“What
really sets the Robertson Wine Valley Festival apart is that it takes place in
a serene, natural country setting on the outskirts of the city – not in a
stuffy, noisy expo hall,” says Elizma Botha, Wine Route manager. “This
means that visitors can relax, take their time and savour the experience of
wine tasting, shopping and fine dining in the great outdoors – just as they
would if they were in the Cape.”
This family-friendly festival will include a Kids’ Play & Recreation Zone for children aged between 2 and 12 – a safe, monitored and enclosed area with experienced child minders. A
nominal fee of R100 will give each child access to a world of fun that includes
snack packs, popcorn, candy floss, bicycles and tricycles, face painting,
balloon buskers, sand art, beading, cupcake decorating, a jumping castle,
mechanical surfboarding and parachute rides.
Relaxing,
live entertainment will be provided over the two-day wine festival by artists
such as Bilo – who is known as “South Africa’s own Frank Sinatra” – as well as
the soulful jazz-hop sounds of Lesedi Dipheko, smooth Afro-jazz from Solace
(aka Solani Bridgette Maswanganyi) and sizzling young Afrikaans singer Louw van
den Heever.
As
an accompaniment to the fruits of the vine that can be sampled courtesy of
leading Robertson Wine Valley wineries, visitors can browse and shop at a
fine-living market featuring quality artisanal and fresh produce,
confectionary, handmade crafts, vintage goods and antiques.
The
popular Green Bean Coffee Roasters will also be brewing up a storm, to complement
the fresh cakes, breads, pastries and desserts on offer from local bakers and
patisseries.
Food
vendors will be serving scrumptious gourmet burgers, schwarmas and other
goodies. Alternatively, why not order a
picnic in advance through www.webtickets.co.za to enjoy with loved ones while
sipping on wine purchased at the festival and relaxing in the magnificent
gardens of Kievits Kroon Country Estate?
Tickets
for the Robertson Wine Valley Festival cost just R180 per person per day or
R320 for the weekend, with entrance free for children under 18 (R100 will be
asked for entrance to the secure children’s area) and can be purchased at www.webtickets.co.za prior to the event or at
the entrance to the festival.
Patrons who would prefer not to drive to Kievits Kroon, can take the Gautrain to Hatfield Station where there will be a dedicated shuttle service that will run from 9am on the hour, every hour, until 4pm. The return transfer will be from Kievits Kroon starting at 9:30am, with the last departure at 5:30pm. Tickets for this service are available online.