Testalonga El Bandito I wish I was a Ninja 2022
Regular price €26,00
Unit price per
A really fresh and easy drinking pet-nat made from Colombard.
Off-dry and with beautifully balanced acidity making this so sessionable. Pear, citrus and some shortbread.
Racked multiple times to remove sediment and disgorged as well. It has a really frothy bubble which is fun too.
Zero S02 added.
“The name came about whilst we were bottling the wine in harvest and we got onto the topic of Ninjas. The photo was taken by myself in the pool of good friend Paul Jordaan, during one of many Swartland “Braais” (South African term for BBQ). I knew then that the photo would be my label as I think it captures the essence of what I want the people to feel like when they drink this wine.'”
Testalonga - Swartland, South Africa
Testalonga was born in 2008 when husband and wife super-duo Carla and Craig Hawkins bought some vineyards and a winery at a location in Swartland called Bandits Kloof.
Out of Bandits Kloof came the El Bandito's including the legendary wine, Skin. Which, when they first macerated Chenin Blanc and released it onto the market in 2008 was THE very first modern skin-contact wine released in South Africa. The El Bandito line of wines are all single-vineyard, single varietal, world-conquering masterpieces nurtured to existence by Craig, who leads the winemaking, and draws from his experience learning the craft in Portugal and South-West France (among other places). Craig is renowned for his ability to carve out wines of great finesse and balance. And this is most typified in the El Bandito line.
Later came the Baby Banditos which make their ever sought after wines that bit more accessible, thankfully! They are easy drinking in style but carry that hallmark minimal intervention approach. Allowing the variety and terroir of Swartland really shine through.
We say this a lot... But, we are super proud to have these wines to share with you. And really mean it. We know the love that gets poured into every drop and cherish them all. Just as many the world over does. Hence why some are in very limited quantity and are only available through our store directly (so that we can share them fairly!).
If you appreciate, our want to learn to appreciate, minimal intervention winemaking of the world at its very best. And wan to understand more about the varietal and terroir expressions of South Africa. Then please do yourselves a favour and try some of these wines.