WeeklySA_AdminGENRE: Award-winning Port-style wines from De Krans reflect a legacy spanning over 100 years…
By Len Maseko
Calitzdorp may be situated way off the beaten track – four hours’ drive from Cape Town on the quiet and scenic Cape Route 62 tourist route to Port Elizabeth – yet its award-winning Port-style wines keep it connected with the multitudes of wine lovers across the country and internationally.
Nestled in the Klein Karoo region in the Western Cape, Calitzdorp holds the distinction of being “the Port capital” of South Africa due to the quality of fortified wines produced by local wine cellars. The town is also renowned for its indigenous flora, especially the 500 species of succulents, 200 of which are endemic to the area.
Hence, a mere mention of the town instantly conjures up the image of the spirit-induced fortified wine among wine enthusiasts. If not, a glass of Port while snuggling by the fireside amid the biting chill currently gripping many parts of the country. Not a bad idea, of course, if only life would always oblige the heart whatever it craves!
Home to De Krans Wines, owned by the Nel family, Calitzdorp has long been synonymous with the port-style wine industry in South Africa.
Over the years, South African producers have consistently focused on producing quality Port-style wines identifiable through their distinctive character. Unencumbered by an agreement reached between South Africa and Portugal two decades ago, to forgo the local use of the term ‘Port’, local port-styled wines have maintained quality comparable to similar genres produced elsewhere. Today, De Krans and other notable Port-style wine producers such as Boplaas and Allesverloren have stayed the course with dogged determination.
It’s been a long haul for the De Krans, a family-owned estate headed by the patriarch Boets Nel, with a history dating back to 1890. A journey rewarded with numerous awards, including Platter Guide’s five-star ratings, Veritas Double Gold medals, and recognition from British wine critic Tim Atkins.
As in the case in Portugal, the local wine category encompasses a range of styles, including Ruby, Tawny, and Vintage Reserve.
De Krans’ flagship is the Cape Vintage Reserve which often receives high accolades with its stand-out flavour profile. The winery’s full range comprises:Cape Vintage: This port-style wine is known for its deep purple-red color and intense, full-bodied palate of red fruits, dried prunes, cocoa, and spice. It has prominent tannins and is designed for bottle aging, but can also be enjoyed young. The Cape Vintage pairs well with baked desserts, dark chocolate, matured cheese, and dishes like Karoo lamb potjie or venison pie.
Cape Tawny Limited Release: A more unique offering, this port-style wine gets its amber/tawny colour from aging in oak barrels for an average of eight years. This prolonged aging results in soft tannins and nutty, toffee, and caramel flavours. It’s often enjoyed on its own, by the fireplace, or with baked winter puddings.
Cape Pink: De Krans was the first to produce a pink port-style wine, which is noted for its soft, elegant red fruit flavours of strawberries and cherries. It has a smooth taste of cherries, plums, and a hint of candyfloss. The Cape Pink is often enjoyed with crushed ice or in cocktails during the summer.
Cape Vintage Reserve: This flagship wine is known for its rich, dense, and perfumed character, with dark, plush, and sweet notes, along with beautifully judged tannins and rich bramble and blueberry fruit. It’s often enjoyed on its own or paired with matured cheese. It’s also considered an excellent gift due to its aging potential.
Early this year, De Krans introduced a new wine label design for its packaging, featuring a hand-illustrated sketch of a buffalo with a slightly textured light beige background.
The new design is a fresh and elegant take on the classic port-style label and is a big transition from the previous white print on black labels. The family says the goal was not only to celebrate the farm’s humble beginnings, “but also to make the label and in effect the wine, more approachable for the consumer – especially the younger consumer and those new to the category”.
DE KRANS AND WEEKLY SA MIRROR PORT-STYLE WINE GIVEAWAY
WIN a Box of Six Bottles of Award-winning De Krans Port-Styled Wines!
Weekly SA Mirror is giving one lucky reader the chance to win premium bottles of De Krans Port-Styled Wines – rich, bold and proudly local!
How to Enter:
· Simply send a Whatsapp message with your full name and contact details to 082 459 6111 with the subject line “Port Giveaway”.
· Hurry – entries close at midnight on July 28 2025!
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!
EVENTS
MPUMALANGA WINEX
The Standard Bank WineX Mpumalanga wine show will be hosted at Emnotweni on August 1 and 2, with the addition of a lunch session on the Saturday afternoon.
Wine enthusiasts are in for treat, discovering new delights and revisit timeless classics. Close to 40 exhibitors will present a line-up of nearly 200 wines, including bubblies, crisp whites, bold reds, and dessert wines. Experience the rich reds of The High Road, Rupert and Rothschild and Glen Carlou, the whites of Klein Constantia and Durbanville Hills, and bubblies from Haute Cabrière and Simonsig Wine Estate. The venue is Emnotweni Arena, Riverside Park, Mbombela (Nelspruit). Show times are: Friday and Saturday 17h00 – 21h00; and an extra session: Saturday 11h00 – 15h00, no first entry after 14h00. Ticket prices are R275 (include tastings and wine tasting glass). Standard Bank credit and evolve card holders enjoy a 30% discount, and cheque and debit card holders get 10% off when purchasing online.
TASTE OF TERRIOR
Taste of Terroir, a red wine soirée featuring a special Pinotage tribute and red wines from across the Durbanville Wine Valley, will be held on August 8. Durbanville Wine Valley winemakers will pour their finest red wines showcasing rich flavours and unique characteristics of this cool-climate region, all while visitors mingle with the passionate creators behind the bottles. Taste red wines from 9 local producers, poured by the winemakers themselves. Enjoy live music by Emile Swiegers and three seasonal canapés by Kos Kouture.
A highlight will be the first tasting of the limited-release Durbanville Pinotage – a tribute to 200 years of Durbanville, 100 years of Pinotage and 100 years of Afrikaans.
The venue is Loch Lynne Wine Estate on Koeberg Road, Durbanville Valley. Dress to impress in shades of blue. Tickets cost R300 a person via Quicket.
WOMEN IN WINE FEST
Women in Wine Mini Festival will be held in Sandton on August 9, to celebrate Women’s Day. Visitors will experience a delightful wine tasting featuring exceptional female-owned wine brands that are reshaping the South African wine industry. The event will be hosted at Wine Menu, 3 Desmond Street, in Kramerville. It will honour remarkable women who contribute to the growth and creativity of South Africa’s vineyards.
Discover incredible wines crafted by talented female winemakers and producers. Each bottle telling a story of passion, dedication, and resilience. Engage with innovators, and people who represent these brands, and wine chats with some of Joburg’s top wine people as well as a few winemakers. Featured producers include Atlas Swift, Botanica, Catherine Marshall, Erika O, The Garajeest, Hogan, Il Geco, Lelie Van Saron, McFarlane Wines, Momento, Pieter Ferreira (Actually Ann), Saurwein, Thistle and Weed, Wolf and Woman, Saltare, and Vonn. Tickets cost R100 a person. It starts at 11am.
STELLENBOSCH WINE FEST
South Africa’s biggest lifestyle celebration of wine returns to Stellenbosch from July 26 to August 3.
The celebration – Wine Town Stellenbosch – is held an entire week, involving experiences and activities hosted by wine farms, restaurants, tour operators and guesthouses. It includes specialised wine tours, workshops and curated vertical tastings as well as winemaker lunches and dinners, specials at restaurants around town. Tickets to the Stellenbosch Wine Festival for August 1 and 2 are now on sale. Dates and times: 1 August 1 (17:00 – 21:00) and August 2 (14:00 – 18:00). Tickets: R550pp (online) | R600 at the door. Ticket includes: Wine tasting tokens, live entertainment and access to the graze table. Tickets: Book via Plankton.
BUBBLY MEETS CANVAS
Capegate Shopping Centre is rewriting the Women’s Day routine with a Sip & Social in Brackenfell, Cape Town, on August 9, from 10am until 2pm.
The event is geared to be a punchy mix of art, honest storytelling and indulgent pairings. The morning opens with a no-fluff, all-heart talk from Sherlin Barends, KFM radio host and motivational speaker.
Next, guests roll up their sleeves for a textured art session with Artt Palette, a woman-owned studio in Durbanville. Guests will be raising their glasses for a bubbly and macaron pairing by CANTO Wines, a boutique Durbanville estate known for its crisp, characterful MCCs. Each bubbly is matched with a handcrafted macaron – from pistachio to red raspberry and salted caramel.
To top it off, every guest will receive a Catrice beauty goodie bag, adding a luxe little something to remember the day by. Tickets are R375 via Webtickets, and space is limited. .. – Compiled by Len Maseko
