GM, Insiders ☀️

We hope you all had a lovely Easter weekend - filled with good food, great wine and a bit of downtime. The good news this week? We’ve got a few beautiful, sunny days ahead (hello tomorrow to Monday), so there’s plenty of time to keep that long-weekend energy going.

And you’ll want to make the most of it, because this week is packed. From live music and creative workshops to trail runs, padel, long table dinners and a few standout foodie experiences (the Elgin Wine Festival and Last Dance evening are calling…).

As always, we’ve done the digging and pulled together the best of what’s happening = all you need, in one easy scroll.

Here’s what we’ve got for you today👇

Last Dance: Dinner & DJ Set
📅 Sat. 25 Apr | 18:00-23:00 📍 Kosé, Franschhoek
A final summer send-off under the olive trees. 3-course braai menu, wine tastings and a DJ set into the night.
🎟 R950 pp - Info

Elgin Railway Wine Festival
📅 Sat. 25 Apr | 10:00 📍 Elgin Railway Market
Taste your way through top Elgin producers. Paired with artisanal food and market vibes.
🎟 R295 pp - Book here

Melktert Kommissie Live
📅 Fri. 10 Apr | Doors 17:30 | Show 20:00 📍 Festa Restaurant, Wellington
A proudly South African night of music. Enjoy rich harmonies, sing-along favourites and feel-good Afrikaans pop in an intimate setting.
🎟 R280 pp - Details here

Watercolour Workshop at La Motte
📅 Sat. 25 Apr | Half-day 📍 La Motte Ateljee, Franschhoek
A relaxed, beginner-friendly creative session inspired by La Motte’s architecture. Includes all materials, plus coffee & pastries.
🎟 R780 pp - Book here

Braai with Backsberg
📅 Sat. 11 Apr & Sat. 18 Apr | 12:30 📍 Backsberg Family Wines, Franschhoek
Slow Saturdays done right, with welcome wine, flame-grilled mains and relaxed vibes.
🎟 R350 pp - Info here

National Pet Day at Lourensford Market
📅 Sat. 11 Apr | 11:00-15:15 📍 Lourensford Market, Somerset West
Calling all pawrents. Expect pupachinos, photo moments and prizes - because weekends are better with your dog.
🎟 Free entry

Painted Wolf Wines 20-Year Celebration
📅 Sat. 18 Apr | 11:00-17:00 📍 Painted Wolf Wines, Simondium
Celebrate 20 years of wine with purpose. Enjoy tastings, live music, food and a special conservation talk.
🎟 Free

Rugby Legends Showdown
📅 Fri. 17 Apr | 19:00 📍 Paarl Gim A-veld
A big night of rugby as Paarl Gim Old Boys take on SA Rugby Legends. Expect nostalgia, big hits and serious gees.

Paarl Bridal Brunch
📅 Sat. 2 May | 10:30-13:00 📍 Alleman Square, Paarl
A stylish morning for brides-to-be. Brunch, bubbles, dress inspo and expert tips - plus a few spoils to take home.
🎟 R900 (2 people) - Details here

Cape Milers Continental Tour
📅 Fri. 10 Apr | 16:00-23:00 📍 Hoërskool Stellenbosch
World-class athletics meets local talent 💥 Expect fast races, big energy and a great stadium atmosphere.
🎟 From R50 - Info here

TrailFun Autumn Series (2 of 4)
📅 Sat. 11 Apr | From morning 📍 Kaapzicht Wine Estate
A scenic trail run through vineyards and hills 🍂 Choose from 5km-21km distances.
🎟 From R80 - Details here

Hybrid Training Launch at Maties Gym
📅 Sat. 11 Apr | 08:30 📍 Maties Gym, Stellenbosch
A high-energy session celebrating a new hybrid training space. Strength meets conditioning in this next-level workout.
🎟 R80 (non-members)

Run The Vines - Event #4
📅 Sat. 18 Apr | From morning 📍 De Wet Cellar, Worcester
One of SA’s favourite trail series. Choose between 3km, 10km or 17km vineyard routes.
🎟 Book here

Weekend Warrior Grabouw 2026
📅 Sat. 18 Apr | From morning 📍 Grabouw Country Club
An iconic endurance challenge delivering climbs, mud and serious bragging rights.
🎟 From R650 - Details

Andiamo Padel Tournament
📅 Fri. 18 Apr 📍 Anura Racquet Club, Stellenbosch
Padel meets Winelands lifestyle. Competitive play, welcome drinks and great vibes.
🎟 Check it out here

Maties Campus Sport Nights
📅 Wed. 15 Apr | From 17:30 📍 Maties Campus
An action-packed evening of sport, music and games - DJ battles, competitions and campus energy.
🎟 Free - Details here

Vergelegen Guided Trail Hike
📅 Sat. 11 Apr & Sat. 25 Apr | 08:00 📍 Vergelegen Wine Estate
A full-day guided 13km hike through private trails. Expect history, views and exclusive access.
🎟 R2,900 pp - Info here

Beach Battle | Cape Town #2
📅 Sun. 26 Apr | From morning 📍 Strand Beach
A high-energy beach fitness challenge. Combine running with functional workout stations.
🎟 From R320 - Find out more here

Padel in the Vines
📅 Ongoing 📍 Rickety Bridge, Franschhoek
Game, set… and wine 🍷 Brand-new courts set among the vineyards - perfect for social play and post-match drinks.
🎟 Court rates apply - Details

Long Table Evening at Somerbosch
📅 Fri. 17 Apr | From 18:30 📍 Die Fonteine Farm, Stellenbosch
One long table, one unforgettable evening ✨ Spanish tapas, live music and great company.
🎟 R400 pp - Info

Taste of Monneaux
📅 Fri. 17 Apr & Fri. 24 Apr | Evening 📍 Monneaux, Franschhoek
An exclusive preview of their upcoming winter menu. Enjoy a seasonal 6-8 course tasting experience.
🎟 R600 pp - Details

Pinotage Saturday
📅 Sat. 25 Apr 📍 Dekkersvlei Vineyards, Paarl
A laid-back day in the vines 🍂 Enjoy 5 Pinotages, live music and easy Winelands vibes.
🎟 R150 pp - Book here

Cederberg Harvest Festival - Stellenbosch
📅 Tue. 29 Apr | 18:30 📍 Lievita, Stellenbosch
A La Dolce Vita-inspired harvest celebration 🇮🇹 Wine, shared plates and a beautifully curated evening.
🎟 R990 pp - Info here

Sundowner Fridays
📅 Every Friday (last: 1 May) 📍 Peter Falke Wines
Golden hour, done right. Relaxed evenings with wine, views and Winelands sunsets.
🎟 Details here

Lelik Maar Lekker: GERT Pop-Up
📅 Fri. 8 May | 18:00 📍 D’Stasie, Kirkwood
A bold 3-course pop-up dining experience 🔥 Expect fire, flavour and storytelling.
🎟 R550 pp - Here

Media Monday: Panel Talk
📅 Mon. 13 Apr | 15:30 📍 Stellenbosch Journalism
A thought-provoking discussion on media history and archives, featuring Dr Fernanda Pinto-de Almeida.
🎟 Free (RSVP) - Info here

VUUR Named One of World’s Best
📍 Remhoogte Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Local favourite VUUR has been ranked #52 in the World’s 101 Best Steak Restaurants. Another huge moment for the Winelands food scene.

Wine Tourism Conference 2026
📅 19-21 May 📍 Stellenbosch
A leading industry event shaping the future of wine tourism. Expect global insights, trends and big ideas.
🎟 Tickets here

Pienkvoet-Pret Classes
📅 Ongoing 📍 Stellenbosch & Somerset West
A nurturing, feel-good class for moms & little ones (3 mths - 3yrs). Think music, movement, sensory play, storytelling and baby massage - all in a relaxed, supportive space.
🎟 First class FREE - info here

Pizza & Wine Special
📅 April (limited offer) 📍 Stellenzicht, Stellenbosch
A cosy Winelands pairing done right. Wood-fired meatball pizza with Thunderstone Red - plus a second glass on the house.
🎟 R220 - Details here

Aperol Spritz Special
📍 Petites Bulles Champagne Lounge, Stellenbosch
Sip Aperol Spritz for just R85 in a chic champagne lounge setting - relaxed, bubbly, and very Stellies.
🎟 R85 (all day)

We’re kicking off hot with today looking like your peak summer day (33°), before easing into a slightly cooler but still lovely weekend. Sunday is your standout - sunny, warm and perfect for plans. Monday stays strong too.

From Tuesday, things dip with cooler temps and a chance of showers, so best to get outdoors before then.

Best days: Today & Sun (with a solid Monday runner-up)

Life’s messy, plans go sideways - this episode is about how to reset, get unstuck, and move forward with clarity when things don’t go how you expected.

Through a conversation with a cognitive scientist, it breaks down why change feels so hard - and gives you practical ways to stop spiralling, rebuild confidence, and start fresh.

Blueberry Vanilla Cream Cottage Cheese Pancake Bites 🥞🫐

Fluffy, protein-packed and ridiculously easy - perfect for a quick breakfast or grab-and-go snack.

Ingredients (makes ~24 bites):
• 1 cup cottage cheese
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp baking powder

💪 ~35 kcal per bite | 3g protein

Method:

⏱ 10 min prep | 15 min bake

Top tip: Use full-fat cottage cheese for extra creaminess - they keep well in the fridge for a few days or freeze perfectly for easy snacks.

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