A visit to either Bosman Wines in Wellington or Hermanus is not just a one-dimensional pop-in with a line-up of wines to taste. Oh no! It is a fully immersive experience leaving the visitor enriched and enthralled.
WELLINGTON, WHERE IT ALL STARTED…
Let’s start at the very beginning: The Bosman family has been farming in the Bovlei of Wellington since 1810. From the original farm Lelienfontein, operations have expanded and neighbouring farms were acquired, but Lelienfontein is very much the centre of both the community and the brand.
Intimate, authentic and historic, the tasting room is located within the 275-year-old cellar, offering wine tastings and a selection of snack platters. Cosy up to the warm fire inside during winter or relax on the green lawns under the oaks in summer, here the experience is relaxed and personal.
Here the all-women winemaking team make an impressive range of award-winning wines that are all available for tasting.
HERMANUS, THE STORY CONTINUES…
Tucked away in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near the seaside town of Hermanus you’ll find a large and lovely farm complete with fields of fynbos, rolling vineyards and commercial protea plantations in the shadow of the towering Babylonstoren Mountain. The Bosman family acquired this property in 2000 in search of cool climate terroir to complement the warm and sunny conditions in Wellington.
In this tranquil setting, silent solitude is broken only by the rustle of sunbirds in the proteas or a blue crane strutting her stuff through the undergrowth. It’s picturesque, made all the more so because of the focus on conservation and regeneration of the natural fauna and flora of the area.
A ROOM WITH A VIEW
The Frame House on the farm stands out from the rest for its quiet, peaceful space, uncluttered views and child-friendly venue. It is the ideal place to relax and unwind with friends and family. Seating is limited so booking is essential to ensure a tranquil, intimate atmosphere.
Enjoy tailor-made wine tastings presented by well-trained staff while enjoying panoramic views of vineyards, mountains and fynbos while tasting the Bosman wines and tucking into a selection of small plates of locally sourced fare. There is a small hut for private bookings, a hiking trail and play area with an informative, fun Fynbos Meander.
EXPLORE WITH WIDE EYES
The newly constructed Sunroom offers 360 degree views of the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. A progression from the original Frame House, this room is tastefully decorated Scandi-style with comfortable seating for tasting wines, enjoying small plates, flatbreads or platters while children play on the lawns and the sun wheels across the wide blue sky above.
The minimalist though friendly space is designed with restraint to maximise the jaw-dropping views and bring the visitor close to pristine, unspoilt scenery. The spacious room will accommodate up to 30 guests and can be booked out for a special private function.
YOU’VE GOT WHALE!
Come and enjoy whale season in Hermanus. Besides viewing these majestic mammals breaching in the bay, there’s lots to do and see from Bosman Hermanus:
EAT, SLEEP, DO AND TASTE
Stay at the Fynbos Cottage, the perfect hideaway in which to relax and unwind.
EAT
The enclosed veranda with built-in braai is the perfect setting for an evening meal with superb views over the tranquil valley.
But remember, the Frame House is just a 5-minute stroll away for a lovely lunch, a wine tasting or even just a steaming cup of coffee.
SLEEP
Set amongst fields of fynbos and far from the road, you are assured of a good night’s rest.
GO
This little mountain idyll offers a quiet respite from holiday chaos, yet whale watching from the cliffs or on an ocean charter are just 20 minutes away.
TASTE
First stop for a wine tasting excursion should be the Frame House, but there are several other wine farms just minutes away, offering various experiences and wines to taste.
WOMEN AND WINE
Corlea Fourie leads a team of three female winemakers, pioneering an intuitive, more thoughtful approach to their craft.
To her, winemaking isn’t about control, it’s about listening:
“It’s the gentle art of letting a vineyard express itself, vintage after vintage, it tells a story that we need to tell with truth and excellence.”
This philosophy has created a reputation for Bosman wines with a track record of award-winning wines that are both classic and innovative.
Their Generation 8 range of wines consists of single varietal wines that thrive in the area, while their Adama Red and White wines are blends that illustrate the maxim that ‘we’re better together’ inclusive business model where the working community owns a 26% share of the entire business and land.
However, Bosman Family Vineyards is arguably best known for their single vineyards wines, the iconic Optenhorst Chenin Blanc perhaps being the most famous. Made only from a vineyard planted in 1952, this is the third oldest Chenin vineyard in the country and wins countless accolades every year for its distinctive honeyed character and old-world charm.
Similarly, the Twyfeling Cinsaut is also a well-known single vineyard wine. Traditionally the work horse grape of the Cape Winelands, Fourie’s rendition is a medium-bodied premium wine packed with berries and cherries that will definitely impress.
The flagship Bosman Erfenis is a blend of three red varietals: Cinsaut represents the past, Cabernet Sauvignon speaks of the present and Nero d’Avola hints at the future. The last-named varietal was brought into the country from Sicily in 2004 by Petrus Bosman who was in search of a solution to climate change and found this heat tolerant, disease resistant varietal which is planted extensively on this volcanic island off the coast of Italy where the soil and climate and are very similar to that of Wellington.
And her reimagining of Cinsaut, once dismissed as a “workhorse” grape, now stands proud under the name Twyfeling. With its wild berries, cherry, cassis, tobacco spice, and elegant structure, it’s the kind of wine that sommeliers love to whisper about and consumers love to hoard.
If you’re visiting Bosman Hermanus, make sure you taste the trilogy of their Upper Hemel-en-Aarde wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir each express their true varietal characters along with a signature salinity that comes from this elevated site where the soils are decomposed granite and the elevation and proximity to the sea are evident in every sip.
Oh, and if you happen to find yourself in a Sainsbury’s in the UK eyeing a Fairtrade bottle of South African red or white… there’s a good chance Corlea made it.
Currently the reigning Drinks Business Magazine’s Ethical Company of the Year for this wine producer’s inspiring and transforming work in the community; and with recent awards in sustainable tourism and 2024 Platter’s Editor’s Choice: Winery of the Year, there are countless reasons why you should make haste and visit both their Wellington and Hermanus vineyards. You are guaranteed to want to stay longer, taste more and return for more.