Growing the Great Kenton Wine Festival
Successful event brings top wines to the Sunshine Coast
Following the success of this year’s fourth annual Great Kenton Wine Festival, the event has now become an indelible fixture on the South African wine calendar.
With rows of wine and food presentations, the tree-lined path between the trio of tennis, bowling, and deep sea clubs along Recreation Road in Kenton-on-Sea deserves a space in this country’s album of iconic wine tasting pictures.
Moreover, the abundance of fringe events organised by local businesses made choosing what to do and when to do it all part of the laid-back, barefoot vibe that is Kenton-on-Sea.
“We are incredibly happy with the turnout at this year’s festival. It is nice to see old familiar faces, and lots of fresh faces, with many visitors commenting on the laid-back and wonderful vibe in the Barefoot Capital,” said Justin Wilmot, president of Kenton Boesmans Chamber of Business & Tourism.
Accommodation establishments were full, and many visitors stayed with friends and family, said Rose Wright, founder and chair of the Karoo Wine Club, who has played a pivotal role in the development of the Great Kenton Wine Festival.
“There were 30 wine producers this year, six more than last year. The festival is growing the way we want it to – incrementally in keeping with the barefoot capital charm.”
The trio of the Kenton tennis, bowling, and Diaz Deep Sea clubs form the core of the
festival. “The three clubs are run by volunteers and their committee members are absolutely incredible people.”
The ticket holders enjoy the atmosphere of merriment and healthy living that the clubs create, set in short walking distance from each other in natural bush surroundings, close to the beaches and rivers.
“Each year the offerings are improved on the year before,” Wright said, boding well for the future because a festival such as this “adds incredible value to a small town’s economy. We have learnt that all accommodations
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were fully booked, which is an excellent indicator.
“The economic injection is in all sectors of the tourism industry with spinoffs to other sectors as well.”
The 30 fringe events are a vital part of the festival. These included special meals accompanied with wine tastings offered by different participating producers, wine cruises, and wine master classes.
Some events sold out early, such as a Rotary Cabaret Evening at Venue@Stanleys.
The wine cruises offered by Rotary and The Sandbar Floating Restaurant proved to be especially popular.
“These offerings are unique. They need to be interesting and different from one year to the next to keep the ticket holders interested,” said Wright.
The 30 wine producers at the festival spared no effort, uncorking bottles and providing local wine aficionados with valuable insights into the latest trends in SA’s fiercely competitive wine industry.
Asked specifically about the growing interest in SA chenin blancs as illustrated at the festival, Wright said: “Wine fashions change and chenin blanc is gaining interest. It has been for many years now.
“There are good, interesting varieties produced in SA.
“SA wine drinkers are learning increasingly about our very own varietal, pinotage, which we can be proud of. Producers are making it in an increasingly sophisticated style.
“We hope to grow the pinotage interest with more focused fringe events. We are working closely with the pinotage association.”
Rainfall and temperatures in Port Alfred for the week Wednesday March 20 to Tuesday March 26 2024 Rainfall in millimetres and temperature degrees Celsius (°C).
● Wednesday: 1 (18°C)
● Thursday: 0 (20°C)
● Friday: 0 (20°C)
● Saturday: 0 (19°C)
● Sunday: 0 (18°C)
● Monday: 0 (20°C)
● Tuesday: 0 (18°C)
● Total: 1mm
● Seven-day mean temperature 19°C (Median 19)
● Average for March 36.2mm
● YTD 102mm
● MTD 49mm
— Rainfall and temperature measurements, recorded at 6am in Forest Downs, Port Alfred by Emil Jurgensen.