With the focus squarely on mom this weekend, it’s easy to forget that there are other things happening besides having a laid-back Sunday lunch with the family (we have you covered for that as well). Get the energy flowing and explore some of the most untouched areas of the Overberg at the Weekend Warrior Trail Run, try your hand at wine making and catch our world-class choir in their first performance of the season.
RUNNING AND RIDING
Change of Season Trail Run @L’Avenir
L’Avenir Wine Estate is hand-selected as one of the finest boutique wine-producing estates in the world to hold its own alongside the international best. One of the locals’ favourite venues, this time Dirtopia gears up with title sponsor Sportsmans Warehouse to enjoy the last of the Autumn days. You could be a lucky winner of Sportsmans Warehouse vouchers and the elegant L’Avenir wine.
This is a fast course between the vineyards with great views and beautiful Wineland scenery. The long routes also use the neighbouring farm of Nooitgedacht, so you’ll get some singletrack in the forest, jeeptrack through the vineyards and orchards. Relax on the lawns at the dam after the event and perhaps sip some of the Estate’s Cap Classique Rose or Brut.
Date: Sunday, 12 May 2019
Venue: L’Avenir Estate, on the R44
Start Times: 11km: 09h00, 6km: 09h15
Both routes will feature gentle gradients and bring runners into some of the most untouched areas in the Overberg mountains.
There will be coffee and breakfast stations ready and waiting for all runners to ensure they are properly fueled ahead of their journey.
At the end of the race we will have craft beer facilities and plenty of lunch options available to ensure the we wont go hungry nor thirsty.
Cost for 10km Trail Run
- R200 for adults
- R100 kids under 14
Cost for 5km Trail Run
- R100 for adults
- R50 kids under 14
SKILL UP
Garagiste Winemaking Short Course
The Garagiste Winemaking Course, presented by Stellenbosch University, established itself over the past twelve years as the premium winemaking short course for people interested in producing quality small-scale wines in the comfort of their homes.
Those attending the course will have the opportunity to observe the usage of small-scale winemaking equipment, as well as taste wines that were produced on small scale. Course participants will also taste wines made with different wine treatments and receive a comprehensive set of notes. Different winemaking processes, such as different grape cultivars, ripeness and quality parameters of grapes, processing of grapes, alcoholic fermentation, malolactic fermentation, racking of wine, fining and ageing of wine and bottling of wine will all be dealt with in the course, with the focus on garagiste volume production. At the end of the course participants will be able to produce wine at home on small scale.
WINING AND DINING
VIP Dinner @Diemersfontein – 11 May 2019
Diemersfontein invites you to attend the Sonnenberg VIP dinner to be hosted in the exclusive setting of the Diemersfontein Manor House.
Share an evening of exceptional wine and food, hosted in the gracious 19th century home of owners David and Sue Sonnenberg, and presented by winemaker, Francois Roode.
Date : Saturday 11 May 2019
Time : 18h30
Cost : R525 per person | cork club member R485 per person
Why don’t you stay the night? Special rate of R600 B&B per person sharing.
To book your place please contact Hazel Kelly | corkclub@diemersfontein.co.za | +27.218645050
MUSIC
Stellenbosch University Choir @Endler Hall – 11 May 2019
The Stellenbosch University Choir – who have recently been ranked first on the Interkultur`s ranking list of 1000 international choirs – under the leadership of Andre van der Merwe, is one of the oldest and most celebrated choirs in South Africa and is comprised of students from various academic and cultural backgrounds creating an intoxicating energy in the performances. This will be their first Gala concert of USK for 2019. The full repertoire will be performed – get excited!
May 11 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm, R100 – R140
BRIDAL SHOW
Overberg Wedding fair @South Hill Vineyards
A non-conservative approach from the traditional brochure stands is what sets this fair apart from other shows. Making use of their entire Guesthouse, restaurant venue and 3 outdoor spaces covered by marquee tents, it is sure to make a mark and leave a lasting impression on guests visiting the Fair. The goal of this gathering is to allow guests to interact with business owners by experiencing their products, interacting with the services & brands via an informal layout of creative spaces designed to engage with its audience.
For more information, please visit their website: https://overbergweddingfair.co.za/
PLANNING AHEAD
Franschoek Literary Festival – 17 to 19 May 2019
The Festival runs from Friday to Sunday during the third weekend in May, preceded by our Book Week for Young Readers. The events take place in a variety of village venues within a few minutes’ walk of each other, creating a vibrant ambience in streets buzzing with book-lovers.
The emphasis is on informal discussions and spirited debates between several writers with a chairperson, or one-on-one conversations and occasional talks. Starting at 10am and ending at 5pm, up to nine one-hour events run concurrently with half an hour between each (except where otherwise stated). Fringe events include writing workshops and discussion groups, the Poetry for Life finals, theatre performances and contemporary and classical music concerts.
Cab Franc Carnival – 18 May 2019
The 2019 Cabernet Franc Carnival takes place on Saturday, 18 May from 11-4 at scenic Avontuur Estate on the R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. Up to 20 of South Africa’s most passionate producers of this niche varietal will offer their wines for tasting and sale at the event.
The interactive tutored tastings of the 2019 Cab Franc Challenge Top 6 wines is an integral part of the Carnival and is often the only place to taste these winning wines due to small volumes produced. The tastings are presented by convenor of the judging panel, Christine Rudman. Tickets cost R150 pp extra and only 20 seats per session are available at 11h30, 13h00 and 14h30.