📖 First-hand story — Read Bibi's full Cedar Coffee Roasters roaster spotlight →
The Short Version
Cedar Coffee Roasters is approaching its fifth anniversary in September 2026. Founded by Winston Thomas, Leigh Wentzel, and a third co-founder based in Belgium, it's a Cape Town specialty roaster with two physical homes — the Woodstock roastery and Cedar Hatch at Lemkus in the CBD — and a quietly bold philosophy: meet drinkers wherever they are on the journey from instant coffee to single-origin filter.
I met Winston at the Jo'burg Coffee Festival in May 2026. Three minutes of conversation. Enough to make me think this is one of the most thoughtful operators in the SA specialty scene.
The Founders
Both Winston and Leigh started as baristas in 2014 — Winston at Origin Coffee, Leigh at Rosetta Roastery. The third co-founder lives in Belgium and handles their green coffee trading — most SA roasters source through importers, but Cedar has someone on the ground in the European green market.
Winston Thomas is a 3× SA Barista Champion (2017, 2018, 2020), Africa Barista Champion (2019), SA AeroPress Champion (2016), and licensed SCA Trainer. Before Cedar, he rose from barista to head of Origin Coffee's Barista Academy.
The Philosophy
In Winston's words:
“We meet drinkers where they are. Not where we wish they were.”
Most roasters either chase the connoisseur end or sit firmly in the mass market. Cedar tries to do both, deliberately. The idea is that drinkers don't leap from instant coffee to a washed Yirgacheffe pour-over overnight. They transition gradually — and Cedar wants a coffee for every stop on that journey. Their price range runs R179 to R799, which is the philosophy in a sentence.
The Milky Way Blend
The Milky Way blend on display next to a Costa Rica single origin at Jo'burg. Photo: Bibi Burness
A “bridging coffee” designed for the moment someone realises they care about what's in the cup, but still wants something familiar enough to enjoy. Specifically crafted to cut through milk while maintaining sweetness. Good enough that experienced drinkers don't roll their eyes.
The 360° Partner Model
Most SA roasters supply beans and offer training. Cedar does that and:
Bar Design
They help wholesale partners design their coffee bar before opening
Financing Options
Partners can finance equipment or stock through Cedar
Staff Training
Beyond a one-day intro — actual ongoing barista development
On-Site Support
Cedar staff work alongside partner staff to ensure consistency
Origins Sourced
The Belgian green-buying relationship suggests broader European-origin access than the average SA roaster.
Awards & Championship Titles
Best New Roastery
Coffee Magazine Awards · 2022
Barista Trainer of the Year (Winston Thomas)
Coffee Magazine Awards · 2022
Africa Barista Champion (Winston Thomas)
Africa Barista Championship · 2019
SA Barista Champion (Winston Thomas)
SA Barista Championship · 2017, 2018, 2020
SA AeroPress Champion (Winston Thomas)
SA AeroPress Championship · 2016
Where to Find Them
Roastery + Store
48 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Cedar Hatch at Lemkus
26 St Georges Mall, Cape Town CBD
Source
I met Winston at the Jo'burg Coffee Festival 2026, Fourways Mall Rooftop, 31 May 2026. This page draws on that conversation plus Cedar's own website, The Coffee Vine feature, and Lemkus collaboration announcement. Photos are my own.