Have you been to Botrivier (Bot River) before? It’s such a little town that you’ve probably driven past a dozen times and not even noticed it. It’s actually quite a sweet little place that’s very pretty; produces some great wines and has a train line that passes along the hills of the ravine sprinkling charm across the vineyards. If you’ve not visited before, then you may find their ‘blooming nice’ Spring Weekend at the beginning of September a perfect time to pop over the hill.
Botrivier is home to 11 wine farms, most of them family-owned, which will share something unique from their “farm cupboard” this spring. This is not exclusive to wines though, Botriver also has fresh, delicious produce that will be available at the festival.
Cap Classique maven and creator of Genevieve MCC, Melissa Nelsen, says
“One day in our company is simply not enough so we are opening our doors for the whole weekend so that visitors can soak up, sip, savour and share in our passions and pleasures. The stuff that makes us stand out from other wine routes, with lots of barrels of fun thrown in for good measure.”
The weekend’s program includes a “Bot River Magnum Magnificence” at Beaumont Wine Estate. Local producers will haul out their ‘big boys’ from the cupboards, for some of South Africa’s top sommeliers to match them with delectable pairings. They will also provide kiddies bowling action, tractor rides and a playground will keep the little ones entertained. Barton Estate, all decked out with a jumping castle and tractor rides, will tempt passersby with complimentary canapés and wine/beer pairings and a wine blending competition.
On Saturday and Sunday, visitors can pop into Luddite for sausage making course, enjoy Oysters & Bubbles at Genevieve MCC (who will have magnums of its newly released 2012 vintage on sale), enjoy a guided fynbos hike amongst the Nguni Stud at Paardenkloof Estate or have a forage inspired lunch at Forage Restaurant, Wildekrans. Early birds can rise to a hearty breakfast at Goedvertrouw and nature lovers will enjoy live music and a petting zoo for the kids at the Ecology Lifestyle Farm.
Gabrielskloof is another wonderful location near Botrivier that boasts a bakery as well as hearty, slow-cooked meals, a deli and elegant wines in their tasting room. Maramanna Polo Estate will host a Pink Gin and Bubble Polo affair on Saturday evening.
- Who: Those down for a little weekend mini-break.
- When: 2nd – 4th of September 2016.
- Where: Farms in Botrivier.
- When: 10am – 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
- Botrivier Spring Festival Tickets: R100 per adult.
- Transport is available for R1000 per person per day, to all farms of your choice.
For more information and accommodation visit Botriver Wines.
WIN TICKETS TO BOTRIVIER SPRING FESTIVAL 2016
If you would like to win a set of double tickets on a bottle of Barton Vineyards Chenin Blanc 2014 on Twitter, please:
- Follow Boring Cape Town Chick on Twitter
- Retweet this blog post.
If you would like to win a set of double tickets on a bottle of Barton Vineyards Shiraz Cab 2011 on Facebook, please:
- Like the Boring Cape Town Chick Facebook Page.
- Click ATTENDING on the Botriver Spring Weekend Facebook Event.
- Please comment on the Facebook share of this blog post, telling me why you’d love a weekend away at the festival.
Don’t forget to read the competition t’s and c’s in the WIN tab above. Good luck!
