The annual Wine Harvest Parade could again be hosted this year after a two-year hiatus. The parade included a procession of floats from different wineries in the region. This year’s event, hosted on 9 April, started at the Toy & Miniature Museum and ended at the Stellenbosch Town Hall.
“We do [the parade] so that we can give thanks; and also show our gratitude and share the excitement around the harvest,” said Elmarie Rabe, general manager of Stellenbosch Wine Routes and marketing manager of Visit Stellenbosch.
The parade, which was first introduced in 2013, provides “a showcase where [agricultural] workers can also be seen and celebrated”, stated Rabe.
The Wine Harvest Parade took to the streets of Stellenbosch after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19 restrictions. Wineries from across the region took part in the event, marching from the Toy & Miniature Museum to the Stellenbosch Town Hall, where Stellenbosch mayor Gesie van Deventer presented awards for the best teams and floats. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
Stellenbosch mayor Gesie van Deventer was joined by representatives of Stellenbosch Wine Routes and Visit Stellenbosch at the Stellenbosch Town Hall as she toasted to the harvest and the hard labour of farmworkers.
Thereafter, Van Deventer handed out floating trophies for the Best Float and Best Team Spirit. The winner of Best Float went to Beyerskloof, who participated for the first time this year, according to Christiaan van den Heever, brand ambassador of Beyerskloof.
A toast to the workers
“All these people who work so hard are always unseen, and are always there day and night; they get a chance to showcase what they’ve done,” said Van Deventer at the event.
“Acknowledging the guys that actually do the hard labour should be one of the things that we should focus on intensely,” said Solomon Monyamane, farm manager and viticulturist at Beyerskloof. He stated that opportunities to acknowledge the workers, such as the Wine Harvest Parade, should happen more often.
The Wine Harvest Parade took place in Stellenbosch on 9 March. The parade provides an opportunity to celebrate agricultural workers who often go unacknowledged, according to Stellenbosch mayor Gesie van Deventer. The Kaapzicht team won the award for Best Team Spirit. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
For the past two years, the Wine Harvest Parade was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, Stellenbosch Municipality communications manager, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
“It’s wonderful to have this parade back in town again,” said Grobbelaar. He added that ever since the mayor introduced this award, competition has heated up amongst wineries and participants.
The competition is driven not only by trophies, but cash prizes as well. Kaapzicht, who won Best Team Spirit, walked away with a R3 000 reward, followed by runners-up Delheim, who received R2 000.
The Wine Harvest Parade is “an opportunity for geesvang”, according to Christiaan van den Heever, brand ambassador for Beyerskloof. It was Beyerskloof’s first year competing, according to Van den Heever, though the team managed to walk away with the award for Best Float. PHOTO: Nakishka Skriker
The Wine Economy
“We all know the wine industry is one of the anchors of our economy in the bigger Stellenbosch,” said Van Deventer.
The wine industry employs thousands of residents and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, stated Grobbelaar.
The agricultural industry is however under severe economic pressure, according to Rabe. She stated that the parade helps to create a spotlight on the wine industry, which is very necessary in a time when farmers are becoming increasingly desperate due to the difficulties of selling wine during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Wineries across the Stellenbosch region participated in the Wine Harvest Parade on 9 March, taking to the streets of Stellenbosch with floats, marching bands, and elaborate routines. “It is absolutely wonderful,” said Stellenbosch mayor Gesie van Deventer. “It’s such a great input from our [rural people] on the farms.” VIDEO: Nakishka Skriker