South Africa's Klein Karoo Wine Route

The wine regions of South Africa, such as the Klein Karoo are so exciting to discover. Spaswinefood was so fortunate to visit some of this wine region, along the Klein Karoo Wine Route. The Klein Karoo Wine Route is the longest wine route in South Africa extending from Montagu in the east to Langkloof in the west, along Route 62. While this wine region may not be as well known as other South African wine regions it is well worth exploring. We traveled inland from the coast at George to Oudtshoorn, Prince Albert, De Rust, Oudtshoorn and returned to George. At Oudtshoorn we began the scenic drive through the Swartberg Mountains. 

View of the Klein Karoo from the Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

 Vineyard, Prince Albert to De Rust Route © Spaswinefood

Adventures along the Klein Karoo Wine Route

Travels in the Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

After driving through Oudtshoorn, the largest town in the Little Karoo we stopped at Karusa Vineyards and Wines. Later we traveled through the mountain pass to Prince Albert, onto De Rust and then we returned to Oudtshoorn.

Ascending into the Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

Valley View from the Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

Swartberg Pass, Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

At the Top of the Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

It was quite a climb through the Swartberg Mountains via the Swartberg Pass, from Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert. The Swartberg Mountains, with most mountains rising to over 2000 meters, is natural divide between the plains of the Great Karoo and the valleys of the Little Karoo. The scenic views were absolutely stunning. We also saw many unique flora while traveling through this area.

Plants, Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

Flowering Scrubs, Swartberg Mountains © Spaswinefood

The Klein Karoo Wine Route is located between spectacular mountain ranges that provides high slopes and alluvial soil along fertile valleys for growing grape vines. One of South Africa's eight wine regions the Klein Karoo is one of the largest wine regions but it produces the smallest production. Its drier climate generally results in healthier vineyards, with many of these vineyards being able to use organic growing methods. Moreover the microclimates within the region allows for a wide variety of quality wines, with the most common being dry wines, muscatel, port, sherry and brandy. Some have described the Klein Karoo as a strong hold for sweet wines. The region has also been compared to the Douro Valley, with some of the same grape varieties doing well in the Klein Karoo.

Wine tasting and lunch at Karusa Vineyards and Wines

Karusa Vineyards and Wines offers a number of wines (Reserve Collection, Single Vineyard Collection, Lifestyle Collection, Karoo Classique Collection and Liqueur Collection it also produces some beer.  

Karusa Vineyards and Wines © Spaswinefood

Visiting Karusa Vineyards and Wines © Spaswinefood

Vineyard, Karusa Vineyards and Wines © Spaswinefood

When we arrived around lunch time. We ordered a Tapas Lunch and selected wines for tasting.

Arriving at Karusa Vineyards and Wines © Spaswinefood

Included in the tasting was a selection of five wines from four of the five collections. Unfortuntately the Karoo Classique Collection was not available for tasting. 

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, Karoo Classique House Brut NV © Spaswinefood

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, Karoo Classique Brut Rose NV © Spaswinefood

Here are the wines that we selected for tasting:

Reserve Collection

1.     The 5^th Element Syrah/Viognier 2011

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, 5^th Element Syrah/Viognier 2011 © Spaswinefood

2.     Earth’s Art Chardonnay/Viognier 2012

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, Earth’s Art Chardonnay/Viognier 2012  © Spaswinefood

Single Vineyard Collection

1.     Stonerock Viognier 2012 – wooded

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, Stonerock Viognier 2012  © Spaswinefood

2.     One Tree Hill Pinotage 2012 - interesting with sweet nose and dry taste

3.     The Ancients Pinot Noir 2012 

4.     Double Black Petite Sirah 2012 

Lifestyle Collection

1.     Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 – wooded 

2.     Grenache Noir/Shiraz/Mourverde 2013 – unwooded

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, Grenache Noir/Shiraz/Mourverde 2013  © Spaswinefood

3.     Muscat Rose –off dry 2013

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, Muscat Rose –off dry 2013 © Spaswinefood

Liqueur Collection

1.     Soleil de Karusa Vintage Port 2012

Karusa Vineyards and Wines, Soleil de Karusa Vintage Port 2012 © Spaswinefood

Based on our overall tasting the Earth’s Art Chardonnay/Viognier from Reserve Collection and the Double Black Petite Sirah and the Pinotage from the Single Vineyard Collection hit the mark for best overall wines. However, both the Muscat Rose and Soleil de Karusa Vintage Port were good overall value. We bought some Double Black Petite Sirah, Muscat Rose and Soleil de Karusa Vintage Port to enjoy along our #Africa14 travels through South Africa. For visitors comments on Karusa Vineyards and Wines see Tripadvisor.

Patio at Karusa Vineyards and Wines  © Spaswinefood

During our visit to the Karusa Vineyards and Wines we also enjoyed a delightful lunch on the patio. 

Cheese Platter, Karusa © Spaswinefood

Our tapas lunch included a variety of platters.

Meat Tapas, Karusa © Spaswinefood

Salad, Karusa  © Spaswinefood

Cheese and Tomato Tapas, Karusa  © Spaswinefood

Meat and Cheese Tapas, Karusa  © Spaswinefood

The Karusa Vineyards and Wines was indeed a very pleasant stop. Winetastesa has written about her visit to the Klein Karoo and the Karusa Vineyards and Wines.

After we left Karusa we drove through the scenic Swartberg Pass. Our sprinter van did well on the gravel road through the pass. It was slow going and we finally reached the junction with Prince Albert and then drove onto De Rust. There are vineyards and wineries along the route that are well worth a visit. A few of the vineyards that we passed in our travels through the area included.

Prince Albert to De Rust 
Along the drive from Prince Albert to De Rust we passed vineyards and wineries.

Vineyards along Prince Albert to De Rust Route © Spaswinefood

One of the wineries was Bergwater Wines.

Bergwater Wines, Prince Albert, Great Karoo © Spaswinefood

Bergwater Wines, Prince Albert, Great Karoo © Spaswinefood

Another winery along the route was Reiersvlei Wine Cellar.

Reiersvlei Wine Celllar, Prince Albert © Spaswinefood

De Rust to Oudtshoorn
The next day driving back to Oudtshoorn we saw more vineyards and wineries. One of those was the Mons Ruber Wine Estate.

Mons Ruber Wine Estate © Spaswinefood

Mons Ruber Wine Estate © Spaswinefood

Next along the route we found Doorkraal Padstal where you can buy Klein Karoo wines from 20 producers (at cellar prices) and local farm produce.

Spaar Water Drink Wyn, Doorkraal Padstal © Spaswinefood

Tickled Pink at Doorkraal Padstal © Spaswinefood

Doorkraal Padstal © Spaswinefood

We had a very scenic journey along the Klein Karoo Wine Route. After returning to Oudtshoorn we headed back to the coast, to continue our travels eastwards along the Garden Route.

Returning to George on the Garden Route © Spaswinefood

Spaswinefood is so delighted to have explored the Klein Karoo Wine Route during our South Africa traavels. The stunning scenery and the authentic sense of place is absolutely amazing. I invite you to join me in my travels in Africa and elsewhere in search of the best in Spaswinefood. 

Sharon

March 2014

South Africa

© Spaswinefood

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