Issue 21
Good morning Winelands! December has just waltzed in like that friend who turns up early to the party with a bottle of MCC and zero chill - and honestly, we’re up for it.
School’s out, the festive buzz is in full swing, and we’ve gathered this week’s best: must-do events, local news, kid-friendly fun, top deals (hello Majeka House & De Vrije Burger), weather highlights, wellbeing tips and a little extra holiday inspo to keep your days bright.
Enough to fill your diary - here’s what we’ve got for you this week 👇
Things To Do: Events Listings
Local Business & Town News
Little Insiders
This Week’s Top Deals: Majeka House & De Vrije Burger
Weather
Mind, Health & Fitness: Prevent Burnout
A Little Extra Inspo
❤️ A big thank you - more than 700 locals are now part of the Winelands Insider community (and it’s growing!). We’re genuinely flattered. If you enjoy this issue, please share it with a friend or two. Or follow us on Instagram @winelandsinsider and you’ll never miss the good stuff.
Things To Do: Events Listings
This week, we’ve lined up some brilliant destination events to kickstart the festive season - perfect for giving you something to look forward to.
Alfresco Dining At The Spring
📅 Sat. 13th Dec. 6pm 📍 Springfontein Wine Estate, Stanford
A cosy, open-air dining experience under the trees at Springfontein. Enjoy a warm, farm-style menu crafted by Chef Rui, paired with the natural beauty of this Stanford gem.
🎟 R395 pp - tickets HERE
Summer In A Glass - A Lomond Long Table Event
📅 Mon. 15th Dec. 11:30-3pm 📍 Lomond Wine Estate, Gansbaai
You’ll be taken across the dam by boat, past the cellar, to the picnic site. Enjoy a wine tasting hosted by Cellarmaster Anné van Heerden, with their Harvest Table lunch set out next to the dam in true Cape Agulhas style.
🎟 R500 pp - tickets HERE
Stanford Hills Sunset Sessions & Live Music
Summer sunsets meet top SA artists on the lawns of Stanford Hills. Bring blankets, enjoy food trucks, wine & golden-hour music in one of the Overberg’s most-loved outdoor venues.
14/12 - The Parlotones
16/12 - Spoegwolf
19/12 - Watershed
20/12 - Boney M ft. Maizie Williams
21/12 - Matthew Mole
23/12 - Jeremy Loops
26/12 - Arno Carstens & Albert Frost
28/12 - Jesse Clegg with Will Linley
🎟 More info & tickets HERE
🎭 Arts & Culture Events
Carols & Jazz | De Warenmarkt
📅 Sun. 14th Dec. 6:30-9pm, De Warenmarkt, Stellenbosch
De Warenmarkt’s Sunday Jazz Nights have become a Stellenbosch favourite - consistently fully booked with a warm, buzzing atmosphere. The final performance of the year features Leigh Ann Hellaby, joining the jazz trio for a festive Carols & Jazz evening.
🎟 Bookings HERE
Summer Bash 2025
📅 Tue. 16th Dec. 12-10pm 📍 Morgenhof Wine Estate
Soak up the sun, sound & ultimate summer vibes at Stellenbosch’s hottest outdoor celebration. Expect a full day of music, food, family fun & iconic R&B nostalgia.
🎟 Tickets HERE
Festive Cookie Decoration Workshop
📅 Fri. 19th Dec. 10-12pm 📍 La Motte Ateljee, Franschhoek
Guests will learn royal icing decorating techniques, create beautiful designs & have a batch of decorated cookie ornaments to take home.
🎟 R650 pop - tickets HERE
Jazzy Sundowners At Van Ryn’s
📅 Fri. 19th Dec. 6-9pm 📍 Van Ryn’s Distillery, Stellenbosch
The Jazzy Sundowner Sessions returns with The Ploemies, a Cape Town collective known for reshaping the local jazz scene. Expect a vibrant blend of Cape Jazz, original compositions & proudly South African rhythms inspired by Ghoema, Marabenta & Kwassa-Kwassa.
🎟 Tickets HERE
🏟 Family & Community Events
Boschendal Wine & Christmas Market
📅 Mon. 15th Dec. 5pm 📍 Boschendal Estate
Celebrate the magic of the season under the oak trees at Boschendal’s annual Wine & Christmas Market. Your ticket includes 8 wine-tasting coupons, a signature Boschendal tasting glass & a festive headpiece to get you into the holiday spirit.
🎟 Tickets HERE
Boschendal Estate
Market In The Garden
📅 Sat. 13th & 20th Dec. 9-3pm 📍 Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden
A beautiful outdoor market filled with handmade gifts, décor, accessories, art, festive treats & unique local finds.
🎟 R15 entry. No pets allowed.
The Italian Job | The Galileo Open Air Cinema
📅 Thurs. 18th Dec. doors open 5:30pm / movie @ 8:30pm 📍 Nederburg Wine Farm, Paarl
A luxurious night under the stars featuring iconic films paired with curated gourmet menus inspired by each movie’s destination
🎟 Tickets HERE
Big Christmas Africa
📅 Sun. 21st Dec. 5:30-7:30 📍 Muratie Wine Estate
Celebrate a uniquely South African Christmas at Muratie with an open-air festive concert marking the release of the Sit the Folk Down - Big Christmas Africa compilation. Enjoy fresh local takes on classic Christmas & holiday favourites performed by top South African artists.
🎟 More info & tickets HERE
Allée Bleue Christmas Picnic
📅 Thurs. 25th Dec. 11-2:30pm 📍 Allée Bleue Estate Lawns
A magical festive picnic under the trees at Allée Bleue. Think lazy blankets on the lawns, beautiful baskets, family time & Cape Winelands charm at its best.
🎟 More info & tickets HERE
Allée Bleue Estate
🌱 Health & Wellbeing Events
NYE Sunset Hike @ Muratie
📅 Wed. 31st Dec. from 6pm 📍 Dirtopia Trail Centre, Muratie Wine Estate
Toast the last sunset of 2025 with a festive 3.5 km hike to the Muratie lookout point. Enjoy spectacular views, a glass of Lady Alice MCC on arrival & a peaceful picnic spot as the sun sets over the Winelands.
🎟 Tickets HERE
🍽 Foodie Events
Christmas Eve Dinner Experience At Bloom
📅 Tue. 24th Dec. from 6:30pm 📍 Bloom, Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa
A beautifully curated Christmas Eve celebration featuring a refined, multi-course menu designed to surprise and delight. Each dish is artfully plated, rich in flavour & crafted to create a memorable, sensory dining journey.
🎟 Tickets HERE
National Gingerbread Decorating Day @ Lourensford Market
📅 Sat. 13th Dec. 11-4pm 📍 Lourensford Estate
Celebrate the season by decorating your own gingerbread creations, exploring our artisan stalls, enjoying good food & making warm memories with friends & family at the market.
Braai With Backsberg
📅 Every Saturday in Dec. 6-8pm 📍 Backsberg Family Wines
An immersive Winelands braai experience celebrating the heart of South African living. Enjoy perfectly prepared meats, seasonal sides & Backsberg wines against a spectacular mountain backdrop.
🎟 R350 pp - book HERE
Local Business & Town News
Stellenbosch Launches Festive Season Safety Campaign 🚔
Stellenbosch Municipality has launched it’s Festive Season Safety Campaign at Die Braak, bringing together one of the largest multi-agency safety collaborations in the Cape Winelands.
The initiative unites Municipal Protection Services, SAPS, private security, campus security, neighbourhood watches & community safety partners to boost visibility, increase patrols & ensure faster response times across the valley.
Mayor Jeremy Fasser emphasised a zero-tolerance approach to drinking and driving and thanked all first responders and volunteers who keep residents and visitors safe throughout the holidays.
With thousands expected in Stellenbosch this season, residents are urged to be responsible, report suspicious activity & work with authorities to keep the valley safe.
Little Insiders (For The Kids)
Elf Academy: Cookies & Tree Decorating
📅 Sat. 13th Dec. 3:30pm & 4:30pm 📍 Backs, Polo Pavillion, Val De Vie Estate
A magical Christmas workshop where little ones decorate their own cookie & personalise a Christmas tree bauble to take home. A festive, creativity-filled afternoon designed for holiday joy.
🎟 R120 p child. Book HERE
This Week’s Top Deals
Majeka House, Stellenbosch - Christmas Special ✨
Majeka House, Stellenbosch
Happy Hour @ De Vrije Burger 🍻
De Vrije Burger
🌤 Weather This Week in the Winelands
The Winelands is serving a mixed bag this week - a warm, cloudy start, a splash of rain mid-week, then sunshine swooping in to save the day.
Sunday to Tuesday are your golden days for vineyards and festive fun. By Wednesday, the weather taps out again… so maybe plan to be indoors with a glass of something nice. 🍷
Date | High/Low (°C) | Forecast |
|---|---|---|
Thu 11 Dec | 31°C / 18°C | ☁️ Mostly cloudy and very warm. |
Fri 12 Dec | 20°C / 14°C | 🌧 Breezy start and a couple of showers. |
Sat 13 Dec | 22°C / 14°C | 🌤 Partly sunny with a chance of showers. |
Sun 14 Dec | 26°C / 16°C | ☀️ Pleasant with morning clouds then sunshine. |
Mon 15 Dec | 29°C / 17°C | 😎 Sunny and bright - ideal for outdoor fun. |
Tue 16 Dec | 27°C / 17°C | ☀️ Sunshine continues - beach or brunch, your call. |
Wed 17 Dec | 23°C / 14°C | 🌧 Cloudy with a touch of rain - might be a good day for indoor wine tasting. |
Mind, Health & Fitness
Burnout is more common than you might think - and it can creep up quietly. 😮💨
You’re definitely not alone, whether at home or in the workplace, this handy sheet will help you:
↳ Spot the early signs before they pile up
↳ Take simple, proven steps to protect your wellbeing
A little awareness goes a long way 💛
@georgesternleadership
A Little Extra Inspo
A fab little snack for when you’re wrapping prezzies. Just add a glass of 🍷
That’s it, you’re now up to date.
No more FOMO ✅
Thanks for reading Issue 21 - we hope this becomes your favourite Thursday read!
👉🏼 Got an event, story or feedback to share? E-mail: hello(at)winelandsinsider.co.za
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