First Plett Wine Festival set to sparkle

PLETTENBERG Bay is slowly becoming more than just a popular holiday destination – by making its mark on the South African wine industry.

Since the first vines were planted there in 2000, the coastal holiday town has established a flourishing wine industry, with 16 new vineyards.

And to celebrate the award-winning wines produced in the region, the Plett Wine Growers' Association and Plett Tourism will be hosting the first Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival this weekend.

Today classified as a Wine of Origin region, Plett has a burgeoning wine industry with 16 new vineyards producing several varieties.

The festival will not only showcase 30 of the best wines of the area on Saturday and Sunday through tastings, but will also introduce visitors to the delicacies of artisanal foods and eateries on offer in the area as well as several festivities along Plett's vineyards.

"The festival is a two-day event with additional social events to choose from between October 6 and 12 to be hosted by some of the established wine estates, country lodges and adventure tourism operators," Plett Tourism spokeswoman Patty Butterworth said.

These will include cellar tours, lectures on wine making, slack-packing adventures, wine tastings, culinary lessons and mountain bike visits to the various vineyards. The weekend's entertainment lineup includes acoustic rock group Watershed. - Yolande Stander

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