Roll out the barrel for the Bastille Festival

DUST OFF your berets, pull on your boots and dress up in your finest red, white and blue – French fever’s in the air with the Franschhoek Bastille Festival. South Africa’s leading wine and culinary destination, which is now in its 20th year, takes place over the weekend of July 13 and 14.

Join in the fun and festivities at the Food and Wine Marquee, which over the years has become the focal point of the festival. It’s a popular meeting place, serving superb wines from Franschhoek’s award-winning wine estates, as well as appetising dishes created by some of the most acclaimed chefs in the Franschhoek valley.

Tickets to the Food and Wine Marquee cost R150 per person, and include a complimentary tasting glass plus a booklet of tasting coupons. Additional coupons can be bought on the day.

For avid wine enthusiasts the VIP Marquee offers the opportunity to sip, sample and savour a variety of complimentary wines from the Franschhoek Valley. It includes three complimentary food vouchers: for a hot and cold meal and dessert. Tickets, which cost R550 per person, include separate VIP access, entry to the Food & Wine Marquee, a complimentary tasting glass and winetasting coupons.

If you fancy a break from wine tasting, try some of the festivities of the non-grape variety. These include boules, the Waiters’ Race, the Franschhoek minstrel parade and the popular barrel- rolling contest. A farmers’ market, craft market, musicians and children’s activities are also included in the line-up of festival celebrations.

● For tickets, visit www.webtickets.co.za.

SERVED: Waiters race to the fimish at Franschhoek’s Bastille Festival.