KNYSNA NEWS - Greater Knysna revellers will be relieved to hear that the ever-popular Knysna Wine Festival will be taking place during this year's Knysna Oyster Festival.
Once the naming sponsors of the Knysna Oyster Festival withdrew their support, the organisers of the wine festival faced some difficult decisions.
"There was a brief moment that it looked as if we may need to cancel the event. Thankfully we are happy to announce that the 14th Knysna Wine Festival will take place over the weekend of the famous Knysna Forest Marathon, Friday 28 and Saturday 29 June and will continue to offer locals and visitors the opportunity to experience a vast range of delicious wines, craft beer and gin while chatting with the vintners and distillers," said Belinda Hobson, co-owner of the wine festival.
She expressed her immense joy and gratitude towards their new vehicle sponsor, Lexus Halfway George. "Just as a good wine ages and improves with time, the Knysna Wine Festival plans to do the same with our new sponsor Lexus, who share our dedication and passion in the pursuit of perfection," Hobson added.
With the Knysna Wine Festival being known as one of the Oyster Festival's premier events, it is only fitting that this year's instalment takes place at a premier venue, the luxurious Premier Resort The Moorings on George Rex Drive.
"This new venue will not be housed in a marquee, ensuring that exhibitors and quaffers alike will enjoy a much warmer temperature and atmosphere. This year revellers will have the opportunity to imbibe in over 200 wines and various deliciously crafted liquors from across the Cape Wine lands and Garden Route.
"What would the Knysna Wine Festival be without South Africa's well-known single malt whisky ambassador Hector Macbeth, who will be on hand to tantalise the palates and share his knowledge of some of the world's most famous whiskies.
"The Knysna Wine Festival believes in 'local is lekker' and we have ensured that, once again, a variety of local craft beers, Knysna's very own gin distillery Phantom Gin, and an array of our neighbouring Plettenberg Bay's vineyards will be in joining us," said Hobson.
Every year the festival is geared towards raising funds for communities in and around Greater Knysna and this particular event will donate a portion of the door takings to Sedgefield Animal Matters who specialises in the rescue and placement of abused, abandoned and unwanted companion animals. These monies will go towards their spay and neuter programme.
Follow the festival on Facebook/Knysna Wine Festival.
Limited tickets will be available online at www.webtickets.co.za or at Knysna and Sedgefield Tourism Offices from the first week of June.
Various role players in the lead-up to the festival, from left: Leon Theron; Calvyn Hamman, Andrew Kirby, Jacques du Plessis, Belinda Hobson and Michael Simon. Photo: Supplied
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