The charming Klein Karoo town of Calitzdorp is set to shine once again as a premier producer of wines and spirits during the Calitzdorp Expressed Festival in June. For Boplaas, a family-owned wine farm and distillery, this event presents an opportunity to showcase not only its exceptional wines but also its commitment to preserving the natural environment. With six generations of Nel family custodianship, Boplaas has long understood the importance of caring for the land, not just for healthy wine grapes but also for a thriving ecosystem.
This dedication to environmental conservation and sustainability is particularly relevant this month, as Earth Day reminds us of the significance of protecting our planet. Carel Nel, a veteran winemaker and brandy distiller, emphasizes the unique biodiversity of the Calitzdorp region, noting that within a 150km radius, there are more plant species than in the whole of Europe.
Boplaas has set aside 5000ha of land exclusively for conservation, including fynbos, thicket, and succulent veld with hundreds of endemic and rare plants. Some of these plants, like the Guarri and Wild Plum trees, are hundreds of years old. The farm is committed to preserving the Klein Karoo veld and restoring it to an even better state than it was a century ago.
One of Boplaas’s conservation projects involves reintroducing porkbush to areas previously overgrazed or eroded. As Carel Nel notes, “One never really owns land; you’re merely a caretaker until the next generation takes over.” Boplaas is carbon negative, with the conserved porkbush absorbing more CO2 than the farm’s output.
The farm’s stunning location, surrounded by mountains and scenic passes, makes it an attractive destination for visitors. The R62 wine route, one of the longest in the world, passes through Calitzdorp, and Boplaas’s tasting room welcomes thousands of visitors each year. During the Calitzdorp Expressed Festival from June 15 to 17, Boplaas will present two masterclass tastings, featuring a vertical tasting of its top port wines and a whisky masterclass. Bookings are now open via Quicket. www.quicket.co.za/organisers/54561-boplaas.
