Every November, the usually sleepy little Klein Karoo village of
Calitzdorp shakes off its slumber with the hustle and bustle of the apricot
harvest. These sweet little golden
yellow orbs with their sun-kissed orange cheeks thrive in this part of the
Klein Karoo, with Calitzdorp and Ladismith accounting from a large portion of
the country’s total production.
Traditionally apricots, besides for enjoyed fresh, have been used for
jams, preserves, canning, dried fruits and as an ingredient in fruit juices,
chutneys and a number of other food products.
To celebrate the bounty provided by the apricots, an annual apricot
festival was started in 2011 and has now grown into a week full of activities.
Besides the apricot picking at orchards in and around the town, jam making demonstrations, nature walks hosted by Jan Vlok, luncheons in support of Vygieshof old-age home; Boplaas will on the weekend of the 30th November host Yvonne Bayly’s (from Peter Bayly wines) deli-market, pairing of apricot themed dishes with Boplaas wines & Cape “Ports”, an art exhibition with the works of numerous local artists on display, as well as requisite festival staple roosterkoek boerewors rolls. There will also be various special offers available from the Boplaas cellar door from the 29th November until
the 8th December, with the cellar door being open on both Sunday the
1st and 8th December. Free Fresh Apricots will be avaible with minimum purchase.
The festival culminates on Saturday the 7th December with a Christmas market, boeresports, potjiekos competition and harvest dance at the Old Station.
The Calitzdorp Apricot Week is posible thanks to Standard Bank. For more information and details of the host of festival activities please visit http://www.calitzdorp.net/index.php/activities/apricot-harvest-festival/ or give Boplaas Family Vineyards a call on 044-2133326.
Boplaas Family Vineyards,
Calitzdorp – Tending vines & Crafting wines, since 1880