Report-back: Waterblommetjie Festival 2017

Waterblommetjie Festival 2017

On Saturday morning I made my way to the 9th Annual Waterblommetjie Festival with my 2 toddlers in tow, looking forward to a great day out! Well I wasn’t disappointed – and neither were they!

We started off at Windmeul which was buzzing with people young and old, and the live music set the tone for a great festival vibe. Fires burnt on the outskirts with several pots of waterblommetjie bredie cooking on the coals. The indoor market had a great variety of local and organic goods, while the kiddies play area was a huge hit. Hay bales and half wine barrels were the seating for the day while parents could enjoy the excellent food and wine, while making sure they could keep a close eye on their kiddies.

We then made our way to Boland Cellar who had joined in the festivities for the first time. Cooked meals, wine tasting, biltong and organic goods were available on the day whilst the kids kept busy with face painting and a jumping castle.

According to the organisers the festival was a resounding success with venues like Windmeul Kelder receiving the most visitors in the history of the festival.

Festival goers at Rhebokskloof were delighted with the array of waterblommetjies dishes available – with the waterblommetjies ice cream and the waterblommetjies-infused gin cocktails firm favourites.  It was also a definite thumbs up from the younger visitors, who enjoyed the perfect weather and sprawling lawns with play areas.

The Canapes for Kings sessions with Under Oaks winemaker Bertus Fourie and charcuterier Richard Bosman in the private cellar was a real treat for gourmands, while the waterblommetjies and wine pairing wowed guests.

According to Liza from Windmeul Cellars “It was a massive success – shade and seating wise we were not prepared for the amount of people. We will be ready next year! We realy hope that everyone had a fantastic Waterblommetjie experience. Due to drought it was very difficult to find and took a couple of phone calls our side to get in as much as we possibly could.”

Here are some photos taken on the day: