Brandy can quite rightly be regarded as one of South Africa's true national products. Brandy is probably our national drink, considering that South Africans consume over 45 million litres of brandy each year. Brandy is understood, loved and respected by South Africans of all class and racial groups.
According to official records, the first South African brandy was distilled on May 19 1672 by an unnamed chef on the Dutch ship De Pijl. This was the start of an industry which has built an excellent reputation for a wonderful product.
Because of the quality of South African brandy, it is also a product with character. The wide variety of different styles of South African brandies and the fact that it is recognised as a quality product has caused brandy sales to increase annually over the past few years.
Currently brandy represents 65% of all South African spirits and sales are growing at between 5% and 7% a year.
There are two brandy routes which can be travelled at leisure - the Western Cape and the R62 brandy route.
The Western Cape Brandy Route encompasses the following producers:
- In Stellenbosch are Avontuur, Louiesenhof, Tokara, Uitkyk and Van Ryn.
- Paarl boasts Backsberg, Laborie, Nederburg and the KWV
- Wellington has De Compagnie, Oude Wellington and Upland.
- In the town of Grabouw is the Oude Molen distillery which is well worth a visit with its massive copper stills.
The R62 Brandy Route starts at the KWV House of Brandy in Worcester.
- Klipdrift has a newly opened facility in Robertson
- Rietrivier can be found in Montagu.
- Barrydale wine and brandy cellar is in Barrydale
- Boplaas in Calitzdorp.
- Between Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn you'll find Grundheim while the Kango Wijnhuis is just outside Oudtshoorn with the final stop being Mons Ruber on the road between Oudtshoorn and De Rust.
Contact for more Information
For more information on brandy contact the SA Brandy Foundation:
The South African Brandy Foundation
Tel: 021 - 887 3157
Fax: 021 - 886 6381
Website: http://www.sabrandy.co.za/sabrandy.html
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