South Africa celebrates Heritage Day on 24 September. It was inducted as a way of recognising and celebrating the cultural diversity that characterises the country. For Boplaas Family Vineyards, the renowned wine and spirits producer of Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo, this is culture written with excellence.
Accolades litter the estate’s long journey. Since 1982, when its wine production under its own brand began in earnest, Boplaas has won amongst others, the SA Champion Port Trophy 10 times, received 21 five-star ratings from the Platter’s wine guide and been awarded 23 Double Golds by the judging panel at the Veritas Awards.
Tim Atkin, MW, has for five consecutive years deemed the Boplaas Cape ports his overall favourites from South Africa.
This has all taken place under the tenure of the Nel Family, which continues to make an indelible mark on South African wine.
The first Nel in South Africa, Guilaum, arrived on these shores with other Huguenots in 1688. His first farm was Blaauwklippen in Stellenbosch. Years later, descendants made their way to Calitzdorp, the first of whom – Louis – arrived in 1751.
Louis and his wife had two sons, one of which took over the farm while the other, Johannes Petrus, bought a farm in Swellendam. His grandson was the famous Boer general, Koos de la Rey, and his two great grandsons were South African statesman Louis Botha and Free State president Marthinus Thenis “MT” Steyn.
Boplaas records show that the early Nel ventures into distilling found an enthusiastic market, particularly in Britain. Its first brandy was exported to that country in 1880, having been produced by Daniel Nel, an ancestor of the current distiller who also bears the family name. At the time the farm also made sweet wines.
These were, however, not the Nel’s only connections to wine. In fact, Carel Nel, grandfather of the current owner of Boplaas, married Jeanette Cloete, who was related to the Cloetes of Constantia.
Their sons, Danie and Chris Nel, built the Hoë Krans winery in Calitsdorp in the late 1960’s and in 1981 Danie’s son, Carel, erected the cellar at Boplaas.
But it was Danie who is credited with setting Boplaas on a dramatic new path that has brought it renown. In the early 1970’s, he made a visit to the Swartland and fell in love with that region’s wonderful Shiraz.
He ordered vines, but by the time they’d settled in the earth and showed their first leaves, these were identified as Tinta Barocca. The vines did so well, however, that they were allowed to stay. Since then, Boplaas has become a champion of these varieties, excelling with not only still wines, but also the production of Cape ports.
Today, the sixth generation of Nels is at the helm. Rozanne Nel is responsible for marketing, sister Margaux is the winemaker and an MSc-qualified specialist on Touriga Nacional, and brother Daniel heads up its spirits portfolio.
In addition to the awards for wine and brandy, Boplaas has also added local and international medals for its gin and whisky. Among them are five stars from Platter’s for the 12 and 20YO Pot still brandies; and, being named Best South African Grain Whisky going to the 10YO Rum Cask Finish Whisky at the 2025 World Whisky Awards.
Boplaas wines, ports and spirits are available at fine retailers across South Africa, and can also be ordered online from boplaas.co.za. Shipping is free on all orders over R2 000, and only available in South Africa. Get maximum benefits on Boplaas releases when you sign up, via the website, as a member of its wine and whisky club.