Things are in full swing on the farm as summer has finally arrived with a bang and in true Klein Karoo fashion. We have just finished our annual Bulida apricot picking and once again it has been a great success. While the quantity was down considerably this year due to colder weather and lots of wind in the spring, the quality was exceptional. With the fruit picking officially kicked off, be sure to diarize the annual Hanepoot picking which will be taking place during the month of February. Also, be on the lookout for a new calendar highlight, the Hanepoot Trail Run, hosted by Jakhals Events which will be taking place on the 21st of February 2026. This Trail run takes place though the beautiful vineyards of De Krans and runners can choose between a 5km, 10km and 21km.
It was also a time of celebration on the farm in November as the De Krans Bistro turned 10 years. We are so incredibly grateful for all the years of supporting us, enjoying food and wine under the vineyard trellis and choosing us as your place of celebration. Through all the highs and the lows (we see you, Covid), we are thankful to stand taller and stronger on the other side while looking forward to the next 10. A big thank you especially to every kitchen and waiter staff member as well as managers, with a specific mention to Jean-Paul Murris, who has been at the helm of all things Bistro since 2018.
It seems only fitting to announce the launch of the brand-new De Krans Sparkling Chenin Blanc at the start of the festive season where it is all about everything sparkling. Â This Sparkling wine is produced from 100% Chenin Blanc grapes grown in Calitzdorp with each vineyard bringing a crucial part to the final blend. The vineyards were vinified separately, with the wine then left on lees for eight months before being blended and bottled. This sparkling wine has delicious fruit flavours of apple, pear and tropical fruit with a fine bubble and fresh and balanced acidity. The wine label design echoes the design of the Classic Varietal Range and is exclusively available at the De Krans tasting room, Bistro and through our online shop at www.dekrans.co.za.
In line with all things sparkling, we are excited to announce that the popular De Krans P&T (Port-style and Tonic) is finally back in stock again and available from the tasting room, our online shop or in selected liquor stores. The De Krans Port and Tonic were launched in the beginning of 2022 and is the first of its kind in South Africa. This premixed, ready-to-drink sparkling cocktail is produced using De Krans White Port with delicious flavours of granadilla, pineapple, citrus and subtle tonic on the aftertaste. Enjoy chilled and as is in the elegant 275ml bottle or serve it in a bubbly glass, white wine glass or tumbler with dried or fresh fruit as garnish.
When De Krans made the first Premium Moscato Perlé Wine, this style of wine had to consist of a minimum of 85% of recognized Muscat varieties (such as Muscat Blanc, also known as Muscadel, and Muscat de Alexandrie, also known as Hanepoot), the same as required by the European Union for South African Moscato wines exported to Europe. This ensured excellent quality Moscato wines on the shelves in South Africa and abroad.
This rule for labelling the wine as a Moscato in South Africa was unfortunately changed in March this year. This new (but now disputed) rule for a South African Moscato only requires the wine to âhave a discernible muscat character,â with no minimum percentage of Muscat grape varieties required, meaning that such a wine can consist of any percentage of non-Muscat varieties and then still be classified as and called Moscato! However, it looks as if the 85% rule will be reinstated from the 2026 vintage. It remains our commitment to continue to produce our Moscato range using only the very best Muscadel and Hanepoot grapes to ensure consistent, premium quality, to create delicious Moscato that you know and love – since the very beginning.
With only two port-style wines receiving the coveted 5-star rating in the 46th edition of the Platter’s by Diners Club Wine Guide 2026, De Krans Wines in Calitzdorp has once again proven its worth as one of SAâs leading producers. This is not the first time the De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve has been recognised with this rating. Over the past 15 years this premium port-style wine has consistently been awarded a 5-star rating. According to winemaker, Christoff de Wet, this is a big wine full of ripe dark fruit notes of plum, mulberry and black currents. Well-rounded with smooth dark chocolate undertones and firm tannins results in n wine that would mature well over 30 years. We are excited to share the full results below:
5-star rating
De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2023
4.5-star rating
Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc 2025
De Krans Tritonia Verdelho 2024
De Krans Tritonia Calitzdorp (Red) Blend 2023
De Krans Cape Tawny Limited Release(non-vintage)
De Krans Cape Vintage 2023
De Krans Cape Vintage 2022
De Krans Muscat Blanc 2025
4-star rating
Garden Route Shiraz 2022
Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2024
De Krans Tinta Roriz 2022
De Krans Touriga Nacional 2024
De Krans Premium Cape Ruby
De Krans Wines achieved excellent results in the annual 2025 South African Wine Report written by British Master of Wine, Tim Atkin, which was published in September, just after the release of our spring newsflash. Three of our wines scored a coveted 90 points or higher. The Tritonia Verdelho 2023, a complex and delicious white wine made from a Portuguese grape varietal, scored 90 points. The Cape Tawny port-style wine scored 92 points with the flagship port-style wine, the Cape Vintage Reserve 2023, achieving a high score of 94 points. These results once again solidify De Krans as a leader in the South African wine industry when it comes to producing quality wines made from Portuguese varietals.
De Krans also achieved excellent results at the 2025 Michelangelo Awards. The Cape Vintage Reserve 2020 was awarded a Double Gold Award, and the Cape Tawny Limited Release (non-vintage) received a Gold Award. These results are testament to the consistent quality of our port-style wines since the first Portuguese grape varietals were planted on the farm in 1973.
Other awards include a Double Gold Award for the Cape Vintage Reserve 2015 and a Gold Award for the Cape Vintage Reserve 2022 and 2021 at the 2025 Veritas Awards, as well as the De Krans Tritonia Verdelho 2023 being named in the 2025 Carolineâs Fine Winesâ White Wine Review, which showcases top-tier white wines and Cap Classiqueâs.
Summer is the time for family, friends, celebration, eating good food, drinking great wine and of course, road trips. De Krans Wines, situated in Calitzdorp in the picturesque Klein Karoo, is the perfect destination for you, your family and friends. When visiting our tasting room, you will have the opportunity to taste our wide range of award-winning wines, and stock up on your favourites. Browse through our deli stocked with selected local products such as rusks, preserves and olive oil, and enjoy breakfast or lunch at our Bistro. With the option to sit inside or outside under the lush green vines, you will be able to enjoy a range of homemade dishes together with our Klein Karoo hospitality. Enjoy a vineyard walk and the ample outside space with a childrenâs play area conveniently located by the outside seating area. We are also pet friendly, so please feel free to bring your dogs along. We are open seven days a week, and will be closed only on Christmas Day, 25 December.
Please note our trading hours below:
Tasting Room: Mondays â Saturdays: 9am â 4.30pm
Sundays: 9am â 4pm
Bistro: Mondays â Sundays: 10am â 4pm (kitchen closes at 3.30pm)
For restaurant bookings or for more information, please contact us at T: 044 2133 314, or send us an email at bistro@dekrans.co.za.
Buy wine to the minimum value of R2000 and stand a chance to be one of our two lucky winners who will each receive a free case of our brand-new De Krans Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2025. The competition will close on Thursday 11 December at 5pm and the winners will be announced on Friday 12 December. This competition is open only to South African residents aged 18 and above with a valid South African delivery address.
We invite you to become part of the De Krans Wine Club if you are not yet a member, where you will not only qualify for free delivery nationwide for orders of R2000 or more, but will also enjoy several other benefits. De Krans Wines Wine Club membership terms and benefits:
Order wine to a minimum value of R2000 and receive a FREE door-to-door delivery nationwide (one delivery address per order). Should your order be for less than R2000, we are happy to calculate a delivery quote based on your delivery address. We will then furnish you with a pro forma invoice with our banking details. After payment, you will receive a Tax invoice. Please note that regardless of the value of your order, we will only courier wine in multiples of 6 bottles (a full case) to minimize breakages.
Whether your holiday brings you to Calitzdorp, or you buy our wines online, or at your local store, we thank you for your support, your loyalty and for choosing De Krans to share in your Festive Season. From our family to yours â we wish you a wonderful Festive season with family and friends and may the New Year be everything you hope for.
Warm regards,
The De Krans Wines team