A. A. Badenhorst
Secateurs Chenin Blanc – 2025
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
Vineyards in Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein on the northern slopes of Paardeberg Mountain, Swartland.
- Altitude: 590-1082 feet/180-330 meters
- Exposure: North, East & South
- Soils: Paardebert, Lammershoek & Lemoenfontein granite with clay, weathered granite and shale
- Vines Planted: 1960s – mid-1970s
- Vine Training System: Bush
Harvest Notes
- Hand harvested & chilled overnight
- Whole bunch pressed
- Vineyards picked over 12 days, fresh juice added daily to fermenting tanks, for a total of about 20 days
- Fermented using only native yeast
- 25% fermented in old casks & large foudres
- Aged 10 months on gross lees with occasional stirring
Winemaker's Notes
The 2025 has flinty aromas with notes of honey, orange blossom, and white stone fruit. It has exceptional texture and palate weight, with lovely, concentrated flavors.
Wine Summary
100% Chenin Blanc; alcohol: 13.5% ; vineyards in Kalmoesfontein and Jakkalsfontein on the northern slopes of Paardeberg Mountain, Swartland; old, bush-trained vines planted in 1960s-1970s in mixed granite soils; harvested over 12 days, fresh juice added to fermenting tanks; whole cluster pressed; only native yeast; 25% fermented in old casks and big foudres; aged 10 months on gross lees with occasional stirring.
Technical Information
- 100% Chenin Blanc
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.6 g/l
- pH: 3.4
- Residual Sugar: 3.3 g/l
Reviews
90 Points
Secateurs is one of the South African wine industry’s best calling cards, a large volume Chenin Blanc that could only be produced in the Cape. Aged in foudres, it has a stony top note, deftly judged flavours of peach, pear and pink grapefruit, good palate weight and a bright, tangy finish. Hugely drinkable. 2025-2028
Tim Atkin MW-timatkin.com, August, 2025
91 Points
Orange blossoms, sliced pears, persimmons and melon on the nose of this fruity white. It’s medium- to full-bodied with good fruit ripeness and freshness combined. Drink now. Screw cap.
jamessuckling.com, November, 2025
91 Points
The A. A. Badenhorst Family Wines 2025 Swartland Secateurs Chenin Blanc is sourced from 34 vineyards and blended progressively during harvest, with fruit picked between 11% and 14% potential alcohol. Fermentation unfolds naturally as fresh juice is added to active tanks over several weeks without temperature control. The wine matures in a mix of old casks, concrete and large barrels. Produced at significant scale (with 240,000 liters made), it remains a cornerstone of the estate. “This wine feeds a lot of people,” says Adi Badenhorst. The 2025 shows bright freshness, with honey and yellow flower layered over clean orchard fruit aromatics. 2026 – 2029
© Wine Advocate, February, 2026
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 |