Kleine Draken & Cape Jewel: A Gem in the Cape Winelands

There are plenty of wine farms in the Cape Winelands, but every now and then you come across one with a story that makes you stop and take notice. Kleine Draken is one of them.

With roots stretching back to the 1980s, a beautiful Paarl setting and a wine range that includes everything from Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay to Pinotage and Gewürztraminer, Kleine Draken has quietly built a name for itself both locally and internationally.

And despite the name, there is nothing particularly “klein” about the story.

A little bit of history

Kleine Draken was established in 1983 at Zandwijk Farm near Paarl, making it one of the more established names in South Africa's specialist wine industry.

The winery was founded by the late Mendel Kaplan and over the years the brand developed a loyal following for its range of wines and grape juice.

In 2020, Kleine Draken moved into a new chapter under new ownership. Rather than starting from scratch, the new owners retained the established formulas while introducing additional grape varieties and developing the range further. 

It's a great example of how a wine brand can evolve without completely losing the character and history that made it special in the first place.

So, what can you expect in the bottle?

Quite a variety!

The Kleine Draken range includes several classic South African favourites, including Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, alongside Gewürztraminer, Rosé, Shiraz, sparkling wines and grape juice. 

The Chenin Blanc brings ripe stone-fruit flavours, citrus freshness and a crisp acidity, while the Chardonnay leans towards citrus and tropical fruit with subtle vanilla notes.

Then there is the Gewürztraminer, which offers something a little different with its aromatic character and notes of lychee and pineapple.

And if you're looking for a classic proudly South African red, the Pinotage is an obvious one to explore.

The variety is part of the fun. Whether your preference is white, red, rosé, sparkling or something sweeter, there is plenty to discover across the range.

A taste of Paarl

One of the best parts of the Kleine Draken story is its location.

The Cape Winelands are famous for their dramatic mountain landscapes, vineyards and historic wine farms and Kleine Draken fits comfortably into this picture.

The current tasting experience is located at Boland Cellar near Paarl, around 45 minutes from Cape Town.

Here, visitors can enjoy the beautiful surroundings with views towards the Matroosberg mountain range, while getting to know the wines and the story behind the brand. 

It's the sort of setting where you can easily turn a wine tasting into a full day out.

For those wanting to make a picnic of it, visitors can bring their own kosher picnic, while kosher snacks and soft drinks are also available at the tasting room.

And because you're in Paarl, there is plenty more to explore nearby, from scenic mountain spots to farms, food experiences and other attractions.

From the Cape to the world

Although Kleine Draken has strong Cape roots, its reach extends much further than Paarl.

The brand exports to international markets including the United States, Israel and the United Kingdom, taking a taste of the Cape Winelands to wine lovers around the world. 

The wines are produced in the Western Cape, with grapes sourced according to the region, terroir and grape variety best suited to each particular wine.

That connection between South African grapes and international wine lovers is an important part of what makes the brand interesting.

Where Cape Jewel fits in

Kleine Draken also forms part of the Cape Jewel wine story, bringing another dimension to the brand's presence in the South African wine industry.

Both names are connected to a range that celebrates South African wine while offering something a little different from the usual Cape Winelands experience.

And isn't that what makes exploring wine so much fun?

You might think you know what to expect from a wine farm, only to discover a completely different story waiting for you.

Wineries.co.za Competition

We're especially excited to have Kleine Draken as a sponsor of the current Wineries.co.za wine competition.

Their Gewürztraminer is one of the wines featured in the competition, giving participants the opportunity to discover something from a winery with more than four decades of history behind its name.

Discover the Wineries.co.za Wine Competition

From its beginnings at Zandwijk Farm in 1983 to its current home in the Paarl Winelands, Kleine Draken has grown, evolved and expanded its reach while staying connected to its South African roots.

So, if you're exploring the Cape Winelands and looking for a story that's a little different, keep an eye out for the little dragon.