A.A. Badenhorst Secateurs Cinsault 2019

Kalmoesfontein, the home of AA Badenhorst Family Wines, nestles within the Swartland appellation in South Africa. This 28-hectare stretch of venerable bushvines thrives in the Siebritskloof sector of the Paardeberg mountain. Hein and Adi Badenhorst, the remarkably dynamic and strikingly handsome cousins, preside over the estate. Their roots trace back to Constantia, with a lineage steeped in viticulture; their grandfather managed the historic Groot Constantia for over four decades. Their heritage includes a time when fresh vegetables and Hanepoot grapes were staples, Cinsault flowed freely, traffic was sparse, and hippies marked the cultural landscape.

Together, Hein and Adi have revitalized a derelict cellar on their farm, a structure that had lain dormant since the 1930s, now repurposed for crafting natural wines by time-honored methods. Adi, not only an influential figure in the Swartland Revolution and the Swartland Independent movements, but also a colorful character with an eclectic array of interests — from aviculture to vinyl collecting, from masterful egg poaching to tea expertise, not to mention his signature ponytail and penchant for driving Land Cruisers. A local icon in his own right.