Taking place on 25 and 26 January 2019 in the magical open-air setting of Nidderdale farm and surrounds, this sought-after highlight on the South African wine calendar is guaranteed to set your senses soaring.
The cool-climate Hemel-en-Aarde is world renowned for Pinot Noir of great purity and finesse and every year the producers join forces to celebrate their passion for this highly revered cultivar. This year’s theme – ‘On the Wings of Pinot Noir’ – alludes to the fact that the region’s Pinot has taken flight across the globe, enjoying ever-increasing ratings from renowned international wine critics.
The 2019 celebrations feature South African wine legend Jan ‘Boland’ Coetzee and wine fundi Roland Peens as guest speakers while wine impresario and Burgundy aficionado Remington Norman will open the formal tasting. Participating wineries include Ataraxia, Bosman Family Vineyards, Bouchard Finlayson, Creation, Domaine des Dieux, Hamilton Russell Vineyards, La Vierge, Newton Johnson, Restless River, Storm Wines, Sumaridge and Whalehaven.
Apart from tasting the glorious Pinot Noir from these 12 wineries in flights of appellation, guests will be treated to delectably paired dishes created by celeb chefs Pete Goff-Wood, Franck Dangereux, Nic van Wyk and George Jardine. And that’s only a part of the story …
Starting on Friday 25 January at 10h30, and based at the scenic Nidderdale farm on the foothills of Babylonstoren mountain, the two-day celebration also includes an exciting vineyard safari, the opportunity of tasting older vintage Hemel-en-Aarde Pinot Noir and Chardonnay dating as far back as 2004, plus a very cool wine auction.
On the Saturday morning guests will be hosted at individual participating wineries to pair and compare international Pinot Noirs. The pinnacle of the evening’s festivities will no doubt be the celebrity chef dinner titled ‘Set the Senses Soaring’. Click here for the full programme.
With a mere 140 full weekend tickets and only 100 additional tickets for the celebrity chef gala dinner available, you are advised to book now.
Please note that tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis and that no tickets will be reserved. Two options are available:
Full Weekend Ticket @ R2 995 per person – Access to the entire event including the individual producer events. Only 140 full weekend tickets available.
Celebrity Chef Gala Dinner with Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Bar @ R795 per person – Meet and taste with the winemakers at their barrels. Join an exclusive auction with unique Hemel-en-Aarde lots. Four celebrity chefs preparing dishes perfectly paired with Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir paired gelato station to end the culinary feast. Only 100 additional tickets released.