Bouchard Finlayson

South Africa, Western Cape

Bouchard Finlayson is a top class, internationally-renowned estate situated in Walker Bay, mid-way between Cape Point and Cape Agulhas (the most southerly tip of Africa). The climate is largely influenced by the nearby cold Atlantic Ocean rendering it one of the coolest wine-growing areas in the Cape. The Hemel-en-Aarde valley, home to Bouchard Finlayson, is surrounded and sheltered by a mountain barrier, formed by Galpin Peak (810 metres) and the Tower of Babel (1200 metres), which traps the cloud cover and moisture brought in from the sea by the prevailing wind.

The estate is committed to conservation and sustainable farming, and they strongly believe their BWI membership sets them apart from other winemaking regions in the world. BWI (Biodiversity and Wine Initiative) is a partnership between the South African wine industry and the conservation sector, aimed at protecting the Cape’s rich floral kingdom. To this end, only 19ha of their most precious resource – the land – is under vine in order to preserve the natural indigenous fynbos (a valuable ecosystem).

BOUCHARD FINLAYSON The winery was formed by Peter Finlayson, who worked at Hamilton Russell for ten years, and Paul Bouchard from Burgundy, who together planted the first vines in 1991 at a density of 9,000 per hectare – comparatively high for South Africa. In 2000 it was purchased by the Tolman family and having worked in Franschhoek, winemaker Chris Albrecht joined Bouchard Finlayson in December 2010. Neal Martin, www.vinous.com


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