South Africa’s Wine Birthday: An Annual Celebration Not to Be Missed
Ever popular and steeped in heritage, wine plays an integral role in Cape Town’s past and present, with the region being amongst the world’s foremost wine producers. The wine industry is one of the country’s most successful agricultural sectors, aiding in enhancing tourism, fostering local businesses, creating jobs, and empowering communities. Therefore, One&Only Cape Town looks forward to once more celebrating the notable birth of wine in South Africa, 366 years after the first bottle was crafted in the Cape. An annual affair taking place every 2nd of February, the resort celebrates this historic event with a weekend of festivities to commemorate the occasion.
Dubbed ‘South Africa’s Wine Birthday’, the weekend of events draws in a remarkable number of winemakers, wine enthusiasts, and connoisseurs from across the Cape region to celebrate not only the industry but its rich heritage and the exquisite wines it has produced. South Africa holds the unique distinction of knowing the exact date of when the first bottle of wine was created. Diarised by then Governor of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck, on 2 February 1659, when he wrote “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes,” forever engraving the historic moment in history.
A collection of 22 wine farms from across the province, including favourites from Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Constantia and even Wellington, will come together under one banner to celebrate the art of wine and the wine estates of all creeds, sizes and specialties that make this elixir possible. When asked on the significance of the day, One&Only Cape Town’s Head Sommelier, Luvo Ntzeo said, “This day is the foundation of wine heritage; it’s the day it all started. To so many, wine is a lot more than a mere beverage. It has roots in our heritage, our culture, our identity and it has found a home in the history books of South Africa.”
The festivities have grown to new heights, promising an event even bigger and better than before. Beginning on Friday, 31 January and lasting till the eve of Saturday, 1 February, guests can enjoy a bespoke Wine Pairing in ROOI of One&Only Cape Town’s exclusive Wine Collection alongside a unique menu from Resort Executive Chef Terrence Ford. The main event occurs on Sunday, unfolding on the Vista deck as the true wine birthday celebrations begin. The water canals that surround the resort provide the perfect setting to enjoy the natural environment and time with loved ones filled with laughter and conversation as sparkling as the Cap Classique being sipped on. Roaming canapes will make their way through the crowds, including charcuterie boards, bite-sized desserts, lamb on the spit, fresh oysters and more. Every dish has been specifically chosen to complement the featured wine farms, ensuring that every bite harmonizes with the accompanying wine. An extensive number of wine farms will be present on the day, from renowned classics to little known boutiques and everything in between, to allow for exploration of lesser-known or travelled farms as well as a free-flow of wine amongst partygoers and plenty of wine-related activities to enjoy. With live music, art, and fashion adding to the ambiance, the celebration continues as the sunset casts a golden glow, reminiscent of a ripe harvest.
One&Only Cape Town is proud to once again lead the cheers with this annual celebration in the city, curating a space for tourists and locals to come together in celebration, toasting to the legacy of the winemakers, the wine farms and the wines, both past and present.