January marks a shift in the Cape Winelands. The vineyards come alive as the 2026 harvest gets underway, and the air is thick with the scent of ripening fruit. It's a time of frantic activity and early morning picks, as months of careful farming finally result in the first grapes arriving at the cellar.
At wine.co.za, this is arguably our favourite time of year. It’s a rare chance to see the grit behind the glass and celebrate the raw potential of the new vintage.
Rather than watching from the sidelines, you can swap your city shoes for vellies and jump right into the thick of it. Across the winelands, farms are hosting harvest days and festivals that offer a proper farm-to-bottle experience. Whether you want to try your hand at old-school grape stomping, join a tractor ride through the vineyards, or simply enjoy a long, lazy harvest-style lunch or dinner, there’s an event for you.
If you’re ready to get your hands purple, here is our list of the best hands-on harvest festivals in the Cape Winelands this season.
Delheim Harvest Festival
To kick off the 2026 wine harvest festivities, Delheim is hosting a weekend of diverse events appealing to a wide range of wine and food lovers. On Friday evening, join the Delheim family for the Sunset Harvest Table, an al fresco feast of food, wine and live music among the farm’s scenic vineyards. Saturday’s Harvest Market Day is a chance to experience harvest season on a working wine farm. Enjoy the day among the farm’s vineyards, picking grapes, stomping the bunches in barrels, and more. The market will offer Delheim wines, roosterkoek, and a selection of homemade food products, all made to nourish the body and soul.
- Where: Delheim Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- When: 30-31 January 2026
- Time: Harvest Table: 18h00 | Harvest Market Day: 10h00 - 13h00
- Cost: Harvest Table: R950 pp | Harvest Market Day: R200 pp
Click HERE to book.
Stellenbosch Harvest Parade
Stellenbosch is coming alive with colour, music and grape-filled joy as the iconic Stellenbosch Harvest Parade returns! The event isn't only a way of honouring the start of a new harvest season, but also a show of thanks to the wine farmers and workers – most of whom are among the parade's participants. Local entertainment ensembles and brass musicians join in to add to the gees. Expect vibrant floats, smiling faces, rhythmic sounds and a joyful procession. The parade sets off from the Toy and Miniature Museum, making its way through the centre of town to the Stellenbosch Town Hall, where a special Blessing of the Harvest Ceremony takes place.
- Where: Toy and Miniature Museum, Stellenbosch
- When: Saturday, 31 January 2026
- Time: 09h00
- Cost: Free
Click HERE to find out more.
Lomond's Blessing of the Harvest
Join Lomond as they raise a glass to the season ahead and bless the upcoming 2026 harvest with a special wine tasting and harvest lunch. Sip through a curated selection of Lomond and Lost Boy wines that reflect the journey from vine to bottle, presented by cellarmaster Anné van Heerden and Trevor DeRuisé will present the tasting. Then, you'll have a harvest table-style lunch set out next to the dam in true Cape Agulhas style.
- Where: Lomond Wine Estate, Gansbaai
- When: Saturday, 7 February 2026
- Time: 11h30 - 15h00
- Cost: R500 per person
Click HERE to book.
Muratie Harvest Festival
Mark your calendars and join us for a memorable weekend celebrating the spirit of the harvest! This special weekend promises fun, flavours, and festivities for all. Savour award-winning wines steeped in history, cheese platters, and seasonal dishes from our kitchen. Enjoy unique experiences like grape stomping, tractor rides, vineyard walks, and live music by the Kitchen Jammin' Blues Band. Relax with lawn games or indulge in curated wine tastings – all set against the stunning landscape of Muratie Wine Estate.
- Where: Muratie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
- When: 7-8 February 2026
- Time: 10h00 - 16h00
- Cost: R300 per person | R100 per child
Click HERE to book.
Harvest Stomp at Ken Forrester Wines
Stomp your own grapes and experience the thrill of old-school winemaking at Ken Forrester Wines' annual Harvest Stomp. Upon arrival, you'll receive Ken Forrester signature Cheninita cocktail as a welcome drink. The rest of the day will be filled with grape-stomping fun, live music, and plenty of wine. As for lunch, a harvest-style feast awaits.
- Where: Ken Forrester Vineyards, Somerset West
- When: Saturday, 14 February 2026
- Time: 10h30 - 16h00
- Cost: R695 per adult | R200 per child
Click HERE to book.
Harvest at Dusk at Nederburg
This February, join Nederburg's immersive harvest celebration. Sip freshly fermenting 2026 grape must with the winemakers, enjoy canapés, ride by tractor into the vineyards to pick grapes, and stomp grapes on the lawns of the historic Manor House. As dusk falls, indulge in a fire-inspired three-course dinner before kicking off your shoes and dancing under the stars. This evening promises a hands-on look at the harvest.
- Where: Nederburg, Paarl
- When: Saturday, 28 February 2026
- Time: 17h00
- Cost: R1 495 per person
Click HERE to book.
Darling Cellars Crush Day
Get stomping at Darling Cellars on the West Coast! The winery is hosting their annual Crush Day in March – a fun-filled, family-friendly celebration of harvest time in Darling. Expect a full day of vineyard magic with tractor rides, grape picking and stomping, kids’ entertainment, live music, delicious food, and, of course, award-winning wines. Your ticket includes breakfast and grape must on arrival, access to all activities, lunch, and a bottle of wine to take home.
- Where: Darling Cellars, Darling
- When: Saturday, 7 March 2026
- Time: 07h45
- Cost: R400 per adult | R300 per teen | R200 per child
Click HERE to book.
Quoin Rock Harvest Celebration
Dreaming of a dolce vita long table experience in the vineyards? Join the Harvest Celebration at Quoin Rock, where wine, flame and harvest spirit come together. Long communal tables stretch through the vines as seasonal gourmet dishes are prepared over open flames. Each course is thoughtfully designed around the wines and the land from which they come. With exceptional wines, live music and sweeping views of the Simonsberg, this is a celebration of abundance, togetherness and the art of living well.
- Where: Quoin Rock, Stellenbosch
- When: Thursday, 26 March 2026
- Time: 17h30 - 22h00
- Cost: R4 000 per person
- Dress code: All white
Click HERE to book.
BotFest
The free-spirited winemaking folk of Botriver invite friends and family (and fans) to join them in celebrating the 2026 harvest. BotFest 2026 showcases 20+ local wine producers with walkabout tastings, gourmet food, intimate satellite sessions exploring terroir and older vintages, and live music by Sons of Selassi. It's a celebration of good people and unforgettable wines!
- Where: Gabriëlskloof, Bot River
- When: Saturday, 28 March 2026
- Time: 12h30 - 21h00
- Cost: R800 per person
Click HERE to book.
