The Mother City offers a vibrant gin scene, with a variety of distilleries providing unique gin tasting experiences. Here’s a guide to some of the best places to go for gin tasting in Cape Town.
Deep South Distillery
Deep South Distillery is located at the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula. It specialises in small-batch, hand-crafted spirits. Its award-winning gin is a must-try, and a gin tasting in Cape Town is available every Friday and Saturday. If you’re keen to learn about the gin-making process, they also offer a distillery tour. Tastings cost R150, which includes the tour. For those with varied tastes, they also offer rum, vodka, and other spirit combinations. Weekday tastings are available by appointment.
Website: Deep South Distillery
Twelve Apostles Hotel
The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel offers a variety of gin experiences, including a daily gin tasting from 11 am. Guests can explore a range of local and international gins, enjoying the diverse botanicals and flavour profiles. For a more indulgent experience, try the Gin & Canape Tasting, where gin and tonic pairings are complemented by gourmet treats created by Chef Nicholas Goldschmidt.
Website: 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa
Hope Distillery
Hope Distillery invites visitors to sample their professionally crafted gins in a stylish tasting room open Monday to Friday. Their Flagship Gin Tasting in Cape Town includes three Hope Gins and the Hobbs Cape Dry Gin. An expert will guide you through gin-making and demonstrate how to pour the perfect gin and tonic.
Website: Hope Distillery
Hout Bay Harbour Distillery
Nestled in the heart of Hout Bay Harbour, this family-run distillery is South Africa’s only Double-World-Award-Winning small-batch distillery. Hout Bay Harbour Distillery offers a glimpse into the distilling process and the creation of its world-class HBHD Craft Gins. Tastings are available from Thursday to Sunday, which includes a complimentary G&T cocktail.
Website: Hout Bay Harbour Distillery
Pienaar & Son Distilling Co.
At Maker’s Landing, Pienaar & Son Distilling Co. is a family-run business offering tastings from Thursday to Sunday. They feature two craft gin tastings and a gin and vodka tasting option.
Website: Pienaar & Son Distilling Co.
Woodstock Gin Company
Located near the Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock Gin Company embodies the spirit of adventure with its award-winning gins. This epic gin tasting in Cape Town is available Tuesday through Saturday and includes three gins paired with tonic and light snacks.
Website: Woodstock Gin Company
Distillers & Union
At Morgenhof Farm in Stellenbosch, Distillers & Union offers gin-making and gin-tasting experiences from Thursday to Sunday. Their offerings include standard and deluxe gin-making courses, which provide two drinks, snacks, a guided gin-making session, and a customised 500ml bottle of gin with a hand-designed label. The gin-making course starts at R795 per person, and tastings start at R100 per person.
Website: Distillers & Union
Whether you’re a gin fan or just beginning to explore this versatile spirit, Cape Town’s distilleries offer a range of experiences to suit all tastes. From educational tours to indulgent tastings, each venue promises a unique and enjoyable journey into the world of gin. Wine in the Cape is your guide to Cape Town and the Cape Winelands.
