Breedekloof Outdoor and Wine Festival

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

Breedekloof, meaning wide valley, certainly lives up to its name. With its rich scenery and numerous wineries, the region offers a diverse range of experiences to suit any taste. Whether you’re after a dip in a hot spring, bird-watching, mountain biking trails or just a generous glass of merlot under a shady tree, Breedekloof is where it’s at. 

 

Over the weekend of 7 to 9 October 2011, the valley will host visitors with a fondness for all of the above at its annual Breedekloof Outdoor and Wine festival. The magnificent natural playground has plenty of family-friendly activities in store, including a tagged fishing contest, trail run, Fynbos hikes and guided bird-spotting walks along the river.

 

And then, of course, there’s the wine. The Breedekloof Wine Route consists of 27 wineries from the Rawsonville, Slanghoek, Goudini and Breede River areas, ranging from small boutique wineries to splendid estates with large cellars. Most of the wineries will host live entertainment for guests to enjoy while feasting, but more energetic types can enjoy the outdoors or enter the Slanghoek Cellar mountain-to-mountain MTB Classic on Saturday 8 October. In the meantime, young ‘uns are kept busy with pony rides, sand art, farm animal petting, jumping castles, boeresport and tractor rides.

 

Fresh, country cuisine will be in ample supply at local restaurants and participating wineries, each of which is worth visiting. Talented Breedekloof winemakers pride themselves on producing new-world style wines. The white cultivars of the area include sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc, chardonnay, semillon and viognier, with styles ranging from dry to semi-sweet. The reds, including cabernet sauvignon, pinotage, merlot, shiraz, petit verdot, malbec and barbera, offer either typical red and blackberry characteristics, or spicy and peppery flavours with intense colour and soft tannins. Styles vary from full and complex barrel-matured wine, to fruity, easy-drinking blends.

 

This festival provides the perfect excuse to hop in your car and set off to explore the Breedekloof, a mere hour’s drive from Cape Town. And if – after all that wine sampling – you want to spend the night, there’s a wealth of accommodation options, from wooden mountain cabins and houses overlooking the river, to tents under the spring stars. 

 

Visit www.breedekloof.com, email info@breedekloof.com or call 023 349 1791 for more details. 

 

By Linda Scarborough