Harmony Distillery

The Harmony Distillery is South Africa’s first distillery to produce a handcrafted gin with honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) as the signature ingredient.

Located in the heart of the world-famous Garden Route, the distillery can be found on a farm at the foot of the Outeniqua mountains. The name “Outeniqua” is derived from a Khoisan tribe that once roamed these mountains and means “they who bear honey”. Rock paintings, showcasing the history of the Khoisan’s habitation of the area can be found on secluded rockfaces in this area.

The distillery is the passion project of husband-and-wife team, Fanie and Marlene Smuts. Years ago, Fanie made an impetuous promise to his girlfriend (now wife) in the hopes that she would say yes to his marriage proposal. This promise was never forgotten and while pregnant with their son, they found the perfect piece of land, surrounded by mountains and with plenty of water, and their dream of living on a farm finally became a reality.

Today the farm not only houses a distillery and tasting room but it is also home to an independent nursery. The farm also currently plants 6 hectares of honeybush (on average), which is used in the range of Harmony Honeybush bodycare products and as the main ingredient in their flagship gin.