Celebrate an Indigenous Delicacy at the Waterblommetjie Festival
If you love a good South African delicacy, then the upcoming annual Waterblommetjie Festival in Paarl will be just the thing for you to tuck into! With a fun, jam packed day for the whole family, you can look forward to not only savouring the different ways to enjoy waterblommetjies but also the region’s fabulous wines, local gourmet food and live entertainment.
The waterblommetjie, or little water lily, is one of our country’s most popular indigenous foods that can only be harvested from dams in the Boland region during the winter season. They are delicious in traditional potjies, stews, pastas and even as a pizza topping. The strangest way to indulge has got to be Waterblommetjie ice cream – a must try for the adventurous!
This year, the festival that’s taking place on Saturday the 2nd September has included four Paarl wine producers all within a five-kilometre radius, so it really is keeping things local! Each wine farm, which includes Boland Cellar, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Under Oaks and Windmeul Cellar, will present its own fun-filled programme, and because they’re so near to each other, you can enjoy easy access from one to the next while experiencing their unique offerings.
Here’s what you can look forward to at each venue:
Boland Cellar
Operating from 09:00 to 16:00, you can enjoy Waterblommetjie tapas, waterblommetjie inspired arts and crafts, great wine promotions, kiddies’ entertainment, henna tattoos and listen to local artist Ivan van der Merwe who will perform from 10:00.
Rheboskloof Wine Estate
Perfect for the little ones while the adults sample the wines and gourmet food, there’ll be face painting, pony rides, a jumping castle, Zorbing and a Super Hero Adventure Race obstacle course to look forward to. Make sure to register on Friday 1st September between 15:00 and 17:00 to take part. For the grown ups, there’s live music, a pop-up deli where among other yummy goodies Waterblommetjie ice cream will be served, as well as incredible wine specials. Open from 08:00 – 17:00.
Under Oaks
Experience Waterblommetjies transformed into muffins, pastas and pizzas at this spot, or enjoy the special Waterblommetjie & Wine pairing for R100 per person. From 12:00 to 14:00 there’s a Canapes for Kings pairings with Bertus Fourie and Richard Bosman for R150 per person. Pre-booking is essential.
Windmeul Cellar
An ideal start for the early birds who want a delicious farm breakfast, visitors can also browse at the farmers’ market for fresh local produce and home-made treats. If you’re looking for an adventure, fitness fans can enter the 5km or 10km Run the Vines trail run, while kids can enjoy the jumping castle and designated play area. From 10:00 to 12:00 the winemaking team will present a tasting session featuring a Windmeul wine with a waterblommetjies dish, while a potjie competition will take place too. Open from 08:00 – 16:00.
The Haven Night Shelter in Paarl is the official festival beneficiary and festival goers can enjoy access to all four venues by simply donating one tin of canned food per vehicle. Collect a stamp from all four participants in the festival passport to qualify for amazing prizes, gift vouchers and hampers.
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