14 & 15 July 2012
The Franschhoek Wine Valley, South Africa’s leading wine and food destination, will once again be hosting the annual Bastille Festival over the weekend of the 14th and 15th July, where locals and visitors will be celebrating the Valley’s centuries-old French Huguenot heritage.
Adding a new dimension to this year’s activities visitors to the festival will have the opportunity to meet French winemakers from the Rhône-Alps Region in France, who will be showcasing some of their finest wines. These wines will be available for tasting in a specially demarcated VIP marquee, adjacent to the main marquee.
Some of the French winemakers making an appearance include:
• Gilles Barge, Domaine Barge (Cote Rotie, Condrieu)
• Jean Luc Monteillet, Domaine De Montine (Grignan Les Adhemar, Cotes Du Rhone, Vinsobres)
• Gilles Verzier, Vignobles Verzier, Chanteperdrix (Cote Rotie, Condrieu, Saint Joseph)
• Nadia Fayolle, Domaine Des Martinelles (Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage)
• Yves Cuilleron, Cave Cuilleron (Cote Rotie, Condrieu)
• André Mercier, Vignerons Ardechois (Vins D’ Ardeche, Cotes Du Rhone, Cotes Du Vivarais)
• Michel Veerspet, Château Destin (Grignan Les Adhemar)
• Dominique Courbis, (St Joseph, Cornas)
• Yann Chave, Domaine Yann Chave (Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage)
• Pierre Mollier, Mas De Bagnols (Ardeche, Cotes Du Vivarais)
• Laurent Vial, Domaine Du Colombier (Crozes Hermitage, Hermitage)
Tickets to the VIP marquee cost R350 per person and include a tasting of the French wines as well as a delicious platter of French inspired food. This ticket will also allow you access to the Food and Wine Marquee. Visitors can also look forward to special public tastings presented by these winemakers, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday morning. Refer to the website for more details.
The Food and Wine Marquee, which will be located closer to the village this year, is open from 12pm until 5pm, and as always is the focal point of attracting visitors to the hub of activity. Taking a leisurely stroll, festival goers will be treated to a selection of stalls and activities as they make their way to the marquee.
A popular meeting place, the marquee allows visitors the chance to meet up with friends while enjoying fine wines from some of Franschhoek’s award-winning wine estates, and indulge in mouth-watering dishes created by the Valley’s highly acclaimed chefs.
An R150 per person entrance fee allows you access to the Food and Wine Marquee, which includes a tasting glass and a complimentary booklet of tasting coupons. Thereafter all tastings will be charged on consumption. Tickets to the marquee, as well as the VIP area, can be purchased directly through www.webtickets.co.za, but hurry as tickets are limited. Once the venues are full no further patrons will be admitted.
Not forgetting other major festival attractions, which include boules – the largest and longest running boules competition of its kind, The Waiters’ Race, the Franschhoek minstrel parade, fencing, as well as the popular barrel-rolling contest. A farmers’ market, craft market stalls, musicians and children’s activities are also included in the line up of festival celebrations. Visitors to Marche de Franschhoek, located in the Town Hall, can look forward to an array of French and French inspired food and lifestyle products.
For those wanting to appreciate French heritage in comfort, the Screening Room at Le Quartier Français will be screening French movies throughout the weekend. Franschhoek’s award-winning restaurants will also be offering special menus exclusively prepared for the festival.
Turn this social calendar highlight into a weekend of discovery. Book into one of the town’s luxuriously quaint, yet affordable B&B’s or guest houses, and discover all that Franschhoek has to offer. This should also allow you ample time for a leisurely stroll down the main road, uncovering world-class shops and boutiques, allowing for an intimate and relaxed shopping experience.
What better way to paint the town red, white and blue. Not forgetting, it’s the only time of the year you’ll be forgiven for wearing a beret.
For more information as well as details about special Bastille events planned for 13 July contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices on 021 876 2861. For regular updates follow us on Twitter at #fhkbastille.
ENQUIRIES : Darielle Robertson
Events Manager
Franschhoek Wine Valley
Tel: 021 876 2861
Email: events@franschhoek.org.za
