If you’ve spent enough time on the backroads, you’ll know this truth: the Karoo has a way of testing you.
Dry heat. Dust. Silence that stretches for miles.
But if you stop, slow down, and look closer — you’ll find that some of the best stories and boldest spirits are born here.
That’s exactly what I found when I pulled in at Tahlia Farm, just outside Montagu on the legendary Route 62.
Building a Dream from Dust
When Andries and Alicia Burger bought this farm in 2018, all they had was a dream — and a picture in their minds of what could be.
Where others saw tough soil and thorny plants, they saw potential.
They planted prickly pears.
They nurtured them.
And slowly, they uncovered the quiet magic hidden in this hardy Karoo survivor.
Fast forward a few years, and Tahlia Farm has become a beacon of innovation — producing award-winning gin, vodka, liqueurs, and even prickly pear skincare.
All crafted right here in the Karoo. All rooted in the same soil that once looked impossible.
The Spirit of the Prickly Pear
What makes it special?
- Fruit — sweet, tangy, full of character. Perfect for gin.
- Leaves — subtle and earthy, adding depth to vodka and other spirits.
- Oil — turned into natural, sustainable cosmetics.
With the help of winemaker Johnny King, the team has mastered the art of balancing prickly pear with carefully chosen botanicals — creating spirits that not only turn heads but collect awards across South Africa.
More Than a Tasting
Yes, you can stop in for a tasting (and you should).
The cheese platters are farm-fresh, and there’s even a non-alcoholic pairing for the kids.
But what truly stands out is the Gin School.
Six people.
A small copper still.
A table full of botanicals.
And the chance to distil your very own gin — your name on the bottle, your story in the spirit.
It’s the kind of hands-on, memory-making experience that turns a quick stop into a lifelong story — one you’ll retell around a fire long after the trip is done.
Why It Belongs on Your Lekker Passport™
This isn’t just about gin.
It’s about makers — the people who look at a patch of Karoo dust and say:
“Ja, we can build something beautiful here.”
That’s the spirit the Lekker Passport™ celebrates — the courage to create, the pride of place, and the joy of sharing something truly local.
So next time you’re cruising the R62, don’t just drive through Montagu.
Pull over.
Meet Andries and Alicia.
Taste their story.
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll leave with a bottle of Karoo spirit — or a gin you crafted yourself.