The annual Italian Festival is set to transform the Bottega family’s picturesque farm into a slice of Italy on the slopes of the Helderberg mountains in Somerset West this weekend, 2 to 3 March 2024.
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Taking place at Idiom Wines, this year’s theme is a focus on Tuscany, which will include elements of Tuscan meals, music, wine and – for the first time ever – the traditional Italian flag throwers who are flying to South Africa specifically to perform in this weekend’s event.
For a taste of la dolce vita, celebrated Tuscan chefs will be showcasing Italian cuisine in all its bold-flavoured goodness with live cooking demonstrations.
Guest Chef Andrea Volpe from Tuscany will demonstrate how to make pappardelle al cinghiale (wild boar ragu), Enrico di Giambattista will be throwing pizza dough with panache and, of course, Idiom’s kitchen and food stalls will be serving up a storm of Tuscan and regional dishes.
Additionally, children’s edutainment will be provided in the form of arts and crafts and – as it’s harvest time on the farm – the whole family can get in on some good grape-stomping fun.
As is necessary, the wine will be flowing this weekend with the various tasting areas, including a special focus on Tuscan wines, which you can compare to the Sangiovese wines of local producers.
There will also be a series of Italian wine masterclasses for aficionados, a dedicated Prosecco tent for bubby lovers and a sparkling Almare spritz area.
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To secure the star of the show, Idiom has partnered with the Italian Embassy, the Italian Consulate and the Italian Institute of Culture in Pretoria to bring the Sbandieratori d’Arezzo – the flag-wavers from Arezzo in southern Tuscany – to the festival.
Special occasions in Florence and Tuscany are often marked with street parades featuring flag throwers and flag wavers. The art of flag-throwing dates back to Medieval and Renaissance times, when military parades would be accompanied by each town’s band of merry musicians and their colourful flag wavers.
Performances by the sbandieratori will take place at 1pm to 2pm and 4pm to 5pm on both days.
For the petrolheads, Ferraris and Alfa Romeos will be on display and the fashionistas can browse a wide range of Italian design and decor.
Details:
- Date: 2 and 3 March 2024
- Location: Idiom Wines, Knorhoek Road, off Sir Lowry’s Pass Road, Somerset West
- Time: Saturday, 10am to 8pm | Sunday, 10am to 5pm
- Cost: R 240 (adults) |R360 (adults – includes tastings) | R990 (VIP) | R120 (kids) | R150 (kids VIP)
- Tickets Webtickets or idiom.co.za
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Also read:
5 pasta restaurants in Cape Town that will transport you to Italy
Picture: Idiom Wines / Facebook