The Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival is changing scenery this year. On Saturday, 3 October, it moves to Sugar Rush Park in Ballito, where the lawns look like a good place to settle in for an afternoon of tasting, eating and listening to live music.
Around 50 South African wine estates are expected, pouring reds, whites, rosés and bubbles. Your ticket includes a tasting glass and 20 tokens, which you can use at the wine stands. Tastings cost between one and four tokens depending on the wine, so take a look around before spending them all at the first stand. The stands close at 4.30 pm, even though the festival runs until 6 pm.
Pick n PayA toast to an afternoon of wine, food and live entertainment at the Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival.
Come hungry, too. The food market will have dishes including lamb, sushi and salads, alongside cheese and charcuterie. There’ll also be burger and pizza trucks. If sitting on the grass with a picnic sounds more appealing, you can pre-order a bag for two when booking your ticket.
For anyone keen to learn while they sip, the Tasting Room offers small-group wine and canapé pairings. New to the Durban event is the Mixology Theatre, where guests can make two cocktails with an expert mixologist during a 45-minute session. Both experiences need a separate booking and cost R150 per person, per session.
General admission is R350 and starts at 1 pm. Pick n Pay Wine Club members can enter from noon with the correct early access ticket, also R350. There’s a R200 designated driver ticket, which includes a R75 voucher for soft drinks or coffee. This is an adults-only event, so make your plans without the kids. And if you find a wine you love, drink it there: bottles bought at the festival cannot be taken off-site.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
When: Saturday, 3 October 2026. General entry from 1 pm; festival closes at 6 pm.
Where: Sugar Rush Park, Esenembe Road, Ballito.
Tickets: R350 general admission, including a tasting glass and 20 tokens. Optional picnic bags cost R350 and serve two. Tasting Room and Mixology Theatre sessions cost R150 each on top of admission. Designated driver tickets cost R200.
Good to know: Over 18s only. Wine tasting ends at 4.30 pm. Wine purchased at the festival cannot be taken off-site.
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Dining and Cooking