KWV Brandy Cellar (Worcester)

From the west, Worcester is the gateway to the Little Karoo. This town is also an appropriate introduction to the R62 Brandy Route as the Worcester-region is South Africa’s most important brandy producing area. It is also home to the KWV Brandy Cellar, 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. Tours are preceded by a striking multi-media presentation.

Cellar Tours Monday to Friday: 10:00 and 14:00. Tours during week-ends and in foreign languages can be arranged by phoning the cellar in advance.

Telephone +27 (0)23 342 0255

Montagu Museum

Brandy has not been made here since 1948, but the beautiful old KWV building on the corner of Kohler and Long Streets is an important part of the Little Karoo’s brandy heritage. This building, next to the old cooperage, is part of the Montagu Museum complex. The brandy exhibition contains fascinating artifacts including an old pot still and cooperage tools, as well as information on the area’s brandy history. A visit includes demonstrations on the arts of distillation and coopering, as well as a brandy tasting. This can be complemented with a visit to the Museum itself as well as to Joubert House, a unique house/museum.

Brandy Exhibit Visiting times:

Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 13:00;
Saturday: 11:00 – 13:00

Visits outside official times can be arranged by telephoning the Museum in advance.

Montagu Museum (General)

Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 – 12:30

Telephone +27 (0)23 614 1950

Barrydale Wine Cellar

At the foot of the Langeberg, between the Wildehondskloof and Gysmanshoek Passes, lies a unique wine region, with the town of Barrydale at its centre. The Barrydale Wine Cellar receives grapes from the Tradouw Valley, the Doorn River and the surrounding regions including Warmwaterberg and the Buffelsjagrivier. Apart from its selection of red and white wines, the Barrydale Wine Cellar is also known for the Joseph Barry Brandy, named after the famous trader who was a major influence in the area during the 1800s. This Cape pot still brandy is distilled in Woudberg stills and matured in French oak for five years.

The Cellar is open for tastings, and tours have to be arranged in advance.

Visiting times:

Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 17:00; Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00

Telephone +27 (0)28 572 1012

Boplaas

The Boplaas Estate in Calitzdorp has a long tradition of brandy distillation in addition to its reputation as a producer of fine port and wine. Boplaas was exporting brandy to London as early as 1880. In 1994 it also became the first cellar to release an estate brandy after legislation was changed to accommodate this brandy style.
Currently two classy brandies are made on the Estate, namely the Boplaas Pot Still Brandy (five years) and the Carel Nel Reserve Brandy.

Visits include a tasting and tours to the distillery can be arranged in advance.

Visiting times:

Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00; Saturday: 09:00 – 15:00

Telephone +27 (0)44 213 3326

Grundheim

Just outside Oudtshoorn, on the road from Calitzdorp, lie the vineyards of Sandkoppies, home to Grundheim wines. Here five generations of the Grundling family have farmed for more than a century. Grundheim’s maiden pot still brandy was launched in 2002.

Grundheim is also renowned for its witblits made in a traditional brandy still. In addition, Grundheim’s family recipes have ensured that their homemade liqueurs and witblits preserves have walked away with numerous awards.

The warm and friendly atmosphere of this remarkable farm is sure to bring you back, time and again.

Visiting times:

Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 17:00; Saturday: 08:00 – 13:00

Telephone +27 (0)44 272 6927

Kango Co-operative

Kango is the oldest co-operative in Oudtshoorn, the capital of the Little Karoo which is world-renowned for its ostrich industry.
Kango initially focussed on the tobacco industry before the first wine grapes were delivered in 1975. Since then Kango has become a major producer of wine and brandy in the Little Karoo region and has played a profound role in improving the quality and reputation of this area’s products.

The passion it has for brandy is underscored by various medals and awards Kango’s products have won, especially its famous Hanepoot brandy and Kango VO.

Visiting times:

Monday to Thursday: 08:00 – 17:00; Friday: 08:00 – 16:30
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00

Telephone +27 (0)44 272 5525

Mons Ruber

This Estate, on the picturesque road between Oudtshoorn and De Rust, has been making wine since 1850. Like many other farms in the region, Mons Ruber has a long tradition of distillation. When world prices of ostrich feathers plummeted in 1913, farmers survived by distilling and selling witblits. (It was this scenario that has played a major role in the Little Karoo’s unique distillation culture.)

In more recent years, Mons Ruber has been making estate brandy – distilling it over an open fire in a still that dates back to 1936. The still is typical of the region and is located next to a water furrow (for cooling), an orange tree (an orange leaf flavours the distillate) and a fig tree (when the figs are ripe, distillation may commence)!

Visiting times:

Monday to Friday – 09:00 – 17:00; Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00

Telephone +27 (0)44 251 6550