About Us

The 2007 South African Food and Wine festival, hosted by Grayhaven Winery in Gum Spring Virginia, drew over 2,200 visitors from Virginia, New York, Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina and Georgia.

The festival, in its third year, is a grass roots effort to introduce visitors to the unique culture, cuisine, wine and music of South Africa. Our mission is to aid the wellbeing of South Africa by promoting its products in the U.S. and by inspiring travel to South Africa.

The idea for the festival came about when two best friends got homesick for the food and music they grew up with in Cape Town, South Africa. Deon Abrams, co-owner of Grayhaven Winery and Leslie Slome, a chef and caterer in nearby Richmond rallied their resources, borrowed some tents and got cooking. In 2006, together with family, friends and volunteers, they produced the first South African food and wine festival in the U.S. The festival was a great success - with hundreds of emails and letters arriving after the festival from attendees lending encouragement and ideas and thanking us for a great time.

From all of us at Grayhaven and Leslie Slome Catering, we invite you to come out and enjoy the 2008 South African Food & Wine Festival. Check back for listings of 2008 activities, menu and wine list.

For more information on attending the festival or becoming a sponsor or volunteer, follow the links below:

Lodging      Sponsors       Volunteers

(804) 556-3917

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