Paarl OmmiBerg Round the Rock Festival

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Paarl Ommiberg
TIME:    09h00 - 18h00
COST:    R100 per person
VENUE:    Paarl
Paarl
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Escape the trappings of the city and celebrate harvest season with a day of vino, food, entertainment and more at this off-the-beaten-track wine festival...
By the time that March rolls around, it seems as though the festive season happened at least three years, instead of three months, prior. So, if you’re in desperate need of a break from the hustle and bustle of weekend admin and you’re on the lookout for an event that offers exclusive tastings of young wines, loads of kid’s activities, wine-themed things to do, live music and lekker nosh, then we’ve got just the thing for you!

The 2015 OmmiBerg ‘Round the Rock’ Festival in Paarl and its 13 participating wine farms have all of it and more on offer as part of their annual harvest season hoedown on Saturday, 7 March 2015.

Located a mere hour’s drive from the Mother City, Paarl, which has its own mountainous backdrop in the form of the Drakenstein range, is regarded as one of the precious jewels of the Cape Winelands district. Spread across the region’s hilly landscape, the decentralised festival is the perfect opportunity for vino lovers and connoisseurs alike to explore this off-the-beaten path wine route and its smaller working wine farms and big famous names.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE 2015 PAARL OMMIBERG ‘ROUND THE ROCK’ FESTIVAL

EXCLUSIVE YOUNG WINE TASTINGS: This much-loved one-day to-do is the only time that vino lovers and connoisseurs can taste the region’s 2015 young wines before they are filtered - cellars are usually closed during this busy harvest time in the Paarl winelands. And with 13 wine farms swinging their doors open, festival-goers will have plenty of opportunity to sample vastly different fledgling vinos from both famous large-scale producers and tiny boutique wineries. Check out the full Paarl OmmiBerg ‘Round the Rock’ Festival programme for more information on which farms will be participating.

THIRTEEN VINO VENUES: This decentralised affair offers festival-goers entry to some of the Paarl region’s most popular estates, like Nederburg, Fairview, KWV and Laborie, as well as boutique producers, such as the Druk-My-Niet, Mellasat and the Olsen Private Vineyards. And to commemorate the 2015 harvest season, each location has put together a unique itinerary to highlight their fine wines and gourmet fare and to give lovers of vino a behind-the-scenes, from-vine-to-cellar experience.

LOADS OF GRAPE ACTIVITIES: Visitors can take part in a number of harvest festival activities or simply sit along the sidelines and enjoy the tomfoolery. On the bill for the day are grape stomping challenges, cork spitting competitions, wine blending tutorials and even slightly off-beat highlights, like a VINOtherapy Foot Massage. Guests can also look forward to wine barrel golf challenges, games of boules, jenga or croquet as well as vineyard horse rides and quad bike and MTB trails (booking may be required, depending on the activity).

FOOD, FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD: Since food and wine go hand in hand, each wine farm will be serving a different culinary option, and festival-goers can pick and choose what kind of gourmet fare they’d like to indulge in; there’s everything from harvest breakfasts and traditional German foods to spit braais and cheese tastings. Festival-goers can check out a range of stalls and stands selling artisan breads, sorbet, foot-long cheese grillers, sosaties, toasted sandwiches, gourmet fast food and so much more. What’s more, there will also be special lunch offers, tapas and wine pairings, cheese and meat platters, and if you’re not in the mood to wait in long queues, you can also opt to pre-order a picnic or order off the a la carte menu at any of the on-site restaurants. Do note that some of the on-site restaurants may require bookings in advance.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: In addition to all the activities and wine tastings, each wine farm will also host live entertainment. From Afrikaans music to soulful jazz tunes, this one-day vino to-do has something for everyone. Most notably, SA idols finalists Lize Mynhardt and Mark Haze are on the bill along with Newton, Andriëtte Norman and so many more.

KIDS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN: Kiddies will also be kept entertained at the different wine farms, and parents can count on there being jumping castles, face painting, petting zoos, water slides and pony rides and even a range of traditional sports, like egg and spoon races, sakresies, apple-bobbing and wheelbarrow races. Not to mention, slightly older kids and teens can also look forward to Junior Cheese Master classes, temporary tattoo stalls, video gaming stations and even creative corners for the arty ones.

VINO SPECIALS: Whether you’re a collector of good wines or simply can’t get enough of your favourite vino, there will be specials galore at this one-day fiesta. Each winery will have a special offering or promotion, and guests can stock up on top-notch vinos at more affordable prices.

WIN SOMETHING: Apart from the fact that each ticket holder will get FREE young wine samples and access to great live entertainment, vine-themed activities, super cool kiddies entertainment and a wide selection of food stalls, the 2015 Paarl OmmiBerg Festival will also award spot prizes on the day! In order to qualify, all attendees have to do is spot the mysterious Lady in Red, snap a selfie with her and post a tweet tagging @paarlwineroute and using the hashtags #ommiberg and #LadyInRed.

TICKETS
Tickets are available online via Webtickets.co.za and cost R100p/p; a limited amount of tickets will also be available at any of the participating wineries on the day at a cost of R120p/p. Children under the age of 18 enter for free. Some activities carry an additional cost, which will be determined at the establishment’s own discretion.

After presenting or purchasing their tickets, attendees will be given a wristband that is needed to gain entry to any of the wine farms.

The pass not only allows the bearer access to the event but also includes a 2015 festival tasting glass, tastings of the 2015 young wine vintages, live entertainment and activities.

Please note that while venues will also offer tastings of their other vino products; this is not included in the ticket price and will be charged at cellars’ discretion.

BE AWARE: If anyone is deemed too intoxicated, they will not be served, and drunk and disorderly guests will be escorted from the premises.

DRINK RESPONSIBLY, DRIVE SAFELY!