Thorne & Daughters
Summary
Founded in 2013 by John and Tasha Seccombe, Thorne & Daughters is a small-scale Western Cape producer focusing on heritage varieties and traditional Cape blends sourced from old-vine parcels across diverse terroirs including Stellenbosch, Swartland, and Franschhoek. Their hands-on approach combines indigenous fermentations in varied vessels with techniques like extended skin contact and whole-cluster fermentation, creating texture-driven wines that honor South African traditions while maintaining minimal intervention.
Heritage & Leadership
Thorne & Daughters was established in 2013 by husband and wife team John and Tasha Seccombe in the Western Cape of South Africa. The winery takes its name from the couple's daughters, with the ampersand symbolizing the family connection at the heart of the enterprise. John Seccombe serves as the principal winemaker, bringing his formal training in oenology and viticulture to the operation. Prior to founding Thorne & Daughters, John gained experience working with various producers throughout the Cape winelands and internationally.
The winery began with a modest production of 5,000 bottles in its inaugural vintage but has since grown steadily while maintaining its artisanal approach. Though relatively young compared to some South African estates, Thorne & Daughters has quickly established itself within the country's new wave of winemakers focused on site-specific wines and heritage varieties. The Seccombes operate from their base in the Western Cape, working closely with growers across the region to source fruit from vineyards that meet their exacting standards.
Vineyards & Wines
Thorne & Daughters does not own vineyards but instead sources fruit from carefully selected sites throughout the Western Cape. This approach allows them to work with specific parcels that best express the region's diverse terroir. Their vineyard sources include sites in Stellenbosch, Swartland, Franschhoek, Overberg, and Bot River, each chosen for its unique characteristics and old vine material.
The winery's portfolio centers on several signature bottlings. "Rocking Horse" is their Cape white blend, typically composed of Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Semillon, Chardonnay, and Clairette Blanche from various parcels. "Wanderer's Heart" represents their Cape red blend, incorporating varieties such as Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Cinsault. Single-variety expressions include "Paper Kite" (old-vine Semillon), "Tin Soldier" (Semillon Gris), and "Cat's Cradle" (Chenin Blanc). Many of these wines come from vineyards with vines ranging from 30 to 50+ years old, planted in the diverse soils of the Western Cape, including decomposed granite, sandstone, and clay-rich shale.
Philosophy & Practice
The winemaking philosophy at Thorne & Daughters centers on minimal intervention and respect for the raw materials. In the vineyard, they work with growers who farm responsibly, focusing on vineyards that are dry-farmed and maintained with sustainable practices. Harvest is conducted by hand, with careful selection of fruit.
In the cellar, fermentations typically occur with indigenous yeasts in a combination of vessels including older French oak barrels, concrete eggs, and clay amphorae. White wines often undergo extended skin contact, drawing inspiration from traditional methods. The Seccombes employ techniques such as whole-bunch pressing for whites and varying levels of whole-cluster fermentation for reds, depending on the vintage and vineyard characteristics.
Aging takes place primarily in neutral French oak to allow the vineyard character to remain prominent. The wines are bottled with minimal filtration and low sulfur additions. This approach reflects their commitment to producing wines that express the distinctive character of the Western Cape's diverse growing regions and heritage grape varieties. Their production methods emphasize texture and structure while maintaining freshness, resulting in wines that connect to South Africa's winemaking history while looking toward its future.