5 reasons not to miss Plett's wine fest

The third annual Sasfin Plett Wine and Bubbly Festival will take place over the weekend of October 8 and 9 at Plettenberg Bay’s Central Beach, and the organisers have put together five reasons they think you really shouldn’t miss it: 1. The festival is on Plett’s Central Beach The beaches of Plettenberg Bay are famous for being some of the most beautiful in the country and the festival action is right on the edge of Plett’s popular Central Beach – so you can sip, stroll and enjoy the views across the bay of Robberg and the Tsitsikamma Mountains. 2. Plett’s award-winning wines Plett, as an official wine of origin region, is still relatively new to the wine industry. You can taste the products from 10 of Plett’s wine farms at the festival – sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir and méthode cap classique. You can chat to the wine makers and taste their award-winning wines. 3. Tastes of Plett What would good wine and bubbly be without delicious food? The festival pairs some of Plett’s most popular restaurants from the town and from the farms themselves to bring a truly local taste sensation to the festival. Eat local and drink local with artisan cheeses, charcuterie and breads, sushi, savouries and – of course – succulent coastal oysters. 4. Tour de Plett Cyclists will be pleased to know that the popular Tour de Plett MTB race will take place over the same weekend – in fact, riders will finish in front of the festival venue. Enjoy a day of mountain biking along spectacular tracks and trails, including three floating bridges. 5. Robberg Xpress The Robberg Xpress Trail Run will allow trail runners and fun runners to experience Robberg Peninsula, a jewel of Plettenberg Bay. After a morning on Robberg, head down to the festival venue on Central Beach to enjoy views of that same peninsula and a glass of wine! This year the festival is also hosting a series of guest speakers in a small, intimate theatre for those wanting a wine aficionado experience. The wine farms which are taking part are: Andersons Wine; Bitou Wines; Bramon Wine Estate; Kay & Monty Vineyards; Lodestone Wine & Olives; Luka Wines; Newstead Lund Family Vineyards; Packwood Wine Estate; Plettenvale Wine Estate and Redford Lane Wines. The festival runs from 1-8pm on Saturday, and from noon until 8pm on Sunday and tickets cost R200 per person per day, with a weekend pass costing R350. All tickets include 10 wine tasting coupons, R20 discount on a bottle of wine and a commemorative glass. Additional wine coupons and food may be bought during the festival. Tickets are available online with Quicket or can be purchased from the Plett Tourism office. For more information, visit , or phone (044) 533-4065. Visit each wine farm via a link to their page on