Issue 22
Good morning Winelands Insiders - we’ve got an elegant edit to your upcoming plans.
Featuring curated New Year’s Eve celebrations, live music in beautiful settings, refined food-and-wine experiences, family-friendly outings, noteworthy local wins, a breakfast deal worth knowing about, and a note on how to make next year your best year yet!
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
Weather
Mind, Health & Fitness
A Little Extra Inspo
❤️ A big thank you - more than 750 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.
Let’s get to it!
⛰️ The Winelands Insider Team.
Things To Do: Events Listings
Pop the fizz & dust off your dancing shoes - New Year’s Eve is nearly here! 🥂
From glitzy parties to low-key cheers, here are the best local ways to ring in the New Year in style…
Boschendal’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
📅 Wed. 31st Dec. 7pm-1am 📍 The Olive Press At Boschendal
Ring in 2026 at one of the most beautiful venues in the Winelands. Enjoy: A glass of bubbles on arrival. Gorgeous views of the gardens & mountains. Canapés & long harvest tables overflowing with farm-fresh fare. Live entertainment by New Roots, Boschendal’s beloved reggae-style band. Expect warm summer energy, dancing, and all the good vibes to carry you into the new year.
🎟 R1350 pp / R675 (U/12) - tickets HERE
A Winelands New Year’s Eve Celebration
📅 Wed. 31st Dec. 7pm 📍 Camphor, Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa
Enjoy a festive welcome drink, a lavish buffet dinner & live entertainment by RAAF, the dynamic folk-pop duo known for their energetic performances & storytelling. Celebrate midnight with a champagne toast & a special take-home gift.
🎟 R1950 pp - book HERE
New Year’s Eve Celebration At Quoin Rock
📅 Wed. 31st Dec. 📍 Quoin Rock Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
The night unfolds with a lavish culinary experience, premium wine and cocktail offering & live performances including a jazz band, DJ set, dancers & an opera performance. As midnight approaches, enjoy a spectacular fireworks display. Expect impeccable service, glamorous surroundings & a celebration designed for those who appreciate the finer things.
🎟 R4650 pp - tickets HERE
Celebrate New Year’s At Vrymansfontein
📅 Wed. 31st Dec. 📍 Vrymansfontein, Paarl
Ring in the New Year across the farm with celebrations at both restaurants at Vrymansfontein. For the evening, Scape will be dazzling with bubbles on arrival, canapès, a summer menu & live music.
🎟 R450 pp - more info HERE
Benguela Cove’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
📅 Wed. 31st Dec. 6:30pm 📍 Benguela Cove Lagoon Wine Estate
Expect an enchanting evening of exquisite dining, festive ambience, beautiful lagoon views & live music to carry you into 2026. A refined, memorable NYE experience on one of the Cape’s most breathtaking estates.
🎟 From R400 pp - more info HERE
New Year’s Party At Kapstadt Brauhaus
📅 Wed. 31st Dec. from 9pm 📍 Kapstadt Brauhaus, Stellenbosch
Ring in 2026 with cold brews, great energy & a live DJ from 9pm. Expect festive vibes, lively crowds & the perfect spot to count down to midnight in the heart of Stellenbosch.
🎟 Book HERE
🎭 Arts & Culture Events
Karen Zoid Live
📅 Sat. 3rd Jan. 6:30pm 📍 Paul Clüver Amphitheatre, Elgin
Karen Zoid brings her powerful vocals, timeless hits & unmistakable stage presence to Elgin for a live outdoor performance in a truly magical setting. Pack a picnic, enjoy award-winning wines & soak up live music surrounded by nature.
🎟 Bookings HERE
Live Music Evening at Mont Rochelle
📅 Fri. 19th Dec. 📍 The Country Kitchen, Mont Rochelle
Enjoy a relaxed festive evening of fine wine, seasonal flavours & live music by the Papier Family Band. With a musical legacy dating back to 1932, Frank Papier and his grandson Graigan bring soulful, heritage-rich sounds to the Franschhoek Valley.
🎟 Book HERE
🏟 Family & Community Events
Live Music At The Werf | Spier Wine Farm
📅 19th Dec - 10th Jan. 6-8pm 📍 Spier Wine Farm
Evenings on the Werf just got better. Join Spier every Friday & Saturday evening for relaxed live music under the trees, great food & easy summer vibes. Pick up a pre-booked picnic from the Picnickery, grab something flame-grilled from Bubbles & Braai, or enjoy a wood-fired feast at Vadas.
🎟 Book HERE
Sunset Picnics At Nederburg With Live Music
📅 Sat. 20th & 27th Dec.📍 Nederburg Wine Farm, Paarl
Relax on the lawn as the sun sets, enjoy a beautifully prepared picnic & sip Nederburg wines under the stars. Vegetarian & kids’ options available.
🎟 R385 pp - book HERE
🌱 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
The Finer Things At La Motte
📅 Mon. 29th Dec. 📍 La Motte Wine Estate, Franschhoek
A refined food-and-wine experience celebrating slow living, seasonal flavours & exceptional wines. Expect beautifully crafted dishes, thoughtfully paired La Motte wines & a relaxed, elegant setting perfect for closing off the festive season.
🎟 More info & tickets HERE
Sunset Harvest Table At Delheim
📅 Fri. 2nd Jan. 6-9pm 📍 Delheim Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Pre-drinks at a scenic sunset viewpoint. Wine tasting. Harvest-inspired dinner at the vineyard table. Live music by Kirstin Walters. Front-row sunset views & a truly memorable Winelands evening.
🎟 R950 pp - book HERE
Local Business & Town News
🏆 Lanzerac Wine Estate takes the title of Premier Spa & Wellness Hotel in Africa
A proud moment for Stellenbosch and the Cape Winelands - dating back to 1692 and set in the Jonkershoek Valley, Lanzerac continues to set the benchmark for luxury, heritage, and world-class hospitality. A well-deserved accolade for an iconic estate.
Book a spa experience HERE 🧖🏽♀️
For the second year running, The Kraal Restaurant at Joostenberg has been named one of Dineplan’s Top 10 Reviewers’ Choice Restaurants in South Africa - a remarkable achievement driven entirely by guest reviews & real dining experiences.
🍷 FOMO Gallery & Wine Bar Now Open in Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch has a new creative hotspot. FOMO Gallery & Wine Bar by Janko de Beer is officially open - where bold art, great wine & lively conversation come together.
Little Insiders (For The Kids)
Summer Sunday Sessions | Clay Cafe Paarl 📅 Every Sunday (December & Summer Season) 📍 From 11:30am
Slow Sundays with good food, cool cocktails, ceramic painting, and live local music on the lawns overlooking the vineyards & Paarl Rock. Free entry; perfect for families & friends.
☎️ 064 656 6165 to reserve a table
💥 This Week’s Top Deals
✨ Zorgvliet’s Weekday Breakfast Special @ R150 ✨
Zorgvliet Wines
🌤 Weather This Week in the Winelands
☀️ A classic summer week ahead: sunshine dominates, warming up nicely towards the weekend.
Best days: Sun for full-on summer vibes (hottest day - pool, picnics, wine farms). Fri & Sat for bright, breezy, all-day outdoor plans.
Things cool off slightly early next week, but it stays mostly sunny - perfect weather right through to Christmas Eve 🎄
Thu 18 Dec | 25 / 16 °C | ☀️ Sunny; breezy in the afternoon |
Fri 19 Dec | 26 / 17 °C | ☀️ Nice with plenty of sun |
Sat 20 Dec | 28 / 17 °C | ☀️ Sunny; breezy in the p.m. |
Sun 21 Dec | 33 / 20 °C | 🌞 Hot with plenty of sunshine |
Mon 22 Dec | 30 / 19 °C | ☀️ Mostly sunny & very warm (a touch of rain late) |
Tue 23 Dec | 27 / 18 °C | ⛅ Not as warm, partly cloudy |
Wed 24 Dec | 26 / 17 °C | ☀️ Mostly sunny |
Mind, Health & Fitness
A Little Extra Inspo
A quick & festive breakfast option (add berries to minimise the guilt! 😜)
@jillbakes_
That’s it, you’re now up to date.
No more FOMO ✅
Thanks for reading Issue 22 - we hope this becomes your favourite Thursday read!
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