The popular Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival is coming to Ballito for the very first time this Saturday!

The annual celebration of wine, food and music will be held at Sugar Rush Park from 12-6pm, with nearly 50 tasting stands pouring a wide selection of South African wines, cocktails and craft beer. Every ticket includes a branded festival glass and 20 tokens, allocated by tasting depending on the cost of the wine being poured.

While wine tasting sometimes carries a “specialists only” reputation, this festival is designed to show that everyone can join in on the fun. Guests can taste small samples and chat directly to winemakers in a relaxed setting.

“Wine is at its most approachable when it is part of a shared experience,” says Pick n Pay’s Gavin Ievers. 

Beyond the general tasting, the festival has a few special experiences that can be booked as extras to elevate the afternoon. Both cost R150 each and are sold separately to the R350 general access ticket.

• The Pick n Pay Tasting Room, flavoured by Robertsons, invites visitors to taste wines that pair with carefully selected dishes.

• The Pick n Pay Mixology Theatre presented by Diageo offers exciting live cocktail demonstrations and tastings.

Meanwhile, there is plenty of food on offer to everyone that comes through the gates, from flatbreads to fire-grilled chicken bowls and much more.

Dave Guselli will MC the entertainment line-up, with music being performed throughout the afternoon. Headline act Stones & Bones will take to the stage once tastings close at 4.30pm. 

“Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival is all about bringing people together over the things that make a great day memorable: delicious food, good wine, music and shared experiences,” said Ievers.

“Our move to Sugar Rush Park gives us an exciting new setting in which to welcome festival-goers, while our expanded wine and food offering and interactive experiences give guests even more to discover. 

“Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, a foodie or simply looking for a wonderful afternoon with friends and family, we look forward to sharing the festival with KwaZulu-Natal this spring.”

Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival details

• Venue: Sugar Rush Park, Ballito
• Date: Saturday, 3 October 2026
• Early access: 12pm for Pick n Pay Wine Club members
• General access: 1pm
• Tastings: Until 4.30pm
• Wine and food sales: Until 5.30pm
• Event closes: 6pm.

Find tickets and further information here.

The Courier is running a ticket giveaway in conjunction with Pick n Pay for five lucky pairs of guests.

Head over to our Facebook page to see more details. The giveaway closes at 4.30pm on Friday, October 2.