There are 2 routes to travel between Cape Town and the Eastern Cape. One is with the N2 national road. The never-ending stretch of tar accommodates many trucks, taxis and other nervous motorists. It’s not the most scenic trip, either. At times, the ocean is visible in the distance. Other times, there are hours of bland countryside, not a soul in sight.

The other route is with Route 62, otherwise known as the wine route. The R62 takes the traveller through the Langeberg region, the heart of the Western Cape winelands. It snakes along scenic countryside with breath-taking mountain ranges, through beautiful towns like Bonnievale, Robertson, Ashton, Montagu and Swellendam. Within the Robertson Wine Valley there is a fine network of roads linking to all the wine estates. Why people opt to take the other route is beyond me.

Every year the Wacky Wine festival calls all the attention to the region. This year the event runs from 6 – 8 June 2014. Most of the wine enthusiasts find themselves drawn there, and rightfully so. There is so much to do for the whole family. Whether going from estate to estate for wine tastings, enjoying the local cuisine, braving the many outdoor activities on offer, or engaging with the locals, it is easy to lose oneself.

For the next month or so I will do a series of blog posts about what an author gets up to at the Wacky Wine Weekend festival. I will be in the area for the duration to review some of the restaurants and guest houses. I will also critique the finest SA wines, try out a much-anticipated spa treatment, attend a speciality coffee tasting, do a bit of hiking, and much more

There will be competitions for readers, with great prizes up for grabs, so watch this space. Next blog post will be very soon…