Spring in Cape Town is made for slow sips and scenic views. As the weather warms, vineyards and distilleries come alive with renewed energy and fresh flavour. It’s the perfect season to sip your way through Cape Town spirit tasting routes, where every stop promises something distinctive.
This curated guide will take you from elegant wine estates and fragrant botanical gin rooms to small-batch distilleries producing bold rum, smooth vodka, and rich whiskey. Whether you are a curious newcomer or seasoned taster, Cape Town offers a memorable blend of craft, character, and countryside charm.
The list below is in no particular order. Each entry is equally celebrated for their achievements, and the sequence of names is arbitrary, not indicating any ranking or preference.
Constantia’s Wine-laced Heights: A Cape Town Wine Tasting Route
Tucked beneath the Eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the renowned Constantia Valley cradles Cape Town’s oldest wine region. With elevated vineyards, cool ocean breezes, and a reputation for world-class wines, this scenic valley is the perfect place to begin your Cape Town spirit tasting tour this Spring. From the grandeur of Groot Constantia to the contemporary elegance of Beau Constantia and the timeless charm of Steenberg, each estate offers a distinct flavour of the Cape.
1. Groot Constantia
The oldest producing wine farm in South Africa, Groot Constantia, has been cultivating its vineyards since 1685. Situated on the Cape Peninsula, this wine estate produces world-class wines, including varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.
For a unique cultural, social, and historical excursion, choose from two sensory wine tastings and get ready to enjoy this iconic example of South Africa’s cultural preservation and heritage. The wine tasting of 5 wines costs R155 per person, while the Visitors Route Experience costs R180 per person, which includes a cellar tour and access to the Manor House Museum and Cloete Cellar. Both options can also be elevated to include a chocolate pairing at an extra cost of R75 per person. Why not celebrate the new season by savouring the complimentary flavours of fine wine and decadent chocolate?
Additionally, Groot Constantia offers two excellent dining options to complete your visit. Jonkershuis Restaurant highlights Cape Malay-inspired cuisine in a relaxed, heritage-rich setting. A short stroll away, Simon’s Restaurant boasts a seasonal menu featuring classics such as gourmet burgers, fresh salads, and fish and chips. So, to make the most of this Cape Town spirit tasting route, be sure to book ahead and end your wine tasting experience on a delicious note.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 9 am to 6 pm.
Address: Groot Constantia Wine Estate, Constantia, Western Cape.
Website: https://grootconstantia.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 21 794-5128
2. Steenberg
The Cape’s first farm, Steenberg, is another one of Cape Town’s wine estates with a long and rich history. This visually spectacular wine farm cultivates a balanced mix of 60% white and 40% red grape varietals. Sauvignon Blanc lovers will especially delight here, as Steenberg is known for crafting some of South Africa’s finest expressions of this vibrant and refreshing varietal.
Enjoy sipping your way through Steenberg’s impressive wine portfolio in style this Spring. Choose between the elegant wine lounge, the laid-back wine bar, or the sun-drenched Outdoor Terrace – perfect for soaking up the season. Tasting options cater to every palate: explore their Méthod Cap Classique bubbly (R160 per person), the Classic range (R200 per person), the premium Flagship wines (R250 per person), and a focused Sauvignon Blanc tasting (R230 per person). With so much to offer, booking ahead is essential; they don’t take walk-ins.
Feeling peckish? Dine at their award-winning Tryn Restaurant for a fine contemporary experience. Alternatively, Bistro Sixteen82 – recognised as one of the world’s 20 Best Winery Restaurants – offers tapas and Bistro-style dining. Whether you’re after refined dining or a laid-back meal, both promise to be a memorable dining experience.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm.
Address: Steenberg Rd, Tokai, Cape Town.
Website: https://www.beauconstantia.com/
Contact Number: +27 21 713 2211
3. Beau Constantia
Looking to add a boutique wine farm to your Cape Town spirit tasting route this Spring? Perched atop Constantia Nek, Beau Constantia is an intimate estate with just 11.47 hectares under vine. Following devastating fires in 2000, the vines were planted in 2003 at an elevation of 350m above sea level. Thanks to the steep terrain and cooling ocean breezes from False Bay, Beau Constantia produces incomparable small production premium wines.
While bookings are recommended, walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Begin your tasting with the Pas de Nom tasting – four wines at R110 per person. Then, explore the broader selection with the Mixed tasting – five wines at R150 per person – offering a well-rounded overview of the estate’s offerings. To complement your tasting, order one of their tasting platters at R350 each, ideal for nibbling as you appreciate the wines.
And that’s not all. For a culinary experience that matches the wines’ bold character, reserve a table at the Chef’s Warehouse at Beau Constantia. Led by the innovative chef Ivor Jones, this restaurant serves exquisitely crafted tapas-style dishes that are as exciting and fresh as the estate’s wines – a true highlight of the Spring spirit trail.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday 11 am to 5 pm, Friday to Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
Address: 1043 Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, Cape Town
Website: https://www.beauconstantia.com/
Contact Number: +27 21 794 8632
Cape Town’s Craft Gin Circuit: Bold Botanicals and Distilled Elegance
Cape Town’s gin scene is blooming – and Spring is the perfect time to explore it. From city-based labs to countryside distilleries rooted in local flavour, these small-batch producers are redefining South African Spirits. Expect crisp juniper, wild botanicals, and a deep passion for the craft. If you are curating your ultimate Cape Town tasting route, these gin stops deserve a place at the top.
1. L-Gin Craft Gin
All it took was three friends, one great idea, a whole lot of passion, and you have a range of craft gins inspired by Elgin. Produced in small batches in the heart of the lush Elgin Valley, L-Gin is crafted using exclusively locally grown fruit – even the juniper berries are grown in the valley, and the water is collected from a nearby spring.
Gin lovers are in for a treat with 6 distinct gins to taste, each offers a unique profile. For something bright and zesty, try their Classic, led by lemongrass and ginger. If you prefer something more fragrant, their Strawberry gin offers a soft, fruity twist. But, since you are in apple country, don’t miss their Lush. This refreshing juniper-forward gin is distilled using the valley’s tart Granny Smith apples, lemon peel, coriander, angelica root, and a hint of ginger.
You can book a tasting at their distillery on Wednesdays by appointment only, or sample the whole range over the weekend at the Elgin Railway Market. Their popular tasting tray – featuring five gins for R160 – is a great way to explore the distilled essence of Elgin in one sitting.
Opening Hours: Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 4 pm.
Address: Oak Avenue, Elgin, Elgin Valley, Western Cape
Website: https://l-gin.net/
Contact Number: +27 82 491 5038
2. Hope Distillery
Mixing free-spirited determination with a serious commitment to producing exceptional spirits, Hope is the first licensed small batch distillery to open in Cape Town. Remaining a leader in the craft spirit scene, this distiller produces bold, balanced, and beautifully crafted gins.
Their core range includes their classic London Dry, their compelling Mediterranean Gin, and their distinctive fynbos African Botanical Gin. Each expression offers a different perspective on what a Cape Town gin can be. Situated on the mezzanine level, overlooking the distillery floor, their Strangelove cocktail lounge is where you can enjoy carefully curated cocktails. Open for tastings by appointment only, book your visit now to get a glimpse into the story behind these spirits as you sip.
Whether you are an adventurous sipper or purist, Hope’s collection offers a distinctive and rewarding stop on your Cape Town spirit tasting trail.
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm.
Address: 7 Hopkins St, Salt River, Cape Town.
Website: https://www.hopedistillery.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 21 447 1950
3. Piennar & Son Distilling Company
In the Silo District of Cape Town Harbour sits Pienaar & Son, a small craft distillery where tradition meets innovation. Run by a father and son duo, this standout operation fuses hands-on craftsmanship with precision engineering. Their mission? To blend science and art, distilled down until what is left is a hand-crafted spirit with unparalleled strength and depth.
The gin range is bold, fresh, and unmistakably contemporary. Each gin reflects their experimental spirit and technical mastery. Choose between two gin tasting options: a gin-only flight (R80 for 3 gins), or the full tasting, which includes 4 gins and their signature vodka for R110. Tastings are by appointment only, ensuring a more personal and in-depth experience.
For those seeking a more progressive edge to their Cape Town spirit tasting route, this inventive distillery is an essential stop.
Opening Hours: Friday to Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
Address: The Cruise Terminal, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town.
Website: https://pienaarandson.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 72 759 9928
Bold Spirits & Barrel-Aged Beauty: Explore Cape Town’s Vodka, Whiskey, and Rum Trails
Ready to elevate your Cape Town spirit tasting journey? Step beyond the vineyards and botanical blends to get a taste of small-batch vodka, slow-aged whiskey, and richly spiced rum. This final section is all about depth, character, and craftsmanship. From the coastal charm of the Deep South Distillery to the pioneering Cape of Storms Distillery, and the unique Scottish twist at Mitchell’s Ale House, this route is full of flavour and surprises.
1. Deep South Distillery
Born from a vision and a dream, Deep South Distillery has been making great spirits at the tip of Africa since 2015. Tapping into the local floral kingdom to extract its unique flavours, this distillery can be found in the heart of the Deep South—a name affectionately given by the residents to the part of the peninsula south of the Old Cape Road (Oukaapseweg).
Their small-batch range is impressive – but the vodka stands out. Their award-winning Premium Cape Vodka is full-bodied, silky-smooth, and delicately sweet on the nose. Looking for something bolder? Try their signature Chilli Vodka. Triple-distilled and infused with hand-selected, sun-dried chillies, it’s creamy, spicy, and full of character. Ideal for a Bloody Mary with a kick or stirred into hot chocolate for a winter warmer with bite.
Their curated Spirits Tasting Experience is R50 per cocktail. Start by tasting the spirit neat, then watch as they add ingredients to transform the spirit into a signature cocktail. It’s an immersive way to explore bold flavours and brilliant craftsmanship – one sip at a time.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday by appointment, Friday to Saturday 11 am to 5 pm, last tour at 3:30 pm.
Address: 52 Heron Park, Wildevoelvlei Rd, Kommetjie.
Website: https://www.deepsouthdistillery.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 21 7830129
2. Cape of Storms Distillery
Rum lovers rejoice – Cape of Storms Distillery is shaking up the local scene. They combine centuries-old Caribbean rum-making techniques with bold African blackstrap molasses. And importantly, they use just four ingredients in fermentation – molasses, water, yeast, and yeast nutrients – no neutral spirits, no artificial additives.
Inviting you to come and enjoy the fruits of their labour, Cape of Storms offers a tasting with a tour of the distillery. Enjoy getting to know the process behind rum making, before treating your taste buds to three different rums: The Great White Rum, Fyn Botanical Rum, and Oak Infused Rum. Each one has its own character, whether you prefer something crisp, herbaceous, or oak-rich.
Tours and tastings are by appointment – booking at least 24hours ahead is recommended. Don’t miss out – include Cape of Storms on your Cape Town spirit tasting route this Spring. Book your tour and tasting to savour rum that is as honest as it is unforgettable.
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Wednesday 8:30 am to 4 pm, Thursday to Saturday 12:30 pm – 8 pm.
Address: The Spice Yard, 100 Voortrekker Rd, Salt River, Cape Town
Website: https://capeofstormsdistillery.com/
Contact Number: +27 78 233 8375
3. Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House
On a mission to demystify whiskey, Mitchell’s Scottish Ale House offers a curated whiskey tasting experience in the heart of the V&A Waterfront. This iconic venue combines warm hospitality with sweeping views of Table Mountain and Cape Town Harbour – the perfect backdrop for your Cape Town spirit tasting adventure.
Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur or just beginning your whiskey journey, Mitchell’s offers an unpretentious and welcoming space to uncover this golden elixir. Here, whiskey isn’t just poured – it’s celebrated. You can choose between five unique whiskey tasting routes, each designed to highlight a different aspect of Scotch Whiskey. Flights include four whiskies and are priced between R295 and R475, offering excellent value in a vibrant but relaxed setting.
Tastings are available daily from 11 am onwards, and walk-ins are welcome. However, bookings are recommended for weekends and holidays. Ready to sip your way through Scotch Whiskey without leaving Cape Town? Visit Mitchell’s Ale House for a whiskey tasting that is both educational and enjoyable.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 9 am to 2 am
Address: East Pier & Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Foreshore, Cape Town
Website: https://mitchellsalehouse.co.za/
Contact Number: +27 21 419 5074
From the leafy lanes of Constantia to the craft stills of the Deep South, Cape Town’s spirit tasting scene is rich, diverse, and ready to be discovered. This Spring, take the scenic route – one sip at a time. Plan your trail, book your tastings, and raise a glass to the spirit of the Cape.
