Tasting Notes
“This is a grape I’m going to explore a lot more in the future,” shares Craig talking about the El Bandito Monkey Gone to Heaven 2019, made from 100% Mourvedre. “It’s like a tea, the longer you let it brew, the more it develops, but you have to know when to call it.” It was whole bunch fermented for nine days in open tanks, after which it was pressed and aged in three 500L French barrels.
An enchanting nose with notes of red and black fruit to go with lavender and what the French call garrigue. The palate shows great fruit purity to go with bright acidity and wonderfully supple tannins. This has a particularly energetic feel and is not nearly as wild as this variety can tend to be. Perhaps the best wine he has done is this vintage.
Craig Hawkins is a man who doesn't follow the crowd. He pushes the boundaries in his quest for purity and authenticity in his wines. So much so, in fact, that Testalonga has often been denied export classification by the South African wine authorities. His wines defy the 'normal' categories, breaking the conventions, and leading to a range of wines that are as delicious as they are interesting.
Testalonga was established in 2008, when Craig and his wife, Carla, returned home to Swartland after working various vintages around the world. One of the producers that had the biggest influence on them was Matassa - a natural producer based in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. So it was only fitting that on their return to South Africa, Craig and Carla began to make wines in a similar style.
Their first vintage was simply two barrels of skin-contact Chenin Blanc - the very first orange wine in South Africa! When applying for an export licence, there was no option for orange wine anywhere on the form, so Testalonga was denied. But Craig stuck to his guns, knowing that his wine was good. To reflect this belief, he started putting it on his labels. His wines are now emblazoned with messages - Stay Brave, Keep On Punching, Follow Your Dreams and Chin Up.
In 2015, Craig and Carla purchased land in the north of Swartland, and have planted 4 hectares, which they hope to grow in the future. The fruit for their wines is currently sourced from organic, dry-grown vineyards, working with growers who share the same ideals as them.
In the winery, Craig vinifies with no additions or manipulations whatsoever, using tiny amounts of sulphur only when necessary. They are natural wines, reflecting the site and fruit. "We try to improve every year and look for purity," says Craig. "We put a lot of effort into doing the right thing at the right time."
| Product Type | Wine Red Mourvedre Mataro & Monastrell |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | South Africa |
| Region | Swartland |
| Winemaking Practices | Natural |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |