Choosing a bottle of wine can sometimes feel like a lucky dip.

The label looks beautiful.

Someone once recommended it.

Or perhaps it happens to be on special.

Then you get home and discover it isn't quite what you hoped for.

That's exactly why the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival has become such a popular event.

Instead of committing to a full bottle, visitors have the opportunity to sample wines from more than 70 South African wine estates in one place, making it one of the easiest ways to discover new producers and styles before deciding what you'd like to buy later.

Returning to The Wanderers Club in Illovo on 8 and 9 August, the festival brings together award-winning wineries from across the country's wine-growing regions. Whether you enjoy crisp Sauvignon Blancs, elegant Cap Classiques, bold Cabernet Sauvignons or lighter summer wines, there's something to suit almost every palate.

And if you don't know much about wine?

That's perfectly okay.

One of the reasons the festival appeals to newcomers as much as experienced wine lovers is that there's no pressure to be an expert. Winemakers and representatives are on hand to explain different varieties, recommend food pairings and help visitors discover wines they may never have considered trying.

Of course, good wine deserves good food.

A selection of gourmet food vendors, artisan cheeses, charcuterie and freshly prepared meals makes it easy to slow down between tastings, while live music creates the relaxed atmosphere the festival has become known for.

Visitors looking to learn even more can also book optional masterclasses in the Pick n Pay Tasting Room, where industry experts and winemakers share insights into grape varieties, wine styles and tasting techniques. The Mixology Theatre also offers cocktail demonstrations for those who enjoy spirits as much as wine.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is that you leave with confidence.

Instead of wondering whether a bottle will suit your taste, you'll already know.

Fast Facts

• When
• Saturday, 8 August and Sunday, 9 August 2026
• Where
• The Wanderers Club
• 21 North Street, Illovo, Johannesburg
• Your Ticket Includes
• Festival entry
• Official tasting glass
• 20 wine tasting tokens
• Good to Know
• General admission opens at 1:00 pm
• Early Access ticket holders enter from 12:00 pm
• Wine tasting concludes at 4:30 pm
• Optional tasting masterclasses and mixology experiences can be booked separately
• Strictly no under-18s
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The Bottom Line

The best wine isn't always the most expensive bottle on the shelf.

Sometimes it's simply the one you enjoy most.

The Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival gives you the rare opportunity to discover that for yourself, one tasting at a time. Whether you leave with a new favourite vineyard, a better understanding of wine or simply memories of a great afternoon with friends, it's an experience that's about much more than what's in the glass.