With the festive season fast approaching, East Londoners have the opportunity to stock up on some of SA's top wines before the holiday rush.
The public is invited to unwind at the Taste of the Cape East London Christmas Wine Fair at the Beacon Bay Country Club on November 3 and 4.
Event organiser Karen Carter, from Taste of the Cape East London, is excited to offer a smaller, more intimate affair.
Carter said: "The idea is for people to come and stock up for Christmas and to purchase excellent wines for their friends and family visiting over the festive season."
Upon arrival, guests are given a tasting glass with their ticket and can peruse the wines on offer, sipping through a carefully crafted selection.
"Each ticket offers twenty tastings of whatever wines you wish, but you can buy more tasting tickets if need be."
This system ensures a respectful evening for attendees to appreciate the mastery of the craft.
"Depending on interest and the level of knowledge, the winemakers take you through the different notes, discussing the cultivar, the terroir (soil) and production of the varietal."
The intimate event hosts over ten wineries, predominantly from the Western Cape.
"I'm particularly looking forward to Swanepoel Wines, Montpellier, Somerbosch, and Peter Falke Wines — there are quite a few!"
Guests will be able to taste, talk and enjoy all things wine with leading establishments including Arendsig from Robertson, Wines of the World presented by Brazas Portuguese Fusion, Piekenierskloof wines from Citrusdal, Peter Falke Wines from Stellenbosch, Lords Wines from Mcgreggor and more.
"This is our fourth year and our first Christmas event, so we are very excited."
A delectable Meander sparkling wine will be on offer, which will pair perfectly with locally sourced oysters.
"The point of the show is to bring Western Cape wines and wines from across SA to East London, as we don't normally have that luxury."
"We did a show in May and it's always a lot of fun. We hope this one is going to be jovial!"
Peppered on the edge of the main centre, local stalls offer an array of food.
"Delicious tapas will be presented by chef Adam, curries will be available from Vishnu, Claudia will be there with her Italian cheeses, and Deep Fried Adventures will be selling their wraps."
Manager of Brazas Portuguese Fusion, Pedro Magalhaes e Silva is excited to showcase three white and three red Portuguese wines.
"When Karen phoned to ask If I would bring some Portuguese wines I said sure! I've never been to the Wine Fair before and am very excited to share Portugal's 2,000 years of winemaking wisdom."
"Hopefully what I’m trying to do is show something different. Portuguese cultivars are unique to the country, I hope people will enjoy a world of difference and enjoy what’s in the glass."
General manager of the Beacon Bay Country Club Kate Scott, 45, said there would be lots of fairy lights.
"We are planning to have a nice Christmas feel. We've been working on the décor to make it feel cosy."
Scott said the club had received numerous calls asking about the fair.
"We've had a lot of enquiries about it which is great — where they can get tickets, do we know how many people are going to come, will there be lots of wine farms."
The event can host 200 people per evening.
"You don't really get wine fairs here and it's something different, special and unique.
"Our main function room will be in the main area, with a nice tent on the lawn with a lounge area so people can chill. If the party is still going we will have a DJ after the live music, so people can stay for a jol!"
Though excited to experience the sophisticated revelry, Scott will be running a tight ship.
"I'll be working hard all night," she laughed.
• Don't Miss Out on an evening of elegance and fine wines! Join us on November 3-4, from 17h00 to 22h00, at the Beacon Bay Country Club. Secure your tickets today for R220 per person directly from Beacon Bay Country Club. This is a strictly no-under-18 event.
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