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Vineyard Walking Trail

The vineyards of De Krans cover 50 hectares, with a further 18 hectares of deciduous fruit trees, such as apricots and peaches. The vineyards along this vineyard route are mostly planted with table grapes, because of the richness of the sandy-loam alluvial soils along the river. All port and red varieties are planted south of the Gamka river far away from the river-bed, in poorer clay soils.

The vineyard route was opened on 3 December 1988. It can easily be completed in 30 minutes and even small children can manage the walk.

Hanepoot (1)

These grapes are used for table grapes. Visitors to De Krans get their chance in February to pick their own Hanepoot grapes in this block.

Irrigation Canal

This canal carries irrigation water from the Nelsriver dam to around 500 hectares of vineyards and deciduous fruit trees along the Gamka river valley. The rainfall on the farm averages 250 millimeters per year, therefore added irrigation is necessary. About 300-400 millimeters of water is given annually by means of flood irrigation or microjets.

Hanepoot (2)

This vineyard was also planted for table grape production. During flowering the bunches are trimmed by pruning the “shoulders” and the “tail” of the bunches. Unnecessary shoots are also broken off so that enough sunshine will ensure even ripening and disease-free grapes.

Malvasia Rei (Palomino)

This is the oldest vineyard on the farm, planted in 1947. This grape variety is a Portuguese white wine variety and one of the famous sherry varieties of Spain. This very old vineyard is used to produce our flagship White Tritonia.

Bulida apricots

These apricots ripen at the end of November and are used for canning. Bulida is an important apricot variety in Calitzdorp, mainly used for canning and export to Europe. Visitors can pick their own apricots from the last week in November to the first week December each year.