Wine Town Stellenbosch: A Raft Of Unmissable Wine Highlights

The stage is set!
#WineTownStellenbosch

It’s full-steam ahead to one of the Cape winelands’ biggest shindigs – the 2024 Wine Town Stellenbosch celebration of wine, from 29 July to 4 August.

The historic town and spiritual heartland of South African wine comes alive with a program of events to suit all ages and levels of food-and-wine interest. From varietal deep-dives and presentations on farming techniques to laid-back lunches and off-the-charts dinners; and, grand social gatherings to intimate assemblies – it’s all on offer, backed by Stellenbosch’s unique heritage of wine and culinary excellence.

Happening over seven days, Wine Town Stellenbosch offers unparalleled access to the country’s top wine estates and wines. Events are hosted on farms and along the famous tree-lined avenues of Stellenbosch itself, and builds towards the Stellenbosch Wine Festival, on the weekend of 2 and 3 August.

Here, some 60 of the country’s best producers present over 200 wines for tasting, served alongside a traditional harvest table of divine bites, curated by Bertus Basson and his restaurants group, led by Chef Adele Grewar.

“Wine Town Stellenbosch is certainly lining up be the best showcase of what our region is all about,” says Stellenbosch Wine Routes manager Elmarie Rabe. “With experiences on farms and in town, it really gives a 360 view that is the sense of place reflected in our wines.

We’re very excited about several completely new experiences and the return of the Stellenbosch Wine Festival, which has been going for over half a century,” says Elmarie.

“Most importantly, we’re very grateful to our partners who have helped make this happen.”

In addition to the wine route members and affiliated enterprises, companies partnering with the 2024 Wine Town Stellenbosch celebration of wine are the Stellenbosch and Cape Winelands District municipalities, Wesgro and Aquasky, as well as United Airlines and the Rola Motor Group.

This year’s must-do experiences

This year, Wine Town Stellenbosch again presents singular events arranged specially for this occasion.

Two prominent events focus on Cabernet Sauvignon, the variety with which Stellenbosch is often most closely associated with. These are the Stellenbosch Cabernet Conference, made possible by United Airlines, Riedel – The Wine Glass Company, Stellenbosch Wine Routes, and Lanzerac Wine Estate, and a must-do tasting for fans of this wine variety.

Organised by Stellenbosch Cabernet, a collective of passionate Cabernet producers, the Stellenbosch Cabernet Conference on July 29 features expert guest speakers David Bowman, an experienced industry executive, and winemaker/viticulturist Graham Weerts joining in-person from the United States. The focus is global brand positioning by taking examples from the American market. Topics for the day also include packaging and targeted marketing, with local specialist, viticulturist Jaco Engelbrecht, leading a discussion on Stellenbosch Cabernet terroir.

The conference concludes with a case study in Cabernet brought to you by United Airlines – a comparative tasting with stellar wines from the US and Australia.

Cabernet remains on the programme offering with Cabernet Through The Ages tasting, hosted by Stellenbosch Cabernet. Featuring a walk-around tasting of specially-selected wines from diverse vintages, it takes place in the evening of August 1 at Waterford Wine Estate. Tickets are limited, so early booking is recommended.

Happy Hour in Stellenbosch

Sip, savour and socialise during Stellenbosch’s wine bar Happy Hour, every day from 17:00 to 19:00. There are few better ways to enjoy the essence of Stellenbosch life than a walk down the avenues lined by oak trees and historic architecture. Happy Hour offers visitors the opportunity to spend a little time at a range of the finest wine bars.

See participating wine bars on the Winetown website (details below).

Multi-course food-and-wine showstoppers

Stellenbosch is home to one of the biggest concentrations of top restaurants in South Africa. It’s reputation for outstanding wine and food experiences is second to none, with Wine Town Stellenbosch being the best opportunity to get to know them.

A range of stellar culinary events are in the line-up, including a five-course winemakers lunch at Blaauwklippen; and, seven-course experience menu at Manor Kitchen at Lanzerac. Best be hungry when you book for the six-course dinner at Rust en Vrede Estate, winemaker’s dinner at the Bertha Wine Bar or a chef’s dinner at Weltevreden Estate.

Among other participating restaurants and wine bars hosting Wine Town special events are:

Senobias at Eendracht

Hussar Grill

Vadas Smokehouse & Bakery

Kantien

Lievland Café

96 Winery Road Restaurant

Nocturne

Le Pommier

Somerbosch Bistro

De Warenmarkt

The Cellar Door @ Jordan

Pink Valley Wines

The Wine Glass

Kleine Liebe & Deli

Stellenbosch Reserve

Rykaart's at Longridge

Clara’s Barn

Geuwels @ Vergenoed Löw

Post & Pepper

Genki

Book now for outstanding occasions

This year’s offering takes Wine Town Stellenbosch to new heights with some outstanding experiences.

If oysters are your thing, don’t miss the gourmet oyster and wine pairings at Cavalli wine estate.

Discover the stories behind the wines from Simonsig’s vinotheque through its immersive Vintage Village. It includes a tasting of vintage red wines, white wines, and of course, Cap Classique.

Reconnect with nature and unearth the secrets hidden in our soil at Hartenberg’s Regenerative Vineyard Tour and Tasting, hosted by the wine farm’s viticulturalist and South Africa’s father of Regenerative Viticulture, Wilhelm Joubert.

Plus, there’s an exclusive opportunity to encounter the magnificent cattle at both Hartenberg and Yonder Hill with the latter presenting the Ankole Walkabout and wine tasting.

Make the Stellenbosch Wine Festival a top priority

If there’s one event to attend at Wine Town Stellenbosch, it’s the Stellenbosch Wine Festival. From organic champions to ancient producers; from world conquerors to fan favourites, the participating producers represent the length and breadth of the Stellenbosch wine territory.

Among them are well-known farms such as Villiera, Warwick Wines, Stellenzicht, Spier, Thelema, Neethlingshof, Morgenster, Meerlust, Quoin Rock, Kleine Zalze, Kanonkop, Kaapzicht, Muratie and Ernie Els. There are also the more boutique brands such as Visio Vintners, Winshaw, Le Chant, Amperbo, Alluvia, Skilpadvlei, Remhoogte, Joubert, Dorp St, Aslina and Compagniesdrift.

Festival dates/times: Fri, 2 Aug, 17:00 - 21:00 and Sat, 3 Aug: 14:00 - 18:00
Cost: R490pp
Ticket includes: 18 wine tasting tokens, live music performance and harvest feast
Tickets: Book via Plankton.

Booking details for the Stellenbosch Cabernet Conference

Date and location: 29 July, Lanzerac Wine Estate
Cost: Full day R1200 (R800pp for Stellenbosch Cabernet members and R900pp for Stellenbosch Wine Routes members).
Ticket includes: Full day access from 08:30 to 15:00, including lunch. Tasting from 15:45. Booking essential.
Tickets: https://forms.gle/cJdjNQDbviG4Z3L4A
Conference enquiries: Email Billie Lambrechts at wine@stellenboschcabernet.co.za

Get these extra special deals

In addition to once-off menus and offerings at wine farms, there are numerous winter specials on offer from accommodation providers to top end restaurants. Some even offer up to 50% off!

For information, visit www.winetown.wineroute.co.za for the official 2024 Wine Town programme, or www.StayAndPlay.visitstellenbosch.org. For those living further afield, check out www.travelstart.co.za for flight-and-stay packages, and up to a R1000 off accommodation (Ts&Cs apply).

Enquiries may be directed by email to info@wineroute.co.za or phone, to 021 886 4310. Track the build-up to the event by following with @stellwineroute on Facebook, X(Twitter) and Instagram.