Young Guns

It's true - if you use an old photo of Adi in a current article you can still call him a young gun!

Following up on the article by Matthew Jukes that we shared here on our blog at the end of 2011, here are the pages from December's Decanter magazine.

Are you excited yet!?

Victoria Moore meets the next generation of winemakers at South African wine festival Swartland Revolution and concludes: 'When it comes to wine, nowhere in South Africa is as exciting as Swartland right now!'

Moore attended the Swartland Revolution in Riebeek in November last year and writes a very nice article for The Telegraph. 

Read the whole story here. 

When we revolted...

Pictures from the 2011 Swartland Revolution. We know we are a tad late, but it took us a while to recover, and then we wanted to wait for the full selection of pictures from 'neighbour' (it's a long bumpy drive to the Porseleinberg, but we still consider Callie & Maree neighbours) and photographer Maree, cause you know, we like to be a little different.

So here is our alternative choices of images from a revolution. If you missed it you missed out!

Oh goody (bag)!

Quality first - Olivier Clape

Revolutionary BBQ (by Reuben Riffel) at Bazaar. 

 entertainment from Die Baardskeerdersbos Orkes! 'dis n lekker ou jan...'

                                                                                      Adi's soap box from where he told many charming lame jokes while moderating the Expert Opinions tasting.

 lunch at bar bar black sheep!

Jasper receiving our official Swartland Independent decanter from Eben Sadie just before the street party!

Till next year!

The 2012 Swartland Revolution will take place on 9 & 10 November. Ticket sales will open in March 2012, start saving... Read more here / or follow the revolution on twitter / or like it on the book of faces.

Wine Legends past present and future

In the final (printed) issue of Wine Magazine (Sept/Oct 2011) they featured "South African Wine Legends" Past, Present and Future without whom they can not imagine the winelands.

Adi (a future legend) and his father-in-law Jan 'Boland' Coetzee (a present legend) BOTH made it into the selected few, among greats like Tony Mossop, Charles Back, Günter Brözel, John Platter and neighbour / fellow Swartland Revolutionary Eben Sadie.

Although we believe Adi already has legend status, we are honored.

The Badenhorst Family would like to bid a fond farewell to Wine Magazine, that has been with us for almost 2 decades. We thank you for the support, exposure, positive ratings, up to date news and your contribution to the South African Wine industry as a whole. Hamba Kahle, and good luck with your new online ventures.

Follow Wine Magazine on twitter to stay in the loop!

Swartland saving France

Adi is on his way with Eben and Chris to introduce the French to Swartland wines soon. Between THIS & 2011 Swartland Revolution poster I'm seeing WAY too much skin...

The One-Day-Only invasion on Saturday October 15th will include two events.


First, a FREE tasting with 3 classes: 
one to introduce Swartland with Eben's wines, 
one with Chris & Stéphane Ogier (our imported guest at 2010 Revolution)
and one with Adi presenting our wines. 


This will take place in a wine cellar in the Latin Quarter of Paris starting at 3pm.

Secondly there will be a wine dinner with a menu to pair with Mullinuex and Badenhorst Wines in a secret location.

Anyone interested in participating can contact Raffi Gabeyan via email at raffi.gabeyan@gmail.com. 

Reporting in the Rapport

Feedback from The Fantastic Eben, Adi and Luke show at The Test Kitchen in the lifestyle magazine that accompanies Rapport (Afrikaans Sunday newspaper).

Swartland Supremes

Some more feedback on The Adi, Eben and Luke show currently on the menu at The Test Kitchen.


This time on Neil Pendock's blog on Times Live:


"Fabian and Guido had dined the previous evening at the Test Kitchen in Salt River as guests of WOSA with charming host André Morgenthal (who must keep many of Cape Town’s top end restaurants afloat in these depressed days). The 12 course menu dégustation was accompanied by wines from the Swartland Supremes (Eben Sadie as Mary Wilson and Adi Badenhorst as Diana Ross, but with bigger hair). Both Belgians called the meal “the best I have ever eaten in SA.” Guido’s own Hertog Jan restaurant in Brugge is a Michelin two star spot so he knows from food and he rates TK chef Luke Dale-Roberts a two star stunner although the service is on a lower level. In particular Luke’s imagination and matching an oyster to Adi’s Funky White was for Guido, a culinary triumph."

Bold reds and lush sweet whites

A brilliant (read flattering) article in the UK's Daily Mail on the Swartland wine region. Olly Smith writes that "Many of (these) young stars cut their teeth in big-name wineries before striking out on their own, and with a progressive approach to social media (I like to think that he is referring to my work on this blog and for the Swartland Revolution;) and an emphasis on fun, theirs is an example other wine regions could learn from."

He also talks about our Family Red Blend:
An outstanding red blend is AA Badenhorst Family Red 2007 (£29.95 at Harrods)  -  bold, harmonious and spicy, and an impressively restrained 13.5 per cent. Its creator Adi Badenhorst has an enviable bounce that's more than matched by his winemaking skill. 


And I love this quote by Marc Kent:

'Bank robbers rob banks, because that's where the money is; we're getting more involved in the Swartland, because that's where the quality is!'

Read more here!

Heating up in the Kitchen

We stumbles upon some more quality feedback for the "Eben, Adi and Luke Show' a 13 course menu paired with wines from our cellar and neighbour Eben Sadie. This is all happening at The Test Kitchen in Woodstock where chef Luke Dale Roberts prepares a feast for the senses.

Says Richard Holmes on iafrica:

"But let’s talk about that price. Yes, R850 for dinner is a lot of money. But when you consider that includes 11 to 13 courses, suddenly the value-for-money starts to outweigh the chunk of change. Throw in expensive ingredients like truffle and salmon, and it’s looking better. Oh yes, did I mention there’s wine carefully paired with each course? Now it seems a lot more affordable.

And those wines are nothing run-of-the-mill… they come from two of the Swartland’s most adventurous, and respected, winemakers; Adi Badenhorst and Eben Sadie. Limited release wines, often from their own private cellars, seeing the light of day for the first time."

So without further ado this winter; roll up, roll up ladies and gentlemen. Charge your glasses (and your credit cards) for the The Fantastic Eben, Adi and Luke Show!

For bookings or further information, visit www.thetestkitchen.co.za or call 021 447 2337. You can also follow Luke on Twitter: @ldrchef. The Test Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. The 11-13 course menu includes wines is priced at R850 per person. Prior booking is essential.

read the whole article here: http://food.iafrica.com/dining/735143.html

Test Kitchen - the Luke, Eben and Adi show

The much talked about Luke, Eben and Adi show has kicked off at The Test Kitchen in Woodstock. We blogged about this before  and have now started to pick up some feedback from people who have enjoyed the experience.


Flavour Cape notes a few noteworthy pairings from the 7 course meal (carefully prepared food to match the wines by Eben Sadie and Adi Badenhorst.)


Amongst her favourites is this:
The AA Badenhorst ‘Accepted white’ 2009, a blend of 10 different Paardeberg vineyards and 10 different varietals. From Luke: salmon tataki, halva, yuzu dressing, foie gras butter, Korean tartare. Simple salty and sweet elements bravely combined. As Adi summed it up best: “When you have food as complex as this, there are so many more meeting points.”


Read the article here! 

OesAf party(berg)

Only stumbled upon this post about our OesAf festival today. The Foodie remembers being there, enjoying great wines and even better (possible?) braai broodjies.
He tackled a dog. 
Caught Jasper in some funky "jhorts" (jean shorts)

And "hugged Kingsley Holgate" :)

Partyberg in-deed... 
Read about his adventure here: http://thefoodie.co.za/uncategorized/the-paardeberg-the-partyberg/

Swartland Revolution 2011 - final programme!

With the raging success of the inaugural Swartland Revolution organisers have made 250 tickets available for this year’s Revolution that will take place on the weekend of 11 – 12 November 2011.

With guest feedback that included praise such as “the best wine event that I have ever attended”; “like Woodstock... but without the sex”; “world class performance” and “a revolution against boring wines, against boring events; this was a revolt against the plain and the sad, the straight and the narrow; it was simply a benchmarking of joie de vivre” most of last year’s attendees have already booked their place at this year’s event.

The programme for 2011 has just been finalised and is bigger (and even better) than in 2010;

Three tastings of benchmark wines:

- Eight wines from the local Mullineux Cellar;

- Olivier Clape presenting six of his wines from The Northern Rhone in France

- and nine wines, all personal favourites selected by London based wine writer Jamie Goode, ze German Sommelier Jorg Pfutzner and local kenner Michael Fridjhon.

The food will again be “simply superb” as noted by 2010 revolutionary:

- Celeb chef Reuben Riffel and his team are ready to braai up a storm once more. If last year’s BBQ was any indication we can expect mountains of perfectly prepared meat, salads to stun and fire grilled veggies that will impress even the most hard core carnivores.

- For Saturday lunch the team at Bar Bar Black Sheep will again prepare a truly local feast to mesmerise guests.

The event will conclude with The Swartland Independent Street Party. At R50 per person this tasting is more accessible and open to the public. With local producers showcasing their natural wines it will attract a whole new crowd as we take over the Riebeek Main Street and party into the sunset.

Tickets sold via Webtickets.

Adi's upcoming gigs...

"Luke Dale-Roberts. Adi Badenhorst. Eben Sadie. If food was music, that’s like getting Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Elvis on stage together to cover your favourite song." says local food blogger Jamie Who on his blog. 


In the spirit of food and music, I bring you Adi's upcoming gigs:


Adi will be paying a visit to the Cape Quaffers social wine tasting club who meets monthly in Claremont on Thursday 19 May. 
Find out more about the group here.


Our wines will be tasted at the Old Cape Wine Shop Imhoff Farm on Saturday May 21st... Put that date in your diaries and come check in!
The Wine shop on Imhoff farm is just opposite Ocean View drive on the M65 near Kommetjie. (directions)


Come enjoy a 5-course meal paired with our wines at Bosman's at the Grande Roche on Friday 27 May... Canapés on arrival, a five-course dinner carefully paired with our wines, coffee and petit fours all in the charming company of Mr Badenhorst himself.
Click here for more info!


And then, the big one that everyone is getting excited about and that inspired Jamie Who to compare Adi, Eben and Luke to musical legends - for 6 weeks, starting June 15th Adi and Eben Sadie will join chef Luke Dale-Roberts at The Test Kitchen  to play with ingredients and combinations to produce a menu that will be unlike anything else on offer in Cape Town (what Jamie said...) 
Read more here.


Hope to see you at one of these... 

Hats off to a new Côte

The Yorkshire Post has published a lovely article on the Swartland. With focus on last year's revolution - and particularly the tasting by Stephane Ogier of the Northern Rhone, Christine Austin tells the story of a wine region that is fast becoming world class.


"The reason for Stéphane’s presence in South Africa that day is because Swartland shares many of the characteristics that create some of the Rhône’s finest wines. The soil is complex with granite, clay, slate and river shale creating individual pockets for different varieties; the climate is hot during the day but a cooling breeze spreads over the region in the afternoon; and there is enough distance between the Swartland and the manicured vineyards of Stellenbosch to feel that this is the pioneering, Wild West of wine growing."


She also focusses on Eben and Adi's journeys to the Swartland and rates some of their wines, including our "fresh-tasting complex, pepper and aniseed Badenhorst Family Red 2007, which is on its way to becoming one of South Africa’s great wines."

Read the full article here. 

Revving up for another Revolution...

We are once again in full swing planning the Swartland Revolution. After the overwhelming success of the inaugural Revolution, this year promises to be bigger and better.


With 250 tickets available there will not only be more guests, but more tastings and more goodies and fun entertainment awaits you, come 11/11/11.


This year's tastings (three, compared to two last year) includes a Friday afternoon tasting by Olivier Clape presenting six of his world class French wines. On Saturday there will be a tasting of eight wines from the local Mullineux Cellar as well as a tasting with wine journalist Jamie Goode (all the way from London) and Michael Fridjhon, a revolution favourite. They will treat us to four of their favourite wines each.


As they say, dont fix it if it aint broken; so celeb chef Reuben Riffel will once again be in charge of the braai tongs on Friday night while local hero Mynardt Joubert and the team at Bar Bar Black Sheep will have to pull out all the stops to top their Festival Feast from 2010 for lunch on Saturday.


And finally, a new poster has arrived... 

For the entire programme of events, click here!


Hope to see you in the Swartland in November!

The Adi, Eben and Luke Show @ The Test Kitchen this winter

Winter just warmed up a little! 


News has arrived that Adi, along with neighbour, friend and fellow wine rock star Eben Sadie will join exciting and much talked about, award-winning chef, Luke Dale Roberts at his restaurant The Test Kitchen for a winter pairing programme!


Yes, a definite reason to get excited. 



Eben, Adi and Luke have had extensive tastings in order to try to find the perfect combination of dishes such as Luke's seared tuna with sotf dashi jelly, soy milk yuba and caviar or foie gras tiramisu, or the newly developed sweetbread and truffle jagerbomb.


This collaboration will see these maverick winemakers joining Luke in the kitchen to experiment with ingredients and combinations to produce a menu that will be unlike anything else on offer: a food and wine lover’s dream!



Eben and Adi will be showcasing there top drawer wines and other “secret wines” that have not been available to the general public.



Luke explains: "I'm excited that we are going into winter. Eben and Adi are inspirational wine makers that push the limits of creativity, they are not afraid to take risks and I respect that very much. We have a good chemistry and I am inspired to be working with other exciting, creative individuals in addition to my team. That's what its all about. Wood is also a great new component that I'm enjoying using, like the velouté I'm making with American oak and bourbon accompanying my new tongue dish. Its great to slow down just a little and get seriously creative for the cooler months".


This gastronomic adventure will continue The Test Kitchen’s reputation of being at the forefront of exciting fine dining and will highlight the symbiotic relationship between good food and wine. Every 6 weeks, new menus will be created to showcase new wines and possibly even some of the best from the microbreweries, all aiming to thrill and inspire new creativity with respect to food and wine and how we enjoy it.


For bookings or further information on these special wine events 
visit www.thetestkitchen.co.za, 
call (27) (21) 447 2337. 
You can also follow Luke on Twitter. 

11.11.11 Save The Date!

AA Badenhorst Family Wines, Mullineux Family Wines, Porcelain Mountain Wines, Sequillo Cellars and The Sadie Family Wines would like to invite you to the second annual Swartland Revolution Weekend.

When: 11 – 12 November 2011

Where: Riebeek Kasteel

After the overwhelming success of the inaugural Swartland Revolution weekend in 2010 we will bring you a bigger, better Revolution in 2011.

The action kicks off with registration at the Royal Hotel on Friday 11 November 2011.

This year’s programme will include three tastings of top international and Swartland wines; another delicious BBQ by celeb chef Reuben Riffel; lunch at the ever popular Bar Bar Black Sheep and another open tasting for all members of the new Swartland Independent to showcase their best natural wines.

This year there will be 250 weekend packages available (at R1750 pp) as well as a limited number of Dinner (R500 pp) / Lunch (R325 pp) and Breakfast (R75) only tickets.

The Swartland Independent Street Party on Saturday afternoon is also once again open to the public at R50 pp.

Tickets are available now from Webtickets.co.za.

More info at www.theswartlandrevolution.com 

Feedback from 2010:

“...the best wine event that I have ever attended. A perfect mix of serious tasting of seriously good wines, with a good measure of fun and festivity. The food was simply superb, the venues and layout spot on, the speech from Michael in particular absolutely brilliant. Honestly I feel sorry for those who thought they should miss this one. Bring on 2011 – and count me in!”

Erica Meles-Liebenberg – MelesPR

“It was fantastic and a HUGE privilege for me to be part of something so special. You’ve done a
fantastic job, something that’s organised, but still driven by 100% soul.”

Pieter Walser - BLANKbottle

“My wife asked me how it was this morning when I got back, and I said that it was like 'Woodstock... but without the sex'.”

Raffi Gabeyan – French Importer

“Thank you all so much for a wonderful feast of fine wine, delicious food, knowledge, opinions and passion. I thought you guys pulled off a world class performance from the very start right through until the end.”

Alex & Caryn Starey - Keermont Vineyards

“I can confidently say that the Swartland Revolution was by far the most enjoyable wine event I have been to. It was run with Germanic efficiency but full of South African gees. There was a balance between formal tastings and lounging on the grass sipping Bollinger. We ate till we were fit to burst, and drank till we were dancing (read: falling off) hay bales, we chatted & laughed, sipped and smiled; this was a revolution against boring wines, against boring events; this was a revolt against the plain and the sad, the straight and the narrow; it was simply a benchmarking of joie de vivre.”

Harry Reginald Haddon - http://wineandi.wordpress.com

Wine Revolutionaries

Bloomberg writer Elin McCoy recently visited the Swartland. She spent time with neighbour, friend and fellow revolutionary Eben Sadie in his cellar, enjoyed a sundowner at the top of the Babylon’s Peak with neighbour Stephan Basson and ended her near perfect day with a braai with us on Kalmoesfontein.


Read her adventure and thoughts on the Swartland here.

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.

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