On 21 March 2026, while much of the country marks Human Rights Day with high-energy events and public celebrations, a different kind of gathering will unfold in the Cape Winelands.
At Black Elephant Vintners, Vine & Vinyl — A Day on the Farm — will debut as a new signature event on the Franschhoek calendar. Designed as an intentional alternative to large-scale festivals, it invites guests to slow down and spend an unhurried afternoon immersed in wine, vinyl, conversation and culture.
From 11am to 7pm, the farm opens its gates not for spectacle, but for atmosphere.
A Day Built on Connection, Not Noise
Vine & Vinyl has been curated around one simple idea: linger.
Guests are encouraged to arrive early, settle into the lawns and remain for the full afternoon. Rather than rushing between stages or chasing headline acts, the experience is structured around presence — a glass in hand, music drifting through the air, conversations unfolding naturally.
Each ticket, priced at R250 per person, includes:
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A branded take-home wine glass
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Five curated wine tastings
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A R50 bottle voucher redeemable on the day
Wines will be available for purchase to open and share on the lawns, reinforcing the spirit of community and shared enjoyment.
With attendance capped at just 300 guests, the atmosphere remains intimate, relaxed and thoughtfully curated.
Where Wine Meets Analogue Culture
Music forms the backbone of the experience.
DJ Conrad will provide the soundtrack throughout the day, while ten specialist vinyl traders from across the Western Cape create an immersive analogue marketplace. Guests can browse rare pressings, vintage classics and audio equipment — a tactile counterpoint to today’s digital streaming culture.
Food trucks and Terbodore Coffee will complement the wines, completing a day that reflects Franschhoek’s reputation for culinary and cultural excellence.
In a world driven by algorithms and instant gratification, Vine & Vinyl leans deliberately into craftsmanship and physicality — the ritual of placing a record on a turntable, the clink of a glass, the slow swirl of Chenin Blanc in the afternoon light.
The Launch of Free Bird
The event will also mark the official launch of Free Bird, a new label from Black Elephant Vintners featuring an Old Vine Chenin Blanc and a Red Blend.
Released on Human Rights Day, Free Bird celebrates coexistence and individuality. Its message is quiet but deliberate.
“Birds live among us without permission,” reads the Free Bird label. “They coexist without argument. They simply are.”
The symbolism aligns seamlessly with the day itself — a reminder that freedom is not always loud. Sometimes, it is expressed in the simple act of gathering, sharing and being.
A New Chapter for Franschhoek
Franschhoek has long held its place as one of South Africa’s premier wine destinations. Vine & Vinyl adds a new layer to the valley’s offering — a daytime cultural gathering rooted in atmosphere rather than excess.
Black Elephant Vintners, known for its rebellious “Drink Different” philosophy, positions the event as a celebration of the analogue in a digital age.
“Wine is not just a product. It’s an experience,” says Kevin Swart of Black Elephant Vintners. “Vine & Vinyl is about creating space — for connection, for discovery and for simply enjoying the moment.”
With its limited capacity and carefully curated format, Vine & Vinyl is poised to become an annual Human Rights Day fixture for those seeking something more intentional.
Not louder.
Not bigger.
Just better.
Event Details
Date: 21 March 2026
Time: 11am – 7pm
Venue: Black Elephant Vintners, Franschhoek
Tickets: R250 per person (includes glass, five tastings and R50 bottle voucher)
Capacity: Limited to 300 guests
Tickets available online:
https://bevintners.co.za/product/vine-vinyl-a-day-on-the-farm/
