The French celebrate the Fêtes des Vendanges; the Italians their Festa dell’uva, while in the lush Durbanville valley the winemakers celebrate the fruits of their labour with the annual Feast of the Grape.

Hosted on twelve wine farms and falling on Human Rights Day, Monday 21st March 2011, the event marks the end of the grape harvest and the arrival of autumn with a one-day feast filled with grape gastronomy, country fare, live music, squishy grape-stomping, hay rides in the vineyards and, yes, plenty of seasonal wines to sip. A mere 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, the charming wine route set in rolling hills is the perfect place to enjoy the last summer days with family and friends.

Taking part in the grape frolicks are Groot Phesantekraal Farm (Phizante Kraal Wines), Klein Roosboom, De Vallei, Nitida, Meerendal, Hillcrest, Durbanville Hills, Diemersdal, De Grendel, D’Aria, Bloemendal and Altydgedacht.

At the Feast of the Grape wine lovers get an insider view of wine making process, feeling, smelling and tasting the process from beginning to end. Themed ‘Grape Escape’, festival goers get the chance to kick off their shoes, roll up their sleeves, hike up the skirts and squish a little merlot between the toes. Make your own wine or grape jam (‘korrelkonfyt’), experience a guided tour from winemakers or 4x4 your way to a sublime wine tasting. Take your pick from grape-inspired menus offered at the many eateries and top-notch restaurants on the wine farms, a ‘Pinknic’ between the vines, or a big fat Grecian feast.

Says Righard Theron, chairman of the Durbanville Wine Valley Association, organisers of the annual harvest event: “Bringing in the grape crop is back-breaking work, yet it’s also the most exhilarating time for our vintners. We’re delighted that the age-old tradition of harvest celebrations, so deeply embedded in European wine-growing culture, has become such a well-loved day out for visitors to the Durbanville wine valley.”

For the Durbanville Wine Valley’s Feast of the Grape festival programme and booking details, contact 083 310 1228 or visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za.

Must-visit attractions:

Wine and grapes blend with rock and roll at Hillcrest. Kick off the day with free wine and olive tasting at the cellar door. The music of Jacobus Brink will get you in the mood to grape stomp or just relax with your family. Bring a picnic blanket and snack at the food stalls.

At Diemersdal bring a basket, order your picnic beforehand, or snack on the food offerings of hotdogs, sushi, and more. While the little ones play on the slip and slide, enjoy cellar tours and walks through the vines, or simply chill and listen to Shananigans.

Experience a working wine farm at Altydgedacht with vineyard tours on the hour, grape stomping, and experiencing the winemaking process whilst snacking on platters from the various food stalls. The little ones will love it too, with pony rides, jumping castles and face painting. Proceeds go to the Môresterretjies farm school in the area.

A taste of what being a winemaker is all about at D’Aria with a grape jam and wine pairing session to exercise the tastebuds. For those keen

DIY-ers, do not miss the blending competition, judged by D’Aria’s winemaker, and take home your creation to enjoy at a later stage, or even during a vineyard tour. Poplars restaurant will be open for lunch.

“Pinknic in the Vineyards’” at De Vallei, on the idyllic vine-covered hill and experience a laid back view of the valley, be sure to book for this flavourful luncheon as space is limited. For those on the go, wine tasting will be available throughout the day with winemaker Nikie de Villiers.

Festa dell’uva at Durbanville Hills: Relax under the olive trees to the sounds of Italian music with crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Feast on delicious snacks or their legendary charcuterie and cheese boards. Enjoy talks with the winemakers The Tank Tasting presented by white winemaker, Gunther Kellerman, Miss vs Bliss with Italian Flair presented by cellarmaster Martin Moore and perfect Pinotage presented by red winemaker, Wilhelm Coetzee. The little ones will love the 17th century cannon firing at noon, as well as grape stomping and treasure hunts.

Sterling EQ will perform a sundowner show on Sunday 20 March at Nitida. Picnic baskets are available from Cassia restaurant for an evening of music and good company. Monday calls for Jamming Around the Dam with your own custom made jam and personalised label to match. If you are not into getting sticky, live music, jumping castles, canoeing and face painting will be available for the little ones.

One hundred energetic amateur wine makers will get spoiled at Meerendal’s fun day of grape picking, grape stomping and learning all the secrets of wine making with cellar master Liza Goodwin and wine guru Bennie Howard. The package includes breakfast and a lunch. Traditional “mosbolletjies” will also be doing the rounds. On Sunday 20 March, the Cape Table at the Barn & Lawn will feature some delicious dishes with grapes.

At Bloemendal expect a day filled with grape picking and stomping, cellar tours and to top it all off, a wine tasting and a three course lunch .

De Grendel is all about tasting glorious wine with general wine tastings, “Proe Op Die Berg’ and a Rosé Brunch. A sushi bar will also be available for those on the go.

Klein Roosboom hosts a Big Fat Greek Feast with food stalls to take your palate to Greece, barrel rolling to work off the calories, cellar and vineyard tours, as well as grape stomping and huge sand pit for the kids.

Groot Phesantekraal opens up their picturesque grounds for laid back picnics and wine tasting, perfect for families and a relaxed day with amazing views and great wine. For some healthy competition, the best decorated picnic hat will win a prize, so dress to impress.