our STORY

H&G Fine & Rare Potstill Brandy has been built on a solid foundation: the knowledge and skill of Master Distiller George Dalla Cia; the traditional potstill method of distillation; the judicious application of oak from the Limousin forests of France; and the blending of distinct grape varieties and their terroir.

The "H" in H&G represents Harry Stephan, Managing Director of Stephan Bros (Pty) Ltd, a company that has been embedded in the business of the Cape though its fishing and farming activities for 210 years.  Harry Stephan has also long promoted the wine and brandy industries, by editing and publishing its iconic writers such as Phyllis Hands and Dave Hughes, amongst others. Twenty years ago, Harry Stephan identified Shiraz as a grape variety that could not only be brought to the correct phenological ripeness on the company's farm in the Helderberg but would also be perfectly suited for a potstill brandy that could withstand years and years in oak.

The "G" in H&G represents Master Distiller, George Dalla Cia. His expertise at H&G is critical because of the “feel” and experience required to create perfect brandy time after time from the Alembic Pot Still.  Once the brandy has matured in its oak barriques, George Dalla Cia is also entirely responsible for creating the final H&G Potstill Brandy that is put into the bottle.  Blending is a fine and rare art, and distilling an artisan brandy also takes huge dedication, patience and a fund of knowledge.

George Dalla Cia, is the third generation of the Dalla Cia family to understand the art of distillation. His heritage stems from Friuli, northern Italy, where his Grandfather, Vittorio Dalla Cia, acquired a small pot still, starting the first Dalla Cia Distillery in 1923, where later, brandy was also produced.