A cherished Tradition since 2006

Join us as we welcome old friends and new at the South African Food & Wine Festival

September 16th & 17th, 2023

Meet Visiting Winemakers

South African winemakers,

winery owners, importers and experts

share their knowledge and stories

The Taste of South Africa

From Chenin Blanc to Chardonnay

Shiraz to Pinotage

Sample wine from South Africa's

premier wine regions

Live Music

The legendary Sharon Katz & Peace Train

lead a weekend of traditional & contemporary

South African music

One of a Kind

Arts & Crafts, spices & gourmet goods sourced by our Marketplace maven, Dumisile Nxumalo Martin

and the chefs at Grayhaven

Family & Friends

Music * Dance * Food * Arts & Crafts

Spend a day of Relaxation, Exploration & Connection

stay tuned to see who'll be here in '23

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Riaan Möller MAN Family Wines

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

Riaan Möller grew up in the Cape wine lands, surrounded by vineyards and beaches. After high school, he left South Africa and did a 3-year.....

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

Rudger van Wyk, winemaker at Stark Condé winery and winemaker & owner of Kara-Tara Wines, Diner's Club Young Winemaker Of The Year (2018) and Wineland Media's Top 30 Under 30 of 2020.

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Charl Coetzee Babylonstoren Winery

Cellarmaster at Babylonstoren winery in South Africa, Charl Coetzee does more than just lead winemaking operations.

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Charl Coetzee Babylonstoren Winery

Deon Abrams & Max Pepe-Abrams, owners and winemakers at Grayhaven Winery in Gum Spring, Virginia share a passion for adventure that's evident in everything from their wine to their unusual approach to crafting winery culture for visitors and staff. The couple took the helm at Grayhaven in 2002, establishing the signature grape of Deon's homeland South Africa in the vineyards and cultivating the winery as a welcoming destination for people of all ages and cultures.

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

Olivier Lotterie is Vice President, Mid Atlantic Sales for Vineyard Brands, importer of premium estate wines from South Africa, France , Argentina, Chile, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Italy, and Slovenia.

Originally from Caen, France, Olivier brings the charm and a nice accent along with his deep knowledge of South African wines. With years of industry experience and extensive travels to wineries and regions around South Africa and the world, Olivier's expertise is second to none.

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Zingo Munger Cape Classics

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

Zingo Munger is the East Coast Sales Manager for Cape Classics, importer of an impressive line-up of South African wines, as well as wines from Italy and France. Zingo has worked with some of South Africa's most respected wineries, such as Kanonkop, Glenelly, Boschendal, De Toren, Taaibosch and Terre Brulee.

Despite his vast knowledge, Zingo is warm and approachable and loves sharing his passion for the South African wines in his portfolio. We also especially like his habit of pitching up at the winery from time to time with a motherload of ZZQ BBQ and all the sides. Good taste is good taste.

About Us

Staff & Volunteers

Our people make it work, and without them the festival, and all of the joy it brings visitors, wouldn't be possible. Working together under flaming batons and runaway lions in the 'circus' of the festival has forged enduring friendships behind the scenes - and that is the magic sauce, that fabulous ingredient you can't quite name that makes the dish.

The Venue

Staff & Volunteers

Out of the ordinary and off the beaten path, Grayhaven Winery began as a small vineyard in the 1970's and went on to become the 22nd licensed winery in Virginia. The beautiful, rustic farm is nestled in the rolling hills of central VA, surrounded by forests and horse pastures. The personalities and passions of the 3-generation family of owners can be seen in the craftsman details of the wood & iron work, the koi pond and gardens, as well as the gracious and gregarious staff culture, exceptional food and, of course, the estate wine. The winery is located just a few minutes off Rt 64 in the small town of Gum Spring, about 30 minutes west of Richmond, 35 minutes east of Charlottesville and 2.5 hrs south of Washington D.C./NOVA.

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Visit Grayhaven

The Experience

Staff & Volunteers

The Experience

This groundbreaking event that began in 2006 brings entertainers, chefs, artists, importers and winemakers - and all their staff, together for a weekend celebrating the wine, music, art, cuisine and culture of South Africa.

From all of us at Grayhaven Winery, we're excited to welcome everyone back for the 2023 South African Food & Wine Fe

From all of us at Grayhaven Winery, we're excited to welcome everyone back for the 2023 South African Food & Wine Festival, a joyful tradition we're honored to host and grateful to be part of.

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A cherished Tradition since 2006

Meet Visiting Winemakers

The Taste of South Africa

*Live Music*

One of a Kind

Family & Friends

2023 South African Food & Wine Festival September 16th & 17th 11 am to 6 pm

September 16th & 17th, 2023 We'll see you there!

stay tuned to see who'll be here in '23

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Riaan Möller MAN Family Wines

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Charl Coetzee Babylonstoren Winery

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Rudger van Wyk Stark Condé & Kara-Tara

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Charl Coetzee Babylonstoren Winery

Max & Deon Abrams Grayhaven Winery

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

2022 Fest Visiting Winemaker - Charl Coetzee Babylonstoren Winery

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Zingo Munger Cape Classics

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

2022 Fest Veteran, Importer Extraordinaire Olivier Lotterie Vineyard Brands

About Us

Staff & Volunteers

Staff & Volunteers

Staff & Volunteers

The Venue

Staff & Volunteers

Staff & Volunteers

The Experience

Staff & Volunteers

The Experience

Live Music