ROOSTERKOEK, craft beer, skaapstertjies, wine, Wagyu burgers … all these delicacies and more await visitors to the Groot Plaasproe on Saturday 12 and Sunday, October 13, 2019 on Sandringham Farm outside Stellenbosch. This award-winning farm experience, presented for the third year by the organisers of the SA Cheese Festival, offers the whole family a taste of all things farm. Not only can one savour a variety of farm food; festivalgoers can get up close with more than 300 farm animals, line dance to the beat of popular artists and even win prizes by entering their burgers or braaibroodjies for a competition!
From beer to Boergoat meat, craft gin and skaapkop
Tameletjie, halloumi, kudu salami and craft gin – even honey-flavoured or non-alcoholic – are just a few of the treats on offer in the Standard Bank Food Lane. For the gourmet lovers, there is a choice between lamb, venison and oxtail potjiekos, as well as the caviar of beef, Wagyu. To top it all off, one can pre-order a skaapkop by e-mailing charlotte@agriexpo.co.za. Adventurous food lovers can try out the “Bok&Bier” pairing of Boergoat meat with craft beer, such as a cherry flavoured Sarie Marais from the Cederberg.
Taste Pinotage and biltong on Pinotage Day
On International Pinotage Day, Saturday, October 12, festivalgoers can – at no extra cost – enjoy a pairing of Pinotage wines with the best Boland biltong, hosted by experts from the Pinotage Association and the Old Mutual Insure Wellington Wine Route. On Sunday, October 13, the wine route will also offer a free tasting of top Shiraz from this district along with venison. The tastings will take place at 12pm in the Standard Bank Conference Centre, where festivalgoers must arrive in time to secure one of only 80 seats.
Fun for the whole family
A Groot Plaasproe ticket includes entertainment by popular artists. In the Music Marquee with its giant dance floor, the programme kicks off daily at 10am with 250 line-dancers who will entertain and show festivalgoers the ropes, accompanied with live music by Die Wildberries. A social dance competition follows, and performances by country singer Pieter Mohr and the popular Nic Stevens. Plus, World Cup rugby awaits on the big screen. In the Braai Arena, children can learn to make stokbrood, participate in tug of war and enter an ice cream-eating competition with delicious prizes at stake!
More than 300 farm and rare animals
Children will have an exceptional experience meeting more than 300 farm animals – from giant Percherons to miniature horses. Youngsters can ride ponies and take selfies with rare animals such as giant white Romagnola cattle. Find out where the milk in the bottle comes from, see sheep dogs at work and learn how sheep are shorn. Children can enter their bunnies in a pet rabbit show to be hosted by the Cape Rabbit Club on Saturday, October 12, at 11am. Also, look out for rabbit jumping demonstrations and talks on how to take care of your rabbit. New this year is an Arabian horse show that promises to be spectacular, with riders in fabulous costumes and beautiful desert horses.
Enter and win with your braaibroodjie or burger
Do you think your braaibroodjie or burger is the best in the Cape? Prove it by entering the Groot Plaasproe’s braai competitions in collaboration with Die Braai Crew. All braaiers are invited to come braai and build-a-burger with their secret recipe, homemade burgers at the Braai Arena on Saturday, October 12 (from 12pm till 1pm). On Sunday, October 13, braaibroodjie lovers can come show off their creations – any twists are allowed. Participants must bring their own ingredients and braai grids while braai drums, wood and fire lighters are provided. Entry is free and participants who pre-register for the competitions at www.diegrootplaasproe.co.za also get free access to the entire festival. A panel of judges will select the winners and great prizes are at stake.
Information and tickets
Visitors can expect interesting exhibitions such as handmade knives, leather handbags and shoes, goose down bedding, “boer” soap, preserves and veteran tractors. The festival takes place daily from 9am till 5pm. Tickets are available at Computicket and the gate at R120 for adults and R30 for scholars. Admission for children under six is free. For more information, visit www.diegrootplaasproe.co.za, follow @GrootPlaasproe on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, or contact Agri-Expo on 021 975 4440 or admin@agriexpo.co.za
One lucky Eat Play Drink Cape Town reader can win a family ticket (two adults, two children) valued at R300. Head on over to the Facebook page to enter.