South Africa Blog

For more than 200 years the annual Oktoberfest in Munich has been a defining part of Bavarian culture and has grown to become the world’s largest festival, attracting more than five million people from around the globe to Germany each year. Attending the Oktoberfest is on the ‘bucket list’ for many, but this year South Africans will not have to travel abroad for the experience, as Oktober Bierfest is coming to Cape Town and Johannesburg.

“Oktober Bierfest is a recreation of traditional Bavarian beer festivals,” says Andrew Douglas, Director of The Entertainment Group (TEG), producers of the event. “Halls will be draped in traditional style and guests can enjoy an array of Bavarian cuisine supplied by the finest local purveyors of German food, be served by Fraulein while listening to an entertainment lineup, including live Oompah bands.”

In order to bring the taste of Germany to Oktober Bierfest, founding partner The South African Breweries Ltd (SAB), will be brewing beers exclusively for the event. “We are committed to supporting the growth of the beer category as a whole and are looking forward to brewing three special limited edition Bavarian-styled beers. For the first time ever, South Africans can enjoy Royal Bavaria Oktoberfest Bier, King Ludwig’s Munich Dunkel and Protea Edelweiss Krystal Weiss,” says Diarmaid De Burca, General Manager of Newlands Brewery, the SAB’s flagship brewery.

With the added involvement of the South-African – German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the event, the Oktober Bierfest promises to be an authentic Bavarian festival.

“We are delighted to have been chosen as the host venue for an event steeped with such rich history and tradition,” says Steve Howell, General Manager of Montecasino. “South Africa itself is a melting pot of cultures and traditions brought together by a common love of beer, and Montecasino’s Outdoor Events Area is the perfect venue to accommodate these beer-lovers of every demographic in large numbers. The inclusion of an authentic Bavarian Oktober Bierfest is a welcome addition to the annual Jozi social calendar.”

Oktober Bierfest will tour to Cape Town from 29 September to 1 October 2011 on the Village Green, Newlands Brewery and to Johannesburg from 27 to 29 October 2011 at Montecasino’s Outdoor Event Area. The event is open to both corporate functions and the public alike. For ticket sales or more information email bookings@oktoberbierfest.co.za or visit www.oktoberbierfest.co.za.

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The Endler Concert Series will continue its full 2011 programme with concerts on both 13 and 14 August. The first concert on 13 August takes place at 20:00 and features the South African born duo of Dawid Venter (flute) and Ben Schoeman (piano). Praised for his “colourful tone, brilliance and delicacy”, Venter, an alumni of Stellenbosch University, now lives in London and holds the position of Principal Flautist in the Band of Her Majesty’s Grenadier Guards. Schoeman, also living in London, won the UNISA International piano competition last year and has recently released his first solo piano CD internationally. The concert on 14 August is a violin and piano recital and takes place at 16:30. Well known South African violinist, Piet Koornhof will be accompanied by pianist Cara Kleynhans. Koornhof is a member of the Potch Trio, founder of South African Chamber Music Society and associate professor of violin at North West University. Kleynhans, a former student at Stellenbosch University has recently obtained her doctorate from the North West University in Potchefstroom.

The programme on 13 August will include the well known sonata in E minor for flute and keyboard, BWV 1034, by Bach. This will be followed by a sonata by Hendrik Hofmeyr, regarded by many to be South Africa’s finest living composer. These two sonatas will be complimented by other interesting works for flute and piano by Henri Dutilleux, Charles-Marie Widor (most well known for his famous organ toccata) and André Jolivet. On 14 August, Koonhof and Kleynhans will deliver a delightful programme of rareties for violin and piano. These will include Eduardo Toldra’s Six Sonnets, Three Nocturns Op. 16, by Nikolai Medtner and excerpts from Sergei Prokofieff’s powerful ballet, Romeo and Juliet.ay: R110 / R85, Sunday R99  / R75. Box office at the Endler Hall will open one hour before the concert for ticket sales. For further enquiries, please call the Endler Hall Concert Series on 021 808 2343 during office hours.

To find a place to stay for the duration of the concert see Stellenbosch accommodation or visit Cape Winelands accommodation for options in the region.

Wineries of Bot River celebrate together from 9 to 11 September 2011:  A fabulous weekend celebrating the advent of Spring for wine lovers, nature lovers and families to get together for the good-time event of the year with gastronomy, tastings, entertaining activities , local artists and so much more. Our line up this year kicks off with the Winemakers Selection on the 9th September 2011 to be held at  Kol Kol Mountain Lodge, Botrivier, tranquil with sweeping views of fynbos. Winemakers will be showcasing their wines revealing unique perspective on vine-to-glass progression and the personality of Bot River terroir complemented by culinary delights.  (Tickets cost R100.00).

Throughout the weekend participating Wine Estates and restaurants will announce their involvement by placing pink barrels at their entrances. Entertainment varies from horse riding, fly fishing, wine and olive oil tastings and blending, sumptuous meals, live music, pottery and art exhibitions. Entry Free. Saturday 10:00 -18:00 / Sunday 10:00 -15:00

Partygoers can shunt their cabooses over to the Bot River Station on Saturday 10th September for the Botriviera Spectacle. The theme is ‘carnival’, an excuse for guests to puff up their feathers and pimp their style for an evening of other-worldly and downright surreal entertainment. The party will be fuelled by DJ Charl who returns this year to rock the rails and steam up the venue. The loco-motion starts at 7 pm and the party will go on till late.  Tickets cost R100 and includes entry to the lucky draw and amazing giveaways.

Tickets available at Shuntin’ Shed.  Bot River is only 1.15 hours from Cape Town so whether one is visiting for a day or spending the weekend on one of the participating estates the Botriviera Spring Weekend provides an opportunity to discover and explore this fascinating area, meet the merry winemakers and enjoy their wines!

Join us and explore something out of the ordinary!
Find a place to stay at Botrivier Accommodation or see Cape Overberg accommodation for lodges nearby.

The 2008 La Motte Méthode Cape Classique has just been acknowledged as one of the National Winners for cultivar wines by the 2011 Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards.

“With the 2008 MCC Brut being only the second vintage of sparkling wine to have been released from La Motte, we are delighted by this performance”, says Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of La Motte. “Not only do we mature the wine on the lease for 29 months, but we also released just 3300 bottles, so we hold this sparkling wine very dear.” More…