WACKY WINE ADVENTURES

SOMETIMES even a normal Friday or Saturday at home can feel a bit crazy, but there is a festival called Wacky Wine Weekend, and it takes place in the Robertson wine valley from Thursday, May 31, until Sunday.

It’s the 15th anniversary of the festival, which attracts wine lovers – connoisseurs to novices – from far and wide to the more than 35 wineries and tourism establishments in the Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson region.

Visitors will be able to taste wines, go on cellar tours, and learn more about wine through pairings and interactive guides presented by winemakers as cellar doors are opened.

Do a barrel tasting, blend your own wine or disgorge your own bottle of Methode Cap Classique.

Besides the wine, there will be activities for the family, including lawn games and giant chess, boat cruises, a mechanical bull, live music and hearty country cuisine.

Join a panoramic terroir tractor adventure to the top of the hills, embark on a 4x4 safari vineyard and farm tour through pomegranate groves and vineyards to the top of the mountain overlooking the valley, or explore the recently discovered Muscat caves.

Romantics can book a candlelight wine tasting in underground cellars or a wine pairing with music and art, or seal their passion at the love lock wall.

On top of this, you can do some good: Thunderchild is a local wine blend produced by wineries in the valley as part of their contribution to Die Herberg orphanage, and 100% of the profits from Thunderchild sales are donated to the orphanage to help fund the education of the children. You can make a difference in a child’s future at no cost to you, as with each coupon used during Wacky

Wine Weekend, Robertson Wine Valley will donate towards the Thunderchild project.

Tickets are R200 from Webtickets (including a glass, six tasting coupons per winery, and a bottle of water), and the website www.wackywineweekend. com will explain all the festival ins and outs in greater detail, including a list of accommodation.

Robertson has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to drinking and driving, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.

Book transport in advance or book a taxi on the weekend. You can make use of the day shuttles, book a personal driver to take you around over the weekend using your car, or book a local taxi service.

For a full list of options, including train trips and designated drivers, go to the festival website.

● For more information, call the Robertson Wine Valley office on 023 626 3167, e-mail events@ robertsonwinevalley.com or go to www.robertsonwinevalley.com

DIGGING IT: Cellar tours can include candlelight tastings and music.