South Africa’s oldest spirit has a new way to be enjoyed. The South African Brandy Foundation (SABF) has relaunched the SA Brandy Route, offering locals and visitors a fresh opportunity to explore distilleries, tasting rooms, and city cocktail hubs across the Western Cape. With new digital tools to help you plan your trip, the route is designed to celebrate brandy’s heritage while showcasing its modern versatility.
A Spirit 330 Years in the Making
Brandy has been part of South African culture since 1672, when the first batch of brandewijn (“burnt wine”) was distilled in Table Bay. Today, South African pot still brandy is recognised worldwide for its depth and quality – and the Brandy Route gives travellers the chance to experience it first-hand.
“The SA Brandy Route is truly a journey into South African heritage,” says Christelle Reade-Jahn, Director of SABF. “From historic cellars in the winelands to contemporary cocktail bars in the city, every stop tells a story.”
Brandy Homes & Brandy Hubs
The new route is built around two experiences:
- Brandy Homes – Distilleries and producers offering guided tastings, cellar tours, and food or cocktail pairings. These include everything from boutique family-owned distilleries to iconic producers like Van Ryn’s and KWV.
- Brandy Hubs – Urban venues and hotel lounges where visitors can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, curated tastings, and buy bottles to take home.
Highlights Along the Route
- Boplaas, Calitzdorp – A sixth-generation family distillery dating back to 1880, now with a newly revamped tasting lounge for their acclaimed pot still brandies.
- Boschendal Estate, Franschhoek – Aged XO brandy paired with South African desserts like malva pudding and peppermint crisp tart, with a new tasting venue launching in Spring 2025.
- Tokara, Helshoogte Pass – Award-winning XO Brandy paired with artisanal chocolates.
- Van Ryn’s Distillery, Stellenbosch – Hands-on distillery tours with tutored tastings and chocolate pairings.
- Lanzerac Wine Estate, Stellenbosch – The elegant Craven Lounge offers flights, cocktails, and guided tastings led by brandy ambassadors.
- Cause|Effect, V&A Waterfront – Cape Town’s cocktail pioneers, showcasing over 80 South African pot still brandies in world-class creations like the House Sidecar and ‘Table Mountain’.
A Fresh Energy for South African Brandy
Upgrades across the 19 Brandy Homes include staff training, enhanced visitor experiences, and the introduction of brandy-specific stemware to highlight the spirit’s complexity. The relaunch also brings greater focus on food pairings, mixology, and storytelling – elements that connect heritage with contemporary culture.
“Brandy tourism is an untapped treasure in our national offering,” says Reade-Jahn. “It perfectly complements South Africa’s world-famous wine routes, creating more reasons for travellers to explore our beautiful winelands – and to take the spirit of South Africa home with them.”
Plan your journey at www.sabrandy.co.za