Six years ago, Vino Venison started with a simple idea: that South Africa's venison deserved a seat at the table.
Today, the Vino Venison Festival has grown into one of the most unique food and wine events in the country and its heart remains the same. We are passionate about venison, about the wildlife that produces it, and about bringing the very best of the Cape Winelands to the North West.
15 Venison Tasters
From kudu to springbok, warthog to impala. Discover the extraordinary depth and variety of South African venison.
70+ Wines
Taste your way through wines from 18 hand-selected South African wine farms, all in one place.
6th Annual Festival
A growing movement to celebrate, uplift and sustain South Africa's wildlife and venison industry.
Festival Director & Curator
Vino Venison is the brainchild of Rulè Ernst, the festival's founder and curator. What started six years ago as a simple idea: bringing together exceptional South African wine and venison in one place, has grown into one of the country's most unique food and wine experiences.
Rulè's love for the bushveld, South African wildlife, and the people behind every bottle and every dish is what gives Vino Venison its heart. Year after year, Rulè curates a festival that's not just about great food and wine, but about celebrating and uplifting the wildlife and venison industry. Bringing farmers, winemakers and conservationists together with the people who appreciate their craft.
Now in its 6th year, Vino Venison continues to grow and so does Rulè's vision for what it can become.
the passionate heart behind the Vino Venison Festival
Wild Flavour. Fine Wine. Pure Bush.
29 August 2026 · Bona Bona Game Lodge
