AA Badenhorst Family Wines, Grensloos Chenin Blanc

Wine Type: White

Grape(s): 100% Chenin Blanc

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland

Organic: No

Vegan: Yes

ABV: 13.5%

Winemakers: Adi Badenhorst & Jorrie du Plessi

Winemaking: Neal Martin describes Adi Badenhorst as someone who “epitomises the carefree spirit” of the Swartland, a fitting reflection of both the man and his wines. Having grown up on a Constantia wine farm, trained at Elsenberg and gained experience at Château Angélus, Alain Graillot and Rustenburg Estate, Adi founded A.A. Badenhorst Family Wines with his cousin Hein in 2008 on the Paardeberg’s Kalmoesfontein farm. Home to outstanding old bush vine Chenin Blanc, Cinsault and Grenache planted between the 1950s and 1970s, the vineyards sit on varied slopes and ancient granite, quartz and iron-rich koffieklip soils that give fragrant, characterful wines. Through attentive, hands-on farming and minimal-intervention winemaking, Adi aims to express the true character of the Swartland.

Grensloos Chenin Blanc is a blend of fruit from dry-farmed bush vine vineyards on Jakkalsfontein and Kalmoesfontein farms in the Paardeberg region of Swartland. Planted between 1966 and 1978, these low-yielding vines (approx. two tons/ha) grow in decomposed granite soils, with smaller fractions of coarse yellow granite and clay, contributing to the wine’s mineral tension and textural depth.

Harvest dates vary across the vineyards due to differing soils and slopes. Grapes are picked early and cooled overnight in a refrigerated room before being whole-bunch pressed together, blending the sites from the outset. Fermentation occurs naturally in a mix of old French oak 1,200-litre foudres and small concrete tanks. The wine remains on its primary lees for 10 months, and is bottled after 12 months of ageing, without fining or filtration.

Tasting Notes: The nose opens with aromas of white peach, quince, honey, and orange blossom. The palate is rich and creamy, layered with stone fruit and citrus, balanced by zesty acidity and a crisp, mineral finish. A complex, textural Chenin Blanc shaped by old vines, lees ageing, and foudre fermentation.