This weekend in the Winelands

After months of restrictions South Africans are free to roam and explore again. Some of our most popular venues, from spas to golf courses, have opened their doors, and are inviting you in with special presentations and offers. Here’s our list of the best things happening in the Winelands to help you make the most of the weekends ahead.

ART

RK Contemporary Gallery presents “Grounded”

This weekend, an outing to the beautiful Riebeek Valley to take in some new art is a great option for those looking for a short day trip. From the 9th of July, a brand new solo art exhibition featuring the work of renowned local artist Jenny Parsons will be on show at the RK Contemporary Gallery in Riebeek Kasteel.

All of the paintings in Parsons’s “Grounded” exhibition were painted during lockdown. They were initially inspired by a trip to India and the many temple gardens found here.

“My paintings explore the significance of the garden as a place of refuge from the outside world. For many people gardens have been an important part of their lives since childhood, holding happy memories of playing games such as hide-and-seek, holding tea parties, building tree houses and much more,” says Parsons.

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

The sculpture garden is open to visitors again and the experience naturally lends itself to social distancing, as visits have always been by appointment only and it is mainly an outdoor gallery. They are also following strict hygiene protocols to ensure their visitor’s health and safety.

Those that want to explore the story behind the creation of the garden from home can enjoy a new short film made by Dylan in collaboration with cinematographer Simon Wood

WELLNESS

Spend a day relaxing at Steenberg’s Spa and garden

Catherine Schulze, the General Manager, has created a private garden, with a fusion of plant scents filling the air while guests enjoy their serene outdoor spa treatment within its confines.

After receiving the news that Spas can start operating again, Steenberg has been hard at work ensuring their facilities are prepared to the highest standards of health and safety regulations. Those who have been looking forward to their favourite treatments during lockdown can take advantage of Steenberg’s opening specials until the end of July.

AT HOME

Your own happy hour at home

If you want to take your living room wining and dining to the next level, Stellenbosch Hills have reinvented their gourmet snack-and-wine pairings with a home tasting event in a box that includes all the favourites from their Polkadraai and Popcorn pairing as well as their popular Biltong and Wine.

If you’re not quite ready to venture out for extended periods of time, but want to celebrate the weekend with some of your favourite tipples, why not make use of Distell’s new Click2Collect that lets you order your drinks to be packaged and readied for safe collection from designated pick up spots.

MUSIC

Libertas Choir sings the praises of our community

Snuggle up in front of the fireplace this weekend and enjoy the moving musical moments of the Libertas Choir who, in association with Visit Stellenbosch, have put together a special performance from which all proceeds are in aid of Stellenbosch Unite, a collaboration providing support to vulnerable communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.

OUTDOORS

Test your mettle in the Trail Series Phantom Rally 

Virtual races are the new norm, and probably will be for some time. But unlike most of the general distance virtual races on offer, the Trail Series Phantom Rally takes it back to the core of competition by comparing the time of all competitors over the same course.

The race scheduled to be hosted at Paul Cluver Estate on Sunday 19th July is still on, albeit presented in a different, Covid-19 compliant way. Go here for more information.