Wine & Other Stories

Klein Karoo Wine Route

Written by Veronica Lavenia

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South Africa is one of the best wine producers in the world. Every year, the wine roads of the country are visited by thousands of tourists, curious to taste the proposals of the wineries and, at the same time, to admire breathtaking landscapes.

The Klein Karoo Wine Route runs between Cape Town, Oudtshoorn and Port Elizabeth and is part of scenic Route 62.

The Klein Karoo Wine Route was established in the late 1980’s to combine the interest of the cellars and tourism activities in the region and to put in place a platform to work from.

Discover more from the words of Ellen Marais.

©Klein Karoo Wine Route

Since when the Association was born, what goals has it achieved and which ones to achieve?

The Klein Karoo Wine Route was established in the late 1980’s to combine the interest of the cellars and tourism activities in the region and to put in place a platform to work from.

Through which services/activities do you promote the dissemination of the Klein Karoo Wine Route?

The wine route is promoted mostly through digital media, wine tasting events and local tourism initiatives. The combined effort of the cellars throughout the region forms a  cohesive identity.

©Klein Karoo Wine Route

Can you briefly describe the Route and the territories of cultural and wine tourism interest it crosses?

The Klein Karoo Wine Route stretches for about 300 km along the Cape Route 62, starting at quaint Montagu in the west, meandering through the of historic towns of Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn and De Rust to the Outeniqua in the east.

Leisure includes mostly accommodation and outdoor activities such as hug, ride or feed an ostrich; stroke a cheetah; dive with crocodiles; Meerkatmagic; feed an elephant; ride a camel; Cango Caves; zipline; 4×4 trails; kloofing; horse riding; hot air balloon; game viewing; mountain biking; abseiling; caving; camping and hiking.

©Klein Karoo Wine Route

The Klein Karoo forms a circle route with the Garden Route to and from Cape Town and these two routes complement each other well.

©Klein Karoo Wine Route

What are the peculiarities of the territory and its wines?

The region is situated between mountain ranges, its vines are mostly grown on the high slopes and in the alluvial soil along the riverbanks. The climate is generally drier than that of other regions, resulting in healthy vineyards that are grown organically to a large extent. Winter rains and snow form an important part in the lifecycle of the vineyard and the Klein Karoo region and various microclimates enable the production of a wide variety of quality dry wines, fortified wines and pot-stilled products.

©Klein Karoo Wine Route

The country’s favourite dessert wine, Muscadel, is produced here alongside iconic port-style wines and dry wines made from Portuguese varieties such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barocca and Verdelho.  Other cultivars include Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. These wines vary from full-bodied, wooded reds to lighter, fruity wines for easy drinking.

©Klein Karoo Wine Route

Why choose the Klein Karoo Wine Route?

The Klein Karoo is a lifestyle destination. Visitors to our region come here for quiet inspiration and may expect: A different landscape. One of our main attractions is our unspoilt natural environment. We offer majestic mountain views and unique vegetation.  The Klein Karoo houses three of the most important biomes that were identified as world hot spots, namely fynbos, thicket and succulent Karoo.  Each of these important biomes houses at least 1.500 endemic species (more than in the whole of Europe) and most of these plants are extraordinary, special and unusual.

©Klein Karoo Wine Route

Uniquely South African cuisine.  Inspired food prepared with fresh, local ingredients and love.

Our people.  A true asset. They will make a lasting impression on visitors with their friendliness, their hospitality, their helpfulness and their warmth.

Atmosphere.  Visitors are increasingly appreciative of the rural tranquillity they find here.

We can truly raise a glass to the diversity of the Klein Karoo and its people! 

About the author

Veronica Lavenia

PhD.
Writer, book author and magazine contributor, some of her works have appeared in the most popular International magazines.
Digital Content Manager and Communication Manager at "The Wolf Post", since the birth of the platform.

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