The archive

Every bottle made in South Africa, on the record.

Brandy, whisky, gin, wine, beer and cider, from the first Cape wine in 1659 to bottles launched this year. Each record names its maker, region and era, says whether it is still made, and lists its sources.

Bottles
6222
Producers
1341
Decades
14
Since
1659

The shelves

296 Brandy Pot still, blended and vintage: the Cape spirit since 1672. Pot still brandy, Brandy, Vintage brandy 73 Whisky Grain, malt and blends from Wellington and beyond. Whisky, Malt whisky 626 Gin and spirits Gin, vodka, rum, cane spirit, mampoer and witblits. Gin, Vodka, Rum, Cane spirit, Agave spirit, Mampoer, Witblits, Grappa and husk spirit, Absinthe, Spirit aperitif, Other spirits 150 Liqueurs Cream liqueurs and fruit liqueurs, marula first among them. Liqueur, Cream liqueur 4875 Wine Still, fortified and dessert wines under the Wine of Origin scheme. Wine, Red wine, White wine, Rosé, Cap Classique and sparkling wine, Fortified wine, Dessert wine 141 Beer Lagers, stouts and ales from the national breweries and the craft wave. Beer 61 Cider and RTDs Ciders and ready-to-drinks, from Hunter’s to Savanna. Cider, Ready-to-drink

Four dates that made the trade

  1. 1659

    Jan van Riebeeck records the first wine made from Cape grapes.

  2. 1672

    First brandy distilled at the Cape, aboard the Dutch ship De Pijl in Table Bay.

  3. 1918

    KWV founded as a wine farmers' co-operative.

  4. 1973

    Wine of Origin scheme takes effect (initiated by KWV in 1972).

The full timeline, 43 entries

Off the shelf

Bottles no longer made. Remember one we are missing? The archive grows with every feature.