Friday Wine Tasting 5/15

May 15: A.A Badenhorst

Come join us for a fabulous afternoon of wine tasting at The San Francisco Wine Trading Company! Whether you're a wine connoisseur or just looking to have a good time, this event is perfect for you. Sample a variety of exquisite wines and mingle with fellow wine enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to expand your palate and enjoy some delicious wines. See you there!

Please join me in welcoming Adi Badenhorst of A.A. Badenhorst from Swartland, South Africa

Adi Badenhorst grew up among the vineyards of Groot Constantia, where his grandfather served as general manager for 46 years. As a child, Adi spent his days picking — and occasionally stealing — grapes, and made his first wine at the age of thirteen alongside renowned winemaker Jean Daneel. He studied at Elsenburg before working harvests at Château Angélus and Alain Graillot in France, Wither Hills in New Zealand, and locally at Simonsig, Steenberg, and Groote Post. He later spent nine years as winemaker at the esteemed Stellenbosch estate Rustenberg.

In 2008, Adi and his cousin Hein purchased a 148-acre (60-hectare) farm in the Swartland appellation, founding A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines. Since the beginning, the cousins have remained committed to biological farming and traditional natural winemaking. Over time, they have expanded their holdings and now farm nearly 395 acres (160 hectares).

True to its name, Badenhorst Family Wines is deeply family-oriented. Adi’s wife Cornelia’s creativity can be seen throughout the property, while his mother Judi tends the gardens and winery kitchen. His brother Charl and sister-in-law Semma manage events and accommodations, while Cornelia’s brother Hannes oversees the vineyards and his wife Yvette cares for the farm animals and birds.

Adi also co-founded the Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) in 2010, a collective of independent growers dedicated to preserving Swartland’s identity, heritage, and traditional winemaking culture. SIP wines must be fermented with native yeasts only, may not be acidified or manipulated through reverse osmosis, and cannot contain added tannins. Wood aging must use European oak, with no more than 25% new oak permitted.

2025 A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc $22.94
The grapes are sourced from the northern slopes of Paardeberg Mountain, defined by ancient decomposed granite soils. The wine is 25% fermented in old casks and large foudres, then aged for 10 months on gross lees with occasional stirring. It is known for flinty aromas with notes of honey, orange blossom, and white stone fruit.

2023 A.A. Badenhorst Grensloos Chenin Blanc $69.94
This is Chenin Blanc planted on decomposed yellow granite soils with a small amount of clay. The grapes are fermented with indigenous yeast in 1,200-liter French oak foudres and small concrete tanks, then bottled after 12 months of aging.

2023 A.A. Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein Family White $59.94
This blend is composed of 45% Chenin Blanc, 11% Clairette Blanche, 10% Grenache Blanc, and other white varieties from vines over 30 years old. The wine is fermented in old 1,200- and 3,000-liter foudres and aged for 10 months before being racked into a single concrete tank with lees.

2024 A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Red Blend $22.94
This blend is composed of 84% Shiraz, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Cinsault from vines averaging 31 years of age. Each variety is hand harvested and chilled overnight before being crushed into open concrete tanks. The varieties are co-fermented and foot-stomped twice daily. The blended wine is then transferred to casks, foudres, and concrete tanks for aging.

2023 A.A. Badenhorst Ramnasgras Cinsault $69.94
This is 100% Cinsault from a single estate vineyard planted in 1954. The grapes are whole-bunch fermented in old seasoned wooden vats and aged for 12 months in large foudres.

2021 A.A. Badenhorst Kalmoesfontein Family Red $59.94
This blend is composed of 58% Shiraz, 14% Cinsault, 14% Tinta Barocca, 9% Mourvèdre, and 5% Grenache Noir sourced from seven small parcels on the Kalmoesfontein farm. All varieties are hand harvested on the same day, with 40% of the fruit destemmed before fermentation in closed concrete and wooden vessels. The wine is pressed into concrete tanks and 600-liter casks, 8% of which are new oak, and aged for 10 months.

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