Join us over the Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend to celebrate the cultural heritage, music, art and food of the Karoo-region. This event creates a platform for local artists, musicians and performers to showcase their talents while simultaneously providing visitors the chance to experience the unique charm and hospitality of two beautiful Karoo towns.

It’s almost time for one of our favourite weekends of the year – the annual Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend!

Since its inception in 2014, this event has grown in leaps and bounds and is now one of the premier wine tourism weekends in Africa! As popular as it’s become, organisers have taken pains to ensure it remains intimate and as authentic as the Karoo herself.

While originally only hosted in Graaff-Reinet, this event now takes place in the creative hamlet of Nieu-Bethesda as well, a mere 50 km drive away.

Both towns are steeped in charm, warm hospitality and are infinitely walkable. That’s the point of stoep-tasting! You will walk from stoep to stoep, meeting locals and representatives of the world-class wine estates we’re lucky enough to have in South Africa, sampling and buying wine while mingling with like-minded wine-lovers!

Does the above appeal to you?

Read on for everything you need to know about 2024’s event.

The Finer Details

This year the Stoep Tasting Wine Weekend will be taking place on two separate weekends, featuring different wine stalls on each – so take a close look when you purchase your tickets.

Weekend 1:

• 17 & 18 May 2024
• 3000 tickets available at R450 per ticket
• There will be 30 wine stalls in Graaff-Reinet and 20 wine stalls in Nieu-Bethesda
• 30 wine stalls in Graaff Reinet and 20 in Nieu-Bethesda
• Drostdy Hotel is hosting 4 wine stalls (Deetlefs Wine Estate, Tokara, Mont Rochelle, Glenelly)

Weekend 2:

• 23 – 25 May 2024
• 3000 tickets are available at R550 per ticket
• There will be 50 wine stalls in Graaff-Reinet and 20 wine stalls in Nieu-Bethesda
• Drostdy Hotel is hosting 8 wine stalls (Waterford, Paul Cluver, De Grendel, Anthonij Rupert Wyne and L’Ormarins, Rust en Vrede, Raats Wines, La Motte & Leopards Leap)

Note: Tickets are only valid for the weekend they’re purchased for and are non-refundable.

What else can I look forward to?

• Cheese and wine pairing
• Food and wine pairings
• Bubbles and brunch
• Markets
• Spit braais
• Arts and crafts
• Fun runs
• Master classes
• Food stalls

On top of wine tasting, you can also sample gin, rum, craft beer, brandy and tequila over the weekend!

What Does A Ticket Get Me?

Your ticket entitles you to taste and buy at all registered wine stalls, in both towns, over 2 days during official tasting times.

Tasting Times:
17 May: 2 pm – 6 pm
18 May: 1 pm – 6 pm
23 & 24 May: 2 pm – 6 pm
25 May: 12 pm – 6 pm

Collect your tasting packs at the local tourism office upon arrival. You’ll need to bring your QR-coded ticket.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Credit: Karoo Wine Club

The Tradition of Stoep-Sitting

They say that the heart of every home is its kitchen, and while this is as true in the Karoo as it is anywhere else, we extend this metaphor to include another important part of the house: The stoep.

Here, in one of our country’s most arid regions, most guests are entertained on the stoep, or verandah, which proves cool on hot days. It is usually at the front of a house which, if you’re based in town, faces the street.

It is perfectly acceptable, and encouraged, to join neighbours on their stoep in the afternoons, drinking coffee and talking about the day’s comings and goings. This tradition is known as “stoep sitting” and is an important part of life in the Karoo, where community and connection are everything.

Stoep sitting can be done alone or in the company of friends. It celebrates the intrinsic value of reflection, hospitality and slow-living outside of the modern world’s hustle and bustle.

We’ve taken this tradition and made it an event! We hope you’ll join us for a fabulous weekend of “stoep sitting/ tasting”.

Stay With Us

The Drostdy Hotel in Graaff-Reinet is the perfect place to base yourself over this weekend. Not only are we hosting wine stalls on both weekends, but we are also within walking distance of the other stalls that will be placed at various locations around town.

We are within driving distance of Nieu-Bethesda, meaning you can explore both towns at your leisure and sample the very best of each! If you’d prefer not to drive yourself, a bus is available to ferry attendees between the two towns. However, booking is essential. Speak to our friendly front desk team for more information.

This weekend is incredibly popular and accommodation gets booked up quickly. Contact us today to ensure your spot at our hotel is secured and prepare for a wonderful weekend away in the Karoo!

You can contact us on +27 49 892 2161 or get in touch directly via our website.

We look forward to hosting you over what will hopefully be the first of many Stoep Tasting Wine Weekends!