I mentioned last week that we were very excited to announce an upcoming gig with Karen Zoid, and what a gig it is going to be! Karen is going to wow fans on the last day of the Tabasco Oyster & Champagne Festival held at Bloemendal Wine Estate on 23 March, and we are all going to be there!

In 2007, over 2000 visitors slurped more than 10 000 oysters (does anyone have conception figures from in-and-around Durbanville last year?) and drank loads of bubbly, and the success of that will see the festival become an annual event.

The line-up for the festival also includes Albert Frost, Rupert Mellor and the Thunderbirds and the Boulevard Blues Band, and after the success of last years event, Mike Crawford of Vineyard Concerts wanted this one to be even bigger!

At Peak we are also very pleased that we have hooked up with Vineyard Concerts because we are going to be bringing loads of excellent South African music to the area, by rotating concerts on a weekly basis between participating wine estates in the Durbanville Wine Valley, which so far include Bloemendal, Diemersdal, De Grendel, Nitida and Hillcrest.

Mike says, “There is nothing like this yet being held in this area. The Durbanville WineValley is just 20 minutes from everywhere - it is so accessible from Cape Town, Table View, and the northern suburbs. These concerts offer something new and refreshing to do in Cape Town at the weekend. They will also educate all those locals who just drive past these estates every day as to what exactly they have to offer. ” And don’t we all do that far too often?

Mike says they will be linking with the Durbanville Wine Valley Association to facilitate tours, bringing tourists to the area, working together with the wine estates to up the profile of the whole valley, and we’re happy that the hills will be alive with the sound of music…

There is sure to be something for everyone, since all sorts of genres are going to be included in the line-ups. Says Mike: “It’s a cultural event, from mainstream rock to Afrikaans artists, to ballet, jazz and the symphony orchestra; it will happen every week in summer, weather permitting, and then in winter we aim to hold one event a month in a covered venue.”

love going to Kirstenbosch - I have to admit - but I think that there is a market to attract crowds to stunning settings, for good food, wine and magic music. It’s going out into the wide open spaces that we have on our doorstep in Cape Town, and enjoying quality time with the family. The Durbanville Wine Valley is a good alternative.

Oh, and Karen wanted to invite you there herself (we had some fun filming it), so here she is:

Tickets will be available at Ticket Connection and at every Mr. Price store.

How to get there: Bloemendal Wine Estate (not to be confused with Bloemendal Restaurant up on top of the hill) is tucked away in the hills, on the M13, Racecourse Road, Durbanville.

It’s going to be lekka lekka lekka, or as Mike says, “Adding Culture to Cultivar”.

Personal note to self: Rouvanne, two or three oysters, and that’s it boet. You’ve already got two boys!