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South Africa🇿🇦 | festivalsWacky Wine WeekendCostumed tastings, Cap Classique, Robertson wine farms, tasting glass | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Wacky Wine Weekend
👍 Recommendedfestival ranked #11
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Wacky Wine Weekend runs on a free-to-roam model: you pay for a tasting glass and wander between wine farms on foot or by shuttle, so you never need a car. It takes place in the Robertson Valley in the Western Cape of South Africa, a couple of hours east of Cape Town, along the Breede River. Expect long tables of Chenin and Colombar, bubbly, brandy and plenty of costumes. I paid about US$3 for a glass of cold Chardonnay with a plate of local cheese, and it beat any bar pour in Cape Town. The crowd is mostly South African friends in their 20s to 40s. Skip it if you want quiet tastings. Wine fans who like a party will love it.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #11 festival in South AfricaWhat sets this place apart

Wacky Wine Weekend pulls backpackers off the Garden Route loop because the Robertson Valley is a wine region where entry stays modest and the farms sit close together. You get a real slice of local life, with South African families, student groups and winemakers pouring their own bottles, so conversation comes easily at long communal tables. Many people book a hostel bed or campsite in town and treat the weekend as a social anchor between Cape Town and the coast. The wine and brandy pairings offer better value than a typical festival, since a single ticket often covers several cellars. Wacky also suits a slow overland route, because Robertson sits on the way to Route 62, the long scenic road toward Oudtshoorn and the Karoo.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Robertson Valley wine farms: The festival is built around the cellars along the Breede River, where winemakers pour Chenin Blanc, Colombar, Chardonnay and Shiraz at their own tasting rooms, often beside vineyards and dams.
  2. Costumes and wacky themes: Guests dress up, and farms decorate with props and quirky themes. It makes strangers talk to each other within minutes.
  3. Methode Cap Classique bubbly: The valley is known for sparkling wine, and tasting several Cap Classique styles side by side shows why locals brag about it.
  4. Live music and food stalls: Bands and DJs play on lawns while stalls sell braai meat, wraps and local cheeses, so you can eat well between tastings.
  5. Robertson town and the river: Between sessions, walk the main street of Robertson with its cafes and rose gardens, or sit by the
… read more 👉
  1. Robertson Valley wine farms: The festival is built around the cellars along the Breede River, where winemakers pour Chenin Blanc, Colombar, Chardonnay and Shiraz at their own tasting rooms, often beside vineyards and dams.
  2. Costumes and wacky themes: Guests dress up, and farms decorate with props and quirky themes. It makes strangers talk to each other within minutes.
  3. Methode Cap Classique bubbly: The valley is known for sparkling wine, and tasting several Cap Classique styles side by side shows why locals brag about it.
  4. Live music and food stalls: Bands and DJs play on lawns while stalls sell braai meat, wraps and local cheeses, so you can eat well between tastings.
  5. Robertson town and the river: Between sessions, walk the main street of Robertson with its cafes and rose gardens, or sit by the Breede River to slow down.
Start with the wine farms on the first afternoon, because the cellars are quietest early and the pours set the pace for the whole weekend.
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Things to do near Wacky Wine Weekend

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🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Wacky Wine Weekend?

Wacky Wine Weekend is held over one weekend in early September (Friday to Sunday, with the Saturday as the main day) in the Robertson Wine Valley, centered on the town of Robertson in the Western Cape, with wine farms along the Breede River hosting the pouring.
  • Best day: Saturday has the most farms open and the liveliest crowds. Sunday is calmer and better for long lunches.
  • Weather: Late winter into spring brings 8 to 21°C (46 to 70°F), sunny spells and the odd cold shower. Bring a light jacket, closed shoes for muddy vineyard paths and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed and any shuttle two to three months ahead. Rooms in Robertson can cost 20 to 40 percent more that weekend.
  • Roads: Arrive Friday afternoon. Leave Sunday before the late-afternoon rush back toward Cape Town on the N1 and R60.
Book … read more 👉
Wacky Wine Weekend is held over one weekend in early September (Friday to Sunday, with the Saturday as the main day) in the Robertson Wine Valley, centered on the town of Robertson in the Western Cape, with wine farms along the Breede River hosting the pouring.
  • Best day: Saturday has the most farms open and the liveliest crowds. Sunday is calmer and better for long lunches.
  • Weather: Late winter into spring brings 8 to 21°C (46 to 70°F), sunny spells and the odd cold shower. Bring a light jacket, closed shoes for muddy vineyard paths and sunscreen.
  • Booking: Reserve a bed and any shuttle two to three months ahead. Rooms in Robertson can cost 20 to 40 percent more that weekend.
  • Roads: Arrive Friday afternoon. Leave Sunday before the late-afternoon rush back toward Cape Town on the N1 and R60.
Book a designated driver or a tour shuttle before you book anything else.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Robertson town is the best base, because its guesthouses, backpacker-style lodgings and small restaurants sit within a short walk or cheap ride of each other, and shuttles to the wine farms collect from here. Staying central also means you can walk back after dark along the main street, which is the safest way to end a tasting day. Solo travelers meet people easily at the shared tables and communal braai evenings that small lodgings in town tend to host.
McGregor, about 20 minutes by road, is the quieter alternative. It is a village of Cape Dutch cottages and gravel lanes with a relaxed, artsy … read more 👉
Robertson town is the best base, because its guesthouses, backpacker-style lodgings and small restaurants sit within a short walk or cheap ride of each other, and shuttles to the wine farms collect from here. Staying central also means you can walk back after dark along the main street, which is the safest way to end a tasting day. Solo travelers meet people easily at the shared tables and communal braai evenings that small lodgings in town tend to host.
McGregor, about 20 minutes by road, is the quieter alternative. It is a village of Cape Dutch cottages and gravel lanes with a relaxed, artsy mood, good for slow evenings, though you will need a lift or a prearranged driver for the festival itself.
Bonnievale, roughly 30 minutes away, suits those wanting farm stays near the river, but transport is thinner. Camping on a few wine farms is possible, and it is the cheapest option if you bring your own gear.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

Wacky Wine Weekend costs roughly US$85 to 150 per day for an independent traveler, depending on how many farms you visit and where you sleep.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$10 to 30Entry or tasting packages vary by farm. Some venues charge a small tasting fee per cellar.
AccommodationUS$25 to 80A dorm bed or campsite sits at the low end. Guesthouse rooms cost more and rise on festival weekend.
Local transportUS$10 to 30Shuttles or ride-hailing between farms. Having a designated driver is wise. Rental cars are the pricier option.
Food & drinksUS$15 to 30Stall meals cost US$5 to 10. Extra glasses and bottles to take home add up.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 15Cash for stalls, sunscreen, a light jacket, tips of about 10 percent in restaurants.
Total Daily BudgetUS$85 to 150Based on high-season accommodation.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Expect wine-farm stalls and tented kitchens serving hearty Cape fare: boerewors rolls, potjiekos stews simmered in cast-iron pots, braai platters and fresh bread with local cheese. The Robertson valley is known for its Chardonnay, Shiraz and sparkling wines, and also for dairy and olives, so look for cheese and olive oil tastings alongside the glasses.
For authenticity, order a lamb or venison dish from a farm kitchen and pair it with the estate’s own wine. Brandy and craft beer also appear at some venues.
Cash is handy for small stalls, though most farms take cards. Tastings are usually poured in small measures, so you can sample many wines without getting tipsy fast, and spit buckets are normal and not rude. Lines build on Saturday around lunchtime, so eat early or late. Portions are generous, … read more 👉
Expect wine-farm stalls and tented kitchens serving hearty Cape fare: boerewors rolls, potjiekos stews simmered in cast-iron pots, braai platters and fresh bread with local cheese. The Robertson valley is known for its Chardonnay, Shiraz and sparkling wines, and also for dairy and olives, so look for cheese and olive oil tastings alongside the glasses.
For authenticity, order a lamb or venison dish from a farm kitchen and pair it with the estate’s own wine. Brandy and craft beer also appear at some venues.
Cash is handy for small stalls, though most farms take cards. Tastings are usually poured in small measures, so you can sample many wines without getting tipsy fast, and spit buckets are normal and not rude. Lines build on Saturday around lunchtime, so eat early or late. Portions are generous, and sharing a plate with a new friend is common.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Wacky Wine Weekend takes place over one weekend in early September, running Friday to Sunday. It is held in the Robertson Wine Valley in the Western Cape, around Robertson town, roughly two hours by road from Cape Town. Saturday is the busiest day.
Attending Wacky Wine Weekend typically costs about US$85 to 150 per day for an independent traveler. That covers a bed at US$25 to 80, food at US$15 to 30, shuttles or rides at US$10 to 30 and tastings or entry at roughly US$10 to 30.
Tickets for Wacky Wine Weekend are best bought in advance, since some farms and shuttles sell out before the weekend. Accommodation in Robertson also fills up two to three months ahead and prices rise. Check the Robertson Wine Valley website for current ticket and package details.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Wacky Wine Weekend is easy to treat as one big party, but the smaller family cellars at the edges of the valley often pour the most interesting wines and have the friendliest owners. I would plan a long lunch at one of them and pick a designated driver or shuttle before the first glass.

✈️ When did I visit South Africa?
I have visited South Africa, before and after my Zimbabwe trip in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in South Africa, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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