A Feast of Seafood and Wine: Blue and White Party at Benguela Cove

There is a moment, sometime around 17:00 on a clear Western Cape afternoon, when the light over Walker Bay turns from white to gold. The lagoon goes still. The temperature drops just enough to make a cold glass of Cap Classique feel like exactly the right decision. If you have ever stood on the Benguela Cove Lagoon Lawns at that precise moment, you will understand why we decided to build an entire event around it. 

The Blue and White Party on Saturday, 31 October 2026 is our answer to a simple question: what does a perfect afternoon on the estate actually look like? Dress code white and blue. MCC and estate white wines. Freshly shucked oysters. A DJ set that builds slowly from the first pour to the last fire pit ember. And 2.7 km of private waterfront inside the Kogelberg UNESCO Biosphere Reserve doing what it does best.

It starts with the wine - and the oysters 

At Benguela Cove, the food and wine conversation always begins in the same place: the estate's cool-climate terroir. Situated in the Walker Bay valley, our vineyards sit close enough to the ocean to feel its influence in every vintage. That maritime character - the salinity, the natural acidity, the fine-boned structure - is precisely what makes our Cap Classique such a natural partner for fresh oysters. 

"As I ate the oysters with their strong taste of the sea and their faint metallic taste that the cold white wine washed away, leaving only the sea taste and the succulent texture, and as I drank their cold liquid from each shell and washed it down with the crisp taste of the wine, I lost the empty feeling and began to be happy and to make plans." - Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast 

Our hero pour on the night is the Cuvée 58, joined by the Cuvée Rosé and Joie de Vivre Cap Classique-three expressions of the same cool-climate philosophy, each with its own character. For guests who prefer still wine, our Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay round out the free-flow selection. Both are estate-grown, both carry that same saline backbone that makes them work so well alongside seafood.

The oyster shucking station runs throughout the evening as a live theatre element - not a side note, but a centrepiece. Watch the shuckers work, take one straight from the shell with mignonette and lemon, and pair it with whatever is in your glass. It is one of those combinations that reminds you why good food and good wine exist in the first place. 

Beyond the oysters, our kitchen team will be circulating canapés from 15:30 - smoked salmon blinis, prawn ceviche spoons, goat's cheese crostini, crab tartare cups, caprese skewers and more. Approximately 10-14 pieces per guest across the evening, with vegetarian options throughout. Later in the evening, dessert bites arrive: mini pavlova with fresh berries, white chocolate, and lemon posset shots.

What makes Benguela Cove a destination worth the drive? 

The Blue and White Party is reason enough to make the trip from Cape Town or the Garden Route. But for many guests, the event is the starting point of a longer weekend - and that is exactly how we designed it. 

"We want guests to arrive on Friday, settle into a villa, wake up on Saturday morning with the lagoon at their feet, and still be here on Sunday. The event is the centrepiece, but the estate is the experience." - Michelle Waldeck, General Manager 

Benguela Cove is a working wine estate and a fully equipped destination in one. Our waterfront villas sit directly on the lagoon, each with private decks, inverter backup power and 24-hour security. Guests can spend the morning before the party on the Lady Bonnie pontoon boat, exploring the waterfront, or walking the estate's 12 km trail through the Kogelberg Biosphere - South Africa's first UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, and one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. 

The Moody Lagoon Restaurant opens for brunch, gourmet picnics and lunch, and our tasting room gives guests the chance to explore the full Benguela Cove range at their own pace before the evening begins. It is the kind of place where a weekend away becomes something you plan around, rather than something you fit in. 

On the night: what to expect 

Arrive at 15:00. Your welcome glass of bubbly is waiting. From there, the evening has a rhythm but no rigid schedule. 

The acoustic guitar plays through the first two hours while guests find their feet - grazing, shucking, exploring the lawn. At 17:00 the DJ takes over: an Ibiza-inspired set that builds slowly, the sort of music you feel before you notice it. By 20:00 the music mellows, and the lagoon - now dark and reflecting the lights from the estate - becomes the view everyone turns toward. 

Doors close at 22:00. It will feel too soon. 

Blue and White Party Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I need to book accommodation separately? Yes. The event ticket covers your entry, welcome MCC, free-flow wine and grazing canapés. Villa bookings are separate and managed through our reservations team. We strongly recommend booking early - October weekends on the estate fill quickly. Contact us at stay@benguelacove.co.za or explore our self-catering villas here. 

What does the dress code actually mean in practice? White and blue - anywhere on that spectrum. Think linen, cotton, flowing fabrics. Nautical accents work well. The lawns are on grass, so flat shoes or block heels are more practical than stilettos. Smart-casual is the right register: polished but comfortable enough to stand for several hours. 

Is there parking on the estate? Yes, ample on-site parking is available at no additional cost.  

Can I purchase wine to take home? Yes. All Benguela Cove wines are available for purchase on the night at 15% off retail. If you join the wine club on the evening, you unlock further benefits and ongoing member pricing.  

What is the wine club and how does it work? The Benguela Cove Wine Club gives members access to allocation wines, member pricing, and priority invitations to estate events. You can sign up at the wine club table on arrival, and our tasting room team will walk you through the options.  

Are there non-alcoholic options? Yes. Speak to any of our staff on the night and we will make sure you are well looked after.  

What happens if the weather is poor? The estate has a contingency plan in place for adverse weather. All ticket holders will receive advance notice by email if any changes apply to the format or venue layout.  

Is the event accessible for guests with mobility requirements? The Lagoon Lawns are largely flat and accessible. If you have specific requirements, please contact us in advance at info@benguelacove.co.za so we can ensure your evening runs smoothly.  

The Blue and White Party takes place on Saturday, 31 October 2026, 15:00-22:00, on the Benguela Cove Wine Estate Lagoon Lawns. Early bird tickets are available at R750 per person until 19 September 2026, with standard tickets at R850 from 20 September 2026.  

Book your tickets now.  

Tag your evening #BlueAndWhitePartyBenguela