GM, Insiders ☀️
For all the new joiners - welcome, we’re glad you’re here 😊
If you’ve been meaning to sit down and figure out what’s going on around the Winelands this week… consider this your shortcut.
From long table dinners and wine nights to trail runs, markets and a few proper feel-good community moments - your calendar is about to get busy.
So instead of you scrolling endlessly trying to decide, we’ve done the hard part and picked the ones actually worth your time (and your weekend plans 😉).
Autumn’s starting to creep in, there’s a bit of rain in the mix, but also some proper golden moments - so book the dinner, plan the outing, and make the most of it while the Winelands is still showing off.
Here’s what we’ve got for you today👇
Things To Do & Events
Community Highlights
Little Insiders
Eye Catching Deal: Between Vine & Bun
Weather: Best Days: Today, Tues & Wed
Mind, Health & Fitness: The 8+8+8 rule
A Little Extra Inspo: Thai Chicken Drunken Noodles
👉 Community: The Winelands Insider is read more than 6,000 times a month by people from Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Somerset West, and we’re genuinely flattered.
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LOCAL EVENTS
⭐ EDITOR’S PICKS
Art of Living Happiness Program (STARTS TODAY!)
📅 Thu. 16 Apr - Sat. 18 Apr 📍 Pilates for Life Studio, Spice Route, Paarl
A powerful 3-day reset focused on breathing techniques, stress release, and mental clarity. Practical tools to help you feel calmer, clearer and more energised.
🎟 Details here
Winemakers Evening at Bloom
📅 Sat. 18 Apr | 18:30 📍 Bloom, Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa, Somerset West
An intimate, story-led dining experience with winemaker Danielle Coetsee (from Boschendal Wine Farm) and a beautifully curated 4-course menu. Expect great wine, great conversation, and a relaxed, refined atmosphere.
🎟 R850 pp - Book here
🎭 ARTS + CULTURE
Where We Stand: Rooted in Presence
📅 Until Sat. 19 Apr | 09:00-17:00 📍 The Space, Spice Route, Paarl
A striking contemporary exhibition exploring identity, connection, and the human experience. Expect layered, emotive works that invite you to slow down and reflect.
🎟 Free entry
🏟 FAMILY + COMMUNITY
Market in the Garden
📅 Sat. 18 Apr | 09:00-15:00 📍 Stellenbosch Botanical Garden
A slow Winelands morning done right. Browse 60+ stalls, enjoy live music, and settle in for a relaxed bite in one of Stellenbosch’s most beautiful settings.
🎟 R15 entry - Pay at entrance
Rugby Saturdays at Laborie Estate
📅 Sat. 18 Apr, 25 Apr, 9 May & 16 May | From 12:30 📍 Laborie Wine Estate, Paarl
Big games, big screens and great wine. Settle in for a buzzing afternoon of live rugby with fellow fans.
🎟 Free entry
International Earth Day: Planting Wisely Workshop
📅 Wed. 22 Apr | 11:00-13:00 📍 Paarl Arboretum
A hands-on workshop on growing indigenous and medicinal plants 🌱 Practical, sustainable and perfect for greener living.
🎟 Free (booking essential, email here)
🌾 HEALTH + WELLBEING
The Social Table at Val de Vine
📅 Every Thu. | 19:30 📍 Val de Vine, Stellenbosch
A relaxed social evening with a welcome drink, easy conversation and a chance to meet new people.
🎟 Free (first event)
Community Trail Run with MUT by UTMB
📅 Thu. 16 Apr | 18:00 📍 Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch
A social trail run for all levels with mountain views, great energy and a buzzing post-run atmosphere.
🎟 Free (donations welcome)
Run The Vines - 3-Day Stage Trail Run
📅 Sun. 26 Apr – Tue. 28 Apr 📍 Spice Route, Paarl
A full weekend of trail running, wine, live music and great vibes. Choose your distance or join for a day.
🎟 Enter here
Stretch, Breath & Breakfast at Babylonstoren
📅 From Tue. 15 Apr (weekdays) 📍 Babylonstoren, Franschhoek
Start your day with guided movement and breath work, followed by a relaxed breakfast in a beautiful setting.
🎟 Details here
Ladies’ Padel Evening at Anura
📅 Wed. 29 Apr | 17:30-19:30 📍 Anura Racquet Club, Simondium
Padel, rosé and good vibes. A fun midweek social with a touch of competition.
🎟 R250 pp - Book here
Maties Gym Run Club
📅 Tue & Thurs (7am / 6pm) Sat (7am)📍 Maties Gym, Stellenbosch
A welcoming run club for all levels, from beginner sessions to longer weekend runs.
🎟 Enquire here
🍽 FOODIE EVENTS
Vine Venom Wine Pairing Dinner
📅 Thu. 23 Apr | 18:30 📍 Spek & Bone, Stellenbosch
A guided tasting with bold Swartland wines, a mini masterclass, and beautifully curated pairings.
🎟 R950 pp - Book via email
Mahlzeit at Klein Welmoed
📅 Wed. 22 Apr | Evening 📍 Klein Welmoed, Stellenbosch
An intimate, candlelit dinner experience designed for slow conversation, good wine and a table that lingers.
🎟 R780 pp - Book via email
Survivor Wines Tasting with Pierre Wahl
📅 Thu. 23 Apr | 18:30 📍 The Wine Hive
An intimate tasting with the “Pope of Pinotage” - expect insight, storytelling and beautifully paired wines.
🎟 R700 pp - Book here
Pinotage Saturday
📅 Sat. 25 Apr 📍 Dekkersvlei Vineyards, Paarl
A laid-back afternoon of curated Pinotage tastings, live music and vineyard views.
🎟 R150 pp - Book here
#SauvBlancDay Tastings & Experiences
📅 30 Apr - 8 May 📍 Various locations
A curated lineup of tastings, masterclasses and soirées celebrating Sauvignon Blanc in all its forms
🎟 More info here

In a couple of weeks, but not to be missed…👇
Mont Rochelle Winemaker’s Dinner
📅 Fri. 15 May | 18:30 📍 Mont Rochelle, Franschhoek
A refined 5-course dinner paired with exceptional wines, plus insider stories from the winemaker.
🎟 R1350 pp - Book here
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
🌶 Banhoek Chilli Oil - What’s New
📍 Banhoek Valley, Stellenbosch
BCO is evolving. Food service moves to the Leopard Lounge, while the Taste Kitchen transforms into a deli, tasting space and experimental kitchen.
🌍 Climate-Smart Farming Support Programme
📅 Applications close Fri. 24 Apr 📍 Stellenbosch
A 12-month initiative supporting farmers with tools, insights and sustainable development strategies.
🎟 Free application
Wine Tourism Conference 2026
📅 19-21 May 📍 Cavalli Estate, Somerset West
One of SA’s leading industry events shaping the future of wine tourism with global insights and expert speakers.
🎟 Tickets here
LITTLE INSIDERS (FOR THE KIDS)
Little Movers Baby Classes
📅 Launching mid-April 📍 Stellenbosch
A nurturing, feel-good baby class (6 weeks-18 months) focused on development through gentle play and connection 🤍
🎟 Follow for details
EYE CATCHING DEALS
Between Vine & Bun - Pink Valley
📅 Until Sun. 3 May 📍 Pink Valley, Stellenbosch
A burger experience with a Winelands twist 🍔
Enjoy a Restaurant Week set menu with vineyard views - start with a drink of your choice, followed by three gourmet burgers (beef, chicken or white bean), and finish with a sweet treat.
🎟 R335 pp - Details here
🌤 WEATHER THIS WEEK
A mixed bag this week. Starting strong with lovely sunshine today, but things turn wet from Friday through to Monday - expect quite a bit of rain and cooler temps.
The good news? It clears beautifully just in time for midweek next week. Tues and Weds are your standout days - sunny, warmer, and perfect for getting back out and about.
Best days: Today (sunny start) + Tuesday & Wednesday (clear winners)

MIND, HEALTH + FITNESS
Most of us don’t lack time… we just lack structure.
That constant feeling of being tired or overwhelmed? It’s often not about doing too much - it’s about having no clear rhythm to your day. Scrolling feels like rest, overworking feels like progress…but both can leave you running on empty.
A simple way to reset things:
• 8 hours → Work (focused & intentional)
• 8 hours → Sleep (non-negotiable)
• 8 hours → Life
And that last 8 hours of ? That’s where the good stuff lives - family, friends, movement, hobbies, proper downtime.
Get this balance even roughly right… and everything starts to feel a whole lot more in control.
A LITTLE EXTRA INSPO
Spice up your midweek meal with this flavour packed Thai Chicken Drunken Noodle recipe 👇
That’s it, you’re brilliantly up to date with everything happening in the Winelands (that’s worth knowing about).
Thanks for reading :)
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