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I have always maintained that the development of a winery is analogous with the making of a movie. The final product has to be an accumulation of a multitude of factors. Foremost is the quality of the wine. Thereafter the aspects of design, sense of place, architecture and the personalities behind the wine all play a key role in building the image for the success of a particular winery. I would therefore like to share some elements that make the art and production of wine making so stimulating and often demanding.
This year, I learned about a new yeast, which is interestingly fructose selective. The implication here is that of the two principle sugars in grape juice, it is glucose, which is preferentially metabolised by wine yeast. At last we have the benefit of a yeast, which is fructose selective, giving us winemakers the opportunity to do things, which in the past were improbable.
Then there is the technical side of winemaking which is really where my training lies and where my time and efforts are most valuable. Winemaking is full of surprises and very often it is the challenge and tease of conquering the obstacles that are thrown up at us during the vintage, which makes the journey so absorbing.
Recent power cuts in the Western Cape have been a major issue for many industries in the Western Cape and particularly for the larger wine producers. Bouchard Finlayson has however been most fortunate in that we have not been severely affected as we rely on many of the traditional methods involved in winemaking, and have a rather niche and concentrated operation.
The 2006 harvest has been particularly satisfying for all at Bouchard Finlayson. While the 2006 crop for all varieties has been significantly lighter than that of the previous year - it must however be seen in the context that the 2005 crop was notably generous and our focus is definitely on quality rather than quantity.
If the current flavours, which are emanating from the fermentation vessels are any indication – we are feeling highly encouraged that this could be a highly fruitful and delicious 2006 vintage!
Wine fairs and trade shows also provide us with an invaluable opportunity to discover and interact on an international level with fellow winemakers. I will be attending the “Expovinis Brazil 2006” during the first week of May in Sao Paolo followed by the “London International Wine & Spirit Trade Fair” as a guest of Seckford Wine Agencies in the third week of May.
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Towards the end of summer, each year when it is hot and dry (February/March) the beautiful Mountain Pride Butterfly (Areropetes tulbaghia) visits the mountainous slopes of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
While the vegetation has become grey and uniform, this seeming dullness is broken by bright flashes of scarlet, from geophytic plants such as Tritoniopsis tritecea and the brilliant red Crassula coccinea, klipblom, clinging to rock-ledges and awaiting their sole pollinator aptly named the Mountain Pride Butterfly.
So strongly is this butterfly attracted to red that it will settle on any object of this colour. Hikers and backpackers wearing red items such as the shirt or backpack often witness this superb specimen up close and personal.
The Mountain Pride Butterfly is recognised by having several eyespots on its rear wings, each having a white-spotted center surrounded by exquisitely beautiful mauve and purple rings. This stunning butterfly is of vital importance to the survival of the Cape Floral Kingdom red fynbos flowers.
With its return each year the Mountain Pride Butterfly is a proud and welcome inhabitant in the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Valley - and in particular on our farm.
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The 1st quarter of 2006 has been a very significant year on all fronts for the vineyard. Wine sales and particularly the sales of Missionvale Chardonnay 2004 as well as the Blanc de Mer 2005 have been very successful - the result of which caused us to sell out of stock of both these vintages early in the new year. We are however delighted to announce that the Missionvale Chardonnay 2005 and the Blanc de Mer 2006 vintages will be available towards the end of May 2006.
Special mention should also be made of the Kaaimansgat Limited Edition Chardonnay 2004 which will be available for sale in the next few weeks. Only 370 cases will be in circulation of this outstanding Sante Classic Wine Trophy award winning wine. As for other new vintages our phenomenal Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2004 label will be released in August 2006.
Contributing to this success was Mia Soule our Sales and Marketing Manager. It is with immense gratitude and sadness that we bid farewell to Mia, who has been instrumental in the success of Bouchard Finlayson over the past year. Her contributions have been greatly appreciated and we wish her every success in her new endeavours and role in the tourism industry in Cape Town.
Karen Kruger (soon to be Mrs. Karen Davison) will be joining the Bouchard Finlayson family as of June 2006 as our new Sales and Marketing Manager. Karen’s background in international shipping with P&O Nedlloyd in marketing trades –imports and exports will be significant to the company.
Karen will be assisted by Nadine van der Merwe –marketing and homestead support and by Wendy Le Gros – our accounts clerk, both of whom are also new and invaluable members of the Bouchard Finlayson team having joined us recently.
To Karen, Wendy and Nadine we wish to extend a warm welcome and we trust that you will facilitate in forwarding the successful accomplishment of 2005 into 2006 and beyond. To contact either Karen, Wendy or Nadine please call Bouchard Finlayson at +27 28 312 3515 or email info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za
In other exciting news, Bouchard Finlayson’s critically acclaimed Hannibal label has received fine-tuning over the past three years – the result of which is the Hannibal 2003 being a perfectly balanced wine. Magica Roma restaurant in Cape Town was the ideal venue to host a recent Italian inspired press luncheon to introduce the Hannibal label and all agreed that this unique wine with its opulent flavours will be a most welcome addition to any 2006 winter wine collection.
Walker Bay Wines of South Africa (WOSA) Media Event
On 3 April 2006 Bouchard Finlayson proudly hosted the annual WOSA Media Event for the Walker Bay Wine Region. The entire region’s wine industry was invited to attend and partake in this prestigious occasion. Bouchard Finlayson was most pleased by the turn out (18 farms - each with its own tasting table) and enjoyed playing host to all our fellow winemakers and the WOSA media delegation. We hope to see all of you again in 2008.
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The successes of 2005 seem to have been carried through into 2006 for Bouchard Finlayson. The UK’s Sunday Telegraph Travel Section voted Bouchard Finlayson as the Best Vineyard in the Cape. (5 February 2006)
In a feature entitled ‘The Cape Wrapped’ Bouchard Finlayson was proudly recognised for our efforts and endeavours to produce wine of the finest quality. To gain recognition for our commitment to quality, consistency and excellence makes this recognition that much more rewarding.
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 BOUCHARD FINLAYSON WINERY, P.O. Box 303, HERMANUS 7200, SOUTH AFRICA
TELEPHONE: (+27) 28 312 3515, FAX: (+27) 28 312 2317, EMAIL: info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za
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