"Poised and intensely flavoured, this is a wine of very clean lines that goes on and on." TESTALONGA El Bandito 'Cortez' 2025 98/100
– Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
TESTALONGA is proud to share its 2025 vintage release, marking another important chapter for Craig and Carla Hawkins and their ongoing journey at Bandits Kloof. Having called the Paardeberg home for more than a decade, the couple have settled firmly into their rhythm; a period of experience and confidence that is clearly reflected in the wines.
This vintage also sees an important evolution within the range, with Baby Bandito and El Bandito now released separately. While the playful spirit that first defined the labels remains, these wines have matured into something far more serious: thoughtful, age-worthy expressions that reflect the space, farming, and an understanding and appreciation of the Swartland.
Since founding TESTALONGA in 2008, Craig and Carla have been among the leading voices of South Africa’s modern wine movement. Their philosophy remains rooted in minimal intervention and careful vineyard stewardship, allowing each site to express itself with honesty and precision.
Today, with years of experience behind them and a clearer vision than ever before, the wines represent their interpretation of what truly fine South African wine can be. Intentional and thoughtfully conceived, these are wines of substance and character; combining energy, texture, and purity with the confidence that comes from a producers who is fully in their groove.
Craig describes 2025 as a vintage defined by freshness, balance, and longevity. Following several seasons of generous winter rainfall, the vineyards are healthier and more resilient than they have been for many years, something he believes is clearly reflected in the wines. Higher natural acidity, lower pH levels and an additional six to seven months on the lees have delivered greater texture without sacrificing precision.
While not always immediately expressive, the 2025s reward patience. There is concentration and depth beneath the surface, with a sense of precision and composure that runs throughout the range.
More significantly, the wines capture a moment in the evolution of TESTALONGA itself. What began as a small, experimental project has matured into something more focused. Vineyard relationships have deepened, farming has become increasingly hands-on, and years of incremental improvements in both vineyard and cellar are beginning to reveal themselves.
As Craig puts it, “there’s method in the madness.”
The contrast with earlier vintages is not one of philosophy, but of refinement. These are not wines made to impress through power or extraction, but through texture, balance and transparency. Above all, they remain true to the spirit that has always defined TESTALONGA: wines made first and foremost to be enjoyed.
R2,430.00Original price was: R2,430.00.R2,308.50Current price is: R2,308.50.Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO 2025 Mixed Case
The 2025 El Bandito collection marks an exciting new chapter for TESTALONGA, with the range now standing on its own as a more focused expression of Craig and Carla Hawkins’ vision. Shaped by a vintage of freshness, balance and precision, these wines capture the character of the Swartland. From vibrant Chenin Blancs to expressive reds, each wine reflects its site and shows the energy, texture and purity that define the 2025 vintage.
One bottle of each:
TESTALONGA El Bandito ‘Cortez’ Chenin Blanc 2025
TESTALONGA El Bandito ‘Skin’ Skin Contact Chenin Blanc 2025
TESTALONGA El Bandito ‘Lords of Dogtown’ Chenin Blanc 2025
TESTALONGA El Bandito ‘Queen of Spades’ Tinta Amarela 2025
TESTALONGA El Bandito ‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’ Mourvèdre 2025
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Mangaliza’ 2025 100% Hárslevelű
W.O. Swartland
A tiny-production Hárslevelű from 1972 plantings on decomposed granite soils. Extended lees ageing brings texture and depth to a variety Craig increasingly loves for its piercing acidity and precision.
“Matured in a single older 300-litre barrel. The nose opens with floral perfume and ginger before notes of peach and apple. The palate is lip-smacking – concentrated fruit matched by piercing acidity, finishing saline. Impressive fruit weight and a silky texture despite an alcohol of just 11.5%. Focused and immensely drinkable.” CE’s rating: 94 | ‘’Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Lords Of Dogtown’ 2025 100% Chenin Blanc
W.O. Swartland
A richer, more generous expression of Paardeberg Chenin Blanc from sandy soils on Môrelig Farm. More texture, more fruit weight and layers of apricot and stone fruit balanced by the freshness that defines the vintage.
“From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1981. Peach and apricot plus hints of fynbos, ginger and some leesy character. Dense fruit and ripping acidity before and uncompromisingly dry finish. Still manages to be smooth flowing, well balanced.” Alc: 13%.CE’s rating: 94 | “Serious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Lekker’ 2025 100% Chenin Blanc
W.O. Swartland
Produced exclusively in magnum, this northern Swartland Chenin comes from deeply sandy soils with limestone below. Saline, textural and quietly powerful, with old oak contributing subtle complexity rather than flavour.
“The nose shows pear, peach and apple. The palate is open and immediately accessible, with fruit-forward presence rather than opulence, its acidity well integrated. A gently savoury, lightly grippy finish adds shape and interest. Alc:13%. CE’s rating: 92 | “Delicious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Cortez’ 2025 100% Chenin Blanc
W.O. Swartland
From 1972-planted Chenin Blanc in Joubertskloof on the Paardeberg, this is a wine of depth, tension and remarkable salinity. Matured in 500l French oak barrels and stainless steel for 6 months before blending and further maturation in old oak Foudre for an additional 9 months. Balanced and persistent on the finish.
“From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1972. Sixty percent matured in old 500-litre barrels, with the remainder in stainless steel before a further nine months in foudre. The nose is strikingly perfumed, with potpourri, dried herbs, pear, peach and green apple. The palate shows excellent fruit concentration, its acidity finely integrated, before a pithy finish. Poised and intensely flavoured, this is a wine of very clean lines that goes on and on. Alc: 12%. CE’s rating: 98 | “Serious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
Craig’s vision for Bandit’s Kloof in liquid form. Grenache Blanc from the foothills of the Cederberg, combining freshness, depth and effortless drinkability with the ability to age gracefully. Enjoys the benefit of 2 years lees contact and an additional 1 year of bottle maturation before release.
“From own vineyards planted in 2018. Matured for 24 months in old oak. A hint of flinty reduction before flowers, herbs, lime, peach and pear. The palate is linear, fresh and pithy, with excellent fruit definition and plenty of energy without tipping into austerity. Harmonious, in a word. Alc: 12%. CE’s rating: 96 I “Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
The wine that started it all. This vintage is a slightly more restrained interpretation of this wine, using two weeks of gentle maceration rather than intense extraction to create a wine that is energetic, food-friendly and incredibly vibrant.
“Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1972. 14 days of skin maceration. Hugely complex on nose and palate. Aromatics of honeysuckle, fynbos and ginger before peach and apricot and a hint of beeswax. Excellent concentration, layers of flavour, starting creamy and ending dry and savoury. Alc: 11.5%.CE’s rating: 97 | “Serious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Queen Of Spades’ 2025 100% Tinta Amarela
W.O. Swartland
Tinta Amarela from Abbotsdale, showing bright red fruit, floral lift and finely judged structure. 18 months ageing in old French oak has added polish without loosing the variety’s freshness and drinkability.
“Grapes from an Abbotsdale vineyard planted in 1999 on granite. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Extremely fragrant with notes of flowers, fynbos, red berries and subtle spice. Light and fresh with crunchy tannins, the finish dry but not severe. Alc: 12.5%.CE’s rating: 92 | “Delicious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’ 2025 100% Mourvedre
W.O. Swartland
The final vintage of this special Mourvèdre bottling. A wine of personality and seriousness, balancing depth with freshness and marking the end of an important chapter in the TESTALONGA story.
“Grapes from an Abbotsdale vineyard planted in 2001. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Red and black berries, wilted rose, fynbos and a hint of pepper. The palate delivers good fruit expression with snappy acidity and neatly grippy tannins, firm but not coarse, the finish long and dry. Alc: 12.5%. CE’s rating: 93 | “Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘The Dark Side’ 2025 100% Syrah
W.O. Swartland
Craig’s most complete expression of Syrah to date. Inspired by Côte-Rôtie and built around whole-bunch fermentation, it combines perfume, spice and savoury complexity with impressive balance and refinement.
“From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 2001. 100% whole-bunch fermented. The aromatics are complex and nuanced, showing cured meat, white pepper, violets, red berries and fynbos. The palate delivers pure fruit with fresh acidity and ultra-fine, powdery tannins. Light-bodied yet detailed and long, offering excellent refreshment without ever tipping into simplicity. Alc: 12.5%. CE’s rating: 95 | “Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
TESTALONGA in July | Vintage 2025 El Bandito release
"Poised and intensely flavoured, this is a wine of very clean lines that goes on and on." TESTALONGA El Bandito 'Cortez' 2025 98/100
– Christian Eedes, Winemag.co.za
TESTALONGA is proud to share its 2025 vintage release, marking another important chapter for Craig and Carla Hawkins and their ongoing journey at Bandits Kloof. Having called the Paardeberg home for more than a decade, the couple have settled firmly into their rhythm; a period of experience and confidence that is clearly reflected in the wines.
This vintage also sees an important evolution within the range, with Baby Bandito and El Bandito now released separately. While the playful spirit that first defined the labels remains, these wines have matured into something far more serious: thoughtful, age-worthy expressions that reflect the space, farming, and an understanding and appreciation of the Swartland.
Since founding TESTALONGA in 2008, Craig and Carla have been among the leading voices of South Africa’s modern wine movement. Their philosophy remains rooted in minimal intervention and careful vineyard stewardship, allowing each site to express itself with honesty and precision.
Today, with years of experience behind them and a clearer vision than ever before, the wines represent their interpretation of what truly fine South African wine can be. Intentional and thoughtfully conceived, these are wines of substance and character; combining energy, texture, and purity with the confidence that comes from a producers who is fully in their groove.
Craig describes 2025 as a vintage defined by freshness, balance, and longevity. Following several seasons of generous winter rainfall, the vineyards are healthier and more resilient than they have been for many years, something he believes is clearly reflected in the wines. Higher natural acidity, lower pH levels and an additional six to seven months on the lees have delivered greater texture without sacrificing precision.
While not always immediately expressive, the 2025s reward patience. There is concentration and depth beneath the surface, with a sense of precision and composure that runs throughout the range.
More significantly, the wines capture a moment in the evolution of TESTALONGA itself. What began as a small, experimental project has matured into something more focused. Vineyard relationships have deepened, farming has become increasingly hands-on, and years of incremental improvements in both vineyard and cellar are beginning to reveal themselves.
As Craig puts it, “there’s method in the madness.”
The contrast with earlier vintages is not one of philosophy, but of refinement. These are not wines made to impress through power or extraction, but through texture, balance and transparency. Above all, they remain true to the spirit that has always defined TESTALONGA: wines made first and foremost to be enjoyed.
R2,430.00Original price was: R2,430.00.R2,308.50Current price is: R2,308.50.Add to basketTESTALONGA EL BANDITO 2025 Mixed Case
The 2025 El Bandito collection marks an exciting new chapter for TESTALONGA, with the range now standing on its own as a more focused expression of Craig and Carla Hawkins’ vision. Shaped by a vintage of freshness, balance and precision, these wines capture the character of the Swartland. From vibrant Chenin Blancs to expressive reds, each wine reflects its site and shows the energy, texture and purity that define the 2025 vintage.
One bottle of each:
+ 5% discount + free delivery
750ml:
R405.00Add to basket
1500ml:
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Mangaliza’ 2025
100% Hárslevelű
W.O. Swartland
A tiny-production Hárslevelű from 1972 plantings on decomposed granite soils. Extended lees ageing brings texture and depth to a variety Craig increasingly loves for its piercing acidity and precision.
“Matured in a single older 300-litre barrel. The nose opens with floral perfume and ginger before notes of peach and apple. The palate is lip-smacking – concentrated fruit matched by piercing acidity, finishing saline. Impressive fruit weight and a silky texture despite an alcohol of just 11.5%. Focused and immensely drinkable.” CE’s rating: 94 | ‘’Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
750ml:
R405.00Add to basket
1500ml:
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Lords Of Dogtown’ 2025
100% Chenin Blanc
W.O. Swartland
A richer, more generous expression of Paardeberg Chenin Blanc from sandy soils on Môrelig Farm. More texture, more fruit weight and layers of apricot and stone fruit balanced by the freshness that defines the vintage.
“From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1981. Peach and apricot plus hints of fynbos, ginger and some leesy character. Dense fruit and ripping acidity before and uncompromisingly dry finish. Still manages to be smooth flowing, well balanced.” Alc: 13%.CE’s rating: 94 | “Serious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Lekker’ 2025
100% Chenin Blanc
W.O. Swartland
Produced exclusively in magnum, this northern Swartland Chenin comes from deeply sandy soils with limestone below. Saline, textural and quietly powerful, with old oak contributing subtle complexity rather than flavour.
“The nose shows pear, peach and apple. The palate is open and immediately accessible, with fruit-forward presence rather than opulence, its acidity well integrated. A gently savoury, lightly grippy finish adds shape and interest. Alc:13%. CE’s rating: 92 | “Delicious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
750ml:
R405.00Add to basket
1500ml:
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Cortez’ 2025
100% Chenin Blanc
W.O. Swartland
From 1972-planted Chenin Blanc in Joubertskloof on the Paardeberg, this is a wine of depth, tension and remarkable salinity. Matured in 500l French oak barrels and stainless steel for 6 months before blending and further maturation in old oak Foudre for an additional 9 months. Balanced and persistent on the finish.
“From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1972. Sixty percent matured in old 500-litre barrels, with the remainder in stainless steel before a further nine months in foudre. The nose is strikingly perfumed, with potpourri, dried herbs, pear, peach and green apple. The palate shows excellent fruit concentration, its acidity finely integrated, before a pithy finish. Poised and intensely flavoured, this is a wine of very clean lines that goes on and on. Alc: 12%. CE’s rating: 98 | “Serious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
750ml:
R770.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA BANDITS KLOOF ‘Daisy’s Pond’ 2023
100% Grenache Blanc
W.O. Swartland
Craig’s vision for Bandit’s Kloof in liquid form. Grenache Blanc from the foothills of the Cederberg, combining freshness, depth and effortless drinkability with the ability to age gracefully. Enjoys the benefit of 2 years lees contact and an additional 1 year of bottle maturation before release.
“From own vineyards planted in 2018. Matured for 24 months in old oak. A hint of flinty reduction before flowers, herbs, lime, peach and pear. The palate is linear, fresh and pithy, with excellent fruit definition and plenty of energy without tipping into austerity. Harmonious, in a word. Alc: 12%. CE’s rating: 96 I “Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
750ml:
R405.00Add to basket
1500ml:
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Skin’ 2025
100% Skin Contact Chenin Blanc
W.O. Swartland
The wine that started it all. This vintage is a slightly more restrained interpretation of this wine, using two weeks of gentle maceration rather than intense extraction to create a wine that is energetic, food-friendly and incredibly vibrant.
“Grapes from a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 1972. 14 days of skin maceration. Hugely complex on nose and palate. Aromatics of honeysuckle, fynbos and ginger before peach and apricot and a hint of beeswax. Excellent concentration, layers of flavour, starting creamy and ending dry and savoury. Alc: 11.5%.CE’s rating: 97 | “Serious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
750ml:
R405.00Add to basket
1500ml:
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Queen Of Spades’ 2025
100% Tinta Amarela
W.O. Swartland
Tinta Amarela from Abbotsdale, showing bright red fruit, floral lift and finely judged structure. 18 months ageing in old French oak has added polish without loosing the variety’s freshness and drinkability.
“Grapes from an Abbotsdale vineyard planted in 1999 on granite. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Extremely fragrant with notes of flowers, fynbos, red berries and subtle spice. Light and fresh with crunchy tannins, the finish dry but not severe. Alc: 12.5%.CE’s rating: 92 | “Delicious” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
750ml:
R405.00Add to basket
1500ml:
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’ 2025
100% Mourvedre
W.O. Swartland
The final vintage of this special Mourvèdre bottling. A wine of personality and seriousness, balancing depth with freshness and marking the end of an important chapter in the TESTALONGA story.
“Grapes from an Abbotsdale vineyard planted in 2001. 100% whole-bunch fermented. Red and black berries, wilted rose, fynbos and a hint of pepper. The palate delivers good fruit expression with snappy acidity and neatly grippy tannins, firm but not coarse, the finish long and dry. Alc: 12.5%. CE’s rating: 93 | “Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA
750ml:
R405.00Add to basket
1500ml:
R1,015.00Add to basket
TESTALONGA EL BANDITO ‘The Dark Side’ 2025
100% Syrah
W.O. Swartland
Craig’s most complete expression of Syrah to date. Inspired by Côte-Rôtie and built around whole-bunch fermentation, it combines perfume, spice and savoury complexity with impressive balance and refinement.
“From a Paardeberg vineyard planted in 2001. 100% whole-bunch fermented. The aromatics are complex and nuanced, showing cured meat, white pepper, violets, red berries and fynbos. The palate delivers pure fruit with fresh acidity and ultra-fine, powdery tannins. Light-bodied yet detailed and long, offering excellent refreshment without ever tipping into simplicity. Alc: 12.5%. CE’s rating: 95 | “Distinctive” WINEMAG.CO.ZA