Andre Adriaan Badenhorst's grandfather was the general manager at Groot Constantia for 46 years. His father was born there and farmed on neighbouring Buitenverwachting and Constantia Uitsig for many years. Adi grew up between the vineyards and spent his time picking (stealing) grapes.
''It all started when Jean Daneel, then winemaker at Buitenverwachting, let me make my first wine when I was thirteen,'' Adi recalls.
After completing his studies at Elsenburg, Adi worked a few harvests at Chateau Angelus, Alain Graillot in the north Rhone, France; Wither Hills in New Zealand; did stints at local cellars Simonsig, Steenberg, Groote Post; and nine years as winemaker at the esteemed Stellenbosch Estate, Rustenberg.
In 2008, he packed it all in and bought a 60-hectare piece of land in the Paardeberg with his cousin Hein. They now proudly farm together, practice biological farming and make natural wines in the traditional manner.