GOLDEN TEAR VINEYARDS:
an interview with Adi Badenhorst Interview by Andrea Eby, DipWSET, Sommelier, IWS, CSW
Adi Badenhorst in the barrel room at A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines (photo by Paul Martens)
Adi Badenhorst is widely considered one of the wine world’s most colourful characters. Behind his self-deprecating sense of humour lies a razor sharp wit and intellect. Having grown up watching both his father and grandfather make wine in the Constantia region of South Africa, Adi did a stint at winemaking school and worked in France and New Zealand before returning home. In 2008, he and his cousin Hein purchased a largely neglected winery in the Swartland region of South Africa. Situated north of Cape Town, the region was known for its mountains and its huge diversity of flora, but there was a treasure trove of old vines waiting to be rediscovered.
42 http://banvilleandjones.cornervine.com
Adi and his family have rejuvenated the farm, capitalizing on the old vines and planting new vineyards. All of the vineyards are dry-farmed and planted as bush-vines, well suited to the arid Swartland. Adi’s winemaking philosophy mirrors that of his farming methods: low intervention is the theme. Grapes are hand-picked and then fermented by wild yeasts in a variety of vessels, and sulphur additions are kept to a minimum. Adi strives to produce wines that are as authentic as he is, simple and delicious wines that in the second sip reveal a hidden complexity that keeps you coming back for more.
