIL
Mpumalanga Wine Show – Nelspruit

Wine lovers are invited to the Emnotweni Arena to celebrate new discoveries and iconic classics brought to the Lowveld. Almost 40 exhibitors will present a fabulous line-up of an estimated 250 wines – with select ‘foodies’ presenting wine-complementing fare.

6 & 7 APRIL
Stellenbosch Wine Festival – Cape Town

For the first time, the Stellenbosch Wine Festival will take place on the North Wharf at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town (behind the Two Oceans Aquarium). Award-winning wines to enjoy at the water’s edge with Table Mountain providing the backdrop. A delicious selection of food will be on offer, from gourmet burgers to cheese and charcuterie platters. You’ll also have the chance to sharpen your wine-pairing prowess at a session in the the Pick n Pay Tasting Room, and then to relax to the sounds of local musicians (Hot Water on Saturday and Jeremy Olivier on Sunday).

10 APRIL
Wine Cellar Riesling Taste-Off – Cape Town

The South African Riesling revival has been small but dramatic. Ten years ago, almost all of SA’s 200 hectares were planted in the warmer regions and produced largely mediocre wines. A decade later, more than 50% of the country’s Riesling is planted in the cooler regions, with Elgin showing a dramatic increase in vineyards and wines. Can Elgin be the Alsace or Eden Valley of South Africa? Comparing leading examples from around the world.

10 APRIL
Tuning the Vine – Cape Town CBD

A midweek wine-tasting adventure including some of the hippest inner city venues and showcasing delicious South African wines and talented winemakers! Discover new places and spaces, fabulous wines and delicious food. Each venue also prepares menus to pair with the wines on show. If you want to learn more and need some help navigating the many wines on show, or if you are a wine fundi wanting to dive deeper into the world of wine, a sommelier tour for groups of six to eight people could add some magic to your wine-tuning experience.

13 APRIL
Bot River Barrels & Beards Celebration

At the end of harvest, well-bearded winemakers arrive at the annual Beard Parade – a talent show contest based on beards and bulldust, of inconsequence and mirth. This is an opportunity for the public to taste new vintage wines straight from the barrel as well as special-release wines, to meet the winemakers, make new friends, party and do some good in the process. The occasion centres around an auction of special wines for the benefit of various school-level educational projects in the region. This is followed by a dinner known as the Botriviera feast!

13 APRIL
Noordhoek Crush

Embracing the relaxed charm of the Noordhoek village in a family-focused wine-tasting festival. Sip on over 100 wines from 22 producers, line your stomach with foodie delights from Noordhoek’s culinary hotspots, all while being serenaded to by Cocolo. Once you’ve finished tasting you can purchase wines at cellar door prices, either to enjoy on the day or stock up your cellar with, just in time for winter.

13 & 14 APRIL
Pinotage & Biltong Festival – Paarl

Hosted at the Perdeberg Cellar, 18 wineries will offer around 30 Pinotages for tasting and for sale, ranging from the traditional red variant to rosé’s, bubblies, dessert wines and even white Pinotage. Each winery will have one wine paired with a biltong flavour courtesy of Afrifoods. The participants are:  Badsberg,  Bellingham, Beyerskloof,  Brampton, Delheim, Doran,  Flagstone,  Franschhoek Cellar,  Grande Provence, Hill & Dale, Lanzerac, Mellasat,  Neethlingshof, Old Road Wine Co, Overhex, Perdeberg, Simonsvlei and Wellington Wines. Plus: food trucks, live music by The Wildberries, a children’s play area and food stalls.

15 APRIL
Merlot Benchmark Tasting – Stellenbosch

The Sommelier Association of South Africa to host a tasting of top South African Merlots next to Pomerol from Bordeaux in the first of a series of benchmark tastings exploring the difference between South African wine and international examples. Among the presenters: James Downes from Shannon Vineyards, sharing his experience of working with Merlot in the vineyard and the cellar.

27 & 28 APRIL
Elgin Cool Wine & Country Food Festival

Each of the participating wineries will offer a unique programme, allowing patrons to tailor-make their experience according to their personal preferences. Award-winning wines, a delectable culinary experience, a plethora of outdoor activities, live entertainment and natural scenic wonders. MCC tastings, chocolate-and-wine pairings, vertical line-ups and casual, informal presentations. Pop-up kitchens, food trucks, pulled-pork rolls, tapas, sushi, cheese platters, a la carte menus and fillet on the grill. All whilst revelling in the beauty of the Elgin Valley.

27 & 28 APRIL
Oysters, Bubbles & Blanc Festival – Durbanville

Previously known as the Oyster and Champagne festival, this event at the Hillcrest Wine Estate has grown with the inclusion of a few local Sauvignon Blanc producers. The event will highlight South Africa’s best oyster producers from South Africa’s west coast, with the sparkling wines showcasing Cap Classique, Champagne, Prosecco and Cava. A day of fun, with live music entertainment, celebrity chef demonstrations, ‘shuck and slurp’ competitions, plus…