Tritonia Calitzdorp Blend

Pairs beautifully with venison and ostrich steak, ostrich pies, roasted leg of lamb and beef fillet.

Portuguese varieties were planted in Calitzdorp during the early 1970’s with Tinta Barocca being the first to find its way to the Klein Karoo. The red clay soils and continental climate of Calitzdorp, very similar to that of the Douro valley in Portugal, is ideal for growing these unique varieties. All vines are micro-irrigated on VSP trellising systems to ensure the best quality fruit possible.

After malolactic fermentation the wine was matured in new, 2nd, 3rd and 4th fill French Oak barrels for 12 months. After ageing, the best barrels were meticulously selected and the final blend was made from these barrels.

Selected grapes were handpicked at 24.5º Balling. Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barocca grapes were vinified separately in open fermenters until fermentation has stopped. Skins were then pressed and the wine was left to undergo malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks.

De Krans Wine Cellar is situated along the upper reaches of the picturesque Gamka River Valley in Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo. The rich and long history of the farm dates to 1890, when it was bought by the Nel family. The current cellar was built in 1964 by Chris Nel and his brother Danie. The first Portuguese grape variety in Calitzdorp was planted in 1973 at De Krans by a twist of fate. Chris Nel, father of Boets & Stroebel Nel, intended to plant Shiraz, which turned out to be Tinta Barocca, when the newly planted vineyard started bearing grapes in 1976! Since 1985 other classic Portuguese varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Amarela and Souzão, have been planted. De Krans is widely known as one of the leading producers of port-style wines, as well as one of the most innovative cellars in South Africa. De Krans was the first in South Africa to produce a Touriga Nacional as a dry red wine, made the first Pink Port-style wine, as well as the first Moscato perlé wine in South Africa. De Krans has recently been awarded for its innovation, winning the Most Innovative Wine Award for the De Krans Espresso, as well as for the De Krans MCC at the Michelangelo International Wine Awards.