 The Green Mountain Eco Route, the world’s first biodiversity wine route, located in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, is hosting its inaugural Blossom Festival - an eco-friendly festive experience in harmony with nature. Foodies, winos, sport-, adventure- and nature-lovers are invited to round up their friends and families and head out to the country to celebrate the arrival of spring.
The Green Mountain Eco Route spans an area of 75 kilometres around the Groenland Mountain and envelops the regions of: Bot River, Elgin, Grabouw, Houw Hoek and Villiersdorp. The express purpose of this Route is to nurture the natural environment, while, at the same time, allowing for the social upliftment and sustainable development of the resident communities and businesses and the cultivation of eco-tourism, which now flourishes in the area.
Embracing majestic mountains, rolling green hills, rivers and dams, pristine fynbos, orchards, vineyards and olive groves, this magical Eco Route epitomises country living at its best. Its 25 members, all hailing from different niches and providing diverse offerings, include family-owned wineries and fruit farms, quaint country restaurants and accommodation, farm stalls, delis and B&Bs, arts and craft centres and an events company specialising in outdoor adventure.
During the Blossom Festival each of the members will be hosting their own unique event for visitors to enjoy.
Popular events will include:
- The Apple Blossom MTB Classic and Trail-Run (8 km) at Oak Valley Estate on Sunday 9 October, which will be a ‘must’ for both novice- and experienced mountain-bikers and trail-runners.For further details and bookings please visit: www.entrytime.co.za or contact Theresa Bridgman on 082 658 0112 or
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- An Amazing Race following clues and performing fun tasks at the different Green Mountain Eco Route members along the way – with a big prize for the winners – will be a highlight on both days of the Festival. For further information please contact Cany Bugler on 083 456 2181 or
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Bookings can be made in advance or on the day.
At the Blossom Festival visitors will also be able to enjoy:
- Excellent cool-climate wines from award-winning wine producers;
- Off-road wine-route;
- Apple cider and brandy tasting;
- Wholesome country cuisine and picnics;
- High Tea;
- Milling and bread-making at an historic mill;
- Fresh organic produce and products including olives and olive oil, honey, dried fruit etc;
- Farming with olives, including pruning, preserving, bottling and cooking with olives;
- Hikes and tours amidst the blossoming orchards and fynbos;
- Fynbos and Black Eagle Trail (led by John Hartnick from the local community who has been part of the Green Mountain Eco Route’s comprehensive training programme and heads up ‘walk with an alien’, making walking sticks from alien vegetation.) This hike will offer visitors a snapshot of the 4 day slack-packing Green Mountain Trail and one could be so lucky as to see some of the 87 red data floral species and the resident black eagles caring for their fledgling chicks;
- Outdoor adventures, sports and activities;
- Yoga in the orchards amongst the blossoms, at sunrise and sunset;
- Greenhouse cut-flower tours;
- Arts and crafts;
- Tractor museum;
- Kiddies’ activities including a survival course, jumping castle, climbing wall and much more;
- Live music;
- Big-screen TV for rugby lovers;
- Accommodation in the Green Mountain Eco Route.
| Dates | 8 and 9 October 2011 | | Tickets and bookings | Each member will charge separately for their individual activities.
Please note some of the activities will require booking in advance. | Info Centre during the Festival
(for a map and list of events) | Sithanda Plants Nursery next to Peregrine Farm Stall
| | Enquiries | Ina Malherbe: 083 229 4630 or
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| | Website | www.greenmountain.co.za
Full details will be on the website by 1 September: map, list of activities,
ticket costs and bookings, event contact details, accommodation etc.
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Green Mountain Eco Route members:
Appletiser, Beaumont Wines, Elgin Vintners, Eerstehoop Wines, Goedvertrouw Wines, Green Mountain Trail, Gabriëlskloof Wines, Houw Hoek Farm Stall, Melsetter Trust, Molteno Brothers, Nabot (La Motte Wines), Nature Discovery Tours, Oak Valley Wines, Oude Molen Distillery, Paul Cluver Wines, Peregrine Farm Stall, Porcupine Hills, Shannon Vineyards, Thandi Wines and Farm Kitchen, The Shuntin’ Shed, Tri Active Events, Villiersdorp Kelder/Kelkiewyn, Vredelust B&B, Wildekrans Country House, Wildekrans Cellar.
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