For the avid wine-lover, especially if they happen to be South African, Pinotage On Tap is most likely one of the highlights on their annual calendar, right up there with New Year and birthdays.
If you are not yet entirely familiar with the annual migration to the Diemersfontein Wine Estate Pinotage On Tap festival, (also referred to as “POT” – but not the green type) and you enjoy a good glass of red, the next bit of information may pique your interest.
This event took root some 15 years ago, with what was initially intended to only be a one-off, small gathering of Pinotage fans, held on the Diemersfontein Wine Estate in Wellington in celebration of the new vintage Diemersfontein Pinotage.
However, no one at that time realised just how popular this Pinotage-flavoured event was to become. Skip a few years and this wine, the ORIGINAL Coffee Chocolate Pinotage, has swooped itself a global fan following – and an event with one of the biggest wine festival brand names in the country.
Pinotage On Tap never disappoints, and that has remained the core criteria on the event game plan all along. The organisers unfailingly put together all the aspects that make this incredibly popular one-day festival what it is.
All you have to do is buy a ticket to one of the four national events, held in Durban, Joburg, Cape Town and Clarens and show up. The festival begins at 12pm – and the sooner you’re at the gate, the sooner you get to enter the Pinotage party of the year.
It works like this: festivalgoers receive a welcome gift on arrival, as well as a branded POT wine glass – their pass to the endless flow of the ultimate deep-ruby juice of the God Bacchus, straight from the barrel taps. No less than two reputable live bands will be performing on the day, and games, competitions and a variety of foods will be on offer.
Now, if you are adequately tempted, here are the dates and bands:
Beginning the roadshow of events will be the Durban festival, taking place at The Litchi Orchard in Salt Rock on July 27.
Thereafter, the event moves to Joburg, hosted at Leriba Lodge in Centurion on August 24. Cape Town follows after that, at home base on Diemersfontein Wine Estate in Wellington, on September 28. Ending things off will be the last event at St. Fort Guesthouse in Clarens on November 2.
The band lineups include: The Kickstands and Veranda Panda in Durban, Georgetown, Cazz and Charlie Finch in Joburg, Bottomless Coffee, Newton & Co and Amy Jones in Cape Town, and Heidi Kriel & The Band, plus a second band yet to be announced, in Clarens.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning die-hard POT festival goer, you are sure to have a day you’ll remember. There is something about this event that manages to suit all types, too. Perhaps dancing in front of the stage, glass in hand, is your thing, or perhaps you prefer to wine-down on a picnic blanket where you can enjoy your company of friends or a loved one, all while taking in the music, celebration, food and wine. It’s all possible at this event – and your good time is the order of the day.
Pinotage On Tap was awarded the title of “Best Wine Event in the World” by Drinks International in 2014, and to this day, the organisers consistently live up to the aspects and qualifications that determine an accolade such as this.
If you would like to stay updated on these events, make sure you follow the Pinotage On Tap page on Facebook, Pinotage On Tap 2019. Another good idea is to bookmark the Diemersfontein Wines event website page at www.diemersfontein.co.za.
Tickets are R295 per person (unchanged since last year) and include a welcome gift, bottomless Pinotage wine on tap, live music, spoils, freebies, and numerous other surprises on the day.
Tickets are already available online at Quicket, www.quicket.co.za
Pictures: Supplied