One of my favourite & most anticipated events of the year, this was my third successive Constantia Fresh at Buitenverwachting Wine Estate, and I’m always impressed. Spoilt with beauty & incredible views, all the wine tasting your liver can muster sampling some of the Cape’s best wines, while being served an array of delicious portions from our top chef’s & restaurants, it’s happiness all the way!
I kind of feel like Constantia Fresh is one of Cape Town’s best kept secrets. The tickets are limited & always sell out prior to the date, and quite frankly I only know less than a handful of friends who go or have been. Once you have been though, I’ll bet you won’t miss another one. At R500 a ticket this may seem pricey compared to other wine festivals or the like, however this is nothing like the other festivals, it’s a league of it’s own – we’re not even playing the same sport here. Also, your ticket covers everything for the day, all the wine tasting & food you want. Like a buffet of sorts, all out the top drawer.
Aside from the incredible food, atmosphere, wine, venue… I really enjoy the comfort of size & the overall spirit at the event. It’s not too big, giving you an exclusive feel while being spacious and comfortable. No unsightly porta-loo’s catering to the herds. And while there isn’t a “dress-code” as such, there is definitely a recurring theme of trendy upmarket while casual style, donned with a Fedora, and a spirit that is jovial and laid-back.
Lastly,…Shout out to:
- Natalie & Joris from Almenkerk Wine estate who always look after us.
- Emil Den Dulk from Liquidity – the fiend who introduced me to this 3 years ago & my partner in crime at each event
- the guys from Klein Constantia serving their 2012 Brut – I really got to get like a case or 3 of that – see the photo posted of you in the gallery below (thanks for the 7 or so refills)
- and to the Chef Brad Ball who’s recently joined Peddlars on the Bend, and who served the most incredible dish of the day – the Pork Belly (I went back for 3 portions) – also in the photo’s
