CALITZDORP NEWS - Carel Nel, co-owner and cellar master of Boplaas Family Vineyards was awarded the Living Legend Award by Veritas. The awards function was held on6 November at Val De Vie in Paarl.
The Living Legend Award is bestowed on leaders in the wine industry who build the integrity of the industry and improve the quality of wines in South Africa.
Nel graduated from Stellenbosch University and was instrumental in raising the quality of Port in South Africa to world-class standards. He was a founding member and the first chairman of the Cape Port Producers Association and under his chairmanship, Port in South Africa as well as table wines made from Portuguese cultivars were improved to be world-class. He was also the founder and first chairman of the Calitzdorp Port festival which was held for several years. Nel is one of only three winemakers in South Africa that is both members of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild and a Cape Wine Master.
Under his guidance Boplaas was awarded 10 SA Champion Port trophies; 2 SA Champion Sauvignon Blanc Trophies and one SA Champion Red Blend trophy at the SA Young Wine Show. Boplaas also received 28 Double Gold Medals at Veritas and 11 Platter 5 Stars for Port, Brandy and Muscadel.
In 2005 Boplaas was crowned as the Best Private Cellar in South Africa at Veritas. In 2009 and 2013 Veritas crowned Boplaas as the Best Cellar in South Africa. Boplaas was also crowned as Best Producer in South Africa in 2019 at the Michelangelo Awards.
Not only did Nel receive this prestigious award at Veritas, but Boplaas wines walked off with three double gold and two gold medals. Double gold medals were awarded to the Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2017, Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2015 and Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2006.
The gold medals were earned by Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2016 and the Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2009.
Boplaas is a family vineyard where Nel's wife, Jeanne, is involved in the financial and general administration. Their children Rozanne (marketing director), Margaux (winemaker) and Daniel (distilling and marketing) are ensuring that the family business which dates back to 1880 are taken care of for future generations.
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