Seithati Motšoeneng
WINE lovers, food enthusiasts and lifestyle aficionados will converge at the Maseru Club Grounds this Saturday for the 13th annual Lesotho Wine Festival, promising a day of fine wine, food, music and highland culture.
The festival, which has grown into one of Lesotho’s major lifestyle events, will be held on October 10, with wine pouring from 11am until 5pm.
Organised by Lesotho Wine and Station Off Sales, the festival is expected to bring together more than 45 wine producers offering over 240 wines for tasting.
Now in its 13th edition, the festival has evolved from a small gathering of wine lovers into a major annual event attracting visitors from across Lesotho, South Africa and the wider SADC region.
According to the organisers, the festival is designed to bring together wine producers, sommeliers, food artisans, craft producers and wine enthusiasts while showcasing Lesotho as a destination for wine tourism.
“The Lesotho Wine Festival has become one of Southern Africa’s most distinctive annual celebrations — a rare event where fine wine, highland culture and community spirit converge in the Kingdom in the Sky,” the organisers say.
This year’s programme will offer more than wine tasting, with guests able to explore an artisan craft market, gourmet food stalls and wine pairings, as well as a premium craft gin and beer village.
The festival will also feature guided tasting sessions, sommelier masterclasses and opportunities for guests to meet producers and learn more about the wines on offer.
Live music will provide entertainment throughout the day, while a dedicated children’s area will make the event family-friendly.
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the festival offers lounge and private tasting facilities, gourmet meals, bar services, private ablutions and chauffeur service options.
The organisers say the festival’s continued growth has helped strengthen its contribution to tourism and local enterprise.
Last year’s edition attracted more than 1,200 attendees, while visitors have historically travelled from various parts of Lesotho as well as South African provinces including the Free State, Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga.
The festival also creates opportunities for local accommodation providers, restaurants, hospitality businesses, artisans and service providers through increased visitor spending and demand for locally sourced goods and services.
The organisers describe the event as a platform that not only celebrates wine but also promotes Lesotho’s tourism potential and connects the country with the regional and global wine community.
Founded in 2012, the Lesotho Wine Festival is now listed on the official tourism calendar of the Lesotho Tourism Development Corporation.
The 2026 edition will offer several ticket options, ranging from the Vineyard Passport to the more premium Lounge Experience, Friends & Flavour and Tasting Pair Experience.
The Vineyard Passport costs M950 and provides access to the wine producers and tastings, live entertainment, food stalls and sales room, together with a branded crystal wine glass.
The Lounge Experience, priced at M1,800, adds gourmet meals, lounge access, bar facilities, a goodie bag, private ablutions and a chauffeur service coupon.
The Friends & Flavour package, priced at M1190, caters for two people, while the Tasting Pair Experience costs M3190 and offers two lounge experiences with the additional premium benefits.
Tickets are available online through the festival website and in-store at Station Off Sales.
With its combination of wine, food, music, business networking and cultural experiences, Saturday’s festival is expected to provide another showcase of Lesotho’s growing lifestyle and tourism appeal.
The organisers say the 13th edition is intended to be the festival’s “biggest, boldest, and most beautifully produced edition yet”, reinforcing its ambition to establish Lesotho as a leading highland wine tourism destination in southern Africa.
