Spier Secret Festival

Spier Secret Wine Festival

Spier Secret Wine Festival

 

What a perfect day, in a perfect setting on the Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch.  Dating back as far as 1692, lies Spier Wine Farm in the heart of Stellenbosch, a picturesque setting, at this time of year surrounded by lavender fields and a backdrop of drop dead gorgeous majestic mountain views. Spier has long been a tourist Mecca, offering a gamut of activities as well as an historical setting in the Western Cape. Wine tasting is a personal experience with well trained, friendly staff presenting the pairing at your own table. The Spier tasting costs R35 per person and will offer you a choice of 5 wines across the Spier range. The Frans K. Smit tasting will cost you R90 and allows you to taste the 6 top wines in the Spier stable which is really worthwhile. 

Me enjoying the Chenin Blanc

Feeling peckish, opt for one of the olive, cheese, or cured meat boards to snack on while you are doing the wine tasting. Kids can be entertained with a grape juice tasting, and some colouring in to keep them occupied. The Spier wine shop is a must see and you should not leave empty handed as there is bound to be something tempting inside to take home for later or to spoil those who could not join you.

Now for the celebration, The Spier Secret Festival is a celebration of great food and wine at the farm and took place on 25 – 26 October 2013.  There were a number of Secret Dinners that took place weeks before the Secret Festival which allowed you to take a tour with local and international speakers who revealed new insights on food and wine trends through talks, workshops, tastings and food installations. Highlights included a four-hour lecture on biodynamie by Nicolas Joly, one of the founders of biodynamic farming, the Secret dinner parties, an interactive dinner by Dutch eating designer, Marije Vogelzang and a giant banana split installation by Cakebread. 

Beautiful setting on the grass next to the water on lush Turkish carpets and cushions

 

The Beautiful Queen of Tarts displays her passions..

The world’s most well-known (and first ever) eating designer, Marije Vogelzang hosted an interactive eating experience on Friday night, 25 October, exploring the ancient cooking method of baking meat and vegetables in clay. What a night to remember.

The Secret market is a day of fun out for the whole family, and there was plenty to keep the kids occupied while you took a tour through the food stalls such as the farmyard including a lamb, calf and chickens in the petting pen or letting them loose on the sand art installation.  Entry was free and the Market was supported by Woolworths and had a special section dedicated to some of their local suppliers which was really awesome as we got to try their organic cheeses, spread, dips, chips and juices.  The bonus was that all the offers were at a discounted price to take home. My personal recommendation is the Chili Halloumi Cheese.  

Tempting treats on offer such as macaroons and Red Velvet Cheesecake

Excellent array of cheeses and dips & farm baked breads to enjoy with your Chenin Blan

Spier had their Chenin Blanc on offer which was absolutely phenomenal at R35 per bottle, hence I had to stock up on copious amounts. Not too dry, a perfectly sublime, light and delicate fruity wine complimenting most of the market treats. 

Fun for the kids including these great Party Boxes..

But what is wine without food? That is the question.. Spier have really taken their time to assemble the Cape’s top local producers. You could take a culinary trip and choose from the Creamery which had amazing ice creams on offer such as the Chenin Blanc, Frankie Fenners Bloody Mary Chorizo the ethical meat merchants market or you could try El Burro’s Tacos amongst many. El Burro’s Food Truck was like taking a stroll through Guy Feiri’s “Diners, Drive-inns and Dives”, I really enjoyed the slow roasted pork with coleslaw and a chipotle salsa on a corn taco. Next I tried the twice cooked pork in garlic chili paste flavoured with oregano, paprika and chili on a soft taco, not a disappointment. 

El Burro, Mexico in South Africa? For sure..

Twice cooked Pork Taco

Slow Roasted Pork Taco

 

Enjoying your treats under the trees surrounded by the hustle and bustle of diners, food vendors and music at long tables or on rustic throws, magnificent Turkish Persian rugs and cushions, what could be more perfect? Washing it down with Rubro Iced Teas... and more Chenin Blanc of course.

Lazing around and before too much Chenin Blanc called for some chillaxing at Spiers wine bar which offered its 21 Gables Chenin and Signature Chenin Blanc, as well as plenty of the farm’s other wines to sample. 

Kiara, future Spier Wine Connoisseur and foodie like her Mama.. 

Steaming Hot Paella

Gorgeous slow cooked lamb with pickled beetroot

Beautiful fresh oysters

All I know is that I cannot wait to return to the festival again as this has certainly been a day to remember. Thank you Spier for an awesome outing with the family and so many treats that truly left me satisfied. Cheers.