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, Bot River, 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. info@kolkol.co.za

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 1.15h 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.

Anthony Hess coordinator of the race says the community is very excited to host Vladimir and many other athletes that will run this beautiful race in 2010. The athletes will traverse some of the most beautiful landscape in the Overberg -otherwise unreachable.

The Botrivier van der Stel Pass Challenge is one of the fasted growing mountain bike and road running races in the Western Cape. More importantly the race was started and developed by the community. The Theewaterskloof municipality has now come on board with assistance after discovering the potential of the race. The major Mr Punt hails this race as a true example of what can be achieved if a community stand together and fully support its growth.

The race consists of a 56km, 36km and 15km MTB and a 21km, 10km, 5km running/walking. The race is organized by the Botrivier Education Foundation (BEF) and co-hosted by the Elgin Grabouw Athletic club. The 21 and 10km routes are registered with Boland Athletic Association. All proceeds of the race are towards the BEF’s mentoring program. One thousand (1000) athletes are expected this year. The start and finish is on the historic Botrivier Station and traversed some of the most beautiful scenery in the Overberg. Athletes usually echo the true community spirit of the race evident by the close to 100 marshals servicing the various MTB and running routes.

The Medals will be issued to all finishers. Entertainment in the form of a barrel race and traditional food will be for sale. A thousand rand (R1000) lucky draw, cell phone and many other prizes can be won. Great category prizes on offer too.

For the information on the educational program or the race Anthony Hess can be contacted at 0837732574 or visit the website at www.bef.org.za

What you need to know:
Date & Time: 30th October 2010, 11:30 -15:00 (participating teams to arrive at 11:00)
Venue: Bot River  Train Station, next to the Shuntin’ Shed
Early Bird Entry Fee: R500.00 per team of 4 before Oct. 20th. Limited – 30 teams!
Entry Forms: Download Here
Races Procedure: Races are relay-style with time trials leaving the two best teams competing for the grand prize in the final race.
Prizes: The winning team wins a new wine barrel to the value of R7500.

See you there!
The wine producers of Bot River want to assist the promotion of educational excellence in Bot River and have created the annual Barrel Race to raise funds to support  catering to the needs of the Bot River Educational Foundation (BEF).
Would you rather just make a donation to BEF?
Contact: melissanelsen@gmail.com

What else to do on the day?
Bot River Van der Stel Pass Challenge organised by BEF. The events start and end at the historic Bot River Station and winds along the beautiful Van der Stel Pass and over land and farms not normally open to the public.
Cycle: 15, 36 and 57 km (MTB)
Run/walk: 21 and 10 km
Fun run/walk: 5 km
For more info and entries on the Cycle & Fun Rub & Walk, please visit the BEF website at: http://www.bef.org.za/

The community of Bot River is actively involved in investing in the future of their children. BEF  (Bot River Education Foundation)is a voluntary association established in 2005 with the aim to motivate and encourage students in the Bot River community to study in the fields of engineering, accounting and medicine by a carefully constructed mentoring programme.

The wine producers of Bot River want to assist the promotion of educational excellence in Bot River and have created the annual Barrel Race to raise funds to support  catering  to the needs of the BEF.

High school students from Bot River who excel in mathematics, accounting and physical science are placed in a mentoring programme. The programme consists of motivational mentoring and tutoring contact sessions. The role of the mentors is to visit students at home and to gather important positive or negative influences affecting their academic or psychological development. The aim is to inculcate ownership of their future and to give guidance where necessary.

Consensus was reached that although BEF is not a bursary fund, the organization will attempt where needed to financially support the students at secondary as well as tertiary level. Financial assistance however will only be given after mentoring of the chosen students by individuals within BEF in order to safe guard the investment.

Twenty two (22) students are currently enrolled in the 2010 BEF mentoring programme. Eighteen (18) are at school grade 10-12 and four (4) students are at university studying accounting, nursing and radiography. The most important achievement is the support given by the entire community. The community has embraced the programme as a vehicle for the resurgence of university graduates from their beloved Bot River, which will not only benefit the Western Cape, but although minute also contribute towards the development of our country.

Participating wine estates will celebrate Rosé by hosting an appropriately pink event with gastronomy, competitions, tastings, blendings, amusing activities and hilarious entertainment.

Participating wineries will be open on Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00 and on Sunday from 09:00 till 15:00 and will be landmarked by pink barrels at the entrance to each property.

Accommodation for the weekend will be provided by participating estates and guest farms – booking is essential. Guests have the option of taking a courtesy pink bus from venue to venue.

Entertainment varies from a polo match and fly fishing to pink paint ball games, with wine and olive oil tastings and blending, sumptuous meals, live music, pottery and art exhibitions. Guests are invited to carouse and cruise the night away on Saturday 4 September at a frothy pink party at the Bot River Hotel – tickets R80 !

Bot River is only 1.15h (one hour) 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 splendidly pink wines
More info on the way!!

ACTIVITIES

BEAUMONT WINES
Cafe pink at the Mill House
Swing into Beaumont’s precocious Cafe Pink & Mill Stone Wine Bar – you’ll soon see why this is the centre of the universe!
Mill Stone Wine Bar – serving our nectar wines with delicious cured meats
Cafe Pink – serving fabulous bistro food all day long!
Check Out:
“Cuckoo” Craig’s crazy art
Brave’s wacky wire works
Catch Andy, the marvellous miller, “in the act”.
Contact us: 028 284 9194
Email: info@beaumont.co.za
Contact: 028 284 9194

BARTON
THE PINK TARGET : Paint ball without the pain but all the gain, closest to the target wins a bottle of our delicious Rosé
Come relax with us! We’re offering a first Pink Rosé lollies to quench your thirst.
And of course there will be wine tasting.
Contact us: 028 284 9283

BENGUELA
Sushi and wine tasting
Contact us: Esti : 079 066 3108

EERSTE HOOP
Will be celebrating Spring in colour at our RED cellar.
Sip ◦ relish ◦ chill out ◦ enjoy.
Our Blushing Bride Rosé is sure to bring a hint of colour to your cheeks and Genevieve Cap Classique will be popping corks all day long to add the bubbles to your day while taking pleasure in our local artists flair or playing boules with a twist!
THE RED CELLAR DELI: Local produce to nibble on, fancy a bit of honey ,honey? Local olive oil splashed over homemade bread with delicious cheeses? For the meal of the day, local resident Sean Hormann from Aphrodisiac Shack Smokehouse will be serving his signature dishes of smoked trout and duck with our exotic salads.
Jumping Castle for kids.
Open from Saturday 09:00 – 17:00 & Sunday 09:00- 15:00
Would you like to book for lunch? Email: leon@eerstehoop.com cell: 0827424793 /0833026562

FEITEIRAS VINEYARDS
Latino-licious @ Feiteiras Vineyards
Vinho , Festa , Salsa & Song
You feast on Prawns Peri-Peri , Chourico , Mussels……………..
We entertain you with Salsa , Song and even some lessons…………………
Booking for 12h00 , 14h00 , 16h00.
Contact us: Jose 0824531597

GABRIELSKLOOF
Pink wine will be plentiful and tables are set for a lazy Spring afternoon on the lawn – think picnic and petanque with live music to while away your day with us.
Our regular deli menu will be available, and Gourmet picnics on the day will include:
• A cold meat and cheese platter
• Homemade ciabatta with a selection of pates
• A Mezze platter consisting of tzatziki, hummus, olives and dolmades
All picnic platters will include a carafe of the lovely “Rosebud” – our Shiraz/Viognier Rosé.
PS: We’ve decided to give everyone a free cappuccino for breakfast, as Spring weekend coincides with our birthday.
Contact us: 028 284 9865

GOEDVERTROUW WINE ESTATE
Elreda’s signature to content living is demonstrated in the kitchen , exquisite food made from local produce assures to make you crumble from the aroma’s trailing from the house.
One of the most beautiful gardens in the valley, savour your time by enjoying a champagne brunch or lunch in this very cheerful garden cherished by all.
Wine tasting and garden tours.
Farm kitchen: by appointment
Champagne Brunch: R85:00
Lunch: R120.00
Full Dinner served in a beautiful barn with charismatic allure with live entertainment : R150
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
Contact: Elreda Pillmann : 028 284 9769

LUDDITE
Blend in Bottle wine course: Niels Verburg will teach you the fine art of blending wine to create a unique vintage of your own!
(11:00 & 15:00)To avoid disappointment, booking essential.
Luddite Shiraz Wine Tasting
Bot River Free Range Pork Products :Hams , Coppa, Bacon, Salami.
Rossouw Modern Erotica Art Exhibition
Look out for the pink pigs!
Contact us: 028 284 9308

MARREMANA
Pink polo…….with tasty trout and Genevieve bubbly
Pink horses and the passion of Jilly Cooper on Maremmana Wine and Polo Estate
Polo at 11.00am on Saturday 4th September – snacks and bubbly all day
EVER SEEN A PINK HORSE ???
Contact number: Sue Stuart :072 107 5533

OU MEUL
Wine tasting and pottery exhibition
Contact us: 028 284 9871

WILDEKRANS
All will be PINK with Pizzaz. No need to wear your Rosé coloured spec’s when you visit us on our fine-looking farm where PINK cocktails will be served with a twist, our RUBY Rosé and SPARKLING MCC will flow, platters of food will abound and your day will be filled live local tunes.
All welcome Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am
Contact us on 028 284 9902

PINK PARTY

Dont miss out on the Pink Part at the hotel on Saturday evening. Ticket are available at Computicket at R80 a ticket

FACEBOOK

We have our event listed on Facebook! Join our Group, RSVP to the Event and invite your friends!

ACCOMMODATION

( go to the drop-down page for more info)

Arrabella Hotel
Arabella is running aspecial for Pink Weekend guests – please follow the link for more detail.

Barton Farm
Mountain Villas

Beaumont
Self Catering Cottages

Malplaas
Plaashuis
www.malplaas.co.za

Rooiheuwel Noord
028 284 9766

Kol Kol Mountain Lodge
082 654 5090

Porcupine Hills
028 284 9066

MAP & DIRECTIONS

Our animated map might get you lost… still, click here!

For honest directions and locations of each wine farm, go to our map page.

The restaurant is a large tin shed that is furnished with old railway seats and tables and fitted out with some quirky accessories. There’s the pizza oven in the corner, a decent little bar with a Birkenhead tap and a TV playing sport. And a deck outside. The menu is simple, focused around the pizza’s. A wine blackboard lists some local wines, quite reasonably priced. The patrons seemed a mix of a few locals, visitors en route to Hermanus and tourists from further afar. But I get the sense that if you come here during a rugby match, the place will be packed with local farmers and other regulars. The vibe is warm here. It also has that we-could-get-really-drunk-here-and-meet-some-interesting-people feeling. I really enjoy places like that. In fact, The Shunting Shed is one of those rare places where almost anyone would feel at home. The stiff, red-trousered English tourist. The big denim- and leather-clad overland biker. The rough-skinned local farmer. The Cape Town hippie on a weekend jaunt. The family in need of an easy lunch to break a daytrip. All would enjoy this place.

We ate pizza, served on terracotta floor tiles with Spoornet branded plates on the side. The special was a rib pizza, which was delicious. All the pizza’s were good, served on thin bases and without too many toppings, something commendable. They could have been a touch crispier, but overall were very tasty. Considering the small, country town location, they were excellent. Sadly they were out of the Feiteiras Cabernet Sauvignon we wished to try, but the Birkenhead’s went down smoothly.

We toyed with the idea of staying and drinking for another two hours after lunch to see what happened at 5pm when the rugby came on. Would it get filled with local farmers that drink Olof Bergh and sit at the bar with a thousand-mile stare? Maybe. But we’ll have to wait till next time to see.
by the Foodie

The Shunting Shed. 028 284 9443.

Anyways, we ordered pizza after pizza, while watching the Bulls destroy the Lions and the Sharks the Blues and so on. We also smashed some Dalla Cia grappa and some espressos. And a few bottles of Gabrielskloof ‘The Blend’ 08. And eventually a keg of Birkenhead rolled in, so we drank one of those for good measure. And what a great afternoon.

But the best was still to come. When we discovered it was a ‘Cash Only’ policy at the Shunting Shed, we had to traipse around the corner to The Botrivier Hotel to draw some money. So in we walked to the bar area and…. wow, what a great bar! A few salty characters perched on stools. Bob Marley in the air. A cheery bartender. Boston lager on tap. And the greatest collection of random bar junk on every wall and shelf. Old rugby ties, sports posters, flags, beer cans, framed jerseys, autographed pamphlets. You name it, this place had it. We especially like the old Graeme Pollock and Mike Proctor ‘Sportsman Lager’ adverts (see below).

Hilarious! Proctor’s quote is “I’ve tried them all and Sportsman Lager has the taste that beats my thirst.’ Needless to say, we drew some money – which you do via the barman, not via an ATM – and then stayed for a few pints. The salty characters at the bar were singing along to Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by the time we left. What a gem of a spot. Go and see for yourself.
by the Foodie

Held at the Bot River station, races are relay-style with time trials leaving the two best teams competing for the grand prize in the final race. Number of entrants is limited, so get your team together! Entries are open to teams of four. You don’t have to belong to a winery or have a barrel to enter – all will be organised once you sign up.

The racing wine barrels are specially painted by the children of the Bot River Primary School and are dazzling in their opulent colours. Proceeds of this annual event are donated to the Bot River Education Foundation, enabling the town’s children to receive tertiary education.

It’s not only barrels either – local wines, food stalls and music guarantees lots of fun for all, plus the thrill of watching your team make the mad dash to the finish line!

And for those that are in for more than just barrel-rolling, the early morning starts with a fun 5/10 km run/walk as well as a 15/35/50 km mountain bike race… if you wish to partake in sightseeing with vigour!

Interested in making a weekend of it? Check our website for local accommodation in the area. For more detail and entry forms, click here!

The race is hosted by the Elgin Grabouw Athletic Club and presented by the Bot River Education Foundation a non profit organization and voluntary association that aims to motivate and assists students in Botrivier to study, engineering, charter accounting and in the medical field. This is done through a carefully constructed mentoring program.

Coca Cola and water will be served every 3km by friendly assistants -so do take a break for a drink and a smile. The most beautiful views of the Overberg ruins await the cyclists.

Photo’s available at the finish and video men will capture that special moment on the road for you. Live singing artists from the Overberg will be on stage while local food taints the air. And don’t forget to line the railway for the barrel race at 12h15 – promises to be great fun this year again.