Wine on the River: The Perfect Excuse for a Romantic Getaway

Imagine enjoying your favorite wine, with good friends and award-winning winemakers, on the banks of the Breede River. The Robertson Wine Valley is hosting its annual ‘Wine on the River’ festival in partnership with Nedbank.

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The weekend should definitely be the highlight of any wine enthusiasts social calendar. Locals and visitors can expect to unwind, enjoy the fresh country air and the most amazing scenery while enjoying an array of fine wines, delightful treats and great music.

What you can expect

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On the weekend, the valleys most talented winemakers, innovative craftspeople and inspiring chefs, from Ashton, Bonnievale and Mcgregor will congregate on the Goudmyn Farm, to treat festival goers with the best the Robertson Wine Valley has on offer. This includes wine tasting, pairing and various other treats, from over 30 wineries.

Interactive Experiences

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The Cape Wine Academy will host interactive wine tastings alongside local winemakers in #TasteTheLifestyle tent overlooking the river. The interactive experience cost R80 per person and tickets need to be pre-booked on QKR. If you just started your wine journey, the interactive experience is perfect for you. Those who long for a more immersive experience can even hop aboard a wine safari truck.

Winemakers, from the Robertson Wine Valley, will be conducting wine safaris on nearby farms, allowing festival-goers to journey through the vineyards while learning more about the terroir, underground cellars, and the history behind the bottle. Tickets for this experience are R150 per person on QKR from September.

Events at the festival

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What is a good wine without entertainment? Wine on the River along with Nedbank have pulled out all the stops to ‘float your boat’ on the weekend. The infamous country market will be present throughout the weekend, making sure you stock up on fresh produce and souvenirs to remember your ‘wine on the river’ experience. If you’re worried about the kids, there will be a designated children’s area for all ages. The annual Duck Derby will take place this year and all the proceeds from the initiative will be going towards the Zolani Youth Choir. The Viljoensdrift boat cruises a favorite among festival goers and offers leisure river trips for the whole family, in aid of the Breede river hospice. If you’d like a birds-eye view of the festival and the Robertson Wine Valley, helicopter rides is an option too.

Camping or Glamping?

For the ultimate experience, Wine on the river will be offering a glamping experience for couples. The glamping weekend package includes shared tented accommodation for two people, for the festival weekend (26-27 October), 2x weekend passes, 2x boat cruises, a shuttle to and from the campsite on Saturday, interactive wine tasting and a complimentary bottle of wine from the Robertson Wine Valley.

Worried about drinking and driving?

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Robertson Wine Valley, the Wine on the River festival and Nedbank do not endorse drinking and driving and recognize this act as a crime, punishable by law. Therefore, a zero tolerance policy will be upheld during the festival to ensure festival goers practice safe indulgence.

The good news is that there will be shuttles running throughout the festival at a cost. The shuttle will run from central spots in Robertson, Mcgregor, Montagu and Bonnievale. Since there is limited parking available, car-pooling is recommended.

For more information, visit the Wine on the River website or follow them on Instagram and Twitter. 

Most travelers opt for car hire to accommodate their trip. You should book with your car rental quite early to avoid disappointment.