Official Press Release for the Inaugural SACDI Conference

Originally posted on 11 October 2016 

SACDI is a Representative Organization for Craft Distillers in South Africa, established to promote, grow, protect and monitor the Craft Distilling Industry. Up to now, SACDI has operated in relative obscurity, but the recent growth in the Craft Spirit Market (and number of Craft Spirit Producers) has pushed the organization to the fore.

Tremendous growth in craft Vodkas, Gins, Rums and other distilled products has occurred right across the world … and this trend is growing even faster in South Africa than in many other countries. More Craft Distilleries are now started up in South Africa in one month than was previously done in several decades, producing magnificent distilled spirits never seen before in South Africa.

Currently South Africa has 53 small Commercial Spirit Producers which SACDI would classify as “Craft”, with another 47 in the pipeline.

The reason for this massive growth is partly due to consumer behaviour, with consumers showing renewed appreciation for local products, with traceable origins, owner operated, small batch production and uniqueness. In addition, owning and operating a Craft Spirit Production facility, although it has its challenges, can be extremely lucrative. This is especially true for farmers looking to diversify or exploring alternative income sources.

Craft Distilleries also stimulate tourism and local economies, create employment, and fulfils one of the set goals of the Department of Trade and Industry to increase access to the Liquor Production Environment in South Africa.

SACDI achieves this through 5 basic objectives:

• Promote craft distilled products in general, craft distilleries, craft spirits and creating general public awareness of the uniqueness of Craft Spirits
• Providing consumers with a trusted certification of what constitutes a Craft Spirit and/or Craft Distillery
• Support the Craft Distilling industry by acting on challenges SACDI members face
• Represent SACDI members and lobby for favourable Craft Distilling Legislation
• Support craft distilleries with day-to-day issues - in an objective and unbiased manner

Working together, the craft spirit industry can achieve much more than individual brands.

The annual SACDI conference has been scheduled for 1 & 2 November 2016 in Pretoria, and we have had an enormous response to this initiative, with over 90 confirmed delegates representing South African Craft Distilleries and various other stakeholders.

The organisation has received tremendous support, both locally and internationally, through both sponsors and guest speakers. The primary sponsors of the conference is SaverGlass, an international supplier of Artisanal Spirit Bottles based in France, Hoshizaki – a supplier of extremely high quality Ice Machines from the Netherlands, Amorim – a cork and closure supplier from Portugal, and JF Hillebrand, a European Beverage Logistics Company. Additional sponsorships have also been received from Decorative Glass, a South African company specializing in bottle branding, Libra Promotions, a sales and distribution company, and the PSG Group, who is currently working with Distillique on specific Insurance Cover for Craft Distillers.

Except for exhibitions and networking opportunities, the conference will also present a variety of lectures, covering all aspects of the Craft Distilling Industry. Lallemand, a Canadian Yeast Supplier, will present a session on Yeast Types and Fermentation. Novozymes, an International Enzyme Supplier, is presenting a lecture on Enzymatic reactions, Starch Conversion and Pectin Management. Marius Blom, a respected Liquor Law Attorney will address Liquor Licensing and related Legal issues, while an expert team from Adams & Adams will handle Intellectual Property Law.

Dr. Gustav Puth, Director at the Et Al Group, will address Market Research and Brand Development, and one of the highlights of the conference will undoubtedly be Sandy Roberts, daughter of South Africa’s Master of Herbs and Spices, Margaret Roberts, and a Botanical Consultant to The Botanist Gin from Scotland. Sandy’s presentation will concentrate on unique South African Botanicals and their use (or possible use) in Gin and other Spirit products.