And we would like to thank all the little people that made these wines possible…

If you have not yet heard, our assistant winemaker Jasper Wickens now also makes two of his own wines on Kalmoesfontein.

Jasper and three other young Swartland Independent members all making wines for themselves while working for other winemakers (David Sadie of Lemburg, Jurgen Gouws at Lammershoek and Johan Meyer at Meerhof) put their wines on taste in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town recently.

Harry Haddon attended and shares some insight (like only Harry can) and tasting notes. He also notes: “Jasper who seems to have picked up some of Adi’s “Ja, we just chuck it in and see what happens” approach, David speaking confidently about a natural approach to winemaking, Johan dauntlessly comparing his Chardonnay to Chablis, and Jurgens simply showing those attending the brilliance of naturally made Swartland Chenin and Syrah, and how they can be made to be delicious right from the start.”

Click here for more, including tasting notes on Jasper’s Kalmoesfontein made Chenin and Red Blend.

After six weeks of magic in the remote Tankwa Karoo, I am back to blog.

Adi and Jasper did try posting pictures on Facebook while I was out of the office, like some plans for a new shed, to be built “some time this year”.

AA BADENHOST FAMILY WINES AND CASA LABIA CAFE INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR A WINTER EVENING OF WARMTH, WONDERFUL FOOD & WINE

TUESDAY – 4 JUNE
19H00 FOR 19H30

MENU
WELCOME DRINK
Secateurs Rose

STARTER
Freshly baked Foccaccia, Morgenster Olives & Caperberries on the table
Butternut & Orange Soup with flaked Almonds
Secateurs Chenin Blanc

MAINS
Free Range Chicken Masala with Biryani Rice & Sambals
Badenhorst White Blend
OR
Judy’s Lamb Shank on creamy Polenta
Badenhorst Red Blend
OR
Layers of Aubergine, Baby Marrows, Ricotta & Goat’s Cheese, home-made Tomato Sauce & gratinated Parmesan
Badenhorst Red Blend

DESSERT
Mascarpone Cheese Cake with Strawberry coulis
Secateurs Red Blend

R295.00 per person

Brittany Dilkes on the piano

To book please contact the Cafe on 021 788 6062 or email cafe@casalabia.co.za

This weekend we had our first Tasting Brunch Saturday for the year and also hosted the annual Harvest party Oesaf. Never a dull moment.

I took lovely photos to share here, but alas, my camera’s battery died today, my charger is packed in a box of my possessions, loaded on a 60 ton truck, heading for the Tankwa Karoo.

Yes, the cousin who does the PR and web stuff (that’s me!) is heading out to Tankwa Town to work as Afrikaburn Department of Public Works for the next SIX WEEKS.

Nervous, scared and already sore in every muscle of my body, but excited non the less.

So, for the next six weeks no witty blog posts from the farm… oh the horror, I know… but you’ll survive (and hopefully so will I).

See you on the flip side.

Helena

ps. Jasper and Adi might try their had hand at the Facebook page, so keep an eye there.

Remember Lily. She is now dating…

Adi took Ana’s little lamb to meet some boys on the neighbour’s farm.

Oh the sheep-next-door… Good luck girl!

Yesterday was Jasper’s birthday!

Here’s to many more great vintages!

The kids helped to take some soil samples of all our vineyards this morning to see if we need to add some Robertson terroir (landbou kalk / lime). Post harvest planning.