De Krans Wines: Setting Standards with Portuguese Varietals and Awards

Significant Awards for De Krans

De Krans recently announced remarkable news: their wines received notable recognition at the National Wine Challenge Awards 2025 and the Investec Trophy Wine Show.

The De Krans Tritonia Calitzdorp (Red) Blend 2023 made it onto the Top-100 list, earning a Platinum award. This outstanding wine was also crowned Champion Best in Class in the Grand Cru National category. The De Krans Cape Vintage Reserve 2021 and De Krans Cape Tawny NV were also awarded Top-100 and Platinum titles. A double Gold medal was awarded to the De Krans Tritonia Verdelho 2023.

Furthermore, De Krans received the Wine Consistency Award in the Special Award Winners category. This award is one of four special prizes given by the NWC and recognizes exceptional wines as important benchmarks. Each category affirms various aspects of the quality of fine wines, collectively forming the foundation of a reputable wine brand.

In the Wine Consistency Award section, wines that consistently deliver top performance are recognized. De Krans Wines have achieved numerous Top-100 placements in South Africa over the past 15 years and are among the top three wines with the most podium finishes, showcasing their ongoing excellence.

The success story of De Krans is exemplified by the Tritonia Verdelho 2023, which won the Investec Trophy for Best Niche White Wine with an impressive 97/100 points. This esteemed award, now in its 24th year, highlights the best wines from South Africa. Out of 650 entries, this wine triumphed over 303 Bronze, 133 Silver, 40 Gold medal winners, and 23 Trophy recipients.

The fact that two of the highest-awarded wines in both competitions are made from Portuguese varietals confirms De Krans’ status as one of South Africa's leading wine producers. Particularly noteworthy is the Tritonia Verdelho, which is based on a white grape variety closely linked to Madeira Island and lends its name to one of the main types of Madeira wine.

The Tritonia Calitzdorp (Red) Blend consists of the Portuguese varietals Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, and Tinta Barocca. Since the introduction of South Africa’s first pure Touriga Nacional wine in 2000, De Krans has championed the cultivation of these varieties in the Klein Karoo, as this region closely resembles the Douro Valley in Portugal. Through innovation and authentic representation, they have highlighted the breadth of Portuguese grape varieties, ranging from full-bodied, dry reds to rich, complex, Port-like wines.

With roots in Calitzdorp dating back to the 1890s, De Krans Wines has built a reputation for Portuguese varietals in the region. These varieties have proven their resilience and secured a strong place in the wine industry.