Local bartending talent from top-class restaurants was on display at this one-of-a-kind experience.

The House of Amber, Joburg’s latest sensory pop-up experience, recently played host to a memorable finale as Inverroche brought its first Amber Housewarming Bartender Competition to a close.

The competition brought together 30 bartenders from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, challenging each to explore Inverroche through the creative lens of From Roots to Revelation.  What unfolded was a celebration of people, creativity and the pioneering spirit that defines Inverroche Amber.

Over several weeks, the bartenders immersed themselves in the brand’s world of fynbos and handcrafted distillation. The top nine advanced to a bootcamp at the Inverroche Brand Home in Stilbaai, where they took part in a gin masterclass with founder Lorna Scott, hiked the fynbos reserve and experimented with flavours in a process of transformative alchemy.

The showdown

The House of Amber finale turned the competition into an interactive experience. Guests sampled each finalist’s cocktail, voted for their favourite, and heard the story behind every creation. The judging panel – led by award-winning mixologist Julian Short, chef and storyteller Neo Nontso, and Inverroche managing director Garth Watson – scored entries on creativity, flavour, brand connection, and how well each bartender captured the essence of fynbos.

Winning serves

Charné van Heerden, founder of Cape Town’s female-owned HiBall and a nationally awarded bartender, was named the overall winner for her cocktail, Roots to Radiance. Known for her bold storytelling, highball innovation and her leadership in championing gender representation in hospitality, Charné brought a deeply human narrative to the glass.

Her serve, crafted with Inverroche Amber, fynbos honey, marmalade liqueur and a honeycomb garnish, which symbolised the guardians of fynbos, explored nature’s rhythms and the interconnectedness of community. Served on a mirrored coaster and paired with an encouraged moment of inward reflection, her emotive story resonated with both judges and guests.

Alongside Charné, the evening showcased the artistry of the remaining two finalists.
Devon Andreka, a 14-year industry veteran and general manager at Obscura, presented a spirit-forward serve that revealed his deep understanding of balance, extraction and botanical clarity.
Mondli Ntuli, from the Oyster Box Hotel in Durban, delivered a serve both spiritual and medicinal, using a symbolic beaded garnish to honour the lineage of love and grounding behind his craft.

More than a competition

“The Amber Housewarming is an investment into the people who carry Inverroche into the world every day,” says Lauren Penny, global brand ambassador for Inverroche. “These bartenders bring our story to life through flavour, hospitality and connection. Watching them explore our heritage and flex their creativity has been inspiring, and we are so happy to welcome all of them into our Inverroche family.”

While the evening crowned a winner, the real win was celebrating the bartenders who champion Inverroche across the country and building a community that understands what goes into every bottle. It proved that Inverroche isn’t just about the gin – it’s about the people, the place, and the fynbos that keeps inspiring new stories.