Celebrate spring by heading off to Franschhoek for the weekend of 3 and 4 September for the annual Franschhoek Uncorked festival. Most of the Franschhoek wineries, as well as those dotted around the scenic valley, will be showcasing their new vintages and putting on a string of special events over the weekend. ?

The idea is to meander from farm to farm, sampling the region’s great wines and culinary treats. Look forward to cellar and vineyard tours, barrel tastings, food and wine pairings, art exhibitions, a fresh food market and a micro-brewery tasting. A shuttle will be available for those intent on serious indulgence (highly recommended).

Also advisable is turning this calendar highlight into a complete weekend of exploration. Book into one of the town’s quaint guesthouses and spend more time discovering Franschhoek. The main road is home to an assortment of world-class restaurants, sidewalk cafés, boutiques and art galleries. You could also enrich your historical knowledge with a visit to the Huguenot Memorial Museum or the fascinating Franschhoek Motor Museum. 

Participating wineries will be open from 09h00 until 17h00 over the weekend, with some hosting evening events. You can grab an early bird ticket (R80) until end-August 2011, but thereafter you will pay R100 online or from participating farms on the day. The price includes a glass, and unlimited wine tastings at participating wineries that weekend (excluding events). Be sure to pre-book events with the relevant wineries to avoid disappointment. Visit here for a list of participating wineries and activities.