Happy Thursday, Insiders 😊

As we round up February and head into a full-on March, the Cape Winelands calendar is only getting better…

Art spills into the streets, harvest tables stretch across vineyards, sunflowers glow in the Helderberg and world-class sport lands in Stellenbosch.

From KAMERS to BotFest, XTERRA to sunset cinema - this week’s local “cheat sheet” is packed with reasons to step out and soak it all in.

Here’s this week’s full lineup👇

Dreamscapes - Form & Space Through Curious Eyes
📅 26 Feb. - 30 Jan. 2027 📍 Stellenbosch Town (Outdoor Exhibition)
Stellenbosch transforms into an open-air gallery as large-scale sculptural works take over pavements, walls and public spaces - from Dorp Street to Church and Ryneveld. An immersive art route designed for wandering, wondering and seeing the town differently 🎟 Free to explore - More info 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

The Art of Rose Care - Summer Rose Workshop
📅 Thurs. 5 Mar | 09:30 📍 Vergelegen Wine Estate, Somerset West
Join rose expert Marie Favard for an inspiring walk through the Rose Garden, with practical summer care tips to ensure a spectacular autumn flush. 🎟 R295 pp - Book here

Cellar-Brations: Stink Ryk in Seapoint
📅 Fri. 13 Mar | 7pm 📍 Clos Malverne
A light-hearted evening of entertainment, good food and great company - with your ticket including the show, a hamburger, a glass of wine and a welcoming drink. Hosted in collaboration with Hanna Charity, with a portion of proceeds going towards their community work. 🎟 R390 pp - More info here

Kurt Darren Live at Paul Clüver Amphitheatre
📅 Sat. 14 Mar | 5pm 📍 Paul Clüver Forest Amphitheatre, Grabouw
Feel-good hits and singalongs under the trees in the magical Elgin forest. Numbered seating, cool-climate wines and an unforgettable night of live music 🎟 R350 pp - Book here

Galileo Open Air Cinema: The Notebook
📅 Sat. 14 Mar | Gates 5pm 📍 Nederburg Wines, Paarl
A romantic classic under the stars. Pack your blanket, pour the wine and settle in for one of the most loved love stories of all time 🎟 From R155 pp - Details here

Galaxy KDay Music Festival 2026
📅 Sat. 28 Mar | From 11am 📍 Sandringham Farm, Cape Town
One of SA’s biggest music days is back. Expect top local artists, full festival energy and feel-good vibes under the Cape Town sky. Picnic blankets encouraged 🎟 Tickets here

Easter Classical Music Concert at La Motte
📅 Sat. 28 Mar | 6pm 📍 La Motte Wine Estate, Franschhoek
A beautiful Easter programme of voice and piano, journeying through themes of sacrifice, hope and joy. Featuring works by Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Verdi and more - performed by soprano Siphamandla Moyake, tenor Lukhanyo Moyake and pianist Esthea Kruger. Arrive early to stroll the gardens. 🎟 R350 pp - Book here

Investec SA Open Championship
📅 26 Feb - 1 Mar 📍 Stellenbosch Golf Club
One of golf’s most prestigious tournaments is on the go - bringing world-class players to Stellenbosch for four days of championship action. Expect big names, electric crowds and elite competition set against our mountain backdrop 🏆 If you love sport, sunshine and that unbeatable tournament atmosphere - this is it 🎟 More info here

Vergelegen Sunflower Celebration 2026
📅 17-28 Feb | From 08:30 📍 Vergelegen Wine Estate, Somerset West
A sea of golden blooms returns to the Helderberg. Perfect for morning strolls, sunflower selfies and late-summer colour. More here

Museum Saturday - Rupert Museum
📅 Sat. 28 Feb 📍 Rupert Museum, Stellenbosch
A full day of art, music and wine - with FREE creative corners for kids, live garden sessions and optional tastings for the grown-ups.

Pampoenpret Werkswinkel by Babylonstoren
📅 Fri. 27 Feb | 5-8pm 📍 Babylonstoren, Simondium
A playful pumpkin workshop for kids with carving, printing and garden adventures. Parents encouraged to join the fun 🎟 R550 pp - Book here

Karlien & Kandas Speelskool Kermis & Pretdraf
📅 Fri. 20 March 2026 | From 16:00 📍 Blaauwklippen Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
An afternoon of family fun, fresh air and scenic vineyard routes. Choose between 2.5km, 4km or 8km - or simply cheer from the sidelines 🎟 From R20 - Enter on the day

Winelands Light Railway - Family Fun Day
📅 Weekends | 9-4:30pm 📍 Winelands Light Railway, R304, Stellenbosch
Miniature trains, obstacle courses, giant chess and animal encounters - an easy, affordable weekend outing for the whole family 🎟 From R90

Quiz Night at Val de Vine
📅 Every Wednesday | 6:30pm 📍 Val de Vine Guest Farm, Winelands
Midweek trivia with Buy 1 Get 1 FREE pizza and bottomless draft beer. Competitive fun meets proper pizza energy 📞 Book your team

XTERRA South Africa
📅 27 Feb - 1 Mar 📍 Grabouw Country Club, Elgin Valley
Trail run, MTB and off-road triathlon energy collide for a full XTERRA SA race weekend Expect race village vibes, expo energy and elite off-road action in the Elgin Valley. 🎟 Info here

TITAN Obstacle Course Run | Stellenbosch #1
📅 Sat. 28 Mar 📍 Stellenbosch
Trail running meets mud, grit and serious obstacle energy. TITAN Obstacle Course Racing delivers a high-adrenaline challenge with multiple distance options, individual or team entries and obstacles designed to test strength and stamina. 🎟 Entry from R20-R425 - Enter here

Run The Vines #3
📅 Sat. 28 Feb | From 7:15am 📍 Anura Vineyards, Klapmuts
Vineyard views, flowing trails and distances for everyone - from 3km to 17km. Morning miles done right. 🎟 Enter here

Muratie Sunset / Full Moon Hike
📅 Sun. 1 Mar | From 5:15pm 📍 Muratie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
Hike as the sun sets and the full moon rises, with wine waiting at the lookout. A magical Sunday reset 🎟 From R80 - book here

Move With Grace
📅 Sat. 7 Mar | 8-5pm 📍 Leopard’s Leap Wine Estate, Franschhoek
A full-day wellness gathering centred around movement, balance and connection. This year’s theme: Homeostasis. 🎟 From R750 - Tickets here

Flagstone February Food & Wine Pop-Up
📅 27-28 Feb | From 12:00 📍 Flagstone Tasting Room, Paardevlei, Somerset West
Close off February with a relaxed Food & Wine Pop-Up featuring seasonal dishes by Chefs Mark and Mo, thoughtfully paired with Flagstone wines. 🎟 From R100 - More info here

Boschendal Friday Night Market
📅 Fri. 27 Feb | 6-9pm 📍 Boschendal Estate, Franschhoek
Good food, award-winning wine and live music under the stars. Bring a blanket and make a night of it 🎟 Free entry

Oyster & Wine Pairing at Cavalli
📅 Wed-Sun | 11-3pm 📍 Cavalli Estate, Somerset West
Tempura, grilled and citrus-bright oysters paired with Cavalli wines for a playful, indulgent tasting experience 🎟 R295 pp - info here

End of Harvest Celebration Dinner
📅 Wed. 4 Mar | From 5pm 📍 Mila Restaurant at Doolhof Wine Estate, Wellington
Celebrate the close of harvest season with an evening of good food, flowing wine and live music in true Winelands style. Enjoy a harvest platter, unlimited Doolhof Mountain Range wines (until 9pm) and relaxed midweek vibes 🎟 R450 pp - Book here

Weber Braai Speelkamer
📅 Wed. 18 Mar | 6pm 📍 Kantien, Stellenbosch
The first-ever Weber Braai Speelkamer lands in Stellenbosch - a masterclass-style evening of live braai demonstrations followed by a delicious 3-course feast. Expect fire, flavour and hands-on inspiration from the Speelkamer team. 🎟 R950 pp - 📧Email here

Muratie Summer Wine Down Dinner
📅 Fri. 20 Mar | 6pm 📍 Muratie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
An intimate five-course harvest dinner paired with Muratie’s award-winning wines, live music and sunset vineyard views 🎟 R950 pp - Book here

Meet the Makers: Chilli & Wine Festival
📅 Sat. 21 March 2026 | From 11am 📍 Banhoek Chilli Farm
Wine tastings, artisan chilli producers and bold local flavour in one relaxed festival setting 🎟 Tickets here

Al Fresco Sunday Lunch at La Paris Bistro
📅 Every Sunday | From 12:00 📍 Franschhoek
Family-style feasting under the trees - long lunches that turn into tradition 🎟 R525 pp

National Pizza Day Special at STEEN
📅 Weekdays | From 12:00 📍 Perdeberg Cellar, Paarl
Wood-fired pizzas for just R100. The perfect midweek Winelands lunch.

Quoin Rock Harvest Long Table Experience
📅 Sat. 28 Mar 📍 Quoin Rock Wine Estate, Simonsberg
Expect a luxurious long-table dining experience with a harvest menu curated by Chef Edmund, premium open-fire meats, curated Quoin Rock & Knorhoek wines, live jazz and a scenic vineyard jeep transfer at golden hour. Dress code: all white. 🎟 R4 000 pp - Here

BotFest 2026
📅 Sat. 28 Mar | 12:30-9pm 📍 Gabriëlskloof Wine Estate, Bot River
Expect 20+ local producers, walkabout tastings, gourmet food stalls, intimate terroir sessions and live music by Sons of Selassie. Good people. Unforgettable wines. A proper harvest celebration 🎟 R800 pp - Info here

Lekker Network Summit 2026
📅 11-12 Mar | 8-6pm 📍 Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West
The first annual Lekker Network Summit brings together 300 South Africans and friends of SA from across the globe for two powerful days of insight, impact and connection. 🎟 Info here

🚨 Together for a Safer Campus - Stellenbosch University
A timely reminder from Stellenbosch University for students and residents to stay alert and make use of campus safety services.

✔️ Avoid isolated areas
✔️ Stick to preferred 24-hour security routes
✔️ Walk in groups, especially at night
✔️ Keep valuables out of sight

📞 24-Hour Emergency Numbers:
0800 02 58 27 (toll-free) | 021 808 2333
🚶‍♂️ Walk-With WhatsApp (18:00–06:00): 082 808 2333

Save the numbers. Share them. Stay safe.

⭐ DUSK Earns 3 Stars at the 2026 Luxe Restaurant Awards
Big congratulations to DUSK Restaurant, awarded 3 Luxe Stars, while Chef Callan took home the Culinary Innovation Award at the 2026 Luxe Restaurant Awards.

Known for boundary-pushing technique and immersive tasting menus, DUSK continues to redefine modern fine dining in Stellenbosch. A proud moment for the Winelands food scene.

🏆 Restaurant of the Year 2026 - Mertia
Mertia Restaurant has officially been named Restaurant of the Year at the 2026 Luxe Restaurant Awards.

From Best New Restaurant (2024) to Two Luxe Stars (2025) - and now the top honour - it’s been a remarkable rise for Chef Matt & Marais and their team.

Stellenbosch is setting the culinary standard. Again. 👏

(Book ahead - tables are about to be very in demand.)

Pizza Friday at Stellenbosch Play Café
📅 First Friday of every month (next: 6 March) | 4:30-8:30pm 📍 Stellenbosch
Pizza, play and wine? Yes please 🍕 Pay for one hour of play and stay for the evening, with a full pizza menu for the kids and drinks for the grown-ups. Designed for little ones aged 8 months–8 years - and very happy parents 🎟 Book here

Playrock 5km Walk & Fun Run
📅 Sat. 21 Mar | 8am 📍 Wemmershoek Road (R301), Freedom Village, Paarl
A feel-good 5km walk or fun run for the whole community - perfect for little legs and grown-up strides alike. Entry includes a FREE Sadie coffee or juice. Bring the family, invite the friends and kick off your Saturday with movement and good vibes 🎟 R50 entry

Blaauwklippen 6-Bottle Summer Collection
💸 R799 | 🚚 Free Delivery | 📦 Delivered to your door

Stock up for warm Winelands days with this beautifully curated six-bottle collection from Blaauwklippen 🍷 Enjoy:
• 2 x crisp Sauvignon Blanc
• 2 x classic Chenin Blanc
• 2 x refreshing House of Zin Rosé

Perfect for relaxed evenings, easy entertaining and moments worth celebrating - all for just R799 (with free delivery included).

Sip summer, wherever you are 🌞
👉 Order here

A mixed bag to close out the week - light showers Thursday morning and again over the weekend, with Saturday PM and Sunday AM looking a little damp.

But the real sweet spot? Friday (26° & sunny) is your golden day ☀️ And if you can hold out, Monday and Tuesday are looking beautifully bright and warm again - perfect for lunches and sunset drinks.

💪🏼 Here’s your reminder: it’s the smallest habits that create the biggest shifts.

Stop overcomplicating it. Pick 3-5 simple non-negotiables (think steps, protein, strength sessions, sleep), and be relentlessly consistent. Do that for 30 days and you’ll feel stronger, leaner and clearer than chasing any complicated, expensive routine that was never designed for your real life.

Simple. Repeatable. Powerful. 🤍

Crispy base. Crunchy greens. Big flavour.

This Chopped Salad Pizza is fresh, punchy and just the right amount of indulgent - easy enough for a weeknight and impressive enough for friends! 👌🏽

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