Sponsored by Robertson Wine Valley’s Wine on the River

Celebrate spring on the banks of the Breede River at Wine on the River, from 14 to 16 October 2016. Taking place on the picturesque Goudmyn farm between Robertson and Bonnievale, the festival will offer wine-lovers plenty of reasons to celebrate the season. Here are 6 reasons to book your ticket this year.

Spend the day on the banks of the Breede River enjoy your favourite wines from the area. Photo supplied.

1. Taste over 250 wines

Taste over 300 wines from more than 30 wineries, including the likes of Graham Beck, Springfield Estate, Quando Winery, Weltevrede, Excelsior and Robertson Winery. The wine will be sold for both on-site and off-site enjoyment at cellar-door prices.

2. Visit the gourmet farmer’s market

Fill up your baskets with yummy treats at the farmer’s market and enjoy a gourmet picnic on the riverbanks. Festival-goers can choose from hearty country fare and treats to fresh produce from the market stalls. There’ll be bobotie and rice, roosterkoeke, steak sandwiches, sushi, tempura prawns, oysters, waterblommetjies, curry and more.

The beautiful views at Wine on the River. Photo supplied.

3. Take a boat cruise

Aside from eating, drinking and being merry, Wine on the River visitors can also enjoy lazy cruises along the Breede River all weekend long. The trip is 15-minutes long and costs R35 per person. Proceeds from the boat ride ticket sales will be donated to the Breede River Hospice.

The boat cruise at Wine on the River. Photo supplied.

4. Compete in the annual Duck Derby for charity

After the success of last year’s event, the second annual Sanlam Duck Derby will take place again at this year’s festival. This fun event will offer visitors a chance to purchase rubber ducks and watch them race down the river. The proceeds from this initiative will go towards the Bonnie-People Project in Bonnievale, which assists the inhabitants of the settlement in developing sustainable initiatives within their community to improve the future of their children.

5. Entertain the kids

Family friendly entertainment will also be on offer, including a kid’s play area with face painting, trampoline, a jungle gym, tractor- and horse rides.

6. Listen to live music

Sip on your favourite wine and listen to various local musicians that will be taking the stage and filling the air with laid-back jazz and blues tunes.

Watch the sunset at this year’s Wine on the River. Photo supplied.

Ticket prices vary from R80 to R250, with free entrance for children under 18 years of age and special pensioner’s rates. Pre-book your tickets online at Webtickets. The early bird special runs until 30 September 2016. Tickets will also available at the entrance over the weekend. For more information, visit wineonriver.com or follow them on Facebook or on Twitter using #wineontheriversa.