One of the biggest and oldest food and wine festivals in the Cape, the Stellenbosch Wine Festival is set to stage its 8th annual event at the Paul Roos Centre from 30 July to 2 August 2009. Join this year's festival goers as they enjoy a special selection of over 500 wines and gourmet delights from 170 top exhibitors all under one roof.

New and exclusive events for this festival include the Gourmet Lane where top Stellenbosch restaurants will be dishing up sumptuous meals, and the Demo Kitchen where the hottest chefs in town will be cooking up a feast.

The Wine Connoisseur evening on the Thursday is the ideal opportunity for wine lovers to meander through the festival without the crowds, meet the winemakers and taste the best of Stellenbosch. Sunday is Family Day, with a ton of fun for the kids while parents can take time out to enjoy the festivities.

This year the festival features local Stellenbosch musical talents who will entertain revellers while sampling the festival delights. Shuttles to and from Cape Town, Tygervalley, Somerset West and surrounding farms will also be available.

The preceding Stellenbosch Wine Week which kicks off on 24 July, offers a host of day trips, restaurant specials, exclusive winemaker dinners and encounters galore, so book your tickets now.

The Stellenbosch Wine Festival has become a tradition during the winter months in Stellenbosch and is a popular destination for both local and international visitors.

Tickets for the Stellenbosch Wine Festival are available at Computicket, from R100 per person, to R300 for the Golden Pass. The exclusive Wine Connoisseurs Evening from 16:00 till 21:00 on the Thursday costs R150.00 per person, and includes a welcome snack and bubbly.