What is more memorable than an experience you will never forget?
Exploring the Robertson wine valley is reason enough to head for the famous Route 62, but from Saturday 6 February these reasons will become too tempting to resist.
The Hands-on Harvest Festival has become one of the most anticipated food and wine festivals in the Cape.
For 50 days the entire valley, inclusive of Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson, will be enveloped in a fun-filled feast of wine and entertainment.
Becoming the centre of wine lovers’ attention is nothing new to the breathtaking valley. Robertson Wine Valley is well known for their popular yearly events such as the kykNET Wacky Wine Weekend (in June), Kievits Kroon in Gauteng (in July), Slow (in August) as well as Wine on the River (in October). More than 20 wineries, estates and other establishments play their part in creating an activity-rich festival that caters for young and old, tailor-made for the Hands-on Harvest period. Want to try grape picking and stomping? No problem! How about blending and tasting? Check! Food and wine pairing? But of course!
Vineyard safaris and riverside lunches, mountain biking, 4×4 routes, boat cruises and family fun? Yes to all and more!
With all these activities it is easy to become overwhelmed with possibilities, so the fact that almost 50 wineries are in any case open over weekends for wine tasting and sales during the seven-week festival doesn’t make it any easier.
The programme of each participating winery can be found at www.handsonharvest.com, but here are some apéritifs: Test your puzzle-solving skills and endurance in Ashton Cellar’s Grape Escape Amazing Race; pick your own grapes, stomp them and learn to use a basket press at Excelsior Wine Estate; enrich yourself when it comes to the “perfect bubble” (méthode cap classique) at Graham Beck Wines; take a Valentine’s safari at Kranskop Wines; listen to Danie Niehaus, Mathys Roets and Kevin Leo during a performance at Rietvallei Wine Estate; explore a new cultivar every week at Van Loveren Family Vineyard as well as their Fish Eagle hiking trail and Java mountainbike trail or cruise on a boat at Viljoensdrift.
The list is endless! Much like the unlimited harmony that will embrace you as soon as you enter the tranquil valley.
