Thorne & Daughters Cat's Cradle Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Swartland 2024

A relatively new and exciting venture (its first releases were in 2014) focusing on parcels of South Africa's rich and increasingly sought-after resource of old vineyards. John Thorne Seccombe and his photographer wife Tasha began their winemaking adventure sharing space with fellow 'young guns' and friends Chris and Suzaan Alheit. They now use cellar space at Gabriëlskloof in the Cape South Coast region just outside Bot River, but grapes are sourced wherever they meet the high quality and interest bar that the Seccombes have set for themselves.

John was born in South Africa and came to wine by working in the restaurant business in the UK, where he went on to study viticulture and oenology at Plumpton College. He worked harvests around the world before settling with wife Tasha in the Western Cape in 2009.

A small amount of red has been produced to date, but it is the whites which immediately hit the headlines, in particular the Rocking Horse Cape white blend, even in its maiden 2013 vintage.

The wine names follow a traditional toy theme and carry beautifully designed 'retro' style labels. The Seccombes' approach to marketing is innovative and fun (John was instrumental in gathering a number of the Cape's young-gun winemaking fraternity under the ‘Zoo Biscuits’ umbrella at the industry showcase Cape Wine in September 2015). The winemaking approach is serious, perfectionist and non-interventionist. Awards have come thick and fast.