The TOPS Gugulethu Wine Festival, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 May, is about fine wine, fine food and a great festival atmosphere, all on the glammed-up rooftop of the Gugulethu Square Mall.
Founded by Mzoli Ngcawuzele (owner of Mzoli’s Place and business entrepreneur) and Lungile Mbalo, the Wine Festival is in its second year, and looks set to repeat its 2011 success. The Festival was inspired by the annual Soweto Wine Festival, which draws more than 10 000 people over one weekend, and provides employment, training and has a significant impact on the local hospitality and tourism economy. Of course its taken on its own unique Cape Town flavour…
Headline sponsor TOPS at Spar has provided a wonderful TOPS Food Zone for people to enjoy food with wonderful local wines, putting real meaning to celebrating unity and diversity of Africa Day on Friday. New this year is the TOPS Food Chill Out Zone offering coffee from Bay Harbour Market’s Z.A. Café, fresh oysters from The Oyster Lady, shisa nyama from Mzoli’s Place and delicious pizza from Afro Pizza. The wine exhbitors are organised by Marilyn Cooper, Cape Wine Master, CEO of the Cape Wine Academy. ‘It’s going to be de-vine in Gugulethu!’ says Ngcawuzele.
TOPS at Spar’s VIP performer on Friday evening is Idols judge, Metro FM co-host and entertainment powerhouse, Unathi Msengana and her 9 piece band. Says Msengana, ‘I’m so excited to be spending Africa Day in the Mother City in the Mother of all townships celebrating two of South Africa’s most precious gifts, music and wine. I will also be wine tasting in the main wine marquee in-between sets and can’t wait to meet the winemakers and visitors that make this festival so special.’
This year the City of Cape Town has recognised the enormous value this festival offers to the people of Gugulethu and beyond, and the opportunities it creates. The City has therefore come on board in an essential supporting role – including event ‘greening’ – and is looking at ways to grow its support in the future.
Please buy your tickets prior to the event as this will avoid disappointment. Available at www.webtickets.co.za and at Cape Town Tourism centres.
Other exciting highlights at the festival:
- The Nederburg Taste Theatre is open to all festival visitors on a first-come first-served basis. Presentations will be staged on Friday at 17:30, 18:30, 19:30 and on Saturday at 16:30, 18:00, 19:30 in the main wine exhibitor marquee
- Pete Goffe-Wood, a South African MasterChef judge, will co-present Nederburg’s Taste Theatre on Friday evening
- Idols judge, Metro FM co-host and entertainment powerhouse, Unathi Msengana, will be performing live in the TOPS VIP Lounge to invited VIP guests on the Friday evening
- Over 40 wineries showcasing over 300 wines to swirl, sniff, sip, and spit (although not much spitting is expected)
- Thirteen super-brand sponsors including spectacular wine lounges from Pongracz, J.C le Roux, Nederburg, 4th Street, The Saints and a DGB merlot wine bar giving visitors unique lifestyle experiences. These wineries will also be giving away major prizes every night.
- Enjoy the ‘TOPS Food Fun’ chill-out space to sit and eat from a choice of restaurants including Mzoli’s famous chop!
- All visitors will receive a free branded wine tasting glass and the festival wine buying guide on arrival plus there will be lots of prizes to be won on the night
