Star of Cape Town Set for Sparkling Return with 3-Year Headline Deal

Online, May 22, 2014 (Newswire.com) - In a commitment to creating 5-star wine festivals in previously disadvantaged areas for local communities, and a dedication to wine education and visitor integration, TOPS at SPAR has confirmed a three-year headline sponsorship agreement with the TOPS AT SPAR Gugulethu Wine Festival starting in 2015, giving one of Cape Town's premier Winter Flagship events, and the wine industry, a much-needed platform with which to engage the community in real time and with purpose.

This year, the team behind the success of the TOPS AT SPAR SOWETO WINE FESTIVAL and TOPS AT SPAR GUGULETHU WINE FESTIVAL will focus their energies on launching the inaugural TOPS AT SPAR KWAMASHU WINE FESTIVAL, which is set to showcase the country's premier wines to a VIP audience of movers and shakers kicking off in the 'city of sun', KwaMashu, on the 25-26 July 2014 at the K-Cap Film School in Gia Road in KwaMashu. This brings the count to three for which festival goers will be able to plan their annual travel around three distinctly African, very unique, wine festivals in South Africa.

Says Mark Robinson, TOPS at SPAR Group Liquor Manager, "TOPS at SPAR is thrilled to confirm their commitment to the TOPS at SPAR Gugulethu Wine Festival and to the residents of Gugulethu, and look forward to another sterling event in 2015. While we regret that the event could not take place in 2014, we look forward to focusing our attentions on the newest festival in our stable, the inaugural TOPS at SPAR KwaMashu Wine Festival. After 20 years of democracy, we agree that it is time to shine the light on this largely unknown hub of creativity and talent perfectly located between Durban and Umhlanga."

Both the TOPS at SPAR Gugulethu and KwaMashu wine festivals found their inspiration in the successful TOPS at SPAR Soweto Wine & Lifestyle Festival, which celebrates its first decade in September. The TOPS at SPAR Soweto Wine & Lifestyle Festival attracts visitors and sponsors from around the world to a three-night celebration of wine, food, art and music, right in the heart of the vibrant city of Soweto.

Says Marilyn Cooper, Cape Wine Master and co-founder of the TOPS at SPAR Soweto Wine & Lifestyle Festival and consultant to the TOPS at SPAR Gugulethu and KwaMashu festivals: "It is with great pride we see our festivals take shape and meet the needs of local communities, gradually changing the landscape of the wine industry. When we started the TOPS at SPAR Soweto Wine Festival, the vision was to make wine accessible to the people of South Africa that had largely been excluded from enjoying wines; to see this flow into other areas and be embraced and adapted to the communities and visitors it attracts, is a welcome boost for the wine industry in South Africa."

KwaMashu Wine Festival

Dates: 25-26 July 2014
Times: Fri: 6pm-9pm | Sat: 5pm-8pm
Venue: K-Cap Film School, 25 Gia Road, KwaMashu
More info: http://twitter.com/KwaMashuFest

Soweto Wine & Lifestyle Festival

Dates: Thursday to Saturday 4th to 6th September 2014
Times: Thurs-Fri: 6pm to 10pm | Sat: 5pm to 9pm
Venue: University of Johannesburg, Soweto Campus, Chris Hani Road, Soweto
Tickets: R150 per day from the door on the night, online from www.webtickets.co.za, Cape Wine Academy offices in Bramley JHB and Morara Wine Emporium, Mofolo Central, Soweto
Dress Code: Smart Casual, no slops or shorts
More info: www.sowetowinefestival.co.za
http://twitter.com/sowetoloveswine
www.facebook.com/SowetoWineFestival

Gugulethu Wine Festival

Dates: 29 - 30 May 2015
Times: Fri: 4pm to 9pm | Sat: 3pm to 9pm
More info: www.gugulethuwinefestival.co.za
http://twitter.com/gugsloveswine
www.facebook.com/GuguletuWineFestival