The 12th annual Slow Food & Wine Festival will take place from 3 – 5 August 2018, there is no better way for the producers of the much-loved Robertson Wine Valley to share their belief in a slow way of life with food and wine enthusiasts who want to savour immersive experiences and prefer to encounter the countryside at a leisurely pace.
Good things take time. Michelangelo’s ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel, the La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Grand Canyon in Arizona – whether painted by candlelight over a matter of years by a single artist, crafted over decades by bands of builders, or hewn from stone over centuries by Mother Nature herself, these time-honoured examples of unflinching beauty made their way into the world in the same way – slowly.
Tell me more! – By now, you’ll know that the Robertson Wine Valley along the famed Route 62 is one of the best spots in South Africa to find truly excellent wines, epic scenery and farm-to-fork eateries. However, when you’re blitzing through this fascinating region en route to another destination, you’re bound to miss out on the good stuff.
That’s why the valley’s forward-thinking producers decided to stop, collaborate and create a platform for visitors who want to take a peek behind the curtain, meet the makers, slow things right down and enjoy a 360° experience that takes them into the thick of things in Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor and Robertson.
Super, but what does it mean? – For one weekend during the heart of winter each year, the valley’s best-loved winemakers, food purveyors and experience providers push out the boat to welcome you into the fold. This includes everything from fireside dinners in the homes of the valley’s winemakers to wine and dine evenings in underground cellars, single vineyard tastings, food and wine pairings as well as game drives, horse outings and boat rides. If it’s tasty, inspiring, invigorating or just downright fun, you’ll find it on the line-up.
When & how do I book? – Book your tickets soon – the festival may be slow by name, but the foodie grapevine is quick as a whip! Each experience may be booked individually, so you can tailor make your festival experience exactly to your liking. The Family Market on the Sunday is free of charge, so feel free to pull in with the whole family. The rest of the 2018 festival encounters may be booked online.
Where should I stay? – The valley is magical in wintertime, and you’re going to want to get out there and explore.
For more information visit www.robertsonwinevalley.com
