AA Badenhorst Family Wines are grown, made and matured on Kalmoesfontein farm in the Swartland appellation of South Africa. 180ha of old bush vines grow in the Siebritskloof part of the Paardeberg mountain.

The single vineyard was planted in 1978 on a rough, exposed granite outcrop. The name Klip Kop ("Rock Head") is the original name of the site and refers to the granite rocks on this hill. The 0.6ha yields around 1200L of juice.

Grapes are handpicked into picking crates and chilled overnight in a cool room. The parcel is pressed together without destemming and the juice is run-off directly to a very old 1200L foudre. The fermentation takes a few months to complete naturally. The wine stays on its gross lees for the entirety of its maturation and thereafter it is bottled without any fining or filtration.

The juice always takes a long time to ferment and the resulting wine has a wonderful minerality to it. Obviously textured and deep in flavour because of the low yields and age of the vines. It has a complex flinty aromatic profile and has great ageing potential. 1400 bottles made.

Awarded 91 points: Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate (May 2024)

"This pulls you in with aromas of lemongrass, thyme, papaya, white pepper and hints of blood oranges. Medium to full body and textural, displaying a very fine tannin texture that marries beautifully with the exotic fruit and piquant spice. At the end, simply delicious. Single vineyard planted in 1978. Drink or hold."
94 points. James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com (November 2023)

"Klip Kop is an east-facing, mid-slope vineyard at 240 metres on the classic granite soils of the Paardeberg. Concrete fermented and aged, it has alluring fynbos aromas, lots of energy and focus, tangy acidity and layers of quince, fennel, green apple and dried herbs. Drink 2024-30."
94 points. Tim Atkin MW (September 2023)