Graaff-Reinet set for wine weekend of note

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Five years ago, Rose Wright, chairperson of the Karoo Wine Club, had the bright idea of getting lots of wine lovers together with several estate wines, spreading the tastings out using the gracious and spacious stoeps of the town.

And so the first Stoep Tasting was born, with five estates, each on a different stoep. This year, there are 33 wine estates, plus craft gin, beer and brandy, making 40 in total on 21 stoeps with over 350 tastings available!

"We decided on holding the festival in May as it is traditionally the quietest month for tourism, and we hoped that, as well as entertaining wine lovers, it would also bring a tourism boost to the town" explained Rose.

It has been estimated that this year's event could give the local economy a welcome boost of well over R10 million.

Stoep Tasting is without doubt the biggest wine tasting event in the Karoo, and visitors are expected from all over the country, as well as one intrepid lady coming all the way from Germany, another gent from the USA, as well as a group from the UK.

The event has certainly outgrown the original five stoeps, and this year, for the first time, some private houses, the museum and other businesses have joined the regular guest houses and restaurants. Several stoeps have more than one tasting on offer, with the Reinet House Museum hosting four.

There are several new additions to this year's two-day festival.

There will be a Farmers Market on Saturday, from 09:00 until 14:00, hosted by Union Pre-school on the Union Prep campus.

This is a first and is expected to draw many visitors. Another highlight will be the Master Classes, offered by some of the wine estates, as well as beer, brandy and gin suppliers.

These classes have to be pre-booked, as they will only accommodate a limited number of people. At 12 noon on Saturday, local chef Gordon Wright's eagerly awaited new cookbook Karoo Food will be launched at the Graaff-Reinet Club, and signed copies will be available.

"The whole idea behind this festival is to bring money into the town in such a way that as many businesses and residents can benefit as possible.

This year the townsfolk and businesses seem to have truly embraced the concept and are going all out to make it the best one ever," said Gordon Wright.

The tickets are nearly sold out, but a few are still available from the Tourism Office situated at the library museum and at Foto First, at R300 per person.

Those wishing to attend who still have not purchased tickets must please note that tickets must be bought in advance, and will not be available at the event.

Guests will be given armbands, a crystal tasting glass and a nifty sling to show that they are part of the festival. Rose Wright recounted how, for the first-ever event in 2014, she had to come up with some sort of "pass" for guests.

"In the end, Brenda Pringle from Thyme and Again, one of our great supporters every year, bought me a little book in Port Elizabeth with temporary tattoos that we cut up and got people to wear.

The Karoo Wine Club and this event have certainly come a long way in five years!"