De Hoop Collection’s 2023 Wine Whales & Music Weekend

De Hoop Collection, a premier Cape Country Routes member, situated in the heart of the pristine De Hoop Nature Reserve is delighted to announce that its highly anticipated, annual Wine Whales & Music Weekend 2023 will be held on the weekend of Friday 23 to Sunday 25 June.

Just three hours from Cape Town along the world renowned Garden and Whale routes, De Hoop Collection offers a range of affordable accommodation from campsite rondawels, self-catering cottages and houses (sleeping from two to six people) to romantic suites, an old stone Manor house and a recent addition of its newly restored and refurbished De Mond Villa; also a unique outdoor experience like no other – the sea, beaches, a Ramsar listed vlei, rare indigenous plants, whales and diverse animal and bird life – it is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway, more especially one filled with Wine, Whales and Music.

De Hoop Collections’ 2023 Wine Whales & Music Weekend promises a profusion of Wine and cheese tastings, high tea, gourmet dinners, Music on Friday and Saturday evenings, a chocolate workshop, high tea, nature drives, eco-boat cruise, guided marine and bird walks and Whales on Sunday morning at Koppie Alleen.

The weekend kicks off on Friday afternoon with an optional nature drive or an eco-boat cruise with delicious canapés and drinks (R395 per person/kids under 12 – half price), then, at the Fig Tree Restaurant – a Wine Tasting with Bruce Jack Wines, followed by dinner, with suggested wine pairings by Bruce Jack Wines and “Solitary man – the songs of Neil Diamond” presented by Namibian-born Johan Liebenberg. Singing the songs of Neil Diamond – one of the most enduring and successful singer-songwriters of all time – is Liebenberg’s speciality. A consummate performer with a superb voice and charming personality he uncannily brings to life Neil Diamond’s evergreen hits like “Song Sung Blue”, “Sweet Caroline”, “Beautiful Noise”, “Cracklin’ Rosie” and many more.

On Saturday there’s an optional early guided Bird Walk along the Vlei (R195 per person/kids under 12 half price) and after breakfast there’s an optional Chocolate Workshop with Richard von Geusau, (R145 per person – kids under 12 – R70); followed by Wine and Cheese Tastings – enjoy a selection of wines from Bruce Jack Wines, Lomond, Creation, Springfontein, Strandveld, Thelema and Giant Periwinkle and cheeses from Kleinriver Cheese Farm. In the late afternoon High Tea will be served in the Cloete Room.

This will be followed by a fascinating presentation by Brett Glasby from Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation entitled – “Cohabiting with Marine Wildlife in the urban environment” and “Turtles of De Hoop”. Glasby has been involved in wildlife rescue and management for the past 27 years dealing with several cetacean stranding events, seal disentanglements, wildlife rescues and a range of other issues. He specialises in the field of Human/wildlife interaction with a goal to creating environments where humans and animals can cohabitate – he effectively sees himself as a ‘buffer between humans and wildlife’.

Saturday’s dinner at the Fig Tree Restaurant features the ever popular Whale Time Serenade for Strings and Flute featuring the world-class musicians Irina Tsoniff, Ivo Ivanov on violin and Vladimir Ivanov on Viola, Peta Ann Holdcroft on cello and Malané Hofmeyr-Burger on Flute.

And on Sunday after breakfast, guests will enjoy a guided Marine Walk at Koppie Alleen (where you’ll find the coastline is exactly as it ought to be – unspoilt and brimming with life) and watching the whales with guest speaker Brett Glasby and the De Hoop guides.

The 2023 Wine Whales & Music Weekend rates for a two-night stay range from R2 580 per person sharing an Equipped Cottage to R6 800 per person in a Suite. Rates include dinner, bed and breakfast, entertainment (music on Friday and Saturday), wine & cheese tastings, Guest Speaker presentation, High Tea, but exclude drinks, workshops and guided activities. Terms and conditions apply.

Book now and experience the magic that is De Hoop!