A. A. Badenhorst
Grensloos Chenin Blanc – 2024
Region: South Africa - Swartland
A. A. Badenhorst
Adi Badenhorst grew up among the vineyards of Groot Constantia, where his grandfather served as general manager for 46 years. As a child, Adi spent his days picking (and occasionally stealing) grapes and made his first wine at the age of thirteen, with renowned winemaker Jean Daneel. Adi studied at Elsenburg, then went to work harvest at Chateau
Angelus & Alain Graillot in France, Wither Hills in NZ and locally at Simonsig, Steenberg & Groote Post. He spent nine years as winemaker at the esteemed Stellenbosch estate, Rustenberg.
In 2008, Adi and his cousin Hein bought a 148 acre (60 ha) piece of land in the Swartland appellation, and A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines was born. Since its inception, the cousins have remained committed to the tenets of the family estate: to practice biological farming and make natural wines in the traditional manner. Over time they have aquired more vineyards and today farm 395 acres (160 ha).
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Estate vineyards on the farms Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein, Paardesberg, Swartland.
- Altitude: 590-1082 feet/180-330 meters
- Soil: Decomposed granite with yellow granite and small amount of clay
- Vines Planted: 1966-1978
- Vine Training System: Bush/Goblet
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested, cooled overnight if needed
- Whole bunch pressed
- Fermented in French oak foudres & small concrete tanks with only indigenous yeast
- Aged in 400 liter oak vats and concrete tanks
- Wine left on lees 10 months
- Bottled after 12 months aging
Winemaker's Notes
Grensloos – Without boundary. The name of the wine was inspired by the Jakkalsfontein road, which serves as a watershed boundary. The Jakkalsfontein road running up the base of the Paardeberg separates our two properties Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein.
Some struck-match reduction before pear, peach, citrus, hay and fynbos on the nose. The palate shows great clarity of fruit and fresh acidity. Layers and layers of flavor on the long finish.
Wine Summary
100% Chenin Blanc; alcohol: 13.5%; estate vineyards in Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein farms Paardesberg, Swartland, across the road from oneanother; vines over 40 years old; planted in decomposed granite; grapes whole cluster pressed; fermented using only indigenous yeast in old French oak foudres and small concrete tanks; aged in 400 liter oak vats and concrete tanks on lees 10 months; bottled after aging 12 months.
Technical Information
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Alcohol: 13.5%
Reviews
94 Points
The A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines 2024 Swartland Chenin Blanc Grensloos is a new addition to the portfolio and sourced from seven vineyards situated along the watershed between Cape Town and the Atlantic Ocean, with vines planted between 1960 and 1978. A small inclusion of Palomino and Clairette Blanche, around 5% to 8%, adds a nutty nuance to a pithy core of Chenin Blanc. Adi Badenhorst describes the difficult process of harvesting low-yielding old vines: “We send a search crew, not a harvest crew, to find grapes.” All vineyards are formally registered with detailed certification, including farm numbers, rootstocks and irrigation records, ensuring full traceability as Certified Heritage Vineyards.
Each site is harvested and processed separately, using whole-bunch pressing, then fermented in 400-liter barrels and concrete tanks. The components are kept in twice- or third-filled barrels before the final blend is assembled in concrete. The resulting wine is saline and richly textured with beautiful depth and layered concentration. Swartland’s dry climate, decomposed granite soils and cooling Atlantic influence contribute to the wine’s striking balance of ripeness and maritime freshness. 2026 – 2036
© Wine Advocate, February, 2026
94 Points
#15 – Top 100 Wines of South Africa 2025
This cool and complex white shows sliced pineapple, lemons, apples, juniper berries and yellow nectarines with a touch of wild herbs on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and a delicious, salty, yellow fruit character. A blend based on chenin blanc. Drink or hold.
jamessuckling.com, October, 2025
91 Points
Flavors of passion fruit coulis, macerated raspberry and blood orange peel are enriched with toasty hints of crushed almond, graham cracker and vanilla in this rich, silky white. Underscored by minerally stone and smoke accents and defined by soft, Meyer lemon peel–infused acidity, with floral and herb notes on the finish. Drink now through 2034.
Wine Spectator, June, 2026
94 Points
Grensloos uses grapes from seven different single parcels, several of which used to be bottled
on their own before Adi Badenhorst pruned back his line-up of Chenin Blancs. Released for the second time in 2024, it’s what he calls “the cream of the crop”, with refreshing, granite-derived intensity, layers of pear, beeswax, green apple and stone fruit, and a tangy, saline finish. 2026 – 2030
Tim Atkin MW-timatkin.com, September, 2025
92 Points
The 2024 Grensloos Chenin Blanc is raised in concrete and cask. It has a knockout nose with lifted lemon verbena, chamomile and fynbos scents that blossom in the glass. Very fine delineation. The palate is taut and fresh with a silver line of acidity. Lightly spiced with a pithy, lemongrass-tinged finish, this is a very capable and quite delicious Chenin that I could see partnering Asian cuisine with style. 2025 – 2035
Vinous, October, 2025
General Info
| COUNTRY | South Africa |
| REGION | Coastal |
| APPELLATION | Swartland |
| PROPRIETORS | Adi & Hein Badenhorst (cousins) |
| FOUNDED | 2008 |
| WINEMAKERS | Adi Badenhorst, Selma Willemse & Jorrie du Plesis |
| ANNUAL PRODUCTION | 30,000 9L cases |