
KWV Raises The Bar As One of SA’s Most Consistent Wine Producers
As local and international wine trade gather under the banner of “Our Warmest Welcome” at Cape Wine this week, KWV steps forward as

Vergelegen Hosts Tim Atkin SA Wines of the Year Showcase
Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West was the beautiful venue for the highly anticipated launch of the 13th annual Tim

Raise a Glass: South Africa Celebrates Cap Classique
Cap Classique Day, celebrated each year on 1 September, honours South Africa’s sparkling wines made using the traditional

Why A Wine’s Story Should Shape Your Next Red Wine Choice
We all have our go-to red wines, the reliable bottles we reach for out of habit. But what

Vergelegen Crowned Best Wine Farm Experience
Somerset West’s historic Vergelegen Estate has received the accolade of Best Wine Farm Experience in the 2025 Best

Simonsig Langbult Steen Announced as A Global Top Chenin in World’s Most Influential Wine Competition
In a country where Chenin Blanc is not only the most planted but also one of the most

Beyond the Bottle: Why Younger Generations Are Drinking Less but Drinking Better
Global wine consumption has declined by 7.5% over the past two decades, with the European Union itself seeing

Kultura Wine Festival Brings Together The Best in Local Wines
The first-ever Kultura Festival, which takes place from 20 to 27 June this year at Curro Durbanville High

Context matters: What really rules when judging wine
‘It’s like watching a foreign film without subtitles,’ quipped a participant at Vinimark’s recent ‘How to Taste and

Steenberg Unveils Striking New Flagship Labels at Exclusive Joburg Rooftop Party
Steenberg, one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine estates, has revealed a bold new visual identity for its

From Foolproof Hacks to Trusted Techniques – Your Guide to Food and Wine Pairing
A great food and wine pairing is a feast for the senses. With so many possibilities, it’s easy

How a 342-year-old Estate is Reinventing South African Wine Tourism
Wine tourism in South Africa is undergoing a renaissance as wine estates transition away from traditional cellar-door tastings

Refreshing Prestige: Why Premium Sauvignon Blanc is the Cool Choice for VIP Summer Events
There is nothing like chic indulgence in summer. Luxury yacht parties, exclusive rooftop gatherings, and sophisticated garden soirees

Sec Restaurant Introduces BYO Wine and Bubbly Policy: Fine Dining Meets Affordability
In a bold and heartfelt response to the rising cost of dining out, Sec Restaurant has announced a
about us
Thirsty Traveler is all about South African gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and more.
We love to travel and we love to sample the wares of the craft brewer, distiller and wine maker.
In the mid 1900’s, governments worldwide almost killed off the art of distilling and brewing. The thousands of micro, boutique or craft distilleries and breweries that had been handed down from father to son were banned and destroyed and large corporations obtained the sole rights to distill mediocre, mass produced, but well-marketed spirits.
Craft gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Thankfully laws around the world are being liberalised and craftsmen, with their passion for perfection and their desire to explore are producing amazing gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Winemaking in South Africa had a terrible reputation until the 1980’s when many farmers decided to establish their own brands and produce their own wine. Competition, inspiration and a hard work ensure that today South African wines are some of the best in the world.
For those of you, who enjoy something special and want to pair their spirits, brew or wine with their food, mood and the atmosphere, there are new delightful, well-crafted and very special products appearing on shelves and more importantly, in on-line stores.
At the Thirsty Traveler, we take our food, brews, wine and spirits very seriously and, at times, light-heartedly too. Thus, in the true spirit of investigative journalism, we embarked on some very careful research into South Africa’s wines, brews and spirits.
Tastings
We frequently conduct tastings of gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other well crafted spirits.
Each Heritage Day we invite micro brewers from around the country to send us their wares for a tasting. We and the brewers have had great success with these tastings in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
We also conduct regular tastings of wines, gins and other spirits.
Read on to find out more about what South Africa has to offer those with discerning taste buds.
TOP READ ARTICLES

KWV Raises The Bar As One of SA’s Most Consistent Wine Producers
As local and international wine trade gather under the banner of “Our Warmest Welcome” at Cape Wine this week, KWV steps forward as one of South Africa’s most

Vergelegen Hosts Tim Atkin SA Wines of the Year Showcase
Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West was the beautiful venue for the highly anticipated launch of the 13th annual Tim Atkin MW SA Special Report

Raise a Glass: South Africa Celebrates Cap Classique
Cap Classique Day, celebrated each year on 1 September, honours South Africa’s sparkling wines made using the traditional French bottle-fermentation method. Renowned for their elegance,

Why A Wine’s Story Should Shape Your Next Red Wine Choice
We all have our go-to red wines, the reliable bottles we reach for out of habit. But what if the story behind the label mattered

Vergelegen Crowned Best Wine Farm Experience
Somerset West’s historic Vergelegen Estate has received the accolade of Best Wine Farm Experience in the 2025 Best of the Cape Awards, presented by leading

Simonsig Langbult Steen Announced as A Global Top Chenin in World’s Most Influential Wine Competition
In a country where Chenin Blanc is not only the most planted but also one of the most loved varieties, one wine from Simonsig Family

Beyond the Bottle: Why Younger Generations Are Drinking Less but Drinking Better
Global wine consumption has declined by 7.5% over the past two decades, with the European Union itself seeing a 24% drop between 2010 and 2020

Kultura Wine Festival Brings Together The Best in Local Wines
The first-ever Kultura Festival, which takes place from 20 to 27 June this year at Curro Durbanville High School, is a celebration of Afrikaans, culture,

Context matters: What really rules when judging wine
‘It’s like watching a foreign film without subtitles,’ quipped a participant at Vinimark’s recent ‘How to Taste and How to Score’ Masterclass, describing the challenge

Steenberg Unveils Striking New Flagship Labels at Exclusive Joburg Rooftop Party
Steenberg, one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine estates, has revealed a bold new visual identity for its flagship wines, setting a new standard in
about us
Thirsty Traveler is all about South African gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and more.
We love to travel and we love to sample the wares of the craft brewer, distiller and wine maker.
In the mid 1900’s, governments worldwide almost killed off the art of distilling and brewing. The thousands of micro, boutique or craft distilleries and breweries that had been handed down from father to son were banned and destroyed and large corporations obtained the sole rights to distill mediocre, mass produced, but well-marketed spirits.
Craft gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Thankfully laws around the world are being liberalised and craftsmen, with their passion for perfection and their desire to explore are producing amazing gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other spirits.
Winemaking in South Africa had a terrible reputation until the 1980’s when many farmers decided to establish their own brands and produce their own wine. Competition, inspiration and a hard work ensure that today South African wines are some of the best in the world.
For those of you, who enjoy something special and want to pair their spirits, brew or wine with their food, mood and the atmosphere, there are new delightful, well-crafted and very special products appearing on shelves and more importantly, in on-line stores.
At the Thirsty Traveler, we take our food, brews, wine and spirits very seriously and, at times, light-heartedly too. Thus, in the true spirit of investigative journalism, we embarked on some very careful research into South Africa’s wines, brews and spirits.
Tastings
We frequently conduct tastings of gin, vodka, wine, brandy, beer and other well crafted spirits.
Each Heritage Day we invite micro brewers from around the country to send us their wares for a tasting. We and the brewers have had great success with these tastings in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
We also conduct regular tastings of wines, gins and other spirits.
Read on to find out more about what South Africa has to offer those with discerning taste buds.