Cape Town South Africa

Fancy a bit of a spring road trip out of the Mother City this weekend?

How about venturing 60 km towards Darling and the Cloof Wine Estate, where South Africa’s best musos will be convening to participate in the fourth installment of Rocking the Daisies, South Africa’s fastest growing eco-friendly music and lifestyle festival.

Two stages will see performances from the likes of Goldfish, 340ml, Gang of Instrumentals, Freshlyground, Just Jinjer, Prime Circle, Black Hotels, Gazelle, Desmond & The Tutus, Wrestlerish, Dan Patlansky, aKing, Bed On Bricks, EJ von Lyrik and more. 

Tickets are R430 for the whole weekend, R350 for Saturday and Sunday, or R150 for Sunday only. Discounts for those who travel there in a green way by cycling there (R215) or travel by scooter (R215). For more information, visit rockingthedaisies.com 

As an unseasonably warm July in the Western Cape Province wraps up, the Mecca of South African wine-making is preparing to host its annual wine festival - and aren’t we lucky to be living so close by!

The charming, historic (established in 1679) town of Stellenbosch, situated less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is the hub of the country’s wine industry. Every year, the picturesque hamlet uncorks its renowned hospitality as an influx of both international and local visitors descend upon it to explore the area’s five distinct wine routes, visit over 100 wineries, and to drink in the area’s spectacular sights, sounds, and of course, its wines. This year, the festival is extra special since it coincides with South Africa’s 350^th wine-making anniversary.

During the event, festival goers will be able to experience some diverse activities. These include sampling more than 500 different wines; stocking up on their wine collections; taking part in comparative varietal tastings; meeting their favourite winemakers; witnessing some of the area’s top chefs in action – and better yet, tasting their creations - learning more about wine by attending courses; hearing live music and attending fashion shows and art exhibitions.

One of the more unconventional activities at the festival will be the the event where attendees will learn how to blend their own wines. Afterwards, they will even be able to take home their personally created blends to share with family and friends!

Those who are a bit more adventurous, active and fit can explore the winelands by bicycle; view the spectacular works of world-renowned landscape artist Strijdom van der Merwe; and have a “vertical” tasting – which means that you are treated to a tasting of various vintages of a label’s Merlot (to name but one example).

The festival lasts until Sunday, 2 August. In order to encourage responsible drinking and road safety, several shuttle services will operate to transport festival goers to and from Cape Town (departing from the VA Waterfront), Somerset West, etc.

The complete festival programme is available online at www.wineroute.co.za/festival.asp

Do you have vague ties to the French Huguenots? Or no ties at all? Luckily, no matter what your heritage, you’ll still be able to channel your inner, chic French being at this weekend’s Bastille Festival in Franschhoek. The picturesque, French-infused village will once again proudly display all its French colours during its annual celebration of the French holiday and they are inviting everyone to come and celebrate it. 

With a range of activities ranging from a French film festival at Le Quartier’s screening room, to boules - a race of chefs and waiters - to a barrel-rolling contest, live music performances and stalls heaving with the cuisine the town is so famous for, there is something to everyone’s taste.

For more information, phone (023) 876 630.

Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

This Sunday, 21 June 2009, fathers all across the world will be faced with an array of gifts which will include staples like socks, ties, and cologne (Old Spice, anyone?).

But whether the father figure in your life is gifted with standard father’s day fare or not, you’ll at least have the rest of the Sunday to make it up to him.

The Mother City is filled with activities and places that will warm any father’s heart… and stomach. Our restaurants are among the best in the country - and even the world - and dads can be treated to cuisine from any part of the globe.

As always, Cape Town Magazine has been our go-to source for ideas on what to do with and for Dad this Sunday. Their original suggestions include sharing a rare whisky with your dad at Bascule Bar, treating him to a night of culture at the On Broadway Dinner Theatre and renting him his own mid-life crisis… we mean… Harley Davidson motorcycle on which he can tear up the city streets. 

Of course, you can always venture a few kilometres out of town and have Pops pop a few corks at any of the wonderful wine cellars in nearby Stellenbosch. 

Whatever you do to let Dad know that he is your all-time super hero? We hope that you both enjoy the time together so much that he will be inspired to generously increase your monthly allowance! 

 

On Sunday morning, the smell of burnt toast; bruised, wilting flowers; and weak coffee or tea will be what greets waking mothers all around the world. All accompanied by a lovingly handcrafted card adorned with crayon drawings.

That’s right, it’s Mother’s Day this Sunday!

For those mom’s fortunate enough to be in the Mother City this Mother’s Day, there are plenty of ways for Mom to be spoiled and in which the day can be celebrated. From treating her to a stylish high tea at the luxurious Mount Nelson Hotel, to wine tasting or lunching at the hundreds of wine estates in nearby Stellenbosch, to extravagant helicopter rides over the Cape Peninsula - there are activities to suit every budget.

Cape Town Magazine has compiled a comprehensive list of creative ways in which Mom can be spoiled this Sunday. Heed their advice and make Mom feel like the queen that she is! After all, she is the one who changed your nappy!

So do not let her lift a finger on Sunday - unless you are giving her a manicure! 

Every year, we agree to meet at one of Cape Town’s best known landmarks to continue our passionate, ongoing affair.

We’re not even clandestine about it. We meet, openly and unashamed, right in the heart of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. But we’re not really there. We lose ourselves in the deep blushes and reds of passion’s first flush. Or spend hours drinking in light, airy, crisp kisses. Our sense of smell and taste and touch transport us across the mountain and into the ancient valleys of the Western Cape winelands just beyond the glittering lights of the city…

And you really ought to join us for this year’s Cape Times V&A Waterfront Wine Affair. From Wednesday, 6 May 2009 to Saturday, 9 May 2009, visitors to the V&A Waterfront will be able to "tour" all the major wine routes of the Western Cape, all from the comfort of one secure and convenient venue. The Wine Affair represents the entire spectrum of Cape wine producers, from the splendid and most renowned estates to smaller, boutique wineries. Approximately 75 wineries attend the Affair every year in the hopes of enticing new buyers with their own special bouquets. To further enhance the overall seduction of the senses, there will also be a variety of gourmet delicacies to enjoy with the wines.

We have trouble dreaming up better ways of how to while away an evening than sipping on some of South Africa’s finest wines!

Local gourmands have always been spoilt for choice in this culinary melting pot of a town.

While we have always known that many of the Mother City’s eateries are world-class, it’s always good to once in a while receive a bit proof in the form of acknowledgements and accolades. That’s why we’re bursting with pride at the news that two  South African restaurants have made it onto the prestigious 2009 San Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. What’s more, both of them are located right here in the Western Cape and one, in fact, is in the Mother City!

So not only are we extremely well-fed, we’re now also extremely flattered!

The closest-to-home local honoree, La Colombe, is number 38 on S. Pellegrino’s list.

La Colombe is located at the Constantia Uitsig Wine Estate and is consistently hailed as being the city’s best restaurant. According to executive chef Luke Dale-Roberts, a meal at La Colombe is "one of Cape Town’s greatest pleasures."

When the rest of the world comes to visit to take a bite, they’re in for a unique, but tasty treat. Chef Dale-Roberts has made his mark at La Colombe by adding exciting new Asian influences to the mix of classic and contemporary French Cuisine. 

If you’d like to savour a delectable La Colombe experience, the restaurant is open seven days a week (except during the winter months, when it’s closed on Sunday evenings). Lunch is served from 12:30 to 14:30 and dinner is from 19:30 to 21:30. 

For reservations, call (021) 794-2390, or e-mail them at lacolombe@uitsig.co.za

S. Pellegrino’s other South African honoree (on the 37th spot on the list) is The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (The French Quarter). Located in a charming auberge, tucked away in the centre of the quaint, franco-infused winelands village of Franschhoek, The Tasting Room offers diners the choice between four, six or eight course experiences.

Such diversity has paid off even more, because according to S. Pellegrino, The Tasting Room is also the Best Restaurant in Africa and the Middle East.

For further information, visit their website.

The Cape Town leg of the Coca-Cola Zero Fest, slated to take place on Monday, 13 April 2009, has been relocated to the Lourensford Wine Estate near Somerset West - apparently in order to better accommodate fans.

Right now event organisers would probably bend over backwards to accommodate the fans after the disappointing announcement that two international acts have withdrawn from performing at the 11th hour. Welsh band Bullet for my Valentine and US band The Red Jump Apparatus have both cancelled, much to the chagrin of fans who have shelled out between R300 and R600 for tickets to the event. The organisers have been refunding fans who only wanted to attend the festival to see those bands.

Fest-goers who have already paid for their tickets to the Cape Town event and who would still like to attend needn’t be concerned about changing their tickets, as these will still be accepted at the new venue.

The estate will open from 07:00. The festival site will open at 09:00. Parking will be available on-site at no extra cost. Attendees are advised to get there early to avoid traffic congestion and long queues.

Despite the disappointment about the cancelled acts, there are still a stellar line-up of local and international heavyweights which include Oasis, Panic! At the disco and Snow Patrol which will entertain fans during the 12-hour festival.

For more information, visit www.cokezero.co.za

We’re getting some information together about this special route. It’s an alternative way to get from Cape Town to Oudtshoorn and really a spectacular drive.

Barrydale

Barrydale is about 2.5 hours drive from Cape Town through scenic wine farms (Robertson Valley) on to the R62. It’s a beautiful little town nestled between mountains and farms, with amazing views and people.

Visit Lentelus, a Farm Stay Bed & Breakfast in Barrydale for an amazing experience.

Also be sure to visit the Fish & Chips shop (and no they don’t sell fish & chips funny enough) for the coolest curios and stuff you can only find in a town like Barrydale.

Further the Jam Tarts is a quaint little restaurant on the main road that serves up a mean pizza and the people are extremely friendly.

Also visit the Warmwaterberg Spa, natural hot springs just outside town and don’t forget Ronnie’s Sex Shop on the way of course. Many a lady have lost their knickers in the early hours of the morning, but it’s actually just a pub that’s world famous for it’s amazing venue and parties.

Well worth a visit!

Date: 1 - 3 June 2007
Where: Robertson Wine Valley

Robertson is having what’s sure to be a crazy weekend of top wines and festive atmosphere in their new ‘Wacky Wine Weekend’. Most estates have entertainment and parties and accommodation nearby, allthough accommodation is quickly filling up, so it’s best to check out www.wackywineweekend.co.za immediately to see if you can still find accommodation.

Wine estates that will be taking part (with jam packed events):

• Arabella Estate
• Arendsig Boutique Winery
• Ashton Kelder
• Bon Cap Organic Winery
• Bon Courage Estate
• Bonnievale Wine Cellar
• Buitehof Boutique Winery
• Burcon Wines
• Burgershof
• Community Craft & Food Corner (not estate, but organised by the Breede River Winelands Municipality)
• Clairvaux Private Cellar
• Cloverfield Wines
• De Wetshof Estate
• DuVon Wines @ Little France
• Excelsior Estate
• Fraai Uitzicht 1798
• Goedverwacht Estate
• Graham Beck Wines
• Janeza Private Cellar
• Jonkheer
• Kingsriver Estate
• Koningsrivier Boutique Winery
• Kranskop Boutique Winery
• Langverwacht Cellar
• Le Grand Chasseur 1881
• Lord’s Winery
• Majors’ Hill
• McGregor Winery
• Mooiuitsig Winery @ Outdoor Arena
• Quando Wines
• Rietvallei Estate
• Robertson Winery
• Roodezandt Wines & Vineyards
• Rooiberg Winery
• Rosendal
• Rusticus Vintage Cellar
• Springfield Estate
• Tanagra
• The Home of Klipdrift
• Van Loveren
• Van Zylshof Winery
• Viljoensdrift Wines and Cruises
• Wederom Boutique Winery
• Weltevrede Estate
• Wonderfontein
• Wolfkloof
• Wolvendrift Wines
• Zandvliet Estate

As you can see this is a major event for the Robertson Wine Valley. Everybody is welcome and make your bookings in advance, because this festival is sure to attract many people! Robertson is about an hour and 30 minutes from Cape Town via the N1 through Worcester. For more information, visit www.wackywineweekend.com.