A perfect brilliant accident – Boplaas Portuguese Collection.
Planted by accident, Tinta Barocca & the other traditional Port varieties, offer a glimpse of the future for Boplaas Family Vineyards. Add some spice to your life and chose one of the Boplaas Cape Portuguese Collection wines from leading retailers nationwide.

The story goes, that oupa Danie Nel, Boplaas patriarch, returned from a visit to the Swartland in the late 70′s with his Chevy El Camino packed to the rafters with Pinotage & Shiraz, his neighbours duly finished off the Shiraz and a decision was made to plant some then and there. Planted the vines produced an unusual “Shiraz”, which in fact proved to be Tinta Barocca, a trip to Portugal followed with a rambunctious night at a pub & lifelong friendships being made with some of the best Port shippers – including the Symingtons. Many re-visits were undertaken to learn the intricacies of Port production, but also crafting table wines from these wild varieties.

Although far removed from the precarious schistious slopes of Portugal’s Duoro, Calitzdorp and much of the Cape share much in common – a Mediterranean climate, low rainfall, testing growing conditions, ample sunshine and ancient soils. The Portuguese varieties are perfect suited to low rainfall, poor soils, high temperatures, while producing sustainable yields of high quality fruit offering the opportunity to craft exceptional wines and fortifieds. Boplaas has old vine plantings of Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional & Souzao – with new plantings of all three coming into production soon – while Verdelho is a recent addition to the farm. Portugal is a veritable viticultural cornucopia of vinous gems, possessing over 200 endemic varieties.