Savour summer flavours at Vergelegen
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West invites guests to savour the summer season with an irresistible array of food experiences.
Step into history: Vergelegen unveils guided walk with wine tastings
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has introduced a novel way to experience its rich heritage and award-winning wines –
Roodeberg fires up match-day spirit ahead of SA vs France
The victors of the Rugby Championship, the Springboks, are heading into their final clash of the season against
The Declaration Returns: Why Magna Carta 2023 May Be the Year’s Most Coveted White
Cape Town, 9 October 2025 – Produced only in vintages deemed worthy, Steenberg’s Magna Carta is not just a
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
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
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
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
Savour summer flavours at Vergelegen
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West invites guests to savour the summer season with an irresistible array of food experiences. Whether you’re in the mood
Step into history: Vergelegen unveils guided walk with wine tastings
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has introduced a novel way to experience its rich heritage and award-winning wines – a guided walk through its
Roodeberg fires up match-day spirit ahead of SA vs France
The victors of the Rugby Championship, the Springboks, are heading into their final clash of the season against France on Saturday, 8 November 2025, and
The Declaration Returns: Why Magna Carta 2023 May Be the Year’s Most Coveted White
Cape Town, 9 October 2025 – Produced only in vintages deemed worthy, Steenberg’s Magna Carta is not just a wine, it is a manifesto of excellence.
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
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.
