TRIPLE DISTILLED CRAFT GIN | GIN MADE WITH PASSION

Summerfields, Hazyview – On the slopes of Summerfields estate, nestled between stretches of lush subtropical vegetation, lies a bountiful litchi orchard. Hot, humid summers with thunderous rainstorms create the ideal climate needed to produce the sweet floral-like flavours characteristic to the litchi fruit.

Duke Gin is an exotically fragrant gin – traditional and tropical botanicals are gradually infused during distillation to produce a balance between sweet, fresh hints of rose, ginger and honey, and grounded, earthy tones of juniper berries and macadamia.

From farm to bottle, the entire process is carried out on the farm to make sure that Duke Gin is pure, clear and sumptuous. Even the botanicals that give Duke Gin its distinctive taste are mostly grown at Summerfields.

The distillers forever-faithful companion, Duke the Vizsla, reminds them that persistence and consistency are key to producing the perfect gin, every time.

Best served with tonic, ice, vanilla and sage.

The Story

Andre and Ilse van Heerden became the spirited owners of Summerfields Estate in 2002.  After 20 years of blissful and busy city living – of ’90s parties, married life, urban-triathlons, first homes, various business ventures, kids, high schools and break-away camping trips – they decided to pack up their beloved home in Parktown North and move to the countryside.

Ilse, a landscaper by profession, needed a bigger, grander canvas upon which to dream up a next paradise and Andre’s aviation heart grew increasingly restless in search of a new escapade.

Duke Gin was started in 2017 in an attempt to save the sunny litchi orchards of Summerfields estate. A tricky and risky fruit to export, the economic viability of litchi farming was on a rapid decline, and the decision to replace them with macadamia trees had all but been made.

It was at this point when Andre’s entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to see possibilities where most see none, took flight.  As is often the case with visionaries, the transition from initial idea to fully-fledged obsession happened virtually overnight.

After a gin course in Johannesburg, Andre was hooked on mastering the distilling process and entered a whole new world of copper stills, litchi fermentation and juniper berries. He has absolutely no desire to look back. Read more of the story here…

And now, Duke Gin has launched a new gin – Sportsman. Our hand-crafted London Dry gin is fermented and distilled in small batches on the estate. Masterful infusions during distillation produce a spirit where the purplish pine of juniper takes the royal lead, while subdued hints of exotic spice add a grounded earthiness. A touch of citrus adds the perfect finishing accent.

Smooth and sophisticated, Duke Sportsman is best served with a good dose of royal airs, a wild hand, mandarin and rose.

DUKE SPORTSMAN – A TRADITIONAL LONDON DRY GIN WITH A NOBLE COMPANION

ShowMe Nelspruit and a bunch of GIN-thusiasts were cordially invited to “meet the distiller” and to try out this exquisite GIN on a gorgeous sunset late afternoon just outside Hazyview.

To book your unique experience, call them on +27 13 737 6500 / 082 611 6956 / 087 231 0117 or pop them an e-mail at reservations@summerfields.co.za or visit their website here.

Check out the photos of this amazing venue here…

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