The Calitzdorp Wine District, also known as the Port Capital of South Africa, is a fairly unique area located in the semi-desert Klein Karoo. In many respects its terroir is similar to the Douro Valley in Portugal which is famous for its fortified wines.
The quaint town of Calitzdorp is situated along the scenic Route 62 and is part of the world’s longest wine route. Calitzdorp Cellar, one of the town’s many popular wine attractions, can be found about one kilometre just off the main road.
Calitzdorp Cellar is a cooperative wine cellar first founded in 1928 with its members vineyards spreading across three hundred hectares and over forty farms.
The soils are mostly deep red in colour, alluvial in nature and glacial in origin and the rapid drainage is ideal for the production of grapes for Port-style wines. The dry soils lead to low grape yields and an above average concentration of sugars and flavours in the berries. The intensely hot summers also help to improve sugar levels in the grapes.
Calitzdorp Cellar has produced a number of award-winning wines, being best known for their fortified and port-styles wines and have twice been awarded Champion Cooperative Winery of the Little Karoo.
The Cellar has performed well at the South African Young Wine Shows and Veritas Competitions and have been awarded the prestigious Etchell Trophy for Hanepoot and Port.
Sweet Muscadel and Hanepoot are their flagship wines and are still firm favourites along with their Cape Ruby & Cape Vintage port wines. For those with a lesser sweet tooth, they also have a variety of red and white options with Chenin Blanc and Shiraz being the other two main cultivars grown in the area apart from the Portuguese cultivars of Tinta Barocca, Touriga National, Verdelho and Tinta Roriz.
Calitzdorp Cellar’s current winemaker is Carlo Sciocatti.
Calitzdorp Cellar Wines
Their wide range of wines may be purchased online at cellar door prices and courier costs will be added accordingly.
Wine tasting is offered Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.00, Saturdays 9.00 to 14.00 and Sundays 11.00 to 15.00 in their tasting room which has spectacular views over the Gamka Valley.
Contact Details
For more information or to make an appointment call +27 44 213 3301 or email info@calitzdorpwine.co.za
Calitzdorp Cellar may be found at Andries Pretorius Street, Calitzdorp, Little Karoo, South Africa. Find them on Google Maps.
Facebook: @calitzdorpwine
Instagram: @calitzdorpwine
