My first encounter with the Hope on Hopkins Caravan was at sunset at Wonderfontein Estate, in the Robertson Wine Valley. I drove into the Robertson Wine Valley at dusk, after driving through the Hugenot Tunnel from Cape Town. I drove past roses, vines and the lush, green brush. I drove past barking dogs and children, dizzy with content. I walked onto Wonderfontein Estate, the home of Paul Rene MCC and met Henk van Niekerk and his wife Monica.
Splash of Pink
Henk and Monica were hosting a handful of guests at their ‘Splash of Pink’ themed Bubbles and Gin festival at Wonderfontein Estate in late November. Paul Rene MCC served their stylish bubbles and waiting glasses were filled with Hope on Hopkins gin. As the bubbles rose in champagne flutes, the sun began to set in iridescent rays over the homestead. The Hope Caravan and its proprietors were parked under a tree, left of the entrance. In this romantic haze of sunsets and the sweetness of new friendship, I met Lucy Beard and Leigh Lisk.
The Hope Caravan
Former lawyers, Lucy and Leigh travelled Europe extensively in the Hope caravan. This caravan became their home and as they set their hearts on South Africa, they brought their mobile home – the Hope Caravan with Them. The pair founded Cape Town’s first artisinal gin distillery, Hope on Hopkins in Salt River and South Africa’s craft drinks market has not been the same since. Hope on Hopkins uses South African grown malted barley as the base for their spirit, which they subsequently cook, ferment and then triple distil to create a neutral spirit for their London Dry and Salt River Gins. The fourth distilliation, subsequently allows the alcohol vapours to infuse through carefully selected botaicals. Juniper, angelica root, coriander, citrus and rosemary are some of Hope on Hopkins botanicals. In this bubble of idillyc intimacy, their rosemary is sourced from a friend’s garden.
Cape Roots
Hope on Hopkins Salt River Gin pays homeage to its Cape roots through some of its local botanicals. Hope on Hopkins Single Malt Vodka base is redistilled using botanicals including juniper, wild rosemary, buchu and citrus peel. Hope on Hopkins Salt River Gin is distilled to a 43% alcohol concentration. This burst of flavour finds its way wonderfully around blocks of ice and into a waiting tumbler.
A Blushing G&T
Pour Fitch and Leedes’ Pink Tonic into a glass of ice and fill it it with Hope. Rose coloured Fitch and Leedes Pink Tonic has hints of rose and cucumber on the nose. Garnish your blushing G&T with thinly sliced cucumber and a sprig of rosemary. Ship Hope on Hopkins to yourself and allow this charming gin to go from being handcrafted to being hand-delivered.
