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. It is a fully immersive experience leaving the visitor enriched and enthralled.
Wellington, Where it All Started…
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.
Bosman 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 delicious 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 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.
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.
Wines With Soul
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.
Bosman Hermanus – A Vineyard with a Conscience
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.
BOSMAN HERMANUS OPENING HOURS
Tuesday – Friday: 10h00 till 17h00, Kitchen closes at 16h00
Saturday: 10h00 till 15h00, Kitchen closes at 14h00
Public Holiday: 10h00 – 15h00
Sunday: 10h00 till 15h00, Kitchen closes at 14h00
Closed: Mondays; 25 & 26 December; 1 January & Good Friday.
Address: Bosman Hermanus, De Bos farm, Karwyderskraal Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Hermanus, South Africa
Website: www.bosmanhermanus.com
Contact: +27 76 300 0819
