Swartland saving France

Posted on October 5, 2011 by quietriotgirl

Adi is on his way with Eben and Chris to introduce the French to Swartland wines soon. Between THIS & 2011 Swartland Revolution poster I’m seeing WAY too much skin…

The One-Day-Only invasion on Saturday October 15th will include two events.

First, a FREE tasting with 3 classes:
one to introduce Swartland with Eben’s wines,
one with Chris & Stéphane Ogier (our imported guest at 2010 Revolution)
and one with Adi presenting our wines.

This will take place in a wine cellar in the Latin Quarter of Paris starting at 3pm.

Secondly there will be a wine dinner with a menu to pair with Mullinuex and Badenhorst Wines in a secret location.

Anyone interested in participating can contact Raffi Gabeyan via email at raffi.gabeyan@gmail.com.

Bold reds and lush sweet whites

Posted on June 28, 2011 by quietriotgirl

A brilliant (read flattering) article in the UK’s Daily Mail on the Swartland wine region. Olly Smith writes that “Many of (these) young stars cut their teeth in big-name wineries before striking out on their own, and with a progressive approach to social media (I like to think that he is referring to my work on this blog and for the Swartland Revolution;) and an emphasis on fun, theirs is an example other wine regions could learn from.”

He also talks about our Family Red Blend:
An outstanding red blend is AA Badenhorst Family Red 2007 (£29.95 at Harrods) – bold, harmonious and spicy, and an impressively restrained 13.5 per cent. Its creator Adi Badenhorst has an enviable bounce that’s more than matched by his winemaking skill.

And I love this quote by Marc Kent:

‘Bank robbers rob banks, because that’s where the money is; we’re getting more involved in the Swartland, because that’s where the quality is!’

Swartland Revolution 2011 – final programme!

Posted on June 7, 2011 by quietriotgirl

With the raging success of the inaugural Swartland Revolution organisers have made 250 tickets available for this year’s Revolution that will take place on the weekend of 11 – 12 November 2011.

With guest feedback that included praise such as “the best wine event that I have ever attended”; “like Woodstock… but without the sex”; “world class performance” and “a revolution against boring wines, against boring events; this was a revolt against the plain and the sad, the straight and the narrow; it was simply a benchmarking of joie de vivre” most of last year’s attendees have already booked their place at this year’s event.

The programme for 2011 has just been finalised and is bigger (and even better) than in 2010;

Three tastings of benchmark wines:

– Eight wines from the local Mullineux Cellar;

– Olivier Clape presenting six of his wines from The Northern Rhone in France

– and nine wines, all personal favourites selected by London based wine writer Jamie Goode, ze German Sommelier Jorg Pfutzner and local kenner Michael Fridjhon.

The food will again be “simply superb” as noted by 2010 revolutionary:

– Celeb chef Reuben Riffel and his team are ready to braai up a storm once more. If last year’s BBQ was any indication we can expect mountains of perfectly prepared meat, salads to stun and fire grilled veggies that will impress even the most hard core carnivores.

– For Saturday lunch the team at Bar Bar Black Sheep will again prepare a truly local feast to mesmerise guests.

The event will conclude with The Swartland Independent Street Party. At R50 per person this tasting is more accessible and open to the public. With local producers showcasing their natural wines it will attract a whole new crowd as we take over the Riebeek Main Street and party into the sunset.

Tickets sold via Webtickets.

Revving up for another Revolution…

Posted on April 28, 2011 by quietriotgirl

We are once again in full swing planning the Swartland Revolution. After the overwhelming success of the inaugural Revolution, this year promises to be bigger and better.

With 250 tickets available there will not only be more guests, but more tastings and more goodies and fun entertainment awaits you, come 11/11/11.

This year’s tastings (three, compared to two last year) includes a Friday afternoon tasting by Olivier Clape presenting six of his world class French wines. On Saturday there will be a tasting of eight wines from the local Mullineux Cellar as well as a tasting with wine journalist Jamie Goode (all the way from London) and Michael Fridjhon, a revolution favourite. They will treat us to four of their favourite wines each.

As they say, dont fix it if it aint broken; so celeb chef Reuben Riffel will once again be in charge of the braai tongs on Friday night while local hero Mynardt Joubert and the team at Bar Bar Black Sheep will have to pull out all the stops to top their Festival Feast from 2010 for lunch on Saturday.

And finally, a new poster has arrived…

For the entire programme of events, click here!

Hope to see you in the Swartland in November!

11.11.11 Save The Date!

Posted on March 14, 2011 by quietriotgirl

AA Badenhorst Family Wines, Mullineux Family Wines, Porcelain Mountain Wines, Sequillo Cellars and The Sadie Family Wines would like to invite you to the second annual Swartland Revolution Weekend.

When: 11 – 12 November 2011

Where: Riebeek Kasteel

After the overwhelming success of the inaugural Swartland Revolution weekend in 2010 we will bring you a bigger, better Revolution in 2011.

The action kicks off with registration at the Royal Hotel on Friday 11 November 2011.

This year’s programme will include three tastings of top international and Swartland wines; another delicious BBQ by celeb chef Reuben Riffel; lunch at the ever popular Bar Bar Black Sheep and another open tasting for all members of the new Swartland Independent to showcase their best natural wines.

This year there will be 250 weekend packages available (at R1750 pp) as well as a limited number of Dinner (R500 pp) / Lunch (R325 pp) and Breakfast (R75) only tickets.

The Swartland Independent Street Party on Saturday afternoon is also once again open to the public at R50 pp.

Tickets are available now from Webtickets.co.za.

More info at www.theswartlandrevolution.com

Feedback from 2010:

“…the best wine event that I have ever attended. A perfect mix of serious tasting of seriously good wines, with a good measure of fun and festivity. The food was simply superb, the venues and layout spot on, the speech from Michael in particular absolutely brilliant. Honestly I feel sorry for those who thought they should miss this one. Bring on 2011 – and count me in!”

Erica Meles-Liebenberg – MelesPR

“It was fantastic and a HUGE privilege for me to be part of something so special. You’ve done a
fantastic job, something that’s organised, but still driven by 100% soul.”

Pieter Walser – BLANKbottle

“My wife asked me how it was this morning when I got back, and I said that it was like ‘Woodstock… but without the sex’.”

Raffi Gabeyan – French Importer

“Thank you all so much for a wonderful feast of fine wine, delicious food, knowledge, opinions and passion. I thought you guys pulled off a world class performance from the very start right through until the end.”

Alex & Caryn Starey – Keermont Vineyards

“I can confidently say that the Swartland Revolution was by far the most enjoyable wine event I have been to. It was run with Germanic efficiency but full of South African gees. There was a balance between formal tastings and lounging on the grass sipping Bollinger. We ate till we were fit to burst, and drank till we were dancing (read: falling off) hay bales, we chatted & laughed, sipped and smiled; this was a revolution against boring wines, against boring events; this was a revolt against the plain and the sad, the straight and the narrow; it was simply a benchmarking of joie de vivre.”

Harry Reginald Haddon – http://wineandi.wordpress.com

It’s official, it’s Independent…

Posted on January 28, 2011 by quietriotgirl

Adi sent me this picture from the first meeting of the official Swartland Independent!

Eben Sadie will act as chairman and Chris and Andrea Mullineux as treasurer and secretary.

This historic first meeting was held in Riebeek and marks the start of a movement that will change the perception of the Swartland forever and lead to the production of more natural wines in this area.

This colourful bunch might not have the best dress sense… but they sure do know how to make great wines…

back row fltr: Marc Kent, Adi Badenhorst, Andrea Mullineux and Callie Louw.

Front row: Eben Sadie and Chris Mullineux.

The raise of the Swartland…

Posted on January 26, 2011 by quietriotgirl

This nice article by Anton Espost of Riebeek Kasteel’s The Wine Kollective in the 2011 edition of In Swartland Magazine takes a look at how the Swartland has grown and developed in recent years, especially due to ‘young’ winemakers moving into the area.

This is a fun read that gives you a really nice feel for what the Swartland is all about. Enjoy.