One of Only three...

Our amazing friend Sam Woulidge proudly tweeted to let us know that our 2006 AA Badenhorst Family Wine Red Blend is one of only three South African red wines on the wine list at The Fat Duck in Berkshire in the South East of England. 

The other two is the 2005 Thelema Reserve, Merlot, and a 1991 Trilogy by Warwick Estate. Our 2009 Secateurs Chenin Blanc is also on the white wine list (along with Steenberg's 2008 Semillon and Waterkloof's 2009 Semillon). You can have a look at the impressive wine list here.

From Paardeberg to Paris!

Our wines have finally made their way to France - and the first wine shop selling Secateurs Red is 'Le Gout des Vignes' (ie the Taste of Vines), in the 15th district of Paris. 
No massive volumes but they started with 36 bottles and has already sold 16 in 10 days. 

 

Baby steps / petits pas... 

It's official, it's Independent...

Adi sent me this picture from the first meeting of the official Swartland Independent!

Eben Sadie will act as chairman and Chris and Andrea Mullineux as treasurer and secretary. 

This historic first meeting was held in Riebeek and marks the start of a movement that will change the perception of the Swartland forever and lead to the production of more natural wines in this area. 

This colourful bunch might not have the best dress sense... but they sure do know how to make great wines... 

back row fltr: Marc Kent, Adi Badenhorst, Andrea Mullineux and Callie Louw.

Front row: Eben Sadie and Chris Mullineux.

Adi takes a few big shots...

Adi and Jasper recently took part in the annual "Paardeberg versus Simonsberg Cricket Match", an event that Adi describes as "probably the most low key social event on the wine calendar".

The match was organised by Paardeberg captain Julian Johnson and Simonsberg captain Rijk Melck.

According to Adi and Jasper the match ended in a draw after Simonsberg altered the scorecards! You be the judge.

Adi in the middle back row taking another big shot, Jasper with bat and pads in his Swartland Revolution T-shirt in the front and little Samuel getting in on the action with big gloves... 

Something borrowed, something blue...

Wedding Album magazine recently shot "Farm Girl" on location on Kalmoesfontein. These pictures are lovely inspiration as we start to plan the first weddings ever on the newly renovated farm... 

Planning to have cousin Rouxlene and her fiance Paul tie the knot in front of the cellar in November... 

The raise of the Swartland...

This nice article by Anton Espost of Riebeek Kasteel's The Wine Kollective in the 2011 edition of In Swartland Magazine takes a look at how the Swartland has grown and developed in recent years, especially due to 'young' winemakers moving into the area.


This is a fun read that gives you a really nice feel for what the Swartland is all about. Enjoy.

For more from all of these guys and the Swartland keep an eye on www.theswartlandrevolution.com and follow the revolution on twitter @swartlandrev

Taking over the world, one good restaurant at a time...

Friends of friends recently celebrated their wedding anniversary at Ponsonby Café in Auckland, New Zealand and found our Secateurs Chenin 2009 on the wine list! 


Next time you are in the land of hobbits and middle earth, silver ferns and the haka and be sure to stop by for a glass! 


Ponsonby Cafe
38 Ponsonby Road
Ponsonby 1011, New Zealand
(09) 360 6876

Top five SA wines of 2010

The Wine Detective's UK based Sarah Ahmed named her top five South African wines for 2010 and our Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2010 vintage made the list.


Also on the top five is neighbour Eben Sadie with his Sadie Family Palladius 2008 and The Foundry Grenache Blanc from bordering Voor-Paardeberg!


Three of the top five are from the Swartland, not bad...


Read the reviews and the entire article here... 

Adi, a "Wine Personality of the year"

Adi is another award richer, this time it is Neil Pendock's Top Ten Personalities for 2010 award...


Adi shares this honour with nine other interesting local gentlemen (sadly, no ladies on the list), among others James Pietersen from Belthazar restaurant; retired KWV chairman Danie de Wet; Sandton restaurateur Alan Pick and Bartho Eksteen, Diners Club Winemaker of the Year.


How did Pendock make his decision? "when compiling a Top Ten Personalities for 2010, quotes are an obvious criterion..." and that is how Adi made the list: 


Swartland winemaker Adi Badenhorst watching a table tennis match at &Union last week: “so this is what Capetonians do on Saturdays. In Malmesbury, everyone is working on their cars.”


Read the entire article, here.