How quickly things can change! When we last spoke in our summer newsletter, we were slowly on our way to yet another drought, all while still recovering from the 2017-2021 drought – the worst in the farm’s history. However, from 1 February to 15 February the Gamkapoort dam level rose from a mere 1% to overflowing, guaranteeing us enough water for at least 18 months. We are so incredibly grateful. This is an important reminder that there is always hope, even when circumstances want us to believe otherwise.
In addition, harvest is done and dusted and there is no greater feeling than knowing all the grapes are safe in the cellar – come wind, rain, or another heatwave. The 2026 harvest was one for the books. A record-early start (we started around mid-January, about two weeks earlier than usual) and a quick one with scorching days speeding up the process and keeping things interesting. What a great and big harvest it was, with excellent fruit quality and concentration. The vines planted about five years ago finally delivered their first yield, with this year’s harvest being 48% up from last year.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank every person who braved the Klein Karoo heat and visited us on the farm to pick their own Hanepoot grapes from 28 January to 28 February – an annual tradition that has been a part of our story for about 30 years. From snacking grapes straight from the fridge to cooking grape jam and chutney, the humble Hanepoot grape continues to provide joy to all it encounters. We also hosted another successful Hanepoot Trail Run in collaboration with Jakhals Events, where runners had the opportunity to run through the beautiful De Krans vineyards and parts of Calitzdorp and won many prizes and lucky draws afterwards at De Krans. A wonderful day of celebration of health, summer, nature and friendship.
As the first three months of the year have really felt like something between three longs weeks and three years, the much-anticipated Easter holiday is around the corner. Situated in Calitzdorp, nestled between Ladismith and Oudtshoorn, De Krans Wines is a must-visit destination on the popular Route 62. Enjoy the opportunity to taste a wide variety of award-winning wines and stock up on your favourites. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, or a cheese platter at our Bistro with inside- and outside seating under the vines. Stretch your legs and take a stroll in the vineyard, play outdoor chess and sit back and relax while the kids enjoy the outside play area. We are a proud dog-friendly destination – just remember to bring along a leash. Please note that we will be open every day from 27 March – 8 April Including Easter Sunday and Family Day), except for Good Friday, 3 April 2026, when we will be closed. Trading hours will be as follows:
Mondays – Saturdays
Wine tasting: 9am – 4.30pm
Bistro: 10am – 4pm (last kitchen orders at 3.30pm)
Sunday
Wine tasting: 9am – 4pm
Bistro: 10am – 4pm (last kitchen orders at 3.30pm)
For more information contact us at 044 2133 314 or tasting@dekrans.co.za. For Bistro bookings contact us at 078 040 0635 (phone or whatsapp) or send an email to bistro@dekrans.co.za.
Great news! This year De Krans Wines will be represented at the annual Klein Karoo National Arts Festival (KKNK) in Oudtshoorn from 28 March – 4 April 2026 in the Liplekker venue, which will be open daily from 10am – 6pm, where visitors will have the opportunity to taste and buy a variety of award-winning De Krans wines including the popular Premium Moscato Range, the P&T (port-style and tonic) which is back in stock again, as well as the brand new Sparkling Chenin Blanc – a delicious, easy drinking and fruity sparkling wine made of 100% Chenin Blanc grapes. For more information about De Krans at the 2026 KKNK, contact us at tasting@dekrans.co.za.
Be sure to diarize the 2026 Calitzdorp Expressed Festival which will be taking place from 13-14 June 2026. This winter festival is an evolved celebration of the tradition port-wine festival, which celebrates the all-things port-style wines in Calitzdorp, the port capital of South Africa. On Saturday 13 June we will celebrate at De Krans with live music by Thelma Heyns from 11am – 4pm, two wine and cellar tours with tutored tastings and pairings presented by winemaker Christoff de Wet, as well as the Calitzdorp Expressed Trail Run which will take place through the vineyards of De Krans Wines and parts of Calitzdorp. Runners can choose between a relaxed 5km walk or run (dogs are welcome), a 10km run or a 21km run. Prizes and medals will be up for grabs as well as lucky draws. For more information, please visit www.jakhalsevents.co.za.
We have four of our favourite wines featured in our Autumn selection. Autumn might just be our favourite season of all. As the dust of harvest settles, the days become shorter, the nights cooler and there is a refreshing crispness in the air. We love wines that are delicious on their own, yet is elevated when paired with the right food and the Autumn Selection ensures versatility and the perfect wine for each occasion.
First up is the newly released De Krans Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2025. While the semi-sweet Premium Moscato range is the perfect choice for someone preferring something a bit sweeter, we also wanted to create a dry sparkling wine that was still fruity and easy to drink. The Sparkling Chenin was launched in December last year, using 100% Chenin Blanc grapes. Each vineyard is vinified separately with the wine left on the fine lees for eight months before blending and bottling. The wine has beautiful notes of apple, pear and tropical fruit with a fresh acidity, and is best served chilled in a champagne or white wine glass, enjoyed on its own or paired with a cheese- and charcuterie platter, pizza, or summer salad.
Our white wine Autumn selection is the De Krans Verdelho 2023, the only white Portuguese varietal planted at De Krans. A truly unique white grape varietal, the Verdelho has the creaminess and softness of a Chardonnay with the acidity of a Sauvignon Blanc – the best of both worlds. Grapes are harvested quite early, usually mid-January to preserve all the beautiful flavours of the Verdelho grapes. After the cold fermentation, the wine is kept on the fine lees in new, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill barrels for 12 months. The wine has beautiful flavours of ripe melons, lime, apricot, toasted almonds, dried orange, floral blossoms, vanilla oak and spice. The 2023 wine did extremely well and scored an incredible 97 points and walked away with the Trophy for Best Niche White Wine at the 2025 Investec Trophy Wine Show, was awarded a Double Gold Award (2025 National Wine Challenge), and scored 90 points in the 2025 Tim Atkin (MW) South Africa Wine Report.
The perfect wine for the Autumn weather is the De Krans Dry Pinotage Rosé 2025, which is part of the De Krans Classic Varietal Range. Delicious when served chilled on a warm day and the perfect pairing with autumn cooking, the Pinotage Rosé is incredibly versatile in how and where to enjoy it. Produced from 100% Pinotage grapes, the wine has the perfect balance between fruit character (think strawberries and candy floss) and a refreshing acidity with a light, blush pink colour – a result of a mere few hour’s skin contact.
Our red wine pick for Autumn is the De Krans Touriga Nacional 2023. De Krans planted its first Touriga Nacional vineyards in 1994 and produced the first single varietal Touriga Nacional dry red wine in South Africa in 2000. The Touriga Nacional has a beautiful dark purple colour and is a fruit driven red wine with flavours such as blackcurrant, dried prunes, dark cherries, violets, cacao and white pepper. Touriga Nacional, also being the main building block in the production of port-style wines, has a great tannin structure and great ageing potential.
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This Autumn we are running an Easter Promotion exclusively for Wine Club members, which includes an extra 5% discount on the four wines of our Autumn Wine Selection, bringing the total discount for these wines up to 25%. Please note that this discount is valid for all orders placed via the quick order form or directly at admin@dekrans.co.za from 26 March – 2 April 2026.
For the Autumn Newsletter we are giving away three special Magnum bottles of 2004 De Krans Vintage Port. What makes these bottles so exclusive and unique, is the fact that we were still able to use the word “port” on the 2004 labels, as the ruling of not being able to use the word “port,” was only introduced at the end of 2011. These magnum bottles are perfect for celebrating a special occasion or birthday and make for a special gift. Place your order of R2000 or more by 2 April at the latest and you could be one of our lucky winners. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 7 April.
Order wine to a minimum value of R2000 at Wine Club prices and receive a FREE door-to-door delivery nationwide (one delivery address per order). Should your order be for less than R2000 at Wine Club prices, 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.
From all of us at De Krans, we wish you warm days and cooler Autumn nights, safe travels and a wonderful Easter period of rest and reflection.
Warm regards,
the De Krans team