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We simply can’t believe we are writing our last newsletter for the year and that Christmas is a mere few weeks away. If you are looking for some menu inspiration and food and wine pairing ideas, have a look at our Christmas Table with Elmarie Berry, featuring four of our wines, each paired with an amazing new recipe – ideal to make up a full Christmas menu. It includes some delicious Moscato Rosépopsicles, so do yourself a favour and check out the link for some ideas and some pretty festive content.
https://elmarieberry.com/2023/11/21/a-minimalistic-christmas-table-paired-with-de-krans-wines/
The year was challenging, but good, and above all, it just went by so fast. For those planning to visit us on the farm over the festive season, we look forward to welcome you. Those who are a bit far away, we hope we can still share in your summer memories when you enjoy our wine – your favourite or perhaps something you haven’t tried before. The New Year will kick off with a bang with the 2024 harvest and the Hanepoot picking both likely to start in February. We are excited about everything the New Year has to offer and can’t wait to share it with you.
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While Cape Town has been experiencing all four seasons this spring, here at De Krans the typical Klein Karoo heat has been building slow and steady. With summer finally here, we are almost wrapping up the apricot picking and it once again has been and continues to be a great success. We are already looking forward to an annual highlight on our summer calendar – the popular Hanepoot picking. Kicking off on 3 February to 3 March 2024, Hanepoot grapes will be available for picking at R10 per kilogram and picking will be seven days a week from 8am – 4pm. Please note that the fruit picking is subject to availability, and to avoid disappointment we advise that you phone the farm beforehand or look out for updates on our social media platforms and website ahead of your visit.
For the first time this year we will be hosting a Hanepoot Trail Run, organized by Jakhals Events, on 10 February. We can’t wait to celebrate harvest, summer, and being out and about in nature, enjoying the beautiful Klein Karoo views while running through the De Krans vineyards. There will be the option of 21km, 10 km or a more relaxed 5km for the whole family. For more information and to book your ticket, please visit https://jakhalsevents.co.za.
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Whether you are fueling up for the long road or simply visiting us for a leisurely breakfast or lunch, your visit won’t be complete without a stop at the De Krans Bistro & Deli. Grab a seat outside under the beautiful lush, green vineyard trellis where you can order a variety of hearty, wholesome dishes whilst enjoying Klein Karoo hospitality at its best. All the dishes are paired with wines from the De Krans range, allowing visitors the option to enjoy an unique food and wine pairing experience. For those with a sweet tooth, be sure to keep an eye out for the delicious desserts on offer. Visitors can also choose to sit indoors, which is air-conditioned – perfect for those warm Karoo days. In addition, the Deli also offers visitors a wide selection of homemade items produced in and around Calitzdorp and the Klein Karoo. These include olives, olive oil, preserves, homemade rusks, honey and other delicious treats from the area.
Make use of the outside space by taking a stroll through the vineyard, playing some outdoor chess or simply soaking up the Karoo sun. There is a playground for young children with the Bistro also offering child-friendly drinks and a delicious kiddies menu, making this the perfect stop and family friendly destination. We are also a dog-friendly winery, and welcome you and your dogs this festive period – we kindly ask to please keep them on a leash for the duration of your visit.
Summer Trading hours (Monday to Sunday):
During the festive season, we are open seven days a week, with the exception of being closed on Christmas day (25 December). For more information and / or bookings visit www.dekrans.co.za, email dekrans@mweb.co.za or contact us at 044 2133314.
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With the wine award season wrapped up, we have so much to be grateful for. Like with anything in life, while it is not about the awards, there is still some value in not only getting recognition for hard work, but more so validation that you are on the right track when it comes to style, quality and innovation.
The Rosé category remains ever so popular with a variety of competitions dedicated to celebrate all things pink. The Premium Moscato Rosé 2023 did extremely well by scoring Double Gold awards at the Rosé Wine and Spirit Challenge 2023, Rosé Rocks 2023, and the Ultra Value Wine Challenge 2023, where it was also selected as the Sparkling Wine of the Year 2023. The Pinotage Rosé 2023 also had a great year having received Gold awards at both the Rosé Rocks 2023 and the Rosé Wine and Spirit Challenge 2023 .
De Krans also received recognition at the Veritas Awards 2023 with the Cape Vintage Reserve 2020 awarded a Gold medal and the Cape Tawny Limited Release NV, Tritonia Verdelho 2022, Tinta Roriz 2020, Muscat Blanc 2023 and Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc 2023 all receiving a Silver medal. The 2023 Awards season was officially wrapped up with the release of the Platter’s Wine Guide Results 2024 last week. The De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve once again received the coveted 5 star rating, making this the most decorated wine style in the history of De Krans. We also received fantastic results overall, with six wines (Touriga Nacional 2021, Tritonia Red (Calitzdorp Blend) 2021, Verdelho 2022, Muscat Blanc 2023, Cape Tawny Limited Release NV, Garden Route Sauvignon Blanc 2023) receiving 4.5 stars and two wines (Premium Cape Ruby NV, Garden Route Shiraz 2021) receiving 4 stars. Massive congratulations to winemaker Christoff de Wet and the entire team involved. We simply can’t wait for the 2024 harvest and to taste the wines it produces.
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We have selected our favourite wines for summer. Showcasing a wine from each of the De Krans Wine ranges, this selection highlights the versatility of De Krans Wines and what they have to offer on different occasions and paired with different foods.
Starting off with a firm favourite and a must for Summer is the De Krans Premium Moscato White 2023. Produced for the first time in 2012, this wine has only grown in popularity due to its delicious, mouthwatering flavours of muscat, litchi, apricot and honey with exotic spice and refreshing acidity, making this natural sweet wine very well-balanced. Not only does the wine have a lower alcohol of 9%, but it also has a slight fizz, making this a great alternative for a bubbly. What is the festive season without some bubbles!
For those preferring something a little bit drier, you simply can’t go wrong with the De Krans Free Run Chenin Blanc 2023. The combination of fresh acidity and fruit character makes this wine perfect to enjoy on its own or pair with foods like chicken, braaied snoek, pasta dishes, and salads. “Free run” refers to using only the first batch of juice following the destemming and initial crushing of the grapes, to cut the risk of phenolic oxidation, not only making this wine super smooth and easy to drink, but also full of tropical fruit flavours like banana, guava, and passion fruit.
While the De Krans A Twist of Fate 2021 is all about the story, this lighter style red wine is really perfect for summer and ideally served slightly chilled. It has juicy red fruit flavours of strawberry and cherry, with hints of spice, earthiness, a good acidity and subtle oak. The wine pays tribute to Tinta Barocca, the first Portuguese grape planted in the Klein Karoo in 1973 – initially, and mistakenly, thought to be Shiraz. Similarly in 2004, Tinta Amarela was planted, thought to be Tinta Roriz. The wine is a delicious blend of the two Tinta’s of which only the free run juice has been used, adding some extra fruit flavours.
While the traditional mindset of “ports are for winter” are still very much the case, enjoying the De Krans Cape Tawny Limited Release NV this summer will certainly help change your mind. Probably the most versatile port when it comes to different ways to enjoy it, the Cape Tawny is a non-vintage, older port (usually a blend of between 5 and 15 years) with a beautiful amber colour. It has a beautiful richness and full mouth feel, with flavours of caramel, coffee, and nuts. It is best served chilled, or paired with savoury dishes like samoosas, a mild curry, a baked cheese platter with rosemary and drizzled honey, or sweet dishes like malva pudding or crème brûlée.
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Two people will be the lucky winners of our Summer Giveaway where each person will receive a mixed case of our Summer selection. To stand a chance to win, simply place an order to the value of R2000 and you could be one of the lucky winners. The competition will close on 10 December and the two winners will be announced on the 11th of December. All persons over the age of 18, with a valid South African delivery address, are eligible to enter.
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) or 24 bottles (a full case) for the P&T to minimize breakages.
Until 2024, we wish you and your family a wonderful festive season and if you will be on the road, please travel safely.
Warm regards,
The De Krans Team