About | 9 Orphans Distillery

very Martin Luther King of him, we know

i had a dream — the story of our father

Our distillery is a love letter to our dad, a guy with a wildly outrageous dream and a heart big enough to match! Ages ago, he set his sights on our family owning a wine estate, crafting a magical potion called "9 Orphans." Why outrageous, you ask?

Well, we had just landed in Cape Town, sporting our Vaalie accents, and our wine knowledge was as basic as "red" and "white" — both of which we happily sloshed over ice! A vineyard? Nah, we didn't know the first thing about that world!

But here's where the story gets heart! Our dad was a softie at heart, always opening his door to those in need — his friends lovingly dubbed him "White and his orphans." His dream of "9 Orphans" was a tribute to the family he created, woven together not just by blood, but by the boundless love and care he showered on everyone.

So what began as a crazy idea turned into our epic tale, fueled by curiosity, ambition, and a legacy of heartwarming kindness!

his dream + our hobby — turned out to be a dream-job

Our sibling story & journey to distilling

As our palates developed and we learnt the difference between a 'Cab Sav' and Sauvignon Blanc (don't judge), we developed an appreciation for the art of winemaking — and beyond. This opened up a world of new horizons, and eventually it was the beauty of distilling that completely hooked us.

We've put in the blood, sweat and tears, jumped through hoops and went through all the motions to obtain relevant qualifications and gain invaluable experience in viticulture and distilling, both nationally and internationally. But it is the collective esteem for this craft that have dictated our very hands-on approach throughout the entire process. From foraging and picking the ingredients by hand, to carefully overseeing each step of the production and post-production process, and, alas, tasting, tasting, tasting.

And so our venture into distilling took flight, with our father's dream being kept alive as we aptly named the distillery 9 Orphans. Now, from our rad new location amongst vineyards, on one of Stellenbosch's oldest Wine Estates, we raise a glass (albeit gin) and salute him.

Crafting one sip at a time

What we stand for

Sustainability

We are a South African craft distillery focused on sustainable distilling practices, reducing waste, using resources responsibly, and producing high-quality small-batch spirits with long-term environmental responsibility.

Integrity

We believe honest spirits start with transparent production, quality ingredients, and no unnecessary additives. Our focus is uncompromising quality, consistency, and spirits that truly reflect the craft behind them.

Craftsmanship

Every spirit is handcrafted in small batches using traditional distillation methods, careful ingredient selection, and patient processes that prioritise quality, balance, and authentic character over speed or scale.

Independence

9 Orphans Distillery is an independent distillery producing locally made spirits in South Africa, driven by craft, independence, and a commitment to doing things properly from start to finish.

Testimonials

Stories from our community

"Definitely a new gem in the area!! Both their gins and rum are amazing and their tasting box is the best gift. Great team working there which make tastings a lot of fun!"

Christel Esterhuizen

"Great gin and great company, thanks for a wonderful experience!"

Jono Schoeman

"Truly special! A must try."

Sandy Hudson

A love letter to our dad

i had a dream — the story of our father

Our sibling story & journey to distilling

The people behind the still

Llewellyn Hartman

Robyn Laas