Wine Festivals in Cape Town 2023
In Cape Town, any time is wine time! This makes exploring and tasting your way through the beautiful Cape Winelands one of the top things to do in Cape Town all year-round. Home to the largest, and certainly the most unique, wine producing region in Africa, the Western Cape is any wine lover’s dream come true.
In addition to world-renowned Wine Estates and incredible wine tasting experiences, the Western Cape is host to a variety of fabulous and exciting wine festivals. Here are some of the top Wine Festivals in Cape Town taking place in 2023.
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May 2023: Cape Town Wine Festivals
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#Cabernet Franc Carnival 2023 at Vrede en Lust

- Date: Saturday, 27 May 2023
- Time: 11am – 4pm
- Venue: Vrede en Lust Wine Estate | Intersection R45 and Simondium-Klapmuts Roads, Franschhoek Wine Route, Simondium
- Cost: R350 per person | Cost includes glass, all tastings, live music, R60 food voucher (no tickets for children or designated drivers available).
- Event Organiser: Contact Bjorn van Oort at [email protected] / 084 511 1806 for more information
- Ticket Cost: From R350
- Tickets: Click here to get your ticket / tickets
Cabernet Franc lovers are invited to Vrede en Lust Wine Farm for the 5th Cabernet Franc Carnival on Saturday 27 May 2023. This exclusive wine event has been taking place annually since 2017 (bar Covid-19) and is annually attended by fans of this exiting wine varietal.
With over 75 South African producers of single varietal Cab Franc’s, we have secured in excess of 20 wineries to showcase their products at this classy event.
Guests will be able to taste approximately 30 different Cabernet Francs from various wine regions in South Africa, typifying specific characteristics of each region and providing the perfect Cabernet Franc(s) for every palate.
Guests will receive a crystal wine glass and a R60 food voucher, which can be redeemed for some finger food or as part of their bill at Lust Bistro at Vrede en Lust. Light music and comfortable seating will be provided in the beautiful gardens of Vrede en Lust. In the event of inclement weather, seating will be moved into the Vineyard Hall on the Estate and under a Bedouin tent.
#Shiraz and Charcuterie

- Date: 27 May 2023
- Time: 11am – 4pm
- Venue: Anthonij Rupert Wine, Franschhoek
- Ticket cost: R295
- Ticket: Click here to get your ticket / tickets
Shiraz and Charcuterie; a culinary match made in heaven! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience this well-matched pair at this year’s Shiraz & Charcuterie at Anthonij Rupert Wyne in Franschhoek on Saturday, 27 May (11am to 4pm). Kids welcome, under 18s come in free (please note there is no kids entertainment)
The perfect excuse to sample Anthonij Rupert Wyne’s range of Shiraz wines. Joining these wines will be a selection of SA’s finest Syrahs paired with mouth-watering charcuterie and other delicious artisanal fare. Participating producers, amongst others, include Rust en Vrede, Waterford, Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, Hartenberg Estate, Simonsig and Thelema.
#The Grape Escape Wine Festival

- Date: 28 May 2023
- Time: 2pm
- Venue: Steenberg Golf Club
- Ticket cost: R500
- Ticket: Click here to get your ticket / tickets
- **Click here for more information
The Grape Escape Wine Festival escape’s the norm by exploring a different selection of wines. Guests are treated to a fine selection of diverse and enticing wines from Chenin Blanc along with captivating Rhone varieties such as Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Gamay Noir, Mouvedre, Rousanne, Clairette Blanche, Carignan, Syrah and others. Delicious snacks will be served with the wines through the course of the evening.
#Elgin Railway Wine Festival

- When: 27 May – 28 May 2023
- Event by: Elgin Railway Market
- Where: Elgin Railway Market
- Time: May 27 at 11am – May 28 at 4pm
- Tickets: Click here to get your ticket / tickets NOW!
It’s time to taste cool wine! Yes Elgin’s cool climate wine that is! The Elgin Railway Wine festival is taking place this weekend in Cape Town on the 27th and 28th of May at the Elgin Railway Market.
They’re pulling the cork on Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, elegantly blended reds, Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, and most definitely Pinot Noir.
Come and taste, sip, and enjoy sensational wine from some of the Cape’s best wine estates who will all be at the Elgin Railway Market. There will also be a delicious and abundance selection of artisanal foods available to go with your wine.
Grab your tickets now! Each ticket gives you 12 wine tastings and a free glass – How incredible is that? What are you waiting for? Book your designated driver (or make use of a driving service app), and sip, taste, and enjoy incredible wines, food, and a great atmosphere with family and friends.
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June 2023: Cape Town Wine Festivals
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#Pick n Pay Winemakers Table Virtual Tasting – Paul Clüver

- Date: 8 June 2023
- Time: 6pm
- Venue: Virtual Tasting | Online
- Ticket cost: R700 – R850
- Ticket: Click here to get your ticket / tickets
- **Click here for more information about the event
Join us at our virtual Winemakers Table Wine and Food Pairing in association with Paul Clüver where we’ll pair incredible wine with delicious food.
Pick n Pay Wine Club members, get R100 off your ticket and pay R600 for 2 people
Your ticket includes a pairing pack which consists of:
• A bottle of Paul Clüver Family Wines Estate Chardonnay 750ml and a bottle of Paul Clüver Family Wines Estate Pinot Noir 750ml
• All the ingredients for the dishes. Please note: the food may contain nuts
What’s on the menu:
- Starter: Burnt orange, bocconcini and honey brioche bruschetta topped with salted candied mixed nuts and fresh orange zest
- Main: Creamy confit garlic orzo pasta topped with parmesan shavings, toasted walnuts, exotic wild mushrooms, crispy coppa and Crafted Collection infused olive oil
Delivery of the pairing packs will only be made within 50kms of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban.
#Chenin Family Festival | Chenin Blanc Festival

- Date: 10 June 2023
- Time: 8am – 4pm
- Venue: Backsberg Family Wines, Main Road, R45, Franschhoek
- Cost: R190 per person (under 18s free – Chenin Safari and fun ride participants also enter free) | Cost includes glass, all tastings, live music, lawn games and children’s entertainment | Food and soft drinks available for purchase from Backsberg wines
- Ticket cost: From R190
- Ticket: Click here to get your ticket / tickets | If you want to join in the MTB fun ride before the tasting, please click here to sign up
Discover the magic of South African Chenin Blanc at the annual #DrinkChenin event on Saturday 10th June hosted by Backsberg Family Wines. This exclusive event brings together 20 premium producers from across South Africa’s wine regions to showcase their best Chenin Blancs.
But that’s not all. If you’re a cycling enthusiast, join us for the final #cheninsafari fun ride around the Franschhoek valley before returning back to Backsberg Family Wines to enjoy the festivities with your family and friends.
Guests will receive a Chenin Blanc wine glass on arrival and can enjoy live music, comfortable seating, lawn games for children, and mouth-watering food for sale throughout the day. All of this takes place in the stunning grounds of Backsberg Family Wines, offering breath-taking views of the majestic Franschhoek mountains.
Experience the beauty of this magnificent grape in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, where you can mingle with wine enthusiasts and enjoy the best of South African hospitality. In case of inclement weather, seating will be moved into the Old Road Distillery next to Backsberg Family Wines.
Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to taste some of the finest Chenin Blancs from leading producers in South Africa.
Get your tickets now for just R190 per person, which includes all tastings, live music, lawn games, and children’s entertainment. Soft drinks and delicious food are available for purchase from Backsberg Family Wines. Children must stay under parental supervision; no tasting for under 18s.
If you want to join in the MTB fun ride before the tasting, please click here to sign up.
#Calitzdorp Expressed 2023

- Date: 16 June – 18 June 2023
- Event by: Calitzdorp Expressed | 1 Van Riebeeck Street, Calitzdorp
- Time: 8:30am – 4pm
- Venue: Calitzdorp Tourism
- Contact details: For more info, contact: [email protected]
The Calitzdorp EXPRESSED Festival is an EXPRESSION of all our lovely town has to offer across 31 venues.
From our award-winning wineries, delectable restaurants, quirky pubs, shops, and bakeries. It showcases local talent, from artists to musicians and dancers.
Jakals Events will be hosting a trail run meandering through our lovely landscape from De Krans Cellars on Saturday, 17 June 2023. ~5km, 9km, and 21 km ~ Click here to enter.
As the sun sets gloriously as it does in the Klein Karoo, you can either kick up your heels and party or sip delicious local “port” around a fire.
There will be a lifestyle, arts crafts and food market, Church bazaar, live music and entertainment, phenomenal food, wonderful wines, eclectic art, amazing history and culture, and so much more! This festival certainly has something for everyone!
Get the Passport to benefit from great deals, which include food and drink discounts, free farm-style transport and competition entries, as well as a goodybag filled with – you guessed it – goodies! Passports (tickets) are available for purchase on Quicket and are valid for all 3 days of the festival.
- Adult passport: R250
Benefits for passport holders exclusively include:
- An Epic Calitzdorp Expressed Goodie bag with festival wine glass and other goodies, spot prizes, and competition entries.
- Hop-on hop-off farmstyle transport Die Wyn Treintjie – Calitzdorp & Du’SwaRoo
- Klein Karoo Breakfast R50 Calitzdorp Tuinateljee
- 1x Free Melktertjie shooter, Gratis toegang, Buy 2 Pizzas – Take away box R180 Die Bosvarkie
- Bottomless Port at a special price Zamani Grill
- 5% Discount on Full Boxes Purchased, 4x Wine tasting tokens Calitzdorp Cellars
- 10% Discount on your bill (Open for dinner only) @The Kombuis
- 1x Free Sherry per passport, Free entry to Live music shows x2 / Rugby on the big screen The Station – Calitzdorp, Western Cape
- 1x Free filter coffee Karoo Life Bed & Breakfast
- 10% Discount on all sales Oude Huis innie Klein Karoo
- Wine tasting tokens included – 4 Wines and 1x Spirit Boplaas Family Vineyards
- Wine tasting tokens included – 4 Wines De Krans Wines
- Wine tasting tokens included – 4 Wines TTT Cellars
- 10% Discount on MOERSE burgers Ebenharts Restaurant
- 10% Discount on Uitkyk Gourmet Burgers Uitkyk Eatery
- 1x free glass of port with every meal Porto Deli Restaurant
- Free pudding & Port- NG Church Calitzdorp
Need we say more? See you there!
#Tulbagh Christmas in Winter

- Date: 24 June – 25 June 2023
- Time: 10am – 4pm
- Venue: 4 Church Street, Tulbagh
- Ticket cost: Adults: R180 p/p (wine glass included) | R120 (without wine glass) | 13 – 17 years old: R50 p/p | Under 13: No charge
- Ticket: Click here to get your ticket / tickets
Christmas once again comes early this year as Tulbagh dons its winter cape in the month of June and welcomes the rest of the country to join them for a weekend extravaganza of wonderful winter warmers.
Marvel at the array of Christmas trimmings and glittering lights, browse through the arts, crafts, art galleries and quaint shops. Enjoy cheese, and olive tastings. Jumping castle, face painting, pony rides, tractor trips are just some of the activities that will keep the little ones entertained. A scenic tractor trip up the historic Oudekloof Pass has interesting stops along the way. Enjoy a scenic outride on horseback and experience the beauty and tranquility of nature or go on a Zipslide adventure further down the Valley.
Join the winemakers and their staff for wine tastings, cellar tours and a variety of activities which will be on offer. Enjoy roaring log fires, glittering Christmas trees, winter warmer lunches and traditional Christmas fare and dinners at our world-class restaurants and coffee shops. The Winterland Blues Festival has also become a firm favourite and will be held at The Bike Forge!
Saturday tickets are valid for both Saturday & Sunday!!
#De Hoop’s Annual Wine, Whales & Music
- Date: 23 June – 25 June 2023
- Time: June 23 @ 2pm – June 25 @ 2pm
- Venue: The De Hoop Reserve | Click here for more information on the location & how to get to the De Hoop Reserve
- Cost: R2580
- Contact details / Booking details: 021 422 4522 | [email protected] | [email protected]
- **Click here to find out everything you need to know about the event