WeeklySA_AdminTHEY WILL WIN: One mixed case each of the De Krans Classic Varietal range wines;
How to Enter
· Simply email your full name and contact details to info@weeklysamirror.news with the subject line “De Krans Classic Varietal Range Giveaway” by Monday (December 15) 12 noon.
Terms & Conditions:
· One entry per person.
· Open to South African residents aged 18+.
· Winner will be randomly selected and contacted via email or phone.
· Prize not exchangeable for cash.
· Judge’s decision is final.
· Don’t miss your chance to savour the taste of something truly special!
De Krans Classic Range Oozes Zesty Expression
VARIETAL: The easy drinking range with a modern-meets-tradition label design featuring a striking buffalo illustration, is a welcome companion for summer and festive cheer…
By Len Maseko
Freshly designed De Krans Wines Classic Varietal range has established itself in the market with its distinct funky appeal to wine lovers looking for something to enjoy in the summer weather and as sundowners.
Its modern design is an extension of the brand’s revitalised look following the successful rebranding of its Moscato range earlier this year. The refreshed labels comprise the Basket Press Cabernet Sauvignon, Free Run Chenin Blanc, Wild Ferment Chardonnay and Dry Pinotage Rosé.
Known primarily for its award-winning port-style wines, De Krans continues to broaden its footprint beyond fortified and sweet wines.
Located in the heart of Calitzdorp — the Port-style capital of South Africa — the winery has built a strong reputation for its innovation, from pioneering South Africa’s first Premium White Moscato Perlé in 2012 to releasing popular Moscato Red and Rosé variants in subsequent years.
But, beyond the sweet and the fortified lies a range of classic, everyday favourites that has steadily earned loyal fans. The Classic Varietal range is celebrated for its easy-drinking style, vibrant varietal expression and balanced acidity — all at an accessible price point.
For many wine lovers, it’s a dependable go-to: consistent, quality-driven and crafted to suit a wide range of palates.
The new label design grows out of De Krans’ updated brand identity, which includes a hand-illustrated buffalo created by designer John Pace. The buffalo pays homage to the original farm name, Buffelsvallei (Buffalo Valley), and symbolises a bridge between the heritage of the land and the modern era of the brand.
Stellenbosch-based design studio GRAFT was tasked with translating this vision onto the Classic Varietal labels, blending clean white space, contemporary layout and bursts of colour to achieve a design that is both stylish and rooted in tradition.
According to the winery, the refreshed look is intended to elevate the range while keeping attention on the distinctive winemaking approach behind each wine.
The Free Run Chenin Blanc is crafted solely from free-run juice obtained before pressing — a technique that reduces phenols, leading to a more fruit-driven wine with improved maturation potential.
The Wild Ferment Chardonnay undergoes spontaneous fermentation without added yeast, resulting in a slower, natural ferment that enhances complexity and mouthfeel.
For the Dry Pinotage Rosé, winemakers allow less than an hour of skin contact before lightly pressing the grapes, creating a delicate blush colour and aromas of strawberry and candy floss with refreshing acidity.
Yet, however lightly pressed the grapes, the zesty palate of the Dry Pinotage Rosé oozes subtle textures that complement its gentle acidity, combining to provide a delectable finish to the wine. Both a feast to palate and the eye with its onion peel hue, the wine paired well with a dish of prawns and a green salad topped with tomato and calamari.
With a bright label brimming with summer’s radiance, the Classic Varietal range is an eyeful seduction with fresh visual identity that mirrors what’s in the bottle: varietal purity, thoughtful craftsmanship and a blend of old-world roots with contemporary flair.
Winemaker Christoff de Wet describes it thus: “This dry rosé is an ultimate balancing act between fruit and acidity, bursting with red fruits and candyfloss”.
The range – Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage Rosé, and Moscato Perlé – is priced around R89 to R99.
10 Things You Didn’t Know About De Krans
1. It’s home to one of South Africa’s oldest working basket presses.
The French oak press, imported in 1955, is still used today to make the estate’s Basket Press Cabernet Sauvignon.
2. The original farm was called Buffelsvallei (Buffalo Valley).
The new buffalo-themed branding pays homage to this historic name.
3. De Krans pioneered South Africa’s first Premium White Moscato Perlé.
Released in 2012, it set the tone for a Moscato trend that the estate continues to lead.
4. The winery is based in Calitzdorp — the country’s Port-style wine capital.
Its terroir is especially well suited to Portuguese grape varieties.
5. It produces some of the most awarded port-style wines in the country.
De Krans has long been recognised for excellence in this category, both locally and internationally.
6. The estate has mastered both traditional and modern winemaking.
From spontaneous wild fermentations to free-run juice techniques, De Krans blends craftsmanship with innovation.
7. Moscato grapes thrive particularly well at De Krans.
Hanepoot and Muscadel from the region’s warm Klein Karoo climate form the backbone of their popular Moscato range.
8. The team experiments with unique small-batch methods.
Many of their varietal wines showcase subtle, cellar-specific techniques not used widely elsewhere.
9. De Krans is a family-rooted brand with deep generational ties to the region.
The estate’s story reflects decades of farming heritage and intimate knowledge of the land.
10. It’s a favourite stop on the Route 62 wine route.
Visitors know De Krans not just for its wines, but for its warm Karoo hospitality and scenic setting among the rugged hills of Calitzdorp.
