“Put a wiggle in your waggle, wet your beak, and indulge in some fowl play, at the Jolly Rooster!”
The Master Distillers at Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster are GiGi and Mike.
The couple are also the proud owners of the renowned Lollipop Lounge nightclub and the iconic Big Six Guesthouse in Randburg, both landmarks in Gauteng.
GiGi’s roots trace back to Paarl, in the Western Cape, but her heart was shaped by family getaways to Franskraal near Gansbaai, a place her father adored.
A passionate home distiller, GiGi’s dad experimented with all kinds of fruit, but his zesty ginger beer stole the show.
Mike grew up in Bezuidenhout Valley, near Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
He earned the nickname "Sandman" while working as a bouncer at The Ranch, a gentlemen’s club where he was known for his knack for putting unruly patrons to sleep.
During his time there, Mike met GiGi who worked as an exotic dancer at the club from 1997 to 2000.
The History of the Jolly Rooster
A new chapter began for the couple when GiGi introduced Mike to the beauty of the Overberg. While on holiday, they fell in love with the historic Sir Robert Stanford Estate in Stanford, which featured a distinctive Mexican-style cantina distillery. Perched on a hill with views over a dam, the small distillery surprised them with its authentic apricot pip floor and a 30-year-old 400-litre copper still.
The art of distilling instantly enchanted Mike and GiGi. The scent of fermentation sparked their passion, and they dreamed of crafting spirits from the earth to the bottle.
They partnered with the farm owner to start distilling but little did they know the challenges of running a craft distillery, and they soon ran into difficulties. The old copper still leaked and was in poor condition. The farm owner couldn't commit the time needed for the distillery’s success so Mike and GiGi enrolled in a distillery course. Later, the farm was targeted by copper thieves, who stole the still. They also struggled with the complex regulations imposed by SARS. For two years, they battled one thing after another and finally decided to find a new location to start fresh.
On the positive side, their distilled spirits started gaining recognition and winning awards. The distillery began increasing its product range to include witblits, mampoer, grappa, limoncello, gin, tequila, and rum.
As Randburg began to lose its appeal, GiGi searched for the perfect place to retire. The small coastal town of Boca Chica, near David in Chiriquí Province, Panama, caught their eye. The couple was eager for a fresh start. They took Spanish lessons, but Mike found the three-hour daily classes over three weeks increasingly frustrating. Eventually, they set off for Panama, arriving during a heavy rainstorm. The constant downpour was unlike anything they’d experienced in the Cape, leaving them damp and longing for the Overberg. Despite the weather, they enjoyed the local cock-fighting, where vibrant roosters with striking plumage showcased their athleticism.
Upon returning to South Africa, they found a new home for their distillery in the industrial area of Stanford. Inspired by their experience in Panama, they named their food pairing venue “Jolly Rooster”. The distillery itself was named after the unique fynbos vegetation of the Overberg.
So, this is the colourful story of the Jolly Rooster!
Remember, life is too short to be a broody hen! Always indulge in naughty fowl play and make a point of wetting your beak at the Jolly Rooster!
Mike and GiGi
Xx
Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster offers a choice between a set food pairing menu with eight combinations or enjoying tastings of the various products on their own.
"Our slogan, 'From the Earth to the Bottle,' reflects our dedication to crafting small-batch spirits, bottled by hand and distilled with love."
Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster presents an award-winning range of distilled products.
Purple Haze Gin
Price: 375ml - R225 / 750ml - R420
Arabian Rose Gin
Price: 375ml - R210 / 750ml - R380
Citrus Bomb Gin
Price: 375ml - R210 / R750ml - R380
Just Juniper Gin
Price: 375ml - R190 / 750ml - R320
White Rum
Price: 375ml - R220 / R750ml - R380
Golden Rum (Aged Rum)
Price: 375ml - R230 / R750ml - R390
Husk Spirit (Grappa)
Price: 375ml - R230
Oaked Husk Spirit (Aged Grappa)
Price: 375ml - R230
Oaked Apple Mampoer (Calvados Apple Brandy)
Price: 375ml - R235
Plain Witblits - Grape Spirit
Price: 375ml - R230
Blanco Agave Spirit (Silver Tequila)
Price: 375ml - R240 / R750ml - R450
Reposado Agave Spirit (Gold Tequila)
Price: 375ml - R255 / R750ml - R480
Coffee Agave Spirit (Coffee Tequila)
Price: 375ml - R255 / R750ml - R480
Limoncello Liqueur
Price: 375ml - R205
Apple Crumble Cream Liqueur
Price: 375ml - R198
Salted Toffee Apple Cream Liqueur
Price: 375ml - R200
Mocha Liqueur
Price: 375ml - R165
Caramel Liqueur
Price: 375ml - R165
Bubblegum Liqueur
Price: 375ml - R165
Strawberry Liqueur
Price: 375ml - R165
Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster sells a range of gift packs and offers personalised product branding.
Price: R155 (3 x 50ml award-winning gins)
Includes Variations: Purple Haze / Citrus Bomb / Arabian Rose / Just Juniper
Price: R145 (3 x 50ml award-winning base spirits)
Includes: Husk Spirit / Plain Witblits / Oaked Apple Mampoer
Price: R135 (3 x 50ml liqueurs)
Includes Variations: Limoncello / Strawberry / Caramel / Mocha
Price: on request
Case lots of Witblitz and Mampoer can be personalised with your brand label. This service is ideal for corporate gifting, bars, restaurants, guesthouses and weddings.
There is a minimum order of 24 bottles per order.
The Sir Robert Stanford Heritage Show is presented by the master distiller at the Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster.
Enjoy an interactive journey through Stanford, where the past and present come to life in an entertaining experience, without leaving your seat.
Contact Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster for more information.
Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster is proud to hold the following awards:
Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster offers pensioners a 10% discount every Thursday on food pairing and alcohol orders.
Bring your friends and family or strut your stuff alone, your favourite rooster looks forward to welcoming you for a great time!
“I picked up two bottles on my way to Gansbaai. Mocha Liqueur and Husk Spirit. Fynbos Distillery has a small restaurant that sells Mampoer drinks. I was given about six different flavours to taste at no cost. After free tasting, one feels encouraged to buy a few bottles for the next destination. I will be coming back for more.” Naresh Bhagwandas
“If you are travelling near Stanford, stop by this interesting distillery. They offer a variety of craft gin, mampoer, limoncello, cream liquors and more.” Ivan Mostert
“Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster is well worth a stop. We enjoyed a great tasting and bought a couple of bottles of liqueur. We chose the Mocha, Apple Crumble Cream and Limoncello! Pricing is excellent!” Fran Le Maitre Viet
“Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster is a small establishment. It needs some support, and man, do they deserve it. Excellent service and the food is delicious. I will say go and support this local gem of a place, and you won't regret it if you are a gin lover.” Carlo Legolie
“Our waitress at the Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster was helpful and knowledgeable about the different gins and liqueurs we tasted. Great atmosphere!” Jenna Venter
“We had the best experience at the Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster. We went for the tasting (gin, grappa, mampoer, limoncello and liqueurs) with food pairing.” Corné van der Merwe
“Great staff and even better gin at the Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster!” Jethro Sanders
“The Fynbos Distillery @ Jolly Rooster is a hidden gem. They make craft gin and other liquors. A simple must!” Lawrence Baker
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Jolly Rooster @ Fynbos Distillery
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Jolly Rooster @ Fynbos Distillery
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Jolly Rooster @ Fynbos Distillery
Join us daily for award-winning craft spirits and food pairing!
Jolly Rooster @ Fynbos Distillery
Looking for the perfect gift to showcase your company brand? Your favourite rooster has the ideal solution. ...
Jolly Rooster @ Fynbos Distillery
