A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines
OCTOBER 2025
Adi Badenhorst (pictured above) has a mammoth footprint in the Swartland wine region of South Africa. He grew up in a winemaking family (his grandfather managed Groot Constantia for 46 years), studied winemaking at Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (near Stellenbosch), trained in France (working the harvest at Chateau Angelus & Alain Graillot), New Zealand and South Africa, working 9 years as winemaker at Rustenberg (a famous Stellenbosch estate), before founding Badenhorst Family Wines with his cousin, Hein, in 2008.
They started with a 60 hectare farm and have grown it to 160 hectares today, all the while staying true to their original agreement of biological farming and the production of natural wines. "True to its name, Badenhorst Family Wines involve most of the members of the Badenhorst clan. Adi’s wife Cornelia’s creativity is evident in every photogenic corner of the property. His mother Judi tends the gardens and winery kitchen; brother Charl and his wife Semma manage events and accommodations. Cornelia’s brother Hannes is the vineyard manager and his wife Yvette tends to the farm animals and birds on the farm."
As well, "Adi cofounded the Swartland Independent Producers (SIP) community in 2010, 22 independent growers committed to preserving the Swartland’s identity, heritage and winemaking traditions. Grapes must be traditionally grown in the region, wines must be fermented with only native yeasts, cannot be acidified, undergo reverse osmosis, or have added tannins. Wood aging must take place in wood sourced from Europe, with no more than 25% new oak."
Today, the estate consists of two properties, the Kalmoesfontein (pictured above) and Jakkalsfontein farms near the Paardeberg Mountain. The vineyards are located at elevations of 590-1082 feet (180-330 meters) in granite soils with subsoils of clay, weathered granite and shale. The bush-trained vines were planted between 1952 and 2025. Swarland's climate is warm but not hot (averaging 75º F in summer) with breezes from the nearby Atlantic ocean. Badenhorst vineyards are dry-farmed with some irrigation from collected winter rainfall. –importer's notes.
A.A. Badenhorst produces several lines of wines from their high-end estate wines to their mid-level Secateur wines (which we regularly have in stock at Portalis) to this new entry level Curator line. Hope you enjoy! We are big fans of this winery and of South African wines in general.
Badenhorst 2023 White Blend • Western Cape, South Africa • Reg $15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
Blend of Chenin Blanc 60%, Chardonnay 20%, Viognier 20%. Herbal, floral on the nose. Orchard fruits, stone fruits. Acidity is fantastic. Soft and well-balanced. Apples, green pears, yellow plums. Lovely, long, fresh finish with a twist of citrus. Decanter says: "Best value from S. Africa period." Pair with Braaibroodjies, a local grilled sandwich made with tomato, onions & cheese. Drink now to 2 years. Estate Chenin Blanc pictured above.
Badenhorst 2023 Red Blend • Western Cape, South Africa • Reg $15.99 | Mixed Case $12.79
Blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Pinotage (a grape only grown in South Africa). Earthy plums and black cherries on the nose. Flavors add in blackberries. Great acidity. Body is medium (the nose smells bigger than it is on the palate). Finish has a note of soil and dark chocolate and is pretty dry. Terrific food wine. Burgers, pizza, even heartier fish would pair great. Winery suggests a local, cheesy, potato pizza pictured below. Give it an hour open before dinner (if possible) to let the flavors come out. Drink now to 3 years.
A Note from Jens:
Your wine club pickup tasting is always the 2nd Saturday of the month. Join to taste and learn about your club wines before enjoying them at home. Your Washington wines are going to wow you!
I lived in South Africa for four months in the spring of 1994, and it was an amazing experience. It's one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Your South African wines are so interesting and fun! They're going to take you there...
You'll be able to taste the FLAGSHIP club wines as well. Our October theme is Owen Roe (Yakima Valley) with 3 great reds from Washington State. Hope you can join us! Should be a superb tasting.
Cheers,
Jens Strecker, Owner
Portalis Wine Shop
If you are here because you’re curious about our wine clubs: Here’s more general info & online sign-up. You can also peruse the last 12 months of both clubs to get a feel for the themes we pick and the wines we showcase: Portalis EXPLORES (our everyday wine club) & Portalis FLAGSHIP (our signature club).