Background

Kleine Draken started the legacy of fine Kosher Wine in South Africa in the 1980’s and continues to grow from strength to strength by expanding exports to USA, Israel and UK. We want to ensure that our customers around the world can enjoy the finest of South African wines.

Kleine Draken was established at the Zandwijk Farm by Mendel Kaplan z’l in 1983 as the first commercial kosher wine producer in South Africa.

Mendel Kaplan was one of the foremost Jewish, industrialist, philanthropist and community activist in South Africa and around the world. Mendel was the honorary president of Keren Hayesod and a former chairman of the Jewish Agency's Board of Governors. He financed numerous philanthropic projects in South Africa, Israel and Jewish communities around the world. In 1980, he founded the Isaac and Jessie Kaplan Centre for Jewish Studies at the University of Cape Town. In 2000, he established the South African Jewish Museum

Kleine Draken was taken over by a new orthodox jewish owner in 2020 after the passing of Mendel Kaplan and the sale of the Zandwijk farm.

The new owner has maintained the age old formulas that have been enjoyed for over 40 years and has added some new varietals to enhance the range. Grapes are selected from the optimal region to ensure the high consistent quality of our wines. Our grapes are sourced on site specificity. We find the best region and terroir for a specific cultivar and wine style. The vineyards are trellised. Best practices are followed for a specific site with supplemental irrigation

The wine is produced in a state-of-the-art cellar in the Western Cape managed by professional wine makers and from 2023 under the supervision of the Kashrut authorities of the CRC (Central Rabbinical Congress www.crckashrus.org) of New York, Chatam Soffer Bnei Brak and OU. All the wines and grape juice are Mevushal and Kosher for Pesach. The 2023 and 2024 vintages are ללא חשש ראיית עכו"ם.

Kleine Draken started the legacy of Fine Kosher Wine in South Africa and continues to grow from strength to strength by expanding exports to USA, Israel and UK. We want to ensure that our customers around the world can enjoy the finest of South African wines.