Baby Bandito was a project Craig and Carla started in 2015. They wanted to work with vineyards that deliver wines that can be drunk young yet still “over deliver” in quality. There was a heavy influence from street artists in the labels. “We’re old school but I can’t handle boring labels,” says Craig. The photo on the label was taken by Craig’s brother in Cambodia, and for Craig, it depicts the idea of hope and optimism, and how we should never lose our childlike ambition. The fruit was sourced from an organically farmed bush vine block planted in 1981 on the Paardeberg that had been abandoned until Craig and Carla revived it in 2014. The vineyard gives a very specific salty character to the wines, being only 30km from the ocean and planted on decomposed granite.

The grapes were hand harvested and 100% de-stemmed before fermenting spontaneously in stainless steel tanks. After 8 days of skin contact, the wine was pressed off the skins and went into a 3300L old oak foudre and a 1500L barrel for malo and aging. After 4 months, the wine was blended & bottled with a gentle filtration and sulfur addition. No fining.