Winemaker

Curtis van Biljon

Discipline: Winemaker
Based in: Johannesburg, South Africa
Venue: Still 33 Distilling Company · Distillery

i. Biography

Curtis van Biljon is the master distiller at Still 33 Distilling Company in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the founder and distiller of Still 33. The work is built around a South African flavour vocabulary: local botanicals and other distinctly South African ingredients give the spirits their line, their shape, and their sense of place.

The Path

At Still 33 Distilling Company, the master distiller role is the organising centre of Curtis van Biljon’s practice. As both founder and distiller, he has set the distillery around a clear proposition: classic spirits can be reworked through a South African frame without losing their structure. That approach keeps the focus on balance, precision, and the country’s own pantry of flavours.

The Work Today

The distillery’s output is focused on fresh interpretations of classic spirits, with Curtis van Biljon applying a steady hand and a disciplined palate across each expression. Gin is the clearest example. In his hands, it becomes a format for South African botanicals and flavours, with local notes carrying and giving the spirit an unmistakable identity. The method is direct: start with the form, then let the ingredients define the character. That emphasis on place gives Still 33 its rhythm. The work is not driven by excess, but by clarity: classic forms, updated by botanicals and flavours that read as South African without needing explanation. It is a style that stays close to the raw material and close to the maker’s intent.

Career - Master Distiller — Still 33 Distilling Company, Johannesburg, South Africa

Acclaim

The recognition here is craft-led: classic spirits interpreted through a South African palate. That is the measure of Curtis van Biljon’s standing. Through Still 33 Distilling Company and Still 33, he has established a voice defined by local botanicals, disciplined flavour work, and a clear commitment to putting South African tastes at the centre of the brief.

FAQ What is Curtis van Biljon's current role? As of 2026, Curtis van Biljon is Master Distiller. What is Curtis van Biljon known for? Bringing proudly South African tastes to gin.