Each year, as summer turns to autumn, the vineyards of the Western Cape come alive with the excitement of harvest season. From Stellenbosch and Franschhoek to Paarl and Robertson, winemakers and farmworkers gather to pick the grapes that will define the year’s vintage. This period, typically from late January to April, marks the coming together of months of vineyard care and the start of the winemaking process.
Harvest festivals across the region offer visitors a chance to experience this tradition. Wineries and estates host grape stomping, cellar tours, wine tastings, and food pairings, celebrating both the harvest and the people behind the wines. These festivals showcase the Western Cape’s wonderful viticultural heritage while bringing communities together in a spirit of joy and appreciation. This harvest season is the perfect time to explore the heart of South Africa’s wine country!
Durbanville Hills Harvest Tour
Durbanville Hills invites wine enthusiasts to a hands-on harvest experience, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process. Guests set off on a guided cellar tour, tasting fermenting juice from the tanks and sampling wines straight from the barrel. The experience continues with a glass of Durbanville Hills sparkling wine and provides insights into the work and production behind each vintage.
Guests can also take part in a wine blending session, creating and bottling their own personalised red wine. The experience ends with a meal: an elegant two-course dinner at The Tangram for evening guests or a relaxed tapas-style lunch at The Olive Grove on Saturdays.
Cost: R525
When: Various dates between 5 Feb 2025 & 15 Mar 2025
Where: Durbanville Hills Wine Estate, Tygerberg Valley Rd, Cape Farms, Cape Town
Harvest Celebration at Quoin Rock
Quoin Rock’s Harvest Celebration is an exclusive series of monthly events from February to April, celebrating the harvest season with fine wine, artisanal cuisine, and live music.
Guests are transported from the Quoin Rock Wine Lounge to a secluded vineyard location set against the stunning backdrop of the Simonsberg mountains and Knorhoek Valley, where they dine and celebrate before returning. The harvest table features seasonal dishes, infused with smoky flavours from the braai, all paired with Quoin Rock’s signature wines.
Tickets for this event include food, live entertainment wine, and transfers, with limited availability.
Cost: R3250
When: 13 Feb 2025, 13 Mar 2025 & 10 Apr 2025
Where: 7600 Knorhoek Rd, Stellenbosch
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Hands-on Harvesting at Soetmelksvlei
Guests are invited to experience traditional 19th-century winemaking methods in a hands-on, authentic setting. Under the guidance of skilled vintners, participants hand-sort grape bunches and crush them underfoot to extract juice, continuing the process in a historic cellar.
After the winemaking activity, guests enjoy a hearty harvest table lunch featuring heritage dishes from the Cape Winelands. The event includes transportation to the vineyard, participation in winemaking, and a meal at the Old Stables Restaurant. With only 12 spots available, advance booking is essential, and guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for the occasion.
Cost: R1100
When: 13, 14, 15, 27 & 28 Feb 2025
Where: Babylonstoren Wine Estate, Klapmuts – Simondium Rd, Simondium
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Darling Cellars Crush Day
This family-friendly event offers guests the chance to experience the harvest season through activities like grape picking, stomping, tractor rides, and live music. Guests are welcomed with a glass of grape must, followed by a delicious breakfast and lunch, making it a day of great food and winemaking traditions.
In addition to the harvest activities, the event features entertainment for all ages, with special activities for children to ensure a memorable experience for the whole family. Each guest also receives a bottle of wine as a keepsake. Crush Day is a celebration of harvest, bringing together wine lovers for a fun, festive day.
Cost: Adults: R400 | Teenagers: R300 | Children: R200
When: 1 Mar 2025
Where: Darling Cellars, Mamre Weg Station, R315, Darling
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Excelsior Wine Estate Hands-On Harvest
Excelsior Wine Estate’s Hands-On Harvest experience immerses guests in the winemaking process, starting with a traditional South African breakfast of mosbolletjies and coffee. Guests then head into the vineyards to hand-pick and stomp grapes.
After the vineyard experience, guests enjoy a guided tasting of six Excelsior wines, a cellar tour, and a blending workshop to create their own custom wine. The day concludes with a harvest table buffet featuring seasonal dishes. This interactive experience offers wine lovers a unique opportunity to engage with the winemaking tradition in a beautiful, educational setting.
Cost: Adults: R500 | Children: R250
When: 15 Mar 2025
Where: Excelsior Wine Estate, R317, Robertson
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Solms-Delta Oesfees
The Solms-Delta Wine Company Oesfees is an annual celebration of the Cape’s cultural heritage, uniting farm workers, landowners, and guests for a day of music, food, and wine. This beloved tradition, since 2008, features traditional Boland Rural music and kaapsekos, marking the end of the harvest season.
Guests can enjoy live performances from artists like Emo Adams, Koos Kombuis, and Schalk Joubert, along with a variety of local food vendors and wines available for purchase. While no seating is provided, attendees are encouraged to bring picnic blankets or camping chairs. A wide selection of beverages, including soft drinks and water, is available throughout the event.
Cost: Adults: R200 | Children U12: Free
When: 29 Mar 2025
Where: 4XPR+JG, Franschhoek
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Lekker Italy: End of Harvest Celebration
This two-day festival at Ayama Farm celebrates the end of the harvest season, focusing on Cape Italian artisanal food and wine. It features small producers with high-quality Italian-inspired products made in South Africa. Guests can explore a curated market with authentic flavours, family-run businesses, and handcrafted goods, all set to live music.
Ticket prices include festival entry, a branded wine bag and glass, and a welcome drink. Guests can try Italian-style wines, meet local winemakers, and enjoy a weekend filled with food, culture, and music. Unreserved seating is available, and guests can bring camp chairs or picnic blankets. Leashed dogs are welcome.
Cost: Adults: R150 | Children U16: Free
When: 29 & 30 Mar 2025
Where: Ayama Farm, Paardeberg Road, Windmeul
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Find out more about top wine farms in the Western Cape
