WOODSTOCK GIN CO
Based in Salt River, the Woodtock Gin Co not only makes its own gin infused with indigenous herbs and lemon grass, but you can even mix them with the company’s own tonics.
Website: www.woodstockginco.co.za
INVERROCHE
Inverroche is a favourite in the Western Cape with its flora-induced gins enticing a large following of gin-lovers. Using botanicals indigenous to Stilbaai, where the distillery is based, Inverroche has created a range of gins that are admirably true to the region.
Website: www.inverroche.co.za
MUSGRAVE
Musrgave gin has become well-known for its ‘wild’ flavour profiles, with everything from African ginger, Cardamom and Grains of Paradise to its signature pink gin taking the market by storm. Named after Maurice Boon Musgrave, grandfather of distiller Simone, Musgrave gin takes its lead from Maurice in being adventurous and bold and has been rewarded for taking risks.
Website: www.musgravegin.co.za
HOPE ON HOPKINS
Based in Salt River, Cape Town, Hope on Hopkins was the first artisanal gin distillery in the Cape Town. Using a range of botanicals, Hope on Hopkins produces the classic “grain to glass” London Dry Gin, the South African inspired Salt River Gin and the more experimental, savoury Mediterranean Gin. The distillery also hosts a monthly ‘gin experience’ and tasting opportunities every Saturday.
Website: www.hopeonhopkins.co.za
TRIPLE 3 THREE
Using a traditional copper pot still, Triple 3 Three produces, you guessed it, three gins: Just Juniper Berry – made from 100% juniper berries – African Botanicals – infused with a mix of seven botanicals, including the flora of the Western Cape – and Citrus Infusion – which has been infused with hand-picked farm-grown citrus. The distillery is based at the Blaauwklippen Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.
Website: www.triplethree.co.za
NEW HARBOUR DISTILLERY
It’s a healthy dose of science that has lead this local distillery to set up as both carbon neutral and the only one to offer a spekboom-infused gin. With a strong focus on education, New Harbour Distillery is a great place to learn more about the process of gin-making. Pay a visit to its gin lab in Woodstock for a tour and even to make your very own gin. But why stop there when you can also spend time learning how to create excellent gin cocktails with a master mixologist?
Website: www.newharbourdistillery.co.za
CAPE TOWN GIN CO
Few things are more typically South African than rooibos tea and the Cape Town Gin Company’s rooibos-infused gin makes it a truly locally inspired creation. The distiller has also created The Pink Lady gin (in homage to the Mount Nelson Hotel), a wonderful gin infused with Hibiscus flowers and rose petals and the Cape Town Classic Dry Gin, which is made in line with the first gins made in Holland and England over 150 years ago, when Juniper berries were the predominant flavour.
Website: www.capetowngincompany.com
WILDERER
The Wilderer Distillery first opened its doors in 1995 as the country’s first private grappa distillery. Wilderer has gone on to add schnapps and other digestifs to its stable, but more importantly (at least to gin lovers), it is also home to gin infused with no less than 27 local plants including wild dagga, honeybush, buchu and devil’s claw. The gin has also been recognised internationally, winning gold at the Meininger International Spirits Awards in Germany in May 2016.
Website: www.wilderer.co.za
JORGENSON’S GIN
Based in Wellington – and area well known for its brandy – Jorgenson’s Gin has become popular for its creative us of local flavours, the cornerstone of which is spicy juniper, harvested in nearby Paarl. Other indigenous botanicals used, include African wild ginger, coriander, liquorice root and bitter apricot kernels. Jorgenson’s Gin is the perfect example of a local distiller proudly boasting a South African flavour.
Website: www.jd7.co.za
Inverroche Gin School
Opened in April 2019, the Inverroche Gin School offers visitors the opportunity to craft their own unique bottle of gin, sample gins from the leading artisanal producer in South Africa and learn more about local fynbos. Gin and food pairings are also offered daily, while the gin lounge bar is open to the public from 10h00 to 19h00, Monday to Saturday.
Website: http://www.cafegannet.co.za/inverroche-gin-school/
