Swartland Reflections

The Swartland has a very special place in my heart. Grandma and Grandpa laid their foundation there in the 1950's on an old tobacco farm just outside Malmesbury. My parents got married in the church across the road from where they still live today. I am a born and bred Swartlander (Swartland Hospital, Swartland Pre-Primary, Swartland Primary, Swartland High School... if there was a University of the Swartland... you get the picture...)

Seven years later I am very much a Capetonian (apparently you only become a Cape Town local after six winters, "they" say) but it still feels a bit like going home every time I pass Atlantis on the N7.

Nowadays more of the family have discovered the joy of the Swartland as Adi, Cornelia, Samuel and Ana has made Kalmoesfontein their home - where Adi make wine, the natural way.

And the rest of the world is catching on - as the Swartland gets more and more mentions as the new hot thing on the local wine scene. Swart is the new black...

Read what the WOSA blog thinks as they reminisce about the old days, and get excited about the new generation of top class wine makers (like Adi) shaking things up... Read it here!

(footnote: I = the blogger = Cornelia Badenhorst's cousin. Our mothers are sisters and grew up on that tobacco farm, Swartlanders to the bone as well)

Bring some leisure home, with a glass of AA Badenhorst Family Wine!

I love adjectives, they make any piece of writing so much more interesting, they explain what the writer means and how they felt. It gives you a complete picture.

And to hear extremely positive adjectives like 'inspired' (packaging), 'impeccable' (content) and 'top class' mentioned in conjunction with our wines in this month's House & Leisure magazine is delightful - we are flattered:)

Get under the influence of the Swartland

Find out everything you need to know about the wines of Swartland - Join the next Under the Influence tasting at the The Roundhouse Restaurant in Camps Bay and taste our wines along with the best of the region.

When: Wednesday, 30 June 2010

Contact: info@undertheinfluence.co.za / 021 461 2883 
Cost: R100 per Guest, first ten bookings are Chauffeur driven to and from the tasting in Lexus vehicles at no charge

The Swartland is producing some of South Africa’s most exciting wines, with its old bush vines expressing a lot of intensity of fruit. 
Winemakers such as Eben Sadie and Adi Badenhorst have made their names in this incredible region and this tasting aims to explore the unique terroir and wine making styles of the Swartland. 
Producers such as Scali, Lammershoek, Adi Badenhorst, Spice Route and Sequillo will be explored. This is not a tasting to be missed!
Early bookings: First ten bookings are Chauffeur driven to and from the tasting in luxurious Lexus vehicles at no charge, send address and telephone number for Chauffeur’s convenience.

Proudly South African!

The whole family would just like to say, loud and proud for everyone to see, that Bafana Bafana made us really proud to be South African. The boys played with gusto and heart and gave their all, and we BEAT THE FRENCH... Not only do we now make better wine (personal opinion of blogger...) and play better rugby (lately even at Newlands) but we are showing the world that we are friendlier hosts and better soccer players.

Our country is doing a great job hosting this momentous sporting event and we have never been more proud to be South African. Ready to take on the world.

That is Ayoba!

For the love of wine and family...

We are searching for the perfect quote to describe our love of wine and our families. In the search to find the perfect description of the combination of wine and family (the two pillars of Badenhorst Family Wines...) Adi's wife Cornelia whips out this one, by Joanne Harris (writer of Chocolat) in her novel Blackberry Wine.

Stunning!

Sprechen sie Deutsch?

Now my German isn't that great, my best friend is very proud of his German roots and during our first year of varsity when we live together I had to listen to a lot of "teach yourself German" CDs, and while I would be able to ask when the next train is leaving or where to get a good Weiss beer, this article in the German Gala magazine is a little over my head.
But it MUST be good, why would they feature the AA Badenhorst Family Wine Red Blend in their pick of South African wines if they didnt LOVE it.

I hope you understand, otherwise just look at the pictures, and support ze Germans today as they take on Serbia in their Group D World Cup match with a glass of our finest. Deutschland, Deutschland über alles...

Das is gut ja! Prost.

Welcome the world...

South Africa has been invaded, by tourists and soccer fans from 31 countries. The world has arrived on our shores and the time is now for Africa to show what it is made of.

The Decanter (a UK wine publication) has published a really nice article about winemakers that has risked moving away from winning teams to persue personal ventures and passions. The focus falls on the Swartland and features Adi and his neighbours in a very positive light.

Here are some scans from the magazine. Proud to be representing the Swartland and South Africa abroad!

New York, New YORK (if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere!)

Adi and his father Andre recently returned from the United States where they did some marketing and hosted a few tastings.

Read about fellow South African (and neighbour at all the wine shows) Simon Back of Backsberg's experience in the big apple, and remember, like he said:

"You can’t really beat AA Badenhorst Family wines - if you are arranging producers alphabetically. And the wines are delicious too."

read more on  the Back Chat Blog

Another Wine-of-the-Week award goes to US...

Soon you might have to drink a wine from the Badenhorst Family every week...

Spill.co.za 's Clare travelled to Riebeeck to try four local Chenin Blancs... and what do you know:

"My preference, and the winner for me, was the Secateurs from the Badenhorst Family.It just has that right floral notes and mix of other tropical flavours that emerge with each sip. Just the tonic if you’ve overdosed on Sauvignon Blanc."

Read the whole review of Swartland Chenin's here...