Klein Karoo | Wine Region Guide

A Guide to the Klein Karoo Region

The enormous swath of scrubby, arid land east of the Breede River Valley and north of the Cape South Coast is so hot in summertime that mainly fortified wines are successful, and then only with constant irrigation.

Consequently, Douro grapes including Tinta Barroca, Souzao, and Touriga Nacional are widely planted, complementing Klein Karoo’s other specialty—Muscadel wine.

Even in the extreme heat of this region, some red table wines do flourish thanks to reasonably cool evenings, mitigated by ocean breezes––enough of a thriving wine scene in fact for a Klein Karoo wine route that includes strong showings of

Even in the extreme heat of this region, some red table wines do flourish thanks to reasonably cool evenings, mitigated by ocean breezes––enough of a thriving wine scene in fact for a Klein Karoo wine route that includes strong showings of Shiraz and Merlot , and excellent red blends made from the aforementioned Douro varieties in the outdoorsman’s town of Calitzdorp. In addition to Calitzdorp, Klein Karoo contains the district of Langeberg-Garcia , a a promising spot for Sauvignon Blanc , and a handful of small wards.