While Boplaas Family Vineyards has recently drawn international attention for its whisky, the Calitzdorp producer says its reputation was built over generations through wine and brandy.
The sixth-generation family business, situated at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, has received several accolades in the past year.
Boplaas 20 Year Old Brandy was named overall winner at the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Competition, while its 12 Year Old grain whisky was recognised as the top South African entrant at the World Whisky Awards.
The Boplaas 20 Year Old Colheita Cape Tawny was also rated the highest South African port by British Master of Wine Tim Atkin.
Its table wines have also earned recognition. The Boplaas Ring of Rocks 2022 received Double Gold at Veritas, while the Boplaas Merlot 2023 and Touriga Nacional 2024 each received Gold.
Portuguese roots: Boplaas has become closely associated with Portuguese grape varieties, which are well suited to the dry climate and low rainfall of the Calitzdorp area.
The first Portuguese vines arrived on the farm by mistake in the late 1970s after Boplaas patriarch Danie Nel ordered what he believed were Shiraz vines. The vines were later identified as Tinta Barocca.
After the family saw how well the cultivar adapted to local conditions, they expanded their focus on Portuguese varieties and travelled to Portugal to learn more about their cultivation and winemaking traditions.
Building a regional reputation: Although the Klein Karoo is not traditionally regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wine regions, Boplaas has helped build the area’s reputation for alternative cultivars.
Its Alvarinho, a white variety more commonly associated with Portugal, was selected by The Wine Society in the United Kingdom for the organisation’s 150th anniversary celebration.
The producer also makes Verdelho, another Portuguese white variety increasingly recognised for its resilience in warmer climates.
Signature varieties
Tinta Barocca remains one of Boplaas’ defining cultivars and was the first Portuguese variety planted on the farm.
Boplaas Touriga Nacional received Gold at Veritas for the 2024 vintage and four stars in Platter’s South African Wine Guide.
Winemaker Margaux Nel, who completed a master’s degree in viticulture at Stellenbosch University focusing on Touriga Nacional in the Klein Karoo, said the variety performs well in local conditions.
Portuguese cultivars also feature prominently in Ring of Rocks and Gamka Red, two of Boplaas’ flagship red blends.
Gamka Red is named after the Gamka River, which has long served as an important water source for the Klein Karoo and for the Nel family since settling in the region in the mid-1800s.
Broadening the range
Alongside its red wines, Boplaas also produces lighter offerings such as Moscato Frizzante, a lightly sparkling muscat-based wine.
According to the family, the variety continues to perform well in the Klein Karoo climate and remains a consistent part of the range.
Its approach has contributed to growing recognition of the Klein Karoo as a region capable of producing distinctive wines beyond South Africa’s traditional wine routes.
Boplaas table wines reflect generations of winemaking tradition
