The Oak on tour

Adi is on his annual tour of the US. I always think of him as a rock star as he travels from one wine shop / restaurant / airport / hotel and state to the next, pouring wine and talking kak. This year it even feels like there is a small paparazi following him around as I get updates on social media.

As every year, his schedule remains a mystery to most of us, Cornelia just knows when he will be back on the farm and I only know where he has been once I hear via our social media channels.

On October 3rd he was spotted in Fort Lauderdale, Florida pouring wines

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This guy is as colorful as the painting he’s in front of! Adi is winemaker of @AABadenhorst -gorgeous wines from SA http://ow.ly/i/3k7JQ

and four days later he was hanging out in Denver…

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And then on the 8th South African athlete Dan Hugo tweeted that he just

“Tapped @AABadenhorst on the shoulder, during TSA security at DIA. Told him I was a fan of his work. True travel story. Can’t wait for home.”

Meanwhile back home the crew is busy planting Adi’s “legacy oaks…”

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The planting of 500 Cork and Mediterranean Oaks started yesterday.
“One day when I’m old and done, I’ll sit in the shade of these oaks and drink my son’s wine while I watch the grand kids play” says Adi.

While in the vineyards the new growing season has started. We feel summer in the air…

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Even though 10 days ago there was still snow on the mountain peaks and it was too wet for tractors in the 1969 Chenin vineyards. Like Jasper says “a bit of skoffeling and motivation goes a long way…”1377058_633706196664006_1134330463_n

 

Four weeks till the Swartland Revolution. Get excited by following us on Twitter and Facebook.

 

Moments from the Paardeberg

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Every bottle is a bomb – diving mask for protection. Methode Rural 2013 off to be diffused or disgorged!

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Full moon rising over the Swartland.

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Jan planning/sketching the new cellar with Adi & Jasper.

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fancy crates.

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Skoffeled bankie, nice cover crop, old Hermityk/Cinsault vines.

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We donated a TV to the Grade R class at the Ann Pienaar school (on the corner as you turn into Kalmoesfontein) to keep the kids entertained on rainy winter days.

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Sunrise from the stoep.

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Love

Craig and Karin got married in ‘die bos’ on Kalmoesfontein in April.
The ceremony took place in the bloekom bos and the reception was held on the stoep of the old house.
Flowers: opus studio
Photography: love made visible
Styling, production & wedding co-ordination: the freelance farmgirls from de liefde

The sky is the limit…

Tickets for this year’s Swartland Revolution are already sold out and we only just announced the first confirmed formal tasting.

This year, the last of our Saturday tastings (the Expert Opinion slot in 2012) will feature:
Vincent Careme (Dom Vincent Careme)
Damien Delecheneau (Dom de la grange tiphaine)
and Benjamin Joliveau (Dom Huet)

Together they will show eight wines (which will be announced in due time).

SR2013 takes place on 8 and 9 November this year. There will be another epic Swartland Independent Street Party so follow @swartlandrev for more details.

Eat, drink, cook and be merry…

This week chef Matt Manning is hosting the first in a series of cookery classes at Eleven Kitchen Venue in Woodstock, Cape Town.

Matt will be demonstrating different ways to use one main ingredient. The first ingredient will be Mushrooms!

This hands on experience will give you the chance to get your hands dirty in the kitchen, cook with great seasonal produce, learn new skills and enjoy a fun evening with food and wine lovers alike!

Each course will be paired with wine from our Secateurs range and you will have the opportunity to buy the wines after the class.

When: Wednesday 5 June from 18h00-22h00

Where: Eleven Kitchen Venue, Boulevard Office Park, Searle Street, Woodstock.

Cost: R300 pp including food and wine.

What: The menu this month is as follows:

Amuse bouche
Mushroom veloute

First course
The ultimate wild mushrooms on toast, soft poached hen egg, roasted garlic and truffle aioli.
Second course
The perfect wild mushroom risotto
To finish
Lemon posset and raspberries

Contact Matt directly to arrange a booking

e. manningmatt24@gmail.com

c. 0762568654

t. @pommes_manner

The booking system works on a first come first serve basis so book early to avoid disappointment.

Eh, hello Canada

If you are in New Bothwell, Canada tomorrow night (eh, who knows!?) you should go taste some of our wines paired with Bothwell cheese.
The cheese festival starts at 7pm in New Bothwell, Manitoba. Our Canadian importers will be pouring Secateurs.
For more info follow @martens_paul (the importer), @BothwellCheese (the cheese) or @BanvilleJones (the wine shop) on twitter.
Secateurs range