Testalonga Wine

Established in 2008, Testalonga (named after a famous bandit and politician from Sicily) is owned by Craig and Carla Hawkins. Renting 11ha of organically farmed vineyards, all growing on the granite soils of the Paardeberg, and 4ha on the sandstone soils of the Piketberg, in 2015 they purchased a farm on the slate/sandstone soils of the northern mountains of the Swartland called Bandits Kloof. The first vineyards were planted there in 2018, the focus being on Mediterranean grape varieties.

The Baby Bandito project was started in 2015. The aim was to work with vineyards that produce wines that are approachable whilst young and yet still over deliver in quality. There was a heavy influence from street artists in the labels and the idea of a “series” using different and bright colours.