Big in Gugulethu

This weekend saw the opening of the first Gugulethu Wine Festival and politicians never miss a chance to impress. Introduced by festival co-founder and Gugs celebrity businessman Mzoli Ngcawuzele,  DA leader Helen Zille did a good job of opening the sold-out event, switching languages as she charmed the eager crowd.

Banner outside Pistos Place shebeen

According to Hot Salsa Media’s Sharon Cooper, Nederburg and headline sponsor Tops at Spar were the main shapeshifters. Cooper arranged the event along with the team from the Soweto Wine Festival.

Telling Helen about my Dad's efforts as DA councillor on KZN South Coast

While some of the Cape’s top growths were in attendance, the party atmosphere made any serious cork dork pretentions rather challenging - another welcome change. However my stand-out producer on the night was Elgin’s Paul Cluver – all their wines were simply delicious including a smouldering Pinot Noir.

Mzoli's girls showing their brand

. The so-called VIP area was as big and almost as full as the main tent, boasting brandy cocktails, DJ and spit -braaied lamb. We were having some difficulty securing a stukkie before Mzoli (owner of Gug’s braai restaurant of the same name) parted the crowd, picked up a leg before depositing it on our table to be inhaled in about 46 seconds.

 For a purely novel experience, the highlight came later. Befriended by Zelda we were easily swayed to seek out Pistos Place, a shebeen where we partied like we may have had we believed in Rapture. It was heaven.

Georgie, Anel, Zelda, Kim

Anel from Spit or Swallow trying to make up her mind at Pistos Place

 If you missed it, diarise for next year