Distilled in the Cape Winelands. Poured for the world.
Welcome. You are about to be taken through one of Africa's finest spirits — a range of Cape brandies born from the same terroir that produces the world's most celebrated wines. Your guide is the glass in front of you.
Begin the TastingSouth Africa's Cape Winelands is the only place on earth where the conditions for truly world-class brandy production align: cool Atlantic-influenced nights, sun-drenched days, ancient shale soils, and a winemaking tradition stretching back 350 years.
Avante Cape Brandy is distilled using traditional copper pot stills — the same method championed by the great houses of Cognac. Where Cognac exports its method, the Western Cape perfects it on its own terms.
The result is a spirit of extraordinary character — fruity, complex, and unmistakably African. Every bottle in this range is a testament to that place.
The Springboks are more than a rugby team. They are the single most unifying force in South African sport — a symbol of what this country can achieve when it competes on the world stage with belief, discipline, and pride. Four Rugby World Cup titles. A nation that stops, together, every time they run out.
For Avante Cape Brandy, the Springbok story is inseparable from our own. Both are proudly South African. Both are built on craft, resilience, and the refusal to be anything other than world-class. When South Africa's finest rugby players celebrate, they deserve South Africa's finest spirit.
"The Springboks don't win because they are lucky. They win because they prepare harder, care deeper, and refuse to accept second place. That is the standard we hold ourselves to at Avante."
— Avante Cape Brandy, FoundersAvante Cape Brandy is the spirit of that same South African character — forged in the Cape Winelands, held to a world standard, and poured with the same pride that fills Ellis Park on match day.
Each expression in the Avante range is designed to reward curiosity. From the approachable vitality of the VS to the rare complexity of the XV, the range tells a complete story. Select an expression below to begin your guided tasting.
The VS is the gateway — approachable, vibrant, and versatile. Distilled from premium Cape varietals and aged in French oak for a minimum of three years, this is a brandy that rewards those new to the category without disappointing those who know it well. It is the ideal cocktail base and the perfect introduction to what Cape brandy can be.
Aged longer and with greater complexity, the VSOP occupies the most versatile position in the Avante range. It is the sommelier's recommendation for bespoke cocktail menus, premium long serves, and an elevated neat pour for the curious guest. The added oak time develops a distinctive character — warmer, rounder, and more expressive than the VS, yet still deeply accessible.
The XO is where Avante begins to enter truly rarified territory. Extended oak ageing transforms the spirit — this is no longer a brandy one simply drinks. It is a brandy one considers. The XO has depth, structure, and a complexity that reveals new dimensions each time the glass is returned to the nose. For the fine dining table, the cigar lounge, and the guest who deserves something exceptional.
Fifteen years in barrel. There are few brandies in the world — from any country — that can match what the Cape Winelands produces at this age. The XV is the definitive statement of what Avante Cape Brandy is. It is rare, unhurried, and profound. It is the brandy a guest will remember long after they have forgotten the hotel room number — and the one they will ask for by name when they return. A landmark spirit for a landmark occasion.
Our founders and brand ambassadors walk you through the Avante story — from barrel to glass. These are the people who built this range, and they want to share it with you.
It is not a claim we make lightly. It is a conclusion the world's most respected spirits judges have reached — repeatedly. Here is why.
The Cape Winelands' unique terroir — ancient granite and shale soils, cool Atlantic winds, warm growing season — produces base wine of extraordinary quality. The foundation of great brandy is great wine. Cape Winelands excels at both.
South African brandy law requires a minimum of 30% double-distilled pot still spirit — a standard more demanding than Cognac. This is not a shortcut category. It is among the most regulated and quality-driven brandy designations on earth.
French Limousin and Nevers oak barrels, filled with Cape spirit, aged in Western Cape cellars. Temperature variation between seasons drives exceptional extraction and micro-oxygenation — the same process that took Armagnac centuries to perfect.
South African brandy has won more international trophies at the International Wine & Spirit Competition than any other nation — multiple times. The world's most respected panel of judges keeps returning to the same conclusion: Cape brandy is exceptional.
This experience is also built for you. The more you know about what is in the glass, the more confidently you can recommend it — and the more your guests will enjoy it. A confident recommendation at the bar table changes everything.
Use the tasting notes above to guide your recommendations. Lead with the XV or XO for guests ordering premium spirits. Suggest the VSOP for guests who ask for a cocktail with complexity. The VS is your aperitivo serve — light, fresh, and welcoming.
Download the full staff tasting guide below and keep it behind the bar. When a guest asks what makes Cape brandy special, you will have the answer.