Most of my dealings with Somerset West involve traffic and an increase in blood pressure, as a Friday ‘nip out of work early’ moment turns into a slog through the seemingly endless traffic robots en route to a weekend away.

It’s not your fault, Somerset West, so let’s celebrate an event that promises to be nothing like that.

Somerset Fresh 2019, taking place on Sunday, December 8 from 2PM until 6PM, is all about fine wine, fine food, and fine company.

Brought to you by the same folks as the wildly successful Constantia Fresh, revellers will gather on the Morgenster Wine & Olive Estate lawns and choose from the more than 200 wines available to swirl, sip and savour.

In addition, gourmet canapés will be prepared by the region’s most talented chefs.

The dishes available on the day will include lemon and pea risotto with trout; linefish ceviche with chilli emulsion, carrot puree and pickled carrot naartjie jelly; beef croquettes with honey mustard mayo and pickled red wine onions; doughnuts with crème pat; and panna cotta and macarons.

How’s this for a culinary line-up?

• Salt at Paul Cluver – Craig Cormack
• The Green Goose – Gustaaf Boshoff
• Cavalli Restaurant – Michael Deg
• Millhouse Kitchen at Lourensford – Bjorn Dingemans
• Red Riding Hood Deli – Zita Rabek
• Somm’s Local Wine Bar – Christine Claasen
• Bootlegger Coffee Co

In other words, come hungry. Did someone say macarons?

Tickets go for R600 each, and include a festival glass, tasting of over 200 wines, as well as the gastronomic extravaganza.

As a special offer, those who purchase two tickets to Somerset Fresh will receive a complimentary bottle of Morgenster Wine & Olive Estate Lourens River Valley 2010, valued at R300, which they can collect from the Morgenster stand on the day.

Hurry, though, because that limited offer is only valid until November 30.

Live music this year is provided by Justin Serrao and his band, although I doubt his music will drown out the sounds of clinking glasses.

You have more than 200 wines to taste, after all.

For more information, visit the Somerset Fresh 2019 website, and you can also email somersetfresh@gmail.com or call 083 265 2405.