NEW-LOOK
STELLENBOSCH WINE FESTIVAL SET FOR JANUARY
KICK-OFF
25 January to 3 February 2013
The Stellenbosch Wine Festival, the
flagship event of South Africa’s iconic wine
region, stomps its way into a new era this
January with an expanded ten-day program
designed to showcase in a bigger, better and
bolder fashion the delightfully diverse town
of Stellenbosch from 25 January until 3
February 2013.
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The Stellenbosch American Express® Wine
Routes moved this annual highlight event
from its previous mid-winter schedule to the
new dates in order to capitalise on the
unique assets and attractions this historic
oak-lined town and its more than 150
wineries has to offer during the height of
summer.
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The new date also celebrates the birth of
South African wine, thanks to this entry on
2 February 1659 in the diary of Jan van
Riebeeck, official of the Dutch East India
Company and First Commander of the Cape:
“Today, praise be to God, wine was made for
the first time from Cape grapes.”
“We realised that it makes sense to showcase
our world-class wines during a period when
everything that Stellenbosch offers - its
natural beauty, unique cultural heritage,
excellent academic institutions and vibrant
agricultural industries - is at its best and
brightest. Perfect summer weather, the buzz
of a new University year and the bustling
start of the harvest season will all add new
dimensions to the Stellenbosch Wine
Festival experience. Our member farms
are excited, the whole town is mobilised and
we are sure that wine lovers and lifestyle
tourists from all over South Africa and the
world are going to be thrilled with what
Stellenbosch is bringing to the table this
summer,” says Annareth Bolton, CEO of the
Stellenbosch Wine Routes.
The new-look Stellenbosch Wine Festival
delivers a full flight of wine experiences
for both casual fans and connoisseurs,
including an inaugural charity gala, a
ten-day promotion at many of the area’s
award-winning restaurants, special cultivar
evenings, and wine farm tours.
Sporting events, art exhibitions and musical
concerts throughout the town during the
festival will give attendees a colorful
taste of the Stellenbosch lifestyle.
A festival highlight will be the Blessing of
the Harvest and a Harvest Parade on
Saturday, 26 January, as celebrants from
Stellenbosch member farms are expected to
march through the streets.
Throughout the week, enthusiasts will be
able to tailor-make their own festival
experience by dining in town and estate
restaurants offering special food and wine
pairing menus as part of the festival’s
“Wine & Dine” sensation or by visiting a
myriad of farms offering unique tours and
tasting programmes.
It all culminates at a three-day Wine Expo
which will be located in the heart of the
vibrant town and feature interactive stands
and tasting programmes from over 130 wine
and gourmet food producers. The Wine Expo is
set to take place from 1 to 3 February on
Die Braak and will take full advantage of
the beautiful natural surroundings with
rustic tables, green décor and free-flowing
Bedouin tents. A central stage will play
host to Sundowner Concerts which are being
planned to keep festival goers entertained
as they enjoy the fabulous vintages on
offer.
A full Festival Guide will be published by
the organisers in early January and details
of the entire programme will be made
available on the Festival website over the
coming months.
For more information, visit
www.stellenboschwinefestival.co.za,
or phone (+27)21 886 4310.
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