“Good wine is made with good grapes, so everything starts in the vineyard.”
Boplaas’ winemaking heritage dates back to 1880. The first and only winemaker from the southern Cape to become a member of the CWG in 1988, Carel was also the first winemaker to distill a certified estate brandy. A viticulture and oenology graduate of Stellenbosch University and a Cape Wine Master, Carel focuses on producing award-winning table wines from Portuguese and French varieties, as well as port-style wines and brandy. As founding member and first chairman of the Cape Port Producers Association, he plays a major role in promoting the production and consumption of quality Cape port-style wines in South Africa. The proud Nel family legacy is continuing with Carel’s two daughters and son also pulling their weight in the family business – Margaux as winemaker, Rozanne responsible for marketing and Daniel for distilling fine spirits.
Carel is also a keen conservationist – 20 years ago he purchased 2 200 ha of pristine Karoo land densely populated it spekboom, to ensure that a piece of this unique habitat remains untouched for future generations.