GM Winelands ☀️🍇

If summer had a personality, this would be it. Open-air movies in the vineyards, street parties under the oaks, long-table harvest feasts, grape stomping, sunset concerts and rosé-fuelled Saturdays… and that’s just the warm-up.

From Dirty Dancing at Blaauwklippen and the ever-buzzy Stellenbosch Street Soirée, to harvest magic at Darling, Riebeek and beyond - plus world-class music at Vergelegen, Muratie and Lourensford - the Winelands is fully in its golden-hour.

There’s family fun, foodie moments, fitness challenges, business brains, community updates and even a little wellness reset if you need to balance out the Cap Classique and chips 😉

It’s hot, it’s harvest season, and your calendar is about to fill up fast. Let’s get into it. ✨

Here’s this week’s full lineup👇

Dirty Dancing at Blaauwklippen
📅 Sat. 21 Feb | Doors 5pm, Film 8pm 📍 Blaauwklippen Wine Estate
The Galileo Open Air Cinema brings Dirty Dancing to the vineyards - pack your picnic blanket for a nostalgic night of romance, music and iconic dance moments under the stars 🎟 From R155 pp - Book here

Stellenbosch Street Soirée
📅 Wed. 25 Feb | 6-8pm 📍 Stellenbosch Town Centre
Sip, savour and sway under the oaks at Stellenbosch’s favourite street party, with great wine, tasty street food and live music in a buzzing open-air setting 🎟 Details here

KAMERS MAKERS 2026
📅 3-8 Mar 📍 Allée Bleue Wine Estate
A vibrant showcase of proudly local design, fashion, food and creativity set against the Franschhoek mountains - the ultimate Winelands day out 🎟 Info here

Painting Workshop with Sene DPZ Art
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | 1:30-3:30pm 📍 Klein Joostenberg Estate
Join Sene DPZ Art for a relaxed, guided painting session where you’ll create your own canvas artwork (all supplies included), plus enjoy a beautiful flower crown workshop by @sunnyy.spott 🎟 R300 pp - Here

An Evening with Christian-Peter Hiemstra
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | 6:30pm 📍 Weltevrede Wine Estate, Bonnievale
An unforgettable evening of world-class piano with internationally acclaimed Christian-Peter Hiemstra, including a glass of Philip Jonker Brut Cap Classique 🎟 R300 pp - Details here

Sunset Tunes at Lourensford
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | 6pm 📍 Lourensford Wine Estate
Akkedis, Doc John and Jake Gunn bring the sounds of the ’60s and ’70s to the gardens with classic hits, wine specials and food vendors in a beautiful mountain setting 🎟 R200 pp - Info Here

Albert Frost Trio Live at Muratie
📅 Sat. 14 Mar | 11am check-in, 12pm show 📍 Muratie Wine Estate
Experience a high-energy live performance by blues-rock virtuoso Albert Frost, with your ticket including the show and a welcome drink 🎟 R295 pp - Book Here

RMB Starlight Classics - Vergelegen 2026
📅 13-14 Mar | 7:30-10:30pm 📍 Vergelegen Wine Estate
Experience world-class classical music under the stars in a breathtaking outdoor setting - pack your picnic blankets for a magical, family-friendly summer concert 🎟 From R500 - Book Here

Bottles & Throttles at Kantien
📅 Fri. 20 Feb | From 5pm 📍 Die Kantien
A relaxed, family-friendly evening for motorcycle enthusiasts with a free beer on arrival, great food and plenty of two-wheel banter - no ride-out, no pressure 🎟 RSVP via Instagram

Friday Night Market | Blaauwklippen
📅 Fri. 27 Feb (last Friday monthly) | 4-8pm 📍 Blaauwklippen Wine Estate
Soak up a warm summer evening with live music, artisan food stalls, sweet treats and local vendors - the perfect laid-back family night out under the trees 🎟 More info

Grape Stomping at Riebeek Valley Wine Company
📅 Sat. 28 Feb | 10am 📍 Riebeek Valley Wine Company
Gather your team of four and stomp your way to harvest glory in this fun, dress-up-friendly grape crushing competition 🎟 R220 per team - Book here

Darling Cellars Annual Crush Day 2026
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | From 7:45am 📍 Darling Cellars
A full-on, family-friendly harvest celebration with grape picking and stomping, tractor rides, live music, great food and award-winning wine - tickets include breakfast, lunch and a bottle of wine to take home 🎟 From R400 pp - Info here

Spier Light Art
📅 6 Mar - 6 Apr | 6:30-9:30pm 📍 Spier Wine Farm
Spier Light Art transforms the farm into an immersive night-time experience, with playful and thought-provoking light installations dotted across vineyards, dams and historic buildings 🎟 Here

Devonbosch Mile - Open Water Swim
📅 Sat. 21 Feb | Time TBC 📍 Devonbosch
Take on a late-summer open water challenge in a beautiful Winelands setting, with distances from 0.8km to 3.2km 🎟 From R250 - Info Here

TrailFun Summer Series - 4 of 4 (Kanu)
📅 Sat. 21 Feb | Early morning 📍 Kanu Wine Estate
Wrap up the Summer Series with a scenic vineyard trail run (5km, 10km or 21km) and proper Winelands race-day vibes 🎟 From R80 - Details Here

OUTRUN Virtual Running Challenge
📅 From 1 Mar | Anytime (virtual) 📍 Stellenbosch
A flexible 21-day running challenge covering 30km across curated routes - perfect for staying active on your own schedule 🎟 - Book Here

Winery & Vineyard Walks at Joostenberg
📅 Sat. 14 Mar | 9:30am–Midday 📍 Joostenberg Wine Estate
Join the winemaking team for a seasonal vineyard walk with coffee and pastry to start, finishing with a relaxed wine tasting 🎟 R180 pp - Book via Email Here

The Inner Well - A Restorative Retreat
📅 Sat. 21 Mar | 8-1pm 📍 Volksrust Farm
An immersive half-day retreat of walking meditation, sound healing, clay creativity and a shared harvest-style lunch - designed to restore calm and reconnect you with presence in a serene Winelands setting 🎟 - Details Here

Think Pink This Summer, Think Big Bottle Rosé
📅 21 & 28 Feb & 7, 14 March 2026 | Saturdays 📍 Rickety Bridge Wine Estate
Celebrate rosé season with big bottles, relaxed summer vibes and easy afternoons at the estate restaurant - perfect for friends and Franschhoek day dates 🎟 - Book Here

KWV Emporium Roodeberg Winemaker Tasting
📅 Thur. 26 Feb | Evening 📍 KWV Emporium
A guided Roodeberg Range tasting led by the winemaker, complete with cellar stories and light snacks 🎟 R400 pp - Info Here

Sunset Rouge Evenings at Klein Alto
📅 Fri. 27 Feb | From 5pm 📍 Alto Wine Estate
Ease into the weekend with sunset vineyard views, live music and award-winning Alto wines, paired with a curated menu and golden-hour Helderberg backdrops 🎟 Details Here

Chips & Cap Classique at Perdeberg
📅 Sat. 28 Feb 📍 STEEN Restaurant, Perdeberg Cellar, Paarl
Celebrate International Champagne & French Fries Day with a playful pairing of elegant Cap Classique and golden, crispy chips - sophistication meets comfort food 🎟 R58 - Book Here

Unique Wine & Food Celebration at Morgenhof
📅 Sun. 1 Mar | Daytime 📍 Morgenhof Wine Estate
Enjoy grape stomping, curated canapés with wine and a generous harvest table lunch in a beautifully relaxed Winelands setting 🎟 R750 pp - Book via Email Here

Picnic Garden Braai at Klein Joostenberg
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | From 6:30pm 📍 Klein Joostenberg Estate
A relaxed summer braai on the lawns with long tables, live music and alfresco dining under the stars - perfect for families and friends 🎟 From R445 adults / R200 kids - Book via Email Here

Harvest Chill 2026
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | 12-4pm 📍 Le Manoir de Brendel, Franschhoek
Celebrate harvest season with chilled vineyard vibes, live music blending opera, pop and jazz, plus food and wine stalls in a beautiful Franschhoek setting 🎟 R70 pp - Book Here

HMS Bloemhof Langtafel 2026
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | 6pm 📍 HMS Bloemhof
An elegant adults-only long-table evening of delicious food and entertainment at Bloemhof 🎟 Details here

Harvest Table × Verfyndt
📅 Fri. 20 Mar | 5:30-9pm 📍 Bellevue Wine Estate
An intimate harvest celebration featuring seasonal grazing, vintage sneak peeks and insights from Bellevue’s winemaker - a refined, behind-the-scenes moment in the vines 🎟 Details here

DID:UNCONF Africa 2026
📅 24-26 Feb | From 12pm (24 Feb) 📍 Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study
A dynamic, interactive gathering of innovators and leaders exploring the future of digital identity in Africa through open-space discussions and collaborative sessions 🎟 From R2,250 - Info here

🏊 Accredited Lifeguard Training for Stellenbosch Youth
📍 Cloetesville Swimming Pool
The Stellenbosch Municipality, in partnership with Lifesaving South Africa, is offering NQF Level 4 accredited lifeguard training - with only 7 spots available for unemployed residents aged 18-35. Applications close 17 March 2026, with assessments on 27 March.
🔗 Apply here

📢 Cemeteries & Halls Bookings Office Relocation
📅 Effective 16 March 2026 📍 123 Merriman Avenue, Simonswyk
The Stellenbosch Municipality’s Cemeteries and Halls Bookings Office is relocating to improve accessibility and service delivery. Please take note of the new address for all bookings from 16 March onward.

Playrock Adventure Park & Playrock Xtreme - Family Fun in Paarl
📅 Open weekly📍 Playrock Adventure Park, Paarl
An action-packed family day out with indoor trampolines, mini-golf, outdoor soccer and adrenaline-fuelled Xtreme activities like quad biking and paintball - plus a restaurant on site for easy, relaxed fun 🎟 From R90 (unlimited daily play) - More info 👉 here

🕒 Tues-Fri 12-6pm | Sat-Sun 9am-6pm (school holidays follow weekend hours)

🍕 Wood-Oven Wednesdays at Zorgvliet
📅 Every Wednesday | 12-5pm 📍 Zorgvliet Wine Estate
Freshly baked wood-fired pizza with seasonal toppings, paired with a glass of Zorgvliet estate wine - the ultimate midweek Winelands treat 🎟 Only R120 pp (pizza + wine included)

💪 Bring-A-Buddy Challenge at Fit Club Stellenbosch
📅 16-27 Feb 📍 Fit Club Stellenbosch
Train together and sweat it out with a FREE buddy session - plus members get 50% off one month’s membership for every friend who signs up 🎟 Book here

We’re kicking off HOT - coming in at 31-34°C from Thursday through Saturday with wall-to-wall sunshine. It’s braai weather, pool weather, “one more glass of rosé” weather.

Sunday cools slightly to a pleasant 30°C (still very much sweaty), before Monday and Tuesday bring a little morning drama with some AM showers and temps dipping to the mid-to-high 20s. Nothing hectic - just enough to freshen up the vineyards.

In this eye-opening episode, physician and Medical Director Sarah Wakeman unpacks what the science really says about alcohol - from the truth about “just one drink” to the hidden impact it has on our bodies. She challenges common myths, breaks down the health risks in clear terms, and offers a refreshingly honest look at how alcohol affects us physically and mentally.

🎧 Listen here (24 mins)

This week we’re keeping things fresh, crunchy and seriously crave-worthy 🥕✨

Meet the Shaved Carrot Salad with Citrus Miso-Ginger Dressing - bright, punchy and packed with goodness for glowing skin and happy immune systems. It’s colourful, nourishing and honestly? One of those “why didn’t I make this sooner” recipes. Trendy, yes. Worth the hype? Absolutely.

❤️ If you found something useful, please share it with others

👉🏼 Got a story or feedback to share? Email Us

NOTE: If anything is inaccurate, please contact us and we will rectify. Never want to hear from us again? Break our hearts and unsubscribe.