De Krans Tasting Terrace
One of the best-known producers of Cape Fortified wines, De Krans, still family owned, is also one of the pioneers of dry red wines made from traditional Portuguese grape varieties. The vines are in the remote, semi-arid Klein Karoo region, which is the richest in succulent plants anywhere in the world.
Named after a local mountain, De Krans' Port-style wines are regular award-winners, and winemaker Louis van der Riet, who took over the reins in 2012, won the Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year award with a 2013 Tinta Roriz dry red. The-75 hectare Calitzdorp farm (45 hectares of which are planted to vineyards) is owned by Boets and Stroebel Nel and has a welcoming tasting room and family restaurant, as well as walking trails and PYO apricots and grapes in their respective seasons.