Winter shminter! Just because Frosty the Snowman is breathing down our necks doesn’t mean we can’t still play outside…especially if there is delicious food and wine involved. Here are 5 food-loving festivals that will kick your winter blues to the curb!

Riebeek Valley Olive Festival

3 – 4 May 2014

You’ll find every shade and form of olive at the annual Riebeek Valley Olive Festival, taking place in the charming Swartland town of Riebeek Kasteel. If you don’t believe a festival of olives could be much fun, you’d be interested to find that the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival has won “Tourism Event” in the West Coast Tourism Awards, been nominated as “Crowd Pleaser” in the Klink Awards, and was voted “The Unforgettable Festival” in 2013 by Woolworths Taste Magazines readers.

The Olive Emporium in the heart of Riebeek Kasteel will host the olive feast with a wide array of local produce to sample and purchase. The well-known Riebeek Valley wines, artisanal beers, an abundance of good local food, and live entertainment will be available at the Emporium throughout the weekend.

From the centralised Olive Emporium, festival goers can make their way on one of the free shuttles and tractor trips to the other participating venues where olive produce and body products, entertainment, food, and good old fashioned Riebeek hospitality awaits. Participating venues include Allesverloren, Het Vlock Kasteel, Kloovenberg, Mount Abora, Pulpit Rock, Riebeek Cellars, The Olive Boutique, and the Olive Emporium.

When: 3 May from 10am – 5pm, and 4 May from 10am – 4pm.
Where: Participating venues in the Riebeek Valley
Tickets: R100 for a weekend pass. Children u/18 free. Tickets available through Webtickets or on the day at participating venues.
Contact: 022 448 1545 or [email protected]

Hops Harvest Festival

10 May 2014

After a successful inaugural festival in 2013, the Hops Harvest Festival is returning to the Wild Clover Farm in Stellenbosch to celebrate the end of the harvest season. Visitors can taste the finest hand-crafted beers from local breweries, including Birkenhead, Boston, Red Sky, Apollo, Lakeside, Stella Artois, Marais, and of course the farm’s very own Wild Clover Brewery.

While adults sample beers, ciders, and wines, children can have a blast in the kids’ entertainment zone. And whether you’re in the mood for wild boar on the spit, or burgers and pizzas, there will be plenty of food available to keep those stomachs lined!

When: 10 May from 10am – 10pm.
Venue: Wild Clover Farm, Stellenbosch
Tickets: R70 for adults and R50 for students and children u/18. Tickets available through Quicket. Free beer mugs will be given to the first 600 people. Beer tasters will be charged at R5 per tasting.
More info: Follow Wild Clover Farm on Facebook and Twitter, or contact 021 865 2248.

Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie @ Hartenberg

7 June 2014

Shiraz and Charcuterie is a culinary match made in heaven’s kitchen! Experience the angelic taste sensations of South Africa’s finest wines paired with delectable artisan fare at this year’s Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie @ Hartenberg.

Carl Schultz, celebrated winemaker at Hartenberg Estate and widely regarded as one of South Africa’s leading producers of Shiraz, has invited a select group of winemakers to showcase their wines together with some of the country’s finest charcuterie masters, cheese makers, and olive enthusiasts. It’s the perfect opportunity to taste Hartenberg’s internationally acclaimed Shiraz wines which include the Hartenberg Estate Shiraz, the limited release Gravel Hill, and the popular The Doorkeeper Shiraz.

Chefs from various restaurants, bistros, and cafés will also be working their magic to entice palates and complement this beautiful varietal. These offerings will be complemented with freshly baked breads and olives.

When: 7 June form 12pm – 5pm.
Where: Hartenberg Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Tickets: R180 (including free wine tastings) available through Webtickets.
Contact: 021 865 2541 or [email protected].

Cook Franschhoek

13 – 15 June 2014

Cook Franschhoek is a feast for the senses with something for everyone – from the most devout foodies to the kitchen newbie. The annual festival is growing in popularity and 2014 festivalgoers can experience a range of interactive and exclusive hands on demos that focus on the following themes:

• Snout-to-tail
• Locally produced (direct from farm to table)
• Artisanal bakeries (includes gluten free)
• Smoked meats (including charcuterie)
• Cooking over a fire (how to cook in a Weber, green eggs, and rotisseries)
• Pickling, fermenting, and preserving
• ‘Locavores’ (basically eating only what is locally produced within a certain radius)

Most demonstrations include a beautifully prepared meal paired with a Franschhoek wine. Groups are kept small to allow for one-on-one interaction with the chefs and winemakers while you master the art of intricate dishes. Click here for a detailed programme.

When: 13 – 15 June
Where: Participating venues in the Franschhoek Valley
Tickets: Individual demonstrations range from R145 – R2350 per person. Booking is essential and can be done through Webtickets.
Contact: 021 876 2861

Absa Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival

14 – 15 June 2014

The Absa Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival is taking place over the long weekend in June, so pen it in if you don’t have weekend plans. The festival is an annual highlight on the Caltizdorp calendar and a favourite for port enthusiasts who flock to this otherwise sleepy Klein Karoo town. Besides the activities in and around town, there are many routes around the area for festival goers to explore on the Monday public holiday.

The line-up includes:

• Culinary demonstrations from celebrity chefs Franҫois Ferreira,  Toinette du Toit of Kokkedoor, and Eric Labuschagne of Yummy Brownie fame.
• Mysterious Secret Suppers  where celebrity chefs treat guests to a fine dining evening.
• Two formal tastings pitting the very best Portuguese ports and table wines against their South African counterparts.
• The historic Calitzdorp train station will host the local Klein Karoo cellars wine tastings and sales, as well as the vintage tractor and car display, gourmet street food market, stalls, live music and children’s entertainment.
• A guided historic walk through the village, an art meander to various galleries, and a cellar crawl tractor.
• A mountain bike race.
• A good old Barn Dance.

When: 14 – 15 June 2014
Where: Calitzdorp Railway Station, Calitzdorp
Tickets: Adults pay R60 (Saturday), R50 (Sunday), or R100 for a weekend pass. Children u/18 pay R40 (Saturday), R30 (Sunday), or R60 for a weekend pass. Tickets available through Computicket.
Contact: De Krans on 044 2133314, Calitzdorp Cellar on 044 2133301, Boplaas Family Vineyards 044 2133326, Calitzdorp Toerisme by 044 213 3775

Not enough choice? Check out these 3 Tasty Events in the Winelands this June!

Winter is the perfect time to indulge in good food and wine, so don’t miss out on these culinary carnivals! If you’re coming from out of town, make a weekend of it by booking a night or 2 at one of our fabulous accommodations.

Which foodie festivals are your taste buds excited for?

Feature image: Feast of Shiraz & Charcuterie @ Hartenberg (photo supplied)