Locals often comment, “Nothing beats a stay at Spier.” Well, sorry to disappoint, but I think I’ve found something: A stay at Spier over the festive season, with the addition of a picnic as part of the Spier Light Art Festival…
From the golf carts that zip you around the grounds to the tall, tinselled Christmas trees at reception to the soft sun-loungers calling your name beside the sparkling main pool, Spier in December is a true sight for sore eyes.
So are the picnics. Gigantic and gourmet, our pre-packed basket was more than enough for the two of us, with each ‘course’ individually packed and locally sourced. You can put together your own picnic from the goodies in the deli area, if you prefer.
There was also a bottle of Spier Signature Wine – our choice of red or white, as well as hot buttery gruyere-mushroom individual frittata-style quiches, and rich brownie bricks with a tart summer berry compote for dessert. It was so delicious we even took some of it home for a midnight snack in our suite.
And then it was time for the light art festival to begin…
This illuminates the Stellenbosch wine farm like nothing else, with choreographer and curator Jay Pather introducing the festivities with the Pied Piper-like giant puppet from the Firebird ballet, which soon had a trail of children bobbing along behind it.
These artworks of light go above and beyond into the realm of theatre by incorporating light and sound. There’s an element of movement too, as you follow the action around the grounds - you're encouraged to stay with the pack, but everything's so intriguing there are bound to be a few stragglers and adventurers on their own mission.
No quick half-hour sky show, Pather said:
Some of the works are whimsical and flitting, ironic; some may be glimpsed at from a distance and in passing, some will require more time and interaction. These experiences – of walking and pausing, catching a glimpse or settling down to absorb – invite us to be introspective, adventurous and playful in turn.Absorb they did, with attendees wandering up to the likes of In die sterre geskryf (Written in the stars) by Berco Wilsenach in wonder.
It was first produced in 2009 as part of a body of work called Project for the Blind Astronomer. Exhibited outside for the first time, it’s an artistic investigation into different decoding systems to map and explain the night sky to a visually impaired audience, complete with panels lit from within to look like ‘endless space’. The panels are lit from within, creating an effect of thousands of dots floating in midair.
The work was so inspired, I’ll let posts on Instagram from the opening weekend speak for themselves:
The festival lasts a good few hours so I highly recommend following our flip flops and booking into one of the charming suites for the night.
Ruth Cooper 22 Nov 2013
We’re talking hot coffees and everything from cereals with yoghurts and crumpets (gluten-free is no problem here) to hot breakfast basics like bacon and eggs any way you like them, and all the accompaniments – fresh fruit spreads, cheeses, sausages and ‘sprinkles’ like syrupy dates and candy-coated sesame seeds. No judgement!
Cycle or walk all around the lovely waterways, do a Segway tour of the grounds, stop to gaze at the ducks and chickens – and cat – walking free, or make your way to Eagle Encounters at the far end of the property.
However you spend your stay, you’re bound to make your way home feeling decidedly more relaxed and festive than before – who knows, we may just pop into Spier again before the Spier Light Art Festival 2018 wraps up on 31 January…
*Leigh Andrews was a guest at Spier Wine Farm. While the Spier Light Art Festival offer free entry, there are various picnic basket options. R580 per couple includes two adult entry tickets, a picnic dinner for two and bottle of Spier wine. Alternatively, R200 per adult includes a complimentary glass of wine, or R75 per child under the age of 12. Visit www.spier.co.za for more information.
