A. A. Badenhorst
Secateurs Riviera – 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
Old Chenin Blanc vineyard next to a dry river near Paardesberg, Swartland.
- Soil: Sandy decomposed granite
- Vines Planted: 1972
- Vine Training System: Bush
Harvest Notes
- Varieties hand harvested and cooled overnight
- 60% of a mix of whole bunches and destemmed grapes fermented in concrete tanks
- Free run juice poured over tanks to start fermentation, no added yeast
- Some juice racked to old casks, then concrete tanks loaded with more grapes in a continuous fermentation cycle for 3 weeks
- Pressed to seasoned casks with gross lees
- Aged about 10 months
- Bottled unfined and unfiltered
Winemaker's Notes
Beautifully complex, with a big aroma profile and pronounced grapefruit, quince and spice flavors. The mouthfeel is grippy with a refreshing tannin structure.
Wine Summary
67% Chenin Blanc, 16% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne, 7% Viognier; alcohol: 13.5%; old chenin blanc vineyard beside a dry riverbed near Paardesberg, Swartland; vines planted 1972; hand harvested and cooled overnight; part whole bunch part destemmed, begin with 60% to start fermentation in concrete tanks using only native yeast; some juice racked to old casks; more grapes are added to tank for 3 week continuous ferment cycle; pressed to seasoned casks on gross lees; aged about 10 months; bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Technical Information
- 67% Chenin Blanc, 16% Grenache Blanc, 10% Roussanne, 7% Viognier
- Alcohol: 13.5%
- Total Acidity: 5.5 g/l
- pH: 3.57
- Residual Sugar: 1.7 g/l
Reviews
91 Points
Co-fermented for a week on skins, Riviera is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier that’s as much about style as grape variety and origin. Less earthy and extracted than it has been in the past, this is sappy, savoury and refreshing, with quince, black tea and juniper flavours and a granitic tang. 2025-2028
Tim Atkin MW-timatkin.com, August, 2025
91 Points
This skin-macerated wine is pale, more white-wine in appearance, showing perfumed aromas of pears, cloves, olives and pomelo. Juicy and fresh, with a medium to full body and pithy, savory nuances. 67% chenin blanc, 16% grenache blanc, 10% roussanne and 7% viognier. Drink now.
jamessuckling.com, November, 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 |