The Winelands Chocolate Festival

What happens when you combine two of the world’s wickedest delights? A chocolate festival in the Winelands of course!

‘All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.’ – Charles M. Schulz

Lindt, Beyers, Alexander Avery, Callebaut… All of these names conjure up visions of beautifully smooth, decadent chocolate creations, and if you have a sweet tooth your mouth should already be watering. We all have our guilty pleasures – for some of us it’s the crisp snap of the first bite into a bar of Lindt 85% cocoa, for others, it’s the deep ruby flush of a glass of finely aged wine. If you have a weakness for both, then best you get ready for the second sinfully delicious Winelands Chocolate Festival, which is happening at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate on Saturday, 20 and Sunday, 21 August 2016.

Regarded as sacred by the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica, cacao was viewed as a gift from the gods and as such, it was a bean cloaked in enigma and sorcery, a regular feature of folktales and a must for ritualistic ceremonies. From the legend of the intoxicated god of wisdom Quetzalcoatl to the Mayan’s Dresden Codex proclaiming the humble bean the sustenance of the rain god Kon, chocolate has played a significant role in the culture and history of mankind.

South Africa continues to pay homage to the cocoa bean with a budding artisan chocolate industry, as any Capetonian with a partiality for sweet treats will tell you. The Winelands Chocolate Fest is a celebration of all things chocolate and wine-related, from truffles and cakes to versatile vinos. A grand gathering of some of the finest chocolatiers, chocolate artists, pastry chefs and cake designers in the country, those following a sugar-free diet are urged to stay far away whilst miserably nibbling their carrot sticks.

Aside from decadent dark chocolate delights and award-winning wines, there will also be a smorgasbord of bistro food available, along with freshly brewed coffee. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better, with more chocolate demos in the Chocolate Theatre from top chefs like Abigail Donnelly, and a Victorian Kitchen and Chocolate Museum, which will transport audiences to another era of chocolate making. Lindt is once again offering its morning/afternoon tea, and there’ll be two daily fashion shows presented by Stephano, the Found Collection and Zuyda van Dyk. Along with local wines, there’ll also be craft beers paired with the fabulous Neil Jewel’s mouth-watering charcuterie, and a kids’ play area to keep little choccy lovers satisfied.

Enjoy the expansive grounds of the estate, not to mention its grandiose Manor House as you sample cacao to your heart’s content. 

TICKETS FOR THE 2016 WINELANDS CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

Tickets are available online from Webtickets.co.za and range from R60p/p to R250p/p depending on which events you want to attend. Adult day passes for Saturday or Sunday cost R120p/p, while scholars (6 – 17 years) pay R60p/p. The Lindt tea is R250p/p.

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