Wine, Whales and Music

2026 Festival

Fri, 19/06/2026, 08H00 - Sun, 21/06/2026, 23H00

Join us for Wine, Whales and Music, the highlight of the De Hoop Calendar, as we welcome the start of whale season at De Hoop Collection. This curated winter weekend blends regional wines, live music, and the natural beauty of De Hoop Nature Reserve, offering guests the chance to enjoy the first Southern Right whale sightings along the coastline. The programme features the elegant “Whale Time Serenade” strings and flute dinner, the vibrant “Diamonds & Divas” live show with Johan Liebenberg and Lucy Tops performing hits from Michael Bublé, Neil Diamond, Aretha Franklin, Adele and more, a special talk by Jenny Cullinan on “The Wonderful World of Wild Living Bees”, plus wine and cheese tasting. The weekend concludes with a guided visit to Koppie Alleen. Accommodation is available on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis, including all performances, the guest talk, and the tasting.

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About

About

Wine, Whales and Music is an annual winter celebration held at De Hoop Collection to welcome the start of whale season - when sightings of majestic Southern Right whales can be expected to begin in the marine protected bay hugging the De Hoop coastline. 

Guests to De Hoop can look forward to a curated weekend blending regional wines, live music, and the natural abundance of De Hoop Nature Reserve. 

In addition to the 'Whale Time Serenade' for strings and flute with dinner featuring Irina Tsoniff, Ivo Ivanov on violin and Vladimir Ivanov on Viola, Peta Ann Holdcroft on cello and Malané Hofmeyr-Burger on Flute, this year also welcomes 'Diamonds & Divas' to the lineup for Friday Evening. The live music show stars Johan Liebenberg and Lucy Tops and celebrates legendary voices and timeless hits from some of the world’s greatest artists. Audiences are treated to unforgettable songs made famous by Michael Bubble, Neil Diamond, Shirley Bassey, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Adele, Pink, and Bruce Springsteen, among many more.

This year's special invited speaker is Jenny Cullinan (founder and the executive director of Ujubee NPC) who will present “The Wonderful World of Wild Living Bees.” The talk will focus on the broader world of wild bees and their ecological importance.  The presentation explores wild bee diversity, their role within ecosystems, and the importance of understanding conservation from an ecological and ethical perspective.

Of course, the wine and cheese tasting portion of the programme is a not-to-be-missed experience, and the weekend rounds off with a Sunday visit to Koppie Alleen with the De Hoop Guides to see if we can welcome any whales for season.

We look forward to having you join us for this special weekend in nature. 

Accommodation can be booked on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis and includes both live music performances, the special guest talk, as well as the wine and cheese tasting afternoon. 

SPECIAL: Take 30% OFF a stay in De Hoop Villa when you book DIRECT with our team.

De Hoop Villa is fully catered and guided experience. 

Included activities:
Guided Marine Walk
Nature Drive
Guided MTB
Guided bird and vlei walk*
*activities offered, whether guests partake or not i.e. no refunds

Included meals:
Afternoon tea, cake & snacks
2 dinners
2 breakfasts
1 lunch
*Drinks for Guests’ own account

What to Expect

What to Expect

Friday

Wine and Food Pairing Dinner with “Diamonds and Divas” featuring Johan Liebenberg & Lucy Tops

Saturday
  • Chocolate Truffle Workshop with Richard von Geusau
  • Wine and Cheese Tasting with local wineries and cheesemakers
  • Afternoon Tea and Cake
  • “The Wonderful World of Wild Living Bees” with Jenny Cullinan
  • Dinner Whaletime Serenade for strings and flute featuring Irina Tsoniff, Ivo Ivanov on violin and Kate White on Viola, Peta Ann Holdcroft on cello and Malané Hofmeyr-Burger on Flute
Sunday

Visit the Southern Right Whales at Koppie Alleen

Prices from R3095 pp sharing an Equipped Cottage to R8500 pp in a Suite for two nights

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