Stellenbosch Estate 2012 Woordfees

Literature meets wine making

Literary art meets wine legends when the Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes teams up with the 2012 Stellenbosch University Woordfees (Festival of the Word) for a Word-and-Wine Celebration at participating wine estates on its Greater Simonsberg sub-route from 9 till 11 March.

Friday, 9 March
South Africa’s oldest and foremost wine route will add a fresh new chapter to this popular arts festival by sharing the country’s best authors and icons in the company of esteemed cellars situated along the foot of the Simonsberg. 

This unique Word-and-Wine programme includes exclusive, intimate encounters such as a lunch at Morgenhof Estate with award-winning writer Annelie Botes and an inspirational wine-and-dine date with business mogul Jannie Mouton at Uitkyk to talk about his recently published autobiography. Delheim cellar gems will share the spotlight with the inimitable Riaan Cruywagen while the famous author-brothers, Johan and Christiaan Bakkes, will treat enthusiasts to a ‘snoekbraai and adventure story-telling’ at Kanonkop.

Saturday, 10 March
Muratie Estate hauls out the barrels for a harvest festival and families and friends are invited to bring their picnic baskets and claim their spot for a chilled afternoon under the oaks with live music by the Kitchen Jammin Blues Band, grape stomping and estate wines on sale. Entrance fee for the band is R80 per adult. Enthusiasts can also go for an enlightening stroll through the vineyards to learn more about the history of this prominent estate over a glass of fine wine (R30 per head, pre-bookings are essential.) 

Sunday, 11 March
The celebration of literature and winemaking culminates with a buzzing Simonsberg Wine Route Market Day at Delvera. Young and old…bookworms or not…can delight in a fun-filled family day blended with the finest wines from the Simonsberg area, country food, craft stalls with proudly local produce, harvest activities and horse rides. The younger crowd will have barrels of fun in the play corner or enjoy go-cart rides, the trampoline, jungle gym and a Kids Theater (12h00 at R40 per child). 

Live performances by the vibrant Stellenbosch band, Manouche, celebrated for their foot-stomping, hip-swinging jazz vibes, will add rhythmic soul to this Winelands soiree. The Vine Hopper will provide a shuttle service to and from Stellenbosch on the day.

The Simonsberg Wine Route Market Day starts at 10am and entry is free.

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