Dubbed the biggest awards show of the year, Kfm 94.5 invited the people of Cape Town to vote across 30 categories for the 2022 Best of the Cape Awards. No funny business, just you choosing the Mother City’s finest. And Cape {town} Etc is adding to the gees by proudly supporting each winner.
Stay tuned: over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing a full feature story on each of your favourites. No tonic necessary – This is Cape Town’s ‘Best Local Craft Gin’:
Best Local Craft Gin: Wilderer
Wilderer has had a clear vision from the start: to become a leader in the production of world-class grappa and eau de vie. Grappa is a grape-based pomace brandy of Italian origin. An eau de vie is a clear, colourless fruit brandy that is produced by means of fermentation and double distillation.
If you can dream it, you can achieve it and Wilderer’s focus on exceptionalism has resulted in this local distillery claiming accolade after accolade – and the title of the Cape’s ‘Best Local Craft Gin’ for two years running. Gin is a distilled alcoholic drink that derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries, and is a Mother City staple. From secret gin bars to iconic distilleries, the Cape’s gin culture is… fruitful.
Wilderer is one of the most prestigious producers of gin worldwide. Not only is it South Africa’s first private distillery, but also the most awarded, with over 70 stamps of recognition to its name – including many Gold and Double Gold Medals.
Wilderer instils the spirit of the Cape:
Helmut Wilderer was travelling in South Africa when he discovered that there were no local grappa’s or eau de vie’s to try. He was blown away, especially since the Cape had some of the world’s best fruits and grapes.
Wilderer, a German restaurateur, decided to leave the industry and founded Wilderer Distillery in January 1995 – and South Africa’s first private grappa distillery was born.
Helmut Wilderer sadly passed away in December 2016. His son Christian and long-standing team continue to build on his legacy, and in his spirit, continue to craft the true “Spirit of the Cape”.
Now, Wilderer is celebrated for its high quality, flavourful gin and the warm and hospitable tasting experience at their distillery, where patrons can see the actual kettle and process equipment and get taken through the gin-making process.
The spirit of the Cape is captured in each creation, with Wilderer’s Fynbos Gin being the ultimate representation of the Mother City. It’s “produced in harmony with nature” – the finest wine spirits, unique fynbos botanicals and the clearest spring water from the Franschhoek mountains. This Cape Gin is a true South African speciality.
Wilderer’s distillery:
In the tasting room at Wilderer Estate, you can taste and buy all of Wilderer’s fine spirits. The restaurant has become one of the most loved in the Winelands and serves specialities such as Flammkuchen, Springbok Ravioli, fresh fish, juicy steaks and divine pizza.
In season, they host live Jazz brunches every first Sunday of the month – for 17 years. This spot is truly a meeting point for tourists and locals alike.
Wilderer at Spice Route:
Wilderer has a second location, at the celebrated Spice Route Destination Farm in Suider-Paarl. Wilderer here offers another tasting room and a stunning restaurant called La Grapperia Pizza & Bistro. Enjoy some of the Winelands’ most spectacular views on to the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch mountains, all the way to Cape Town’s majestic Table Mountain.
Relax outside for lunch or a sundowner, or sidle up to the fireplaces inside the cosy Cape Dutch heritage buildings and enjoy superb cuisine, while watching the production process of Wilderer’s fine spirits.
If you’re keen on taking your favourite craft home, Wilderer is available to purchase at most bottle stores and online.
Unmissable experiences:
Both venues offer a divine Wilderer gin tasting. Each tasting room runs on a first-come-first-serve basis and doesn’t take private bookings. However, groups bigger than ten people can phone or email in advance to notify the tasting room personnel.
Tastings are available Monday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm and conclude at 5.30pm. Book via 021 863 4367, o72 601 0872 or [email protected].
There’s also an epic gin-making offering. The Blend Your Own Gin experience is a tailored gin-making exercise with six botanical bases. A talented tasting room specialist will guide you through the gin-making process and explain the complexities of distilling.
Wilderer’s details:
- Website: wilderer.co.za
- Online orders: wilderer.co.za/products
- Wilderer Estate location:Wilderer Distillery & Ristorante Pappa Grappa, R45 Simondium Paarl.
- Spice Route location: Wilderer Distillery & La Grapperia Pizza & Bistro, Spice Route Wine Estate, Suid-Agter Paarl Road, Suider-Paarl.
The finalists in this category were:
- Cape Saint Blaize
- Knysna Gin
- Malachite Fynbos Gin
- 9 Orphans
- Wilderer
The 2021 winner of this category: Wilderer
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Picture: @Wilderer / Facebook
