Celebrate Waterblommetjie Season At The Waterblommetjie Festival

Mark your calendar! 

Four Paarl wine producers are celebrating the annual waterblommetjie season during the Waterblommetjie Festival on Saturday, 1 September, from 09h00 till 16h00.  This indigenous edible flower is only in season during late winter and early spring and will be showcased in a variety of ways during a fun-filled day.

Boland Cellar, Domaine Brahms, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate and Windmeul Cellar are located within a 5km radius, which makes it easy for festival-goers to visit all four participating wineries.  Each venue has its own signature waterblommetjies dishes, fantastic wines and amazing entertainment.

A couple of weeks ago, I got a taste of what the festival will have in store when we visited the participating wineries and I can promise you that there’ll be something for the whole family! From water-infused gin to waterblommetjie ice-cream, you are in for a real treat.

Boland Cellar will dish up hearty waterblommetjie stew, soup and samoosas to enjoy with their award-winning wines.  There will also be other traditional South African nibbles such as biltong and droëwors as well as craft beer, coffee and tea.

Well-known local band Newton & Co will provide live entertainment, while there will be a dedicated play area and activity packs for kids.

Book a hearty farm breakfast at the colourful Domaine Brahms to start off your day before indulging in waterblommetjie stew, waterblommetjie chips and roosterkoek (fire baked bread) with waterblommetjie jam.  Nifty Art will offer free face painting for kids and adults, while popular station Bok Radio will provide great vibes with a live broadcast.  Kids can also enjoy the fabulous play area outside with a jumping castle and tractor rides, while adults browse through the amazing Toeka stoor with its large selection of collectibles and try some Wilderer gin cocktails.

Rhebokskloof is certainly a family-friendly stop with loads of activities for young and old.  Kids can enjoy traditional games, pony rides, face painting, zorbing and amazing jumping castles, while the grown-ups sample a variety of waterblommetjies dishes, including chef Caro’s ever popular waterblommetjies ice cream.

The wine tasting room will be buzzing with Shiraz on tap and selected wine specials.  An artisanal pop-up deli, open air bar area, oyster and bubbly stand and music by the band Tequila will keep the good times rolling.

Windmeul will be hosting their customary potjiekos competition, which will also feature their cellar master’s original waterblommetjies recipe.  Outdoor enthusiasts can enter the Run the Vines trail run before tucking into some delicious waterblommetjies.  Entries can be done online at www.runthevines.co.za.

The festival co-incides with the monthly Windmeul farmers’ market, where visitors can stock up on fresh local produce such as locally grown waterblommetjies.

A special Windmeul waterblommetjies and wine pairing session will be presented from 10h00 while stock lasts.  A dedicated play area with a jungle gym is available for younger visitors.

Free entry to all four venues can be secured with the donation of one tin of canned food per vehicle.  The food will be donated to the official festival charity The Haven Night Shelter in Paarl. 

Also – collect a stamp from all four participants in the festival passport to qualify for amazing prizes such as gift vouchers and product hampers.

For more information, visit www.waterblommetjiefees.com.  To make reservations for special tastings and demonstrations, contact the individual participants.

Boland Cellar:  0218721766; info@bolandkelder.co.za

Domaine Brahms:  021 869 8570; brahms1@iafrica.com

Rhebokskloof: 021 869 8386; functions@rhebokskloof.co.za

Windmeul: 021 869 8100; windmeul@iafrica.com

Will I be seeing you there?

xxx

Hayley

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