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    Journey through South Africa’s longest and most diverse wine region

    The Klein Karoo Wine Route in the Southern Cape is home to the most diverse wine regions in South Africa. The easternmost wine-producing region in the country stretches along Cape Route 62 in the west to the Outeniqua in the east, making it the longest wine route in the world.

    Most of the vineyards in the Klein Karoo are planted on the upper slopes in the rich alluvial soil along riverbanks. Most are grown organically due to the relatively drier climate.

    The renowned route winds through quaint towns and vineyards, offering a unique and historic journey of South Africa’s winemaking tradition. Exploring this tradition here promises an unforgettable experience.

    Whether you’re a seasoned wine connoisseur or a curious traveller, here’s a brief guide to the distinctive wineries that await your discovery:

    Drie Berge Winery

    This award-winning winery is located on the R318 near Montagu. Drie Berge is a wholesale alcoholic beverage company run by the Jordaan family since the mid-1960s.

    It is well-known for its brandy and Muscadel, which received many accolades over the years – including gold medals from the Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits awards.

    Products are available at the cellar, as well as distributed nationwide.

    Picture: Klein Karoo Wines

    Montagu Wine Cellar

    The Montagu Wine Cellar was established in 1941 as Montagu Muskadelboere Koöperasie. Since then, it has grown significantly while still keeping with the tradition of making Muscadel via Monis Marsala and Moscato in the same cellar that it started with.

    Today, the renowned cellar, crowned ‘Champion wine cellar of the region’ produces white and red muscadel.

    Wines are marketed locally and can arranged to be delivered nationwide.

    Picture: Montagu Winery

    Montagu Wine & Spirits Co

    This is the home of the original Montagu Muscadel. Montagu Wine & Spirits Co was established in January 2010 by the cellars Rietrivier and Uitvlucht.

    A diverse range of wines are produced here, including Sauvignon Blanc in the higher elevations and Muscadel (Muscat d’Frontignan) in the fertile riverbeds.

    Around 10 producers supply the grapes for the production of these wines.

    Picture: MWS Wines / Facebook

    Joubert-Tradouw

    Sixty-one years ago, Schalk-Willem Joubert moved from Wellington to the fertile Tradouw Valley to farm fruit and wine grapes. His son, Jacobus Joubert, expanded their vineyard to include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which he supplied to the co-op cellar in Barrydale. Cabernet Franc was added in 1982.

    Inspired by Route 66 in the US, the current winemaker – Meyer Joubert – trademarked ‘R62’ as a wine brand, producing the only R62 wine along this famous route.

    Picture: Joubert-Tradauw Vineyards & Cellar / Facebook

    Mymering Wine & Guest estate / Hillock Wines

    Mymering is a guest house on a working farm, located in the Dwarsrivier Valley among picturesque Winelands, fruit farms and Towerkop Mountain. Hillock Wines is located in the Dwarsrivier Valley below the Towerkop mountain near Ladismith.

    The winery produces Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and a Hillock personality blend, Barrel Roll. Owner Dr Andy Hillock is a retired surgeon from Port Elizabeth who offers guides on the farm’s adventure trails. His wife, Penny, is an accomplished cook.

    Picture: Mymering Wine & Guest estate / Facebook

    Ladismith Cellar

    This modern winery and brandy distillery produces millions of litres of wine and brandy each year. While most of the distillation occurs in column stills for bulk sales and exports, a small pot is fired up once a year to distil a limited amount of base wine. This blend is matured into the renowned Ladismith 8 Year Cape Brandy.

    Bulk wine-only cellar.

    Picture: Klein Karoo Wines

    Axe Hill Winery

    This boutique cellar specialises in Cape Port and Portuguese cultivars. Axe Hill was established in 1993 by the late Tony Mossop and his wife Lyn on the outskirts of Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo.

    In addition, the cellar produces a range of table wines using the area’s available varieties, including Machado (meaning Axe in Portuguese), and Distinta (meaning different or distinctive). Both are unique blends with variations on the Portuguese theme but with different barrel regimes.

    It is also home to barrel-fermented white wines, such as Viognier and Chenin Blanc.

    Picture: Axe Hill / Facebook

    Boplaas Family Vineyards

    Boplaas has been distilling spirits since 1880. The first order of potstill brandy casks was sent to Cape Town by ox wagon for delivery to London (taxes could be paid with brandy in those days).

    Boplaas’ copper potstill remained inactive for nearly 70 years following the repeal of distilling licenses in the early 1920s. In 1989, it was revived thanks to legislative changes. In 1993, Boplaas launched its inaugural estate brandy, Boplaas 5 Year Potstill Brandy, which was served at Nelson Mandela’s presidential inauguration banquet.

    Picture: Boplaas Family Vineyards / Facebook

    De Krans Wine Cellar

    Situated along the upper reaches of the Gamka River Valley in Calitzdorp is the De Krans Wine Cellar, with a rich history that dates back to 1890. The current cellar was built in 1964. In 1973, owner Chris Nel planned to plant Shiraz. However, this turned out to be Tinta Barocca instead, resulting in the accidental introduction of the first Portuguese grape variety in Calitzdorp at De Krans.

    Since then, the farm has been home to several classic Portuguese varieties, including Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela and Souzão.

    Visitors get the chance to pick their own Hanepoot grapes each year in February and apricots between November and December. Yellow cling peaches can also be picked during December.

    Picture: De Krans Wines / Facebook

    Calitzdorp Cellars

    Calitzdorp Cellar’s first red wines were made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Shiraz, Pinotage, Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc were planted in the early nineties.

    Established in 1928, Calitzdorp Cellars has garnered many accolades over the years. Their Hanepoot and Cape Port have been classed SA Champions at the SA Young Wine Show and awarded the prestigious Etchell (Hanepoot) and (Port) trophies.

    Picture: Calitzdorp Cellar / Facebook

    Du’Swaroo Wine & Olive Farm

    Du’SwaRoo is the smallest wine farm on the Klein Karoo wine route, producing boutique farm-style wines in limited quantities from their vineyards, including Shiraz, Touriga Nacional and Tinta Barocca

    The farm also features a range of deli products under its label, including olive oil, olives, Harissa, and more. All products are sourced from the farm or local Klein Karoo farmers and suppliers.

    Although Du’SwaRoo Farm products are available at several outlets in Calitzdorp, products can be shipped on order.

    Picture: Du’SwaRoo Wine and Olive Farm / Facebook

    Peter Bayly

    The Bayly’s ventured into the Groenfontein Valley more than a decade ago to fulfil their dreams of crafting artisanal wines. Groenfontein, which lies deep within the semi-arid Klein Karoo, provides strategic placement for vineyards.

    The temperate conditions create low-yield vines and a prolonged ripening period, resulting in fruits with intense colour and flavour. Using natural fermentation in lagares (traditional Portuguese open-fermentation vessels), foot treading, manual pigeage, minimal pumping and maturation in seasoned large-volume French oak barrels, Peter Bayly produces limited, unique quantities of handcrafted premium wines.

    Picture: Peter Bayly Wines / Facebook

    TTT Cellars

    Another Calitzdorp feature, this time as you enter the town from the direction of Oudtshoorn, is TTT Cellars, which stands for ‘things take time’. Ashley Mason and his wife Pat bought the house at 41 Voortrekker Street in 2020. There, Ashley started to make wine in his garage after completing a garagister’s course.

    It wasn’t long before the couple purchased the land next door and constructed a wine cellar to accommodate the growing business. Ashley went on to receive several accolades for his wines and port-style fortified wines, and his legacy continues even after his sudden death due to a heart attack.

    Graham and Cheryl Anley bought the cellar and house three years later, allowing visitors to still enjoy Ashley’s creations plus some.

    Picture: TTT Cellars / Facebook

    Grundheim

    Grundheim Wines’ legacy spans over five generations over a century. The historic wine cellar’s history dates back to over 100 years. The farm is famous for its use of open-tank fermentation, and everything – from bottling to labelling is personally done on the farm and supervised.

    Known for its Witblits and Brandy, made in a traditional distillery, Grundheim produces some unique products – including Muscadel, port and home-made liqueurs. Its witblits is available in a range of flavours, from chilli-infused to boegoe (also known as Buchu, traditionally used to make medicine), as well as delicious liqueur flavours including coffee, hazelnut and honey.

    The farm is located between Oudtshoorn and Calitzdorp on the R62 route, about 14 km outside Oudtshoorn.

    • Location: Grundheim Street Wyne Farm, Oudtshoorn
    • Contact: 0633457400 | 0836327496 | Fax – E-mail: 086 616 6311
    • Website: grundheim.co.za
    Picture: Ilze-Mari van Zyl / Cape {town} Etc

    Karusa Wines and Craft Brewery

    Karusa is a family operated and managed wine and fruit farm, located at the foothills of the Swartberg in the Cango Valley in Schoemanshoek near Oudtshoorn. The farm is en-route to the world-famous Cango Caves.

    Karusa, a Khoi-San word meaning ‘land with little water’, describes the semi-arid plateau of the Klein Karoo. Karusa focuses on Mediterranean cultivars suited to the climate, such as Shiraz, Viognier, Mourvedre, Grenache Noir, Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay and native Pinotage.

    It is the first Klein Karoo winery to plant exotic Mediterranean cultivars like Mourvedre and Grenache Noir.

    Picture: Karusa Wines & Craft Brewery / Facebook

    Domein Doornkraal

    There’s a myriad of activities to embark on in De Rust, such as hiking, cycling, stargazing, and birdwatching. For a more unique experience in this area, the renowned wine route features Doornkraal: a winery that has been wine since the 1800s.

    Visitors can explore the farm on horseback, browse a selection of spoils at the Pantry or volunteer at the Spensplaas, an organic food-growing project for the residents of De Rust started in April 2020.

    Picture: Domein Doornkraal / Facebook

    Excelsior Vlakteplaas

    Excelsior Vlakteplaas is located approximately 55km Oudtshoorn along the Willowmore road. The farm has belonged to the Schoeman family for the past 150 years, cultivating grapes since 1930. Great-grandson Jan-Jurie Schoeman still produces a variety of wines, particularly Musacdel in the original cellar that has been partly modernised.

    Wines are available for purchase at the Doornkraal Farm Stall on the R341 near De Rust.

    Picture: Klein Karoo Wines

    Herold Wines

    Herold Wines’ vineyard can be found on the north-facing slope of Cradock Peak, the highest crest of the Outeniqua Mountain range running parallel to the Southern Cape coast.

    Perfect for an outing or weekend getaway in the Garden Route, Herold Wines can be accessed via the Montagu Pass through the mountains above George in the Southern Cape.

    The tasting area is set among tanks and barrels in the working cellar, allowing visitors a view of the harvest and labelling process. The farm also features self-catering accommodation, hiking trails into the Outeniqua Nature Reserve, farm walks, fynbos footpaths and river swimming pools.

    ALSO SEE: Explore the cool wine region by visiting these wine farms in Elgin

    Explore the cool wine region by visiting these wine farms in Elgin

    Picture: Martin Katler / Unsplash

    This article was originally written and published by Ilze-Mari Van Zyl for Cape {town} Etc.

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