The annual harvesting of the grapes should be celebrated with a fun-filled day for the whole family, and it will be at The Paarl OmmiBerg Harvest Celebration held on Saturday, 3 March 2018, from 10am – 5pm. This year’s OmmiBerg celebration pays homage to all things harvest and visitors can expect true Paarl hospitality – and the unexpected. Hop from one farm to another, all within a few kilometres of each other to take in all the area has to offer.
Participating Paarl Wine Route members Boland Kelder, Domaine Brahms, Landskroon, Mellasat, Perdeberg, Rhebokskloof, Ridgeback and Windmeul are all planning a fun-filled day of activities for the whole family. The programme includes special harvest activities such as grape stomping and barrel rolling, cellar tours, unique tastings of the region’s award-winning wines, music, fabulous food and incredible wine promotions. Most venues are child-friendly with specific activities to cater for young visitors.
Boland Cellar, is also one of the country’s largest wine producers, offers a great selection of varietals and wine lovers will be spoiled for choice with special tastings and great wine promotions. Much-loved Cape Town Food Trucks are also pulling in for the day to ensure some serious delicious cuisine is on offer. A special kiddies play area is also available with tons of activities to keep the youngsters busy.
An absolute must-visit for any keen collector is Domaine Brahms with its incredible TOEKA Stoor filled with collectables and memorabilia. Join the wine run or barrel races for a laugh. Try their fabulous breakfast or lunch. You can also get an incredible adult face painting for free. Kids will be enchanted by the colourfully decorated gardens and play area, while adult visitors can taste and buy great value wines.
Spectacular views meet visitors to Landskroon Wines, a centuries-old family farm. Special tastings are conducted in the tasting room, including young wines from the 2018 harvest. Bring your own blanket and chill out on the lawns with delicious snacks or win great prizes in the grape stomping competition, while the young ones have their own fun with face painting and jumping castles.
Start your day with a sumptuous breakfast at secluded boutique winery Mellasat Vineyards, home of South Africa’s first White Pinotage. Enjoy a cellar tour and barrel tastings, wine tastings in the tasting centre, grape stomping or a relaxing foot massage. Let the kids go for a tractor and trailer ride through the vineyards, go apple bobbing or slip `n slide.
Perdeberg, The Home of Chenin, is another super child-friendly venue with lots of activities planned especially for younger festival goers. Tutored tastings and special discounts on export wines will be available. The play park with foam pit, slides and jumping castle is a child’s delight with supervision provided, so that adults can enjoy the various tastings on offer.
Tucked against the granite hills of the iconic Paarl Rock, Rhebokskloof is a perfect family-friendly stop. The sprawling lawns next to the dam serve as a giant kids’ play park with supervision, which gives parents the opportunity to sample their fine wines and food offerings.
Stick to your fitness goals by entering the early morning Run the Vines trail run at Ridgeback Wines. Afterwards visitors can experience the serenity of the beautiful surroundings next to the lake with its elegant swans. Saviour the selection of Ridgeback wines in the tasting room or lunch at the stunning The Deck Restaurant.
Enjoy Windmeul Kelder’s award-winning wines as well as the freshest local produce from their Parskuip Neighbourhood Market and the monthly Farmer’s Market. Kick off the day at the Kontreikombuis with a delicious breakfast pizza, a traditional country breakfast or fresh roosterkoek hot off the fire. The supervised kids’ play area will keep the kids busy, while the adults enjoy harvest activities and special young wine tastings conducted by the winemaking team in the cellar.
Tickets: www.webtickets.co.za
Cost: R150 per person (over 18) or R180 at the gates on the day. Children under 18 accompanied by an adult enter for free.
Website: www.ommiberg.co.za or follow Visit Paarl @paarltourism on social media for regular updates
Pictures; Supplied