Badenhorst Family Wines

Adi Badenhorst makes wine the traditional way on Kalmoesfontein.

What a retreat!

Posted on February 11, 2021 by quietriotgirl

As you might know, Kalmoesfontein, the home of AA Badenhorst Family (Wines), is also a popular wedding and event venue with beautiful accommodation. We just received this video of a small wedding we hosted in December, with wine tasting and all.

This is a stunning representation of a good time on the slopes of the Partyberg.

If you don’t follow our new @kalmoesfontein account on Instagram yet, do it now! It is our lifestyle account focussing on the food, accommodation, parties and scenes from the farm while our original @aabadenhorst account will focus more on the wine side going forward.

Videographer: Curate @cu.rate

And in early March we will be hosting a ladies’ retreat, in conjunction with our friend and experience planner extraordinaire, Clarisse Coetzee.

Instead of holding your breath waiting for international travel to open, rather breathe out and relax at The Retreat.

The Retreat is a rejuvenating two night, mid-week* escape to the scenic slopes of the Paardeberg. Here your body can stretch with Megan Moore**, refuel with delicious vegetarian meals and get massaged by SkinClays; while your mind can engage in meaningful conversations with life coach Gretha Cronje and your soul can revive in the splendor of doing nothing amongst the fresh air and farm sounds of our working wine farm.

Send an email to semma@aabadenhorst.com if you’d like to be one of only 12 ladies to join.

*we start Wednesday at 6pm so you can come after work.

**yoga classes will be fit for beginners.

Kalmoesfontein, our home

Posted on June 28, 2020 by quietriotgirl

Kalmoesfontein might be best known as the home of our diverse range of wines and liquor, but over the last few years it has evolved to much more than that. So we just launched a new website focussing on the farm as a venue, location and accommodation getaway.

We’re SO ready to welcome guests back to our cottages and to host events and celebrations… While, right now, no one knows when that will be possible again, it doesn’t mean we can’t dream and plot and plan.

Have a look at the wide range of events we can host (from weddings, festivals and birthdays for all ages, to corporate team buildings and educational workshops) and get in touch so we can help you to brainstorm your next [insert unique idea here].

If getting away from the place where you’ve been locked down for months is what you are after – check out our self-catering accommodation options and make a booking to come explore the farm.

Stables-1

Maybe you need a location for a film or photo shoot… or just head over to have a look and let us know what you think.

Asseblief en dankie. Hope to see you soon!

COVID-19 Update: A Message to our Guests

Posted on May 19, 2020 by quietriotgirl

COVID-19 Notice from our Venue team:

We are certified to provide accommodation for all Essential Services workers during the Covid-19 lockdown.

For many of us, our way of life has changed dramatically over the past few months as we continue to face the challenges that COVID-19 brings. We feel so incredibly lucky to live where do during lockdown – still retaining the freedom to be outdoors, in nature, in our own backyard. Daily farm life continues, albeit at a slower pace than before, and our local wildlife have taken the place of our human visitors in this time (leopard, porcupine, brown and cape grey mongoose visiting regularly as you may have seen in our previous post!)

Our self-catering farm cottages are uniquely positioned to offer the perfect isolation retreat while providing you with the space to exercise freely and reconnect with nature.

Our staff have been informed and educated on measures to prevent contamination and spread of the virus.

We have implemented strict hygiene measures as recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Department of Health.

Our cottages will be well ventilated, deep cleaned and sanitized with a minimum of 24 hours between each booking.

Surface and hand sanitizers are made available for you to use during your stay.

Although we will not be offering daily servicing of the cottages during this time, should you not feel like cooking, a selection of farm cooked meals can be requested.

Booking requirements: Please note that we will require a copy of your Essential Services Certificate, Permit and ID document when making a reservation, as instructed by the Dept of Tourism.

Kindly email or Whatsapp Semma on semma@aabadenhorst.com or 0796526101.

We hope things will return to some version of normal soon and look forward to welcoming guests once again, we miss you…

In the meantime, stay safe and stay healthy!

Warm regards,

Semma, Charl and the AA Badenhorst team.

Our Venue: Die Bos

Posted on March 5, 2020 by quietriotgirl

You will often hear us talk about Die Bos, a party in die bos, a walk up to die bos or swimming in die bos… If you’ve ever wondered what on earth, allow me to explain.

At the ‘top edge’ of the Kalmoesfontein property was a very big Eucalyptus plantation (very common on farms around here as the trees were planted for the long straight poles they produce as well as firewood.) Over the years we’ve slowly cut back this plantation (because they use SO MUCH water and because frankly we’d rather plant wheat, grapes or local trees) but have left a hectare or so on the very top of the hill. In the middle of this bos (Afrikaans for forest) we’ve cleared a section to plant a maypole and have a few parties.

Over the years the space has been used for weddings (both ceremonies and celebrations), outdoor cooking seminars, parties and several Oesaf Harvest celebrations. We’ve decorated it with ribbons of all colours, leaves and vines, hessian and fabric. We love getting creative and making it a unique space for every occasion.

Most recently we added a pool to it’s offering…

If you are ever looking for a special spot for a celebration or event of any kind – come check it out. It is accessible via a steep but spectacular walk up the hill (usually with a drink spot along the way) or we can arrange a fun array of ‘shuttles’ to get those who can’t make the walk up there.

For more info or to arrange a viewing, contact semma@aabadenhorst.com.

Harvest 2020

Posted on February 28, 2020 by quietriotgirl

2020 is a leap year, although we didn’t even really need the extra day in February- the grapes are 99% picked and pressed.

Down to just over 250 tons from about 280ish tons in 2019, this year’s harvest came in fast. Vineyards put their hands up to say ‘pick me now’ from early in January; there were a few crazy days in early February when temperatures peaked in the low 40s (that’s degrees Celsius) and it seemed the cold room would never be empty again.

But the vinyl kept playing; the crew kept gooiing kussies; the pomp kept klapping and the team are all smiles.

This year we once again had Keiji (aka Cage) all the way from Japan and Raynard (all the way from Malmesbury…) with new (very) local addition Tol (his father being our much featured long time employee Fortuin); first half impact player Tom (a Badenhorst) and Tom (not a Badenhorst, who has already departed to do it all again in Argentina). With Hanneke keeping on top of all the details and Adi guarding over the bigger picture, the cogs kept on turning – some days from 4am till long after the sun set, only grinding to a halt for the occasional visit from The Loadshedding Demon.

Back from left to right; Tom (not Badenhorst), Tol, Hanneke, Adi. In front; Cage and Ray

Obviously there were a few sunrise braais, many cups of good coffee and, according to the team ‘never the same lunch twice’.

In between Charl and Semma (and Judy and Mina and the team) hosted numerous lunches (and breakfasts and pizza oven experiences) and we put on another edition of Bradstock.

Bradstock, as it is known amongst fans, originated last year as a combined 40th/50th for Belinda and Andy – the jol was such a hit that they decided to do it again this year, making it a mini festival for their group of friends. Hosted over 24 hours and with two meals, three dance floors, eight musical acts, numerous outfit changes and thirty Glamping tents on the terraces – this was a party to remember (and repeat!).

Just a friendly reminder that Kalmoesfontein is not only the home of some of your favourite wines, we also provides a unique venue and location to bring your celebrations to life.

As always, be sure to follow us on Instagram and/or Facebook to see what we get up to.

Winter wedding venue

Posted on November 18, 2019 by quietriotgirl

As November starts to go downhill into December into Jingle Bells and fake snow covered Christmas trees in shop windows – we want to throw it back to a cool August 30th.

Karel and Grethe got married on the farm and we have some pictures of the venue and decor to proof it.

The cellar may be basic, as Adi himself will point out, but it makes for a pretty lovely backdrop to say “I do”.

And then there is the Paardeberg in all its magic hour glory…

For more info on our farm / cellar / old house / vineyards as a venue or (photo shoot) location, check out this page or contact Semma@aabadenhorst.com – she’ll sort you out!

Pics with credit to Liesl le Roux Photography.

Stable image

Posted on August 21, 2019 by quietriotgirl

Finally, some professional pictures of the latest accommodation offering on the farm.

The Stables cottage is secluded behind the cellar. Two shaded outside areas are great for dining and relaxing.

Stables-front-1

Soon the veggie garden in the courtyard will be ripe for your picking; Stables-garden-2

the kitchen is fully equipped with modern fittings; Stables-kitchen-1

some herbs and farm fresh eggs and daily baked bread available; Stables-kitchen-4 Stables-lounge-1

the master bedroom has a king size bed with luxurious bedding; Stables-main-bedroom-1

the second bedroom has two twin beds (which can also be set as a king!); Stables-Twin-Bedroom-2

each room has an identical bathroom (plants may differ!) Stables-main-bathroom-1

and in summer there is a perfect little splash pool with lovely views of the valley. The-Stables-pool

for more info, to view the other options for accommodation or to book, click click.

Pictures by Lana Lou.

Another opportunity to visit us!

Posted on August 5, 2019 by quietriotgirl

Our next monthly tasting lunch will take place on 24 August – your chance to see the lush winter landscape of the Swartland and explore all that Kalmoesfontein offers.

The day includes a tour of the cellar, a wine tasting, an introduction to our Agave Spirit, Caperitif and Swaan Cape Tonic as well as a 3 course farm lunch.

We start at 11:30 and it costs R500pp.

This takes place the day before Ayama (just on the south side of the Paardeberg) hosts their annual Artichoke Festival,

and on Friday night we’re playing some vinyls while making some of the famous Kalmoesfontein pizzas in our wood fire oven (2pizzas + a bottle of superlative vintage Secateurs for R300 limited to 30pax)… so why not make a weekend of it and come see what the platteland has to offer.

Unfortunately our accommodation is already fully booked, but to book for Friday or Saturday’s offerings contact Semma@aabadenhorst.com.

Winter wedding vibes

Posted on June 25, 2019 by quietriotgirl

This weekend we hosted a lovely wet winter wedding.

Congratulations to Neil and Nadine, we are so happy that you had such a blast.

The couple got married in front of the cellar, ate and celebrated on the stoep (made cost by curtains and heaters) and danced the night away under the tent covered dance floor.

To find out more about our venue or to enquire about hosting your event n the farm, contact semma@aabadenhorst.com

Single vineyards vintage 2019

Posted on March 7, 2019 by quietriotgirl

A visual representation of when the single vineyards on and around the farm were harvested this year.

Everything came in in the span of 27 days, starting with the cellar block on 31 Jan and ending with the Ramnasgras Cinsault (planted in 1966!) on the 27th of Feb.

The Golden Slopes (since 1968) and Klipkop (1966) Chenin Blanc vineyards are neighbors and were ripe and ready within 24hours of each other.

There was not enough Tinta Barocca (from the mysteriously names Sk’Windjiesvlei) for a SV wine this year so it went into the Family Red.

Other single vineyard wines, from a little further afield, includes:

Geelkapel White Muskadel from a vineyard in the Moutonshoek farm behind Piketberg, planted in 1984 and harvested on 18 January this year.

Sout van die aarde (Salt of the earth) Palomino is a vineyard on the west coast, just north of Dwarskersbos. The vineyard, planted in 1961, is planted in sheer limestone soil and was ready to harvest on 24 January.

And the baby of the Single Vineyards, the Bokveld Pinot Noir planted in 2006 in the Koue Bokkeveld on the Ceres Plateau, was harvested on the 19th of February.