Boplaas Family Vineyards has made South African wine history by becoming the first producer to achieve champion status in three distinct categories (Cape Port, brandy and whisky) within a 12-month period.
The Calitzdorp estate earned its latest accolade when its Cape Tawny NV was named South Africa’s Best Cape Port at the 2026 National Wine Challenge. The fortified wine, matured for 10 years in old oak barrels, added to an already impressive list of honours after Boplaas’ 1996 Cape Vintage Reserve Port was named Best Cape Port in the Museum Class at the Trophy Wine Show.
The estate also received the highest score of 97 points in the 2026 Wine Magazine Fortified Report. Boplaas’ 20-Year-Old Pot Still Brandy was crowned Champion Brandy at the 2025 Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards.
Produced from Colombar grapes grown in Calitzdorp and distilled using traditional copper pot still methods, the brandy is matured for two decades in Limousin oak casks.
Completing the historic achievement, the estate’s 12-Year-Old Rum Cask Whisky was named South Africa’s Best Grain Whisky at the 2026 World Whisky Awards in London. The whisky is matured in bourbon and brandy casks before being finished in South African and Colombian rum casks.
Boplaas also continued its success in still wines. Its Ring of Rocks 2022 received a Double Gold medal at Veritas, was included in the Top 100 wines, and earned Double Platinum at the National Wine Challenge. The estate’s Merlot was also awarded a Veritas Gold medal.
Established in 1880, Boplaas Family Vineyards is one of Calitzdorp’s oldest family-owned wine estates and is renowned for its Cape Ports, table wines, pot still brandies and whiskies.
Historic triple crown for Boplaas
Photo supplied.