With harvest festivals in full swing, the Cape’s Cool Climate region beckons for their annual Elgin Harvest Festival taking place on 18 and 19 March. Elgin Valley is mostly known for its apple farms and small wineries with a lot of heart. In the wine circles, the valley’s cool climate, proximity to the ocean, higher altitude, and fantastic soils suit the production of Pinot-Noir and Chardonnay – two of the noblest grape varietals in the world.
This family-friendly event is a great way for wine, food, and outdoor lovers to connect with passionate wineries, fruit farms, and small-scale makers while getting a taste of authentic country living. Exciting activities and experiences such as vineyard tours, fruit-picking, nature walks, live music, fun runs, and a lot more are on the roster.
We strongly suggest staying over at one of the many accommodation options in Elgin for a more relaxed experience.
HOW TO GET TICKETS
Cost vary per venue, and tickets are available from the following outlets:
– The Elgin Tourism Hub at the Peregrine Farmstall – Friday 11am to 5pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am to 4pm
– The Elgin Cool Wine Shop at the Elgin Railway Market – weekends from 9am to 4pm
– Or email Cany Bugler at comms@elgingrabouw.co.za or 083 456 2181 and Monique Walbrugh at accounts@elgingrabouw.co.za or 082 440 0733
MEDIEVAL HARVEST BANQUET
Nothing beats a vibey, themed dinner party! The highlight of the festival is a communal medieval harvest dinner experience hosted at the popular Elgin Railway Market. Live music and entertainment are confirmed, as well as dancing throughout the evening. The dining experience includes a three-course feast and welcoming drink. Join in on the theme and dress up as a maiden or knight from the Middle Ages.
Email Cany Bugler on comms@elgingrabouw.co.za or 083 456 2181 and Monique Walbrugh on accounts@elgingrabouw.co.za or 082 440 0733 to book.
PAUL WALLACE WINES
Paul Wallace Wines is giving visitors the rare opportunity over the weekend to get a taste of the winery’s Hidden Hanepoot plantings. Guests can go wild with grape stomping as well as pick their own grapes from two rows of juicy sweet fruits hidden amongst the Sauvignon Blanc grapes at R30 per kilogram.
Wine tastings are hosted with live music to set the mood. Stock up on Belgian chocolates and fresh apples while a food truck serves up treats to deal with the hunger pangs.
Be sure to check out Melanie Meyer’s art exhibition. Meyer also supervises a special children’s creative art table where the little ones can get creative. The cost is R20 per child and proceeds to go to Grabouw Animal Welfare. Cute cottage accommodation is also available.
TRAIL’S END BIKE HOTEL
For nature and adventure lovers, Trail’s End Bike Hotel is suggesting a slightly different twist to Elgin Harvest Festival with some great cycling and walking routes that are beginner and family-friendly.
Arrive at 7:30am and register for either the 10km or 25km Fun Ride. Keen walkers can take up the 5km/10km hike that includes a swim at the waterfall, so go prepared.
Ticket price holders score a FREE cappuccino, cooldrink, Saggy Stone beer, or a glass of Oak Valley wine to refuel afterward and a tour of Trails End Bike’s unique museum space with rare memorabilia.
Breakfast and lunch options are served on the verandah and garden area after your hike. Do consider their affordable room options if you’re planning on staying over.
ELGIN VINTNERS
Up for a fun wine walk in the valley? Elgin Vintners is running Harvest Wine Wobble on Saturday at 8am. This 5km fun run/walk takes place in the wine farm’s vineyards with winery pitstops. Kids are welcome to join, and tricycles and prams are all welcome.
The ticket price includes a muffin and morning coffee or Ceres juice. Unwind after your walk at the Tasting Room with a 10% discount on pizza and wine pairing. There’s a jungle gym, jumping castle, and waterslide at the tasting venue for kids. On Sunday, further wine-tasting and pizza offerings can be tried for light lunch options.
The Elgin Vintners Country House ticks all the boxes for a luxe farm stay.
ALMENKERK WINE ESTATE
Enjoy stunning contemporary architecture at Almenkerk Wine Estate, one of the most beautiful wineries in the region. They’re doing a 5km Active Almenkerk walking adventure on the vineyard. Bird lovers are in for a treat with some species spotted along the route.
The estate also offers wine tasting over the weekend where you can get up to date with their award-winning wines.
CHARLES FOX CAP CLASSIQUE ESTATE
Charles Fox Cap Classique Estate is one of the few dedicated bubbly wineries in the country.
Pop in over the weekend for tasting sessions of their wide range of MCCs. Underground cellar tours are running every hour from 10am to 3pm on both days where you can learn about the Cap Classique / Champagne method and listen to interesting harvest stories. There’s a small play area for the young ones.
ELGIN COOL WINE SHOP
Elgin Cool Wine Shop is a concept store that brings together a collection of the best wines in the region.
Over Elgin Harvest Festival weekend, the store invites guests to visit and discover the charm and uniqueness of the region’s signature pinot and chardonnay varietals. On show is an impressive line-up of Elgin’s finest wines that are delicate and sensuous on the palate while showing the complexity, length, and casual power of Chardonnay and Pinot-Noir cultivated in this region.
ELGIN RAILWAY MARKET
Elgin Railway Market is within an old apple warehouse repurposed into a bustling steampunk meets Art Deco market boasting food and craft vendors from the valley. Stock up on artisanal cheese, fresh produce, bakes, homeware, and much more. There’s a great street food offering to snack on while there. The market is open from 9am to 4pm all weekend with live music from 11am.
The original building was built in the 1940s by Italian Prisoners of War. The concrete tapered columns and curved box gutters bear testimony to the skill of those bygone craftsmen. It has been extensively renovated into a showpiece well worth a visit.
EVERSON’S CIDER
Elgin is famous for their apple farming, producing quite a few good-quality varieties. Everson’s Cider is an independent small-batch maker specialising in honest, old-school cider without all the nasties.
Visit Olive Shed at Everson’s Cider for a tasting of their wide range of craft ciders. Plus there’s a chance to win prizes If you can guess the apple varietals used for their ciders.
Relax on the deck or in the restaurant whilst tucking into the homemade apple pie while kids can play to their heart’s content on the lawn area.
HIGHLANDS ROAD WINE ESTATE
Estate owner Michael White converted an apple farm into a now thriving winery. Highlands Road Wines is renowned for its premium quality Sauvignon Blancs, Semillon, a White Bordeaux-style blend, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah – all embracing the elegant, cool climate.
The estate is open for regular tasting 10am to 4pm on both festival days. Cheese and Charcuterie platters can be ordered in advance.
Visitors are welcome to take along their own picnic and picnic blanket to enjoy and wine can be ordered from the tasting room. Well-behaved dogs can tag along for the outing. If you’re into croquet, there’s a court on the lawn where keen players can flex their physical and mental skills at the same time.
IONA WINES
Iona Wines is held in high regard by serious wine buffs. The wine farm is geared to Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir and has invested in state-of-the-art equipment as well as sustainable farming methods to deliver award-winning wines.
During the Elgin Harvest Festival, they’re hosting a tasting of 5 wines from 10am to 4pm on both days. Guests who buy any of the wines receive a complimentary tasting.
For the youngsters, huge grass area for them to play around.
LOTHIAN VINEYARDS
Luxury country accommodation doesn’t get any better at Lothian Vineyards. The wine farm offers glam villa stays but is the elegant and complex wines that take centre stage. The Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Riesling reflect the unique climate and terroir of Lothian’s vineyards.
Visit for a FREE wine tasting of the Riesling, Rose, and Noble Late Harvest wines. Further tastings of the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are going at R80pp. There’s a pizza menu available, play areas, and a swimming pool to keep the kids busy.
OAK VALLEY ESTATE
Our wines are defined by the impact of the Groenlandberg on our vineyard sites. Stylistically, wines at Oak Valley Estate reflect the fresh and cool climate and gain complexity with age. Taste a world of flavours that changes every two weeks at The Melting Pot, the winery’s onsite restaurant headed by Chef John van Zyl. The restaurant offers an a la carte menu from 12pm to 3pm on both days. Reservations are essential.
Make sure to pre-order picnic baskets to take in the balmy outdoors on their scenic lawns. A picnic blanket and drinks table is provided along with quality glassware to enjoy estate wines. Picnics start at R460 and serve two. Wines are over and above.
CHEVERELLS FARM
Cheverell’s Farm is a working apple farm and home to a country café and gift shop, as well as self-catering farm cottage accommodation.
On Saturday morning, the farm is hosting a guided tour of their orchards with a talk about the world of apples and farming. The price is R120 per adult and R30 per child under the age of 12 and includes a glass of freshly pressed apple juice, apple picking, eat as much as you like in the orchards, and 2kg of apples to take home.
Special apple harvest dishes are on our menu on both Saturday and Sunday. Treats include the farm’s signature Cheverells Apple & Frangipane tart with homemade cinnamon ice cream along with apple cake, and apple crumble alongside freshly pressed apple juices.
When: Saturday, 18 Mach & Sunday, 19 March; various times
Tel: 083 456 2181 or 082 440 0733
Email: comms@elgingrabouw.co.za or accounts@elgingrabouw.co.za
Website: elgingrabouw.co.za
Instagram: @experienceelgin
Facebook: @ExperienceElgin
