Brandy is undoubtedly South Africa's favourite spirit, with over 50 South African trademarks found in the market place. Distilled from only the finest grapes and left to be matured in French Oak barrels for at least three years, South African brandies have a reputation for outstanding quality.
Being over 330 years old, the South African brandy industry is rich in tradition and history, all of which can be discovered by visiting any of the cellars on the R62 Brandy Route. The route stretches from Worcester, through Robertson, Barrydale, Calitzdorp to Oudtshoorn.
Barrydale
* Barrydale Cellar
Barrydale Cellars has added a third pot still brandy to its popular and award-winning duo. Made from St Emillion and Colombar, the 10-year-old Joseph Barry Cape Pot Still Brandy took a gold medal and the trophy for the top brandy in the world at the IWSC, a double gold at the World Spirits Award in Austria and another double gold at the Little Karoo Bottled Wine Show.
Tastings and sales:
Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00
Saturdays and public holidays 09:00-15:00
Please give us 24 hours' notice if you'd like to visit the brandy distillery.
Contact details:
Tel 028 572 1012
Fax 028 572 1541
E-mail brandy@scv.co.za
GPS: S 33° 53' 55.8" E 020° 43' 29.9"
Calitzdorp
* Boplaas
Boplaas Family Vineyards in Calitzdorp has an illustrious heritage in the production of fine brandy. Boplaas also became the first cellar to release an estate brandy, after the change in legislation in 1994 allowed this brandy style.
Tastings and sales:
Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00
Saturdays 09:00-15:00
Distillery tours must be arranged in advance.
Contact details:
Tel 044 213 3326
Fax 044 213 3750
GPS: S 33° 32' 8.0" E 021° 41' 1.9"
Oudtshoorn
* Grundheim
Just outside Oudtshoorn, on the road from Calitzdorp, lie the vineyards of Sandkoppies, home of Grundheim Wines. Here six generations of the Grundling family have been farming for over a century.
Visiting times:
Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00
Saturdays 09:00-13:00
Contact details:
Tel 044 272 6927
Fax 0866 166 311
GPS: S 33° 37' 40.1" E 022° 3' 54.6"
* Kango Wine Cellar
Kango is the oldest co-operative in Oudtshoorn and it's passion for brandy is underscored by the numerous accolades it has won, especially its famous Hanepoot Brandy and Kango Premium VO.
Visiting times:
Monday-Thursday 08:00-17:00
Friday 08:00-16:30
Saturday 09:00-13:00
Contact details:
Tel 044 272 6065
Fax 044 279 1038
GPS: S 33° 36' 50.0" E 022° 12' 1.1"
* Mons Ruber
This estate has been making wine since 1850 and estate brandy - distilling it over an open fire in a still that dates back to 1936.
Visiting times:
Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00
Saturday 09:00-13:00
Contact details:
Tel 044 251 6550
Fax 086 566 6550
Robertson
* Klipdrift Distillery
The Klipdrift Distillery mix informative tastings and tours through the world class distillery with entertaining glimpses into the history of everyone's favourite brandy.
Visiting times:
Monday-Friday 08:00-17:00
Saturdays & Public Holidays 09:00-16:00
Sundays (October - April) 10:00-15:00
Contact details:
Tel 023 626 3027
Fax 023 626 2395
GPS: S 33° 48' 6.45" E 019° 52' 9.12"
Worcester
* KWV House of Brandy
KWV House of Brandy is the largest cellar of its kind in the world. Some 120 copper pot stills are found under one roof. Visitors can experience the art of the cooper, visit the vast maturation cellar and taste the selection of superb brandies.
Visiting times:
Cellar tours:
Monday-Friday 10:00-14:00
Alternative tour times and tours conducted in German can be arranged by phoning the distillery in advance.
Contact details:
Tel 023 342 0255
Fax 023 347 3084
GPS: S 33° 38' 09" E 019° 27' 26"
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