I'm a rock star, I'm a, I'm a (wine) rock star...

Cool video of Adi, the Hands-On-Wine Rockstar... Enjoy!

Believe it, cause it's true...

Waiting for you in our cellar... 

Thank You Bar Bar Black Sheep

We had an amazing time in Short Street last night at the first (annual?) Bar Bar Black Sheep "thank-you dinner".


The idea, as Mynhardt put it, is to give something back to everyone that had supported them during 2010.

The team had outdone themselves and it seemed the whole Swartland was there. Makeshift tables and chairs filled Short Street and chinese lanterns provided soft light while the pig turned on the spit.

Everyone brought their own wine, cutlery, crockery, salads, breads etc... And Bar Bar had a pig on the spit, a lamb in the pot, an amazing Mediterranean veggie bake and some Portuguese tripe stew going...

One of the best meals we have ever eaten in a paper plate...

Since we were late to arrive and there were no more tables or seats available, Adi and Herman quickly constructed us a table from crates and a pallet, with hay barrels for seats.

Thanks to Bar Bar Black Sheep for saying 'thanks' in style...

Similar article here

Hello Harvest!

The harvest is in full swing on Kalmoesfontein. Everyone has jumped in to help get the grapes in to the cellar in the scorching Swartland sun.

Jasper Wickens, is once again our assistant winemaker and even young Samuel Badenhorst is getting in on the action (winemaker in training!)

Our neighbour  Barry Schreiber was there to count every berry of Chenin Blanc and we have a female French import, harvest hand Helena Kotzev. Here they are loading the press.

Don't judge a wine by it's label..?

Neil Pendock reports on his blog on Times Live that Simon Hoggart had a bit of a go at our Secateurs label in The Spectator this week. 

Here is what Simon has to say... 

"Take this scrumptious Secateurs 2010, a Chenin Blanc from A.A. ­Badenhorst of Swartland, who is one of the most exciting young winemakers in South Africa. Chenin Blanc is the grape in Vouvray, but you would be hard put to find a French wine as rich, succulent and velvety, and at the crazy price of £8.95. I served this to a wine-loving American friend, and half the bottle had disappeared down her throat before she managed to exclaim, ‘that was delicious!’ My only complaint is the ghastly label. Labels matter. Rolling countryside or ancient Dutch farmhouse a.s.a.p., please."

But, I have to agree with Neil when he comes to the conclusion that you cannot please everyone, all the time. And I guess you cant blame Simon for not having taste in art, he does seem to have excellent taste in wine;)

You be the judge, we'd love to know what you think of our labels. An article on them (and their designer Peet Pienaar) here.

All I can say is that I do not foresee any Dutch Farmhouses on our labels, any.time.soon... 

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...