1053713

They're considered South Africa's next generation of winemakers, even though some of them are pushing 50+ years of age. They're men and women who were once making less refined swill at large, established South African wineries, who have branched out on their own. The droll, ruddy-faced Badenhorst cousins, Adi and Hein, are two such vintners. The self-proclaimed "dynamic and good looking" duo (you have to meet gray-haired, pony-tailed Adi to appreciate his dry, self-deprecating humor) recently restored a 1930s cellar and farm in the Swartland appellation and for the past few years have been making excellent red blends and Chenin Blanc whites from un-irrigated mountain bush vines planted in low-yielding granite soils. Following in the natural winemaking footsteps of their grandfather - and with the assistance of Adi's father today - they believe in dry farming and hand-harvests and age their wines on their lees in large casks, foudres and concrete tanks.