ABOUT OUR FAMILY
Although our story dates back to 1880 when the first brandy was crafted at Boplaas by Daniel Nel, for export to London, it is only since 1980 that Boplaas in its current form came into existence. Being a born entrepreneur, Carel Nel’s first business venture was buying old broken antique furniture, getting it restored and re-selling it. After finishing is BSc studies in winemaking, he joined his father on the farm. Always on the lookout for budding opportunities, he soon started a fruit drying, fruit preserve and jam business and over time used the profits to build a cellar on the farm.
The success of the Boplaas vrugtehappies (dried fruit titbits) and other dried fruits allowed us to follow our true passion of crafting fine wines in the Klein Karoo. The foundation stone of the new cellar was laid on 1981 with the first Boplaas Estate wines released in 1982. Our very first SA Champion Port was crafted in 1986 and was awarded this coveted title at the National Young Wine Show.
Towards the end of the 80’s we established the first vineyards at Ruiterbosch in the Outeniqua Mountains, the first cool climate site in the Southern Cape. This allowed us to produce Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Méthode Cap Classique (traditional bottle fermented sparkling wine).