We are Orphans
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 heres 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! very Martin Luther King of him, we know
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. his dream + our hobby – turned out to be a dream-job
GEt in touch Meet the team Co-Director & Distillery Manager Llewellyn Hartman Co-Director & Master Distiller Robyn Laas Assistant Distiller Juane Pretorius Co-director & Financial Administraton Louise Hartman
Crafting Memories, One Sip at a Time. We embrace distillation guided by core values: family, care, and ambition. What began as a dream has transformed into a passion for creating exceptional spirits, each one as distinctive as the stories that inspire them. Whether through custom distillation or assisting others in realizing their visions, we blend our craftsmanship with a personal touch, ensuring that every bottle embodies our journey. We don’t merely produce spirits; we craft experiences that unite people through quality, creativity, and heartfelt dedication.
Sourcing Quality Crafted with care, using only the finest ingredients. inquire
Craftsmanship Where tradition meets innovation in every drop. Sustainability Distilling a greener future, one bottle at a time.