Weekends in Cape Town were made for braais and ice-cold beer or wine tasting on one of the many wineries located in the Western Cape.
While these may be the go-to choices, the subtle flavours of gin have slowly started climbing the ladder of South Africa’s favourite alcoholic beverages, sparking a host of distilleries and unique tasting experiences around the Western Cape.
Here are a few gin-tasting experiences you need to try:
1. Canto Wines:
Why not combine Cape Town’s favourite pastime with the flavours of gin? Nestled along the Durbanville wine route, Canto Wines has a range of amazing offerings, including macaron/wine pairing and gin tastings.
- Location: Canto Wines, Vissershok Road, Durbanville
- Contact: 021 492 2821
2. Deep South Distillery, Kommetjie:
Located in the beautiful seaside town of Kommetjie, Deep South Distillery is noted for being the southernmost distillery on the Cape Peninsula. It specialises in hand-crafted spirits sprinkled with a whole lot of love, care and pride. It’s a small distillery that provides delicious tastings and allows you to get familiar with the world of gin-making thanks to their distillery tours.
- Location: 53 Heron Park, 10 Wildevoelvlei Road, Kommetjie
- Contact: 021 783 0129
3. Cape Town Gin Company:
This popular gin company ensures that gin lovers have the chance to sample a range of delights, including their rooibos gin and their award-winning range is available to taste at their showroom at the V&A Waterfront.
- Location: V&A Waterfront
- Contact: 072 402 2051
4. Hope on Hopkins:
Artisinal gin whipped up from a secret recipe? Hope on Hopkins is another popular hangout spot for gin lovers and offers smooth flavours with a side of mystery. While you can purchase a bottle of their handcrafted gins online or onsite, you need to carve out some time to do a tasting on their premises (distillery and all) to really appreciate the flavours.
- Location: 7 Hopkins St, Salt River
- Contact: 021 447 1950
5. Hout Bay Harbour Distillery:
If you’re looking to enjoy the smoothest tasting gin while admiring a gorgeous view, then head to Hout Bay Harbour Distillery. The distillery is located in the heart of the historic harbour and is renowned for producing world-class vapour infused gin and has won a range of awards for its gins.
- Location: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay
- Contact: 082 443 9360
6. The Twelve Apostles:
Dignitaries, celebrities, and locals, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa has seen it all. It’s a spectacular spot to enjoy a gourmet dinner while watching the sunset, but it also offers a unique experience that allows you to discover the botanical bounty of the Cape Floral Kingdom. It’s a unique tasting experience that provides guests with the opportunity to create their own bespoke bottle of gin to take home.
- Location: Victoria Road, Camps Bay
- Contact: 021 437 9000
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Picture: Unsplash
