As if you needed another excuse to head to the winelands, the area’s first-ever chocolate festival will be held at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West on the weekend of 25 and 26 July 2015.

The Winelands Chocolate Festival will feature an emporium filled with chocolatiers, artists, pastry chefs and cake designers – not to mention all their wares, including handmade bonbons, bars, baked goods, chocolate-smothered honey nougat and truffles. Premium wines, freshly brewed coffees and tasty bistro food will also be on offer.

Highlights include the chocolate theatre, which will host to a series of demonstrations from master chocolatiers such as Kees Beyers from Beyers Chocolates and Alan Clegg from Alexander Avery, as well as some renowned pastry chefs. Markus Farbinger from Île de Païn, and Michael de Klerk and Anthony Gird from Honest Chocolate will make an appearance as exhibitors, amongst chocolatiers from many other top brands. Lindt will host an afternoon tea with bubbly and chocolate at the Aleit & IS Art Gallery, and guests will also be able to attend short truffle-making and patisserie courses.  The Wild Chocolate Frey Affair dinner will be held on Saturday at The Millhouse Kitchen with a specially designed menu by chef Bjorn Guido.

DV Chocolate

There will also be a chocolate-inspired fashion show, an art and photography exhibition, chocolate sculptures, and prizes for the best cakes and bites (truffles, petit fours, cupcakes, bonbons etc.). Festival goers can relax in the chocolate lounge, where there will be live entertainment, tapas, cocktails and wine on offer.

The Winelands Chocolate Festival will take place in the Laurent House at Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West from 9am to 7.30pm on Saturday 25 July and from 9am to 6pm on Sunday 26 July 2015.

Tickets cost R120 for adults, R100 for students, and R340 for a family of four. (Under-12s get in free on Sunday.) Buy tickets online at Quicket or at the door. Visit the Winelands Chocolate Festival website for more details.