Have you heard? It’s almost time for the annual Wine on the River event in the Robertson Wine Valley! It’s got everything you could possibly want from a wine festival ─ more than 250 wines to taste, gourmet cuisine, family fun, wine paraphernalia, river cruises and most importantly, a touch of class. After experiencing all of it ourselves last year, we’ve decided to give you 5 great reasons not to miss this year’s Wine on the River from 20-22 October 2017!

1. Breathtaking location and views

This one hardly needs explaining! The Robertson Wine Valley practically oozes picturesque landscapes and you never have to go far for views like these. There’s surely a reason the Valley claims Wine on the River as its most beautiful festival. It’s location on the riverside farm, Goudmyn, offers stunning views over vineyards, rolling hills and the Breede River itself.

2. Leisurely river boat cruises

What would this festival be without some wine on the river? Don’t miss out on a leisurely 15-minute boat cruise all along the river and make sure you fill up your glass or buy a bottle of your favourite Valley wine before boarding. Tickets cost R35 and all proceeds are donated to the Breede River Hospice ─ good wine and goodwill!

3. Delicious food and wine

Wine flies when you’re having fun! Luckily there are over 250 wines from 30 wine estates to try and something for every kind of wine lover ─ from grappa to bubbly, fruity reds to crisp whites and dessert wines to sweet rosés. These tastings are included in the ticket price, so you can always go back for another taste of your favourites.

If you’re planning on spending the whole day at the festival (as you should!), you might want to fill up on some gourmet snacks and tasty treats throughout the day. Not to worry, there’s plenty to eat to avoid wine-induced naps on the banks of the river ─ from quick tapas to hearty country meals!

4. Tutored tastings

If you’re a hard-core wine enthusiast or even just wine curious, you’ll appreciate the variety of tutored tastings by industry experts taking place over the weekend. These tastings range from MCC to reds, whites, rosés and even brandy and are exclusive to 20 guests per session, so make sure you check the schedule and book the specific session you want to attend beforehand. Wine wisdom and heart-warming stories behind every bottle await!

5. Family-friendly vibe

Wine on the River ensures a worry-free festival experience. Firstly, it is completely child-friendly and your kids will have loads of activities to keep them busy while you enjoy a glass of wine. This includes tractor rides, a playground and more. Kids under 18 enter for free, but some of the activities require additional tickets. To top it all off, the festival is also smoke free.

And if you’re worried about tasting and driving afterwards, you’re welcome to use the shuttle service between the surrounding towns which is free to all festivalgoers (only available on the Saturday).

What a great excuse to visit Robertson in spring! Get some friends to join or take the whole family along for a fun-filled and family-friendly weekend you’re bound to remember. The date for this year’s festival is 20 – 22 October, so book early to secure the best stay in town. We can help with that! Please click here to view our awesome selections of stays in the area.

If you’d like to know more about the festival itself or you’d like to purchase tickets, keep an eye out for updates on Wine on the River’s own website or follow them on Twitter.

#WineontheRiverSA #tastethelifestyle #explorerobertsonwinevalley