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Ostriches and kuierwyn in the Klein Karoo
Klein Karoo Wine Route
Vineyards along the Klein Karoo wine route
© Klein Karoo Wine Route
Did you know?
Boplaas celebrated 350 years of winemaking in 2009 with a Rosé made from grapes crushed by an elephant.
The Klein Karoo Wine Route lies in a flat semi-arid basin. Around it, the great walls of the Langeberge-Outeniqua and Groot Swartberg Mountains rise up; a rugged stone coronet that wraps around fruitful Montagu in the west, all the way along Barrydale, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn, to De Rust near Meiringspoort in the east.
Inside this ancient stone circle, an 800 million-year-old geological cocktail formed the chameleon terroir of the Klein Karoo winelands. Roughly speaking, vines in the southern region – Montagu, Barrydale, and Tradouw up to Ladismith – are planted in the foothills and kloofs of the Langeberge, where chalky, shallow soil weathered from the surrounding sandstone mountains, hot days and cool nights are suited to the award-winning Ruby Cabernets, Merlots and Chardonnays. Don’t miss Barrydale Cellars' highly awarded pot still brandies.
The area between Ladismith and Oudtshoorn forms the hub of the wine route in the Klein Karoo, with Calitzdorp at its heart, where intense sunshine brings out the deep berry flavours needed for good port. Likened to the Douro in Portugal, plantings here consist mainly of Tinta Barocca and Touriga Nacional. Besides creating champion port (called Cape Tawny/Vintage/Ruby in SA) and muscadels, winemakers here are experimenting with typical port cultivars to create interesting red wines. Visit Boplaas, De Krans, Peter Bayly cellars and make a point of trying Axe Hill's pink and white ports.
Muscat varieties flourish around Oudtshoorn in fertile silt where hot days and warm nights bring out the sweet potency needed for semi-sweet and dessert wines. This wine route in the Klein Karoo is also renowned for the quality of its excellent pot still brandies.
Full of wondrous landscapes and warm hospitality, on this 17 cellar Klein Karoo winelands ramble, you’ll have a seriously good time.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Klein Karoo Wine Route
Tel: +27 (0)28 572 1284
Cell: +27 (0)86 528 4055
Email: info@kleinkaroowines.co.za
Web: www.kleinkaroowines.co.za
How to get here
The Klein Karoo Wine Route can be reached via the following routes:
From Graaff Reinet (R341) and Meiringspoort near De Rust in the East
From Uniondale via the Langkloof (R62) in the East
From George (N2) via the Outeniqua Pass in the South East
From Mossel Bay (N2) via the Robinson Pass in the South
From Montagu (R62) in the West
Around the area
Cango Caves, ostrich farms, crocodile cage-diving and meerkat safaris in Oudsthoorn. South Africa’s greatest mountain passes the Swartberg, Outeniqua, Montagu, Robinson, Seweweekspoort and Meiringspoort traverse the Little Karoo.
Tours to do
Oudtshoorn’s Art, Cheese and Wine Route; the Little Karoo Mermaid Trail; Langkloof Fruit Route; R62 Brandy Route
Get around
Self-drive is the way to go, so you can explore this 220km route, and all the good bits in-between, at leisure.
What will it cost
The cost of a tasting varies from estate to estate – phone ahead or enquire at the cellar door.
Length of stay
3 to 5 days if you plan to explore the whole region.
What to pack
Karoo temperatures can vary greatly because the area is semi-desert. Wear seasonal appropriate clothing, and sun protection is essential. You may wish to bring a telescope to admire the Karoo's clear skies.
Where to stay
Lentelus Farm, Barrydale; Rosenhof Country House, Calitzdorp Country House, ‘Ostrich Palace’, Oudtshoorn; Mimosa Lodge, Montagu
What to eat
Stone-fruit, deciduous fruit and table grapes from Langkloof and Montagu. Oudtshoorn ostrich and cheese, Ladismith's lamb, venison and brandy.
Best buys
Fresh and dried fruits, and wines - Montagu and Langkloof areas; twice-distilled 'witblitz' and Happy Cow liqueurs from Grundheim; Joseph Barry and Barry & Nephews potstill Brandy from Barrydale Cellars. Unusual buchu and honeybush brandy and Rietrivier Muti (aloe wine).
Cape Ruby, Cape Tawny and Cape Vintage (port), muscadel and Shiraz from Calitzdorp.