I am sure most of you have heard about the Stoeptasting in Graaff-Reinet organised by the Karoo Wine Club. Recently back from one of the most fun events on the wine calendar.

Before I tell you about the Stoeptasting. Two weeks ago, I had the privilege to travel with 12 wine friends to attend the Harare Wine Festival in Zimbabwe sponsored by Stanbic Bank. Our friend Albert, from Dania Trading and Tamassa Wines in South Africa invited us to Harare. 

Meeting up with my friend Wim Braak marketing manager of Peter Falke Wines. We boarded a SA Airlink flight from CPT to Harare. The wine festival took place at the Queen of Hearts restaurant. We had a great time meeting and drinking Bizoe Wines with the people of Zimbabwe. 

Graaff-Reinet we were one of the lucky ones to be part of Volkskool 100 year celebration “stoep”. Situated before “Laerskool Volkskool” decorated with food stalls and live music, I can’t imagine a better place to sit on hay bales, sip wine and bite away in tradional Karoo food. 

Over the weekend 3500 wine tasters/drinkers from “mostly” Eastern Cape filled this beautiful Karoo town. With the help of The Grape Hustle and our assistant winemaker Elton Minnies (situated at Postnet – Rikus Neethling Wines Stoep) we filled the glasses. There were over 70 farms present in this quaint little town. If you can’t find a wine that you like, during the weekend – I assume you will never like wine, just my opinion.

Next up is a week in Johannesburg and looking very much forward do a wine pairing with Sydney Cousins from Zest Bistro and be sure I will be sharing some pics of his delicious food in our next blog post. As they say in Graaff Reinet, “Totsiens en sien jou weer!”