International Chardonnay Day : Kruger Family Reserve Chardonnay 2025
As the days grow shorter and winter settles across the country, Stellenview Premium Wines invites wine lovers to slow down
Fireside Favourite: Perdeberg’s The Dry Land Collection Tenacious Syrah 2024 Sets the Tone for Winter
As winter settles over the Cape, the season naturally calls for wines with depth, warmth and unmistakable character. Answering that
The Plettenberg celebrates the return of the Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival (2 May 2026)
The Plettenberg will be celebrating the annual Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival with a special discounted accommodation rate offered around
Steenberg’s 2026 Harvest: An Early, Resilient Vintage Defined by Consistency and Quality
Steenberg Vineyards has concluded its 2026 harvest with a vintage that reflects both the resilience of its vineyards
Harvest sundowner celebration at Vergelegen
Harvest season at Vergelegen Wine Estate is drawing to a close, with early indications from the cellar pointing
From cellar to centre stage
There was a time when wine storage meant a dedicated cellar tucked away from daily life. Today however,
The Ultimate Summer Wine Guide: What to Pour, Pair, and Prepare
Summer entertaining should feel effortless: sun, good friends, and refreshing drinks. At the heart of warm-weather gatherings are
RMB Simonsberg Wine Festival Returns in 2026, Showcasing the Best of Wine, Food and Music
One of the Cape Winelands’ most anticipated lifestyle events, the RMB Simonsberg Wine Festival, returns from 28 February–1 March
The MICHELIN Guide expands its expertise in recommendations and introduces a new distinction in the world of wine
For 125 years, the MICHELIN Guide has celebrated places and talents that embody excellence in gastronomy and hospitality,
Steenberg Magna Carta Crowned ‘White Blends, Cape Bordeaux of the Year’ in Platter’s 2026 Awards
Steenberg Vineyards is delighted to announce that its Icon Range white blend, Magna Carta 2023, has been awarded
Vergelegen celebrates standout success with trio of Platter’s Five-Star awards
Vergelegen wine estate in Somerset West is celebrating outstanding recognition in the newly released 46th edition of Platter’s by Diners’
Savour summer flavours at Vergelegen
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West invites guests to savour the summer season with an irresistible array of
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
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
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
International Chardonnay Day : Kruger Family Reserve Chardonnay 2025
As the days grow shorter and winter settles across the country, Stellenview Premium Wines invites wine lovers to slow down and savour the season with
Fireside Favourite: Perdeberg’s The Dry Land Collection Tenacious Syrah 2024 Sets the Tone for Winter
As winter settles over the Cape, the season naturally calls for wines with depth, warmth and unmistakable character. Answering that call is The Dry Land Collection
The Plettenberg celebrates the return of the Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival (2 May 2026)
The Plettenberg will be celebrating the annual Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival with a special discounted accommodation rate offered around the long weekend at the beginning of
Steenberg’s 2026 Harvest: An Early, Resilient Vintage Defined by Consistency and Quality
Steenberg Vineyards has concluded its 2026 harvest with a vintage that reflects both the resilience of its vineyards and the consistency that has come to
Harvest sundowner celebration at Vergelegen
Harvest season at Vergelegen Wine Estate is drawing to a close, with early indications from the cellar pointing to excellent fruit quality and balanced ripeness.
From cellar to centre stage
There was a time when wine storage meant a dedicated cellar tucked away from daily life. Today however, it has been integrated into the design
The Ultimate Summer Wine Guide: What to Pour, Pair, and Prepare
Summer entertaining should feel effortless: sun, good friends, and refreshing drinks. At the heart of warm-weather gatherings are wines that capture the season; wines with
RMB Simonsberg Wine Festival Returns in 2026, Showcasing the Best of Wine, Food and Music
One of the Cape Winelands’ most anticipated lifestyle events, the RMB Simonsberg Wine Festival, returns from 28 February–1 March 2026. The event brings together some of South
The MICHELIN Guide expands its expertise in recommendations and introduces a new distinction in the world of wine
For 125 years, the MICHELIN Guide has celebrated places and talents that embody excellence in gastronomy and hospitality, with the MICHELIN Stars introduced in 1926
Steenberg Magna Carta Crowned ‘White Blends, Cape Bordeaux of the Year’ in Platter’s 2026 Awards
Steenberg Vineyards is delighted to announce that its Icon Range white blend, Magna Carta 2023, has been awarded the prestigious White Blends, Cape Bordeaux of
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.
