Peter Finlayson, winemaker at Bouchard Finlayson in the beautiful Hemel en Aarde Valley outside Hermanus, hosted a media lunch at the Oyster Box, where chef Kevin Joseph’s food was beautifully paired with the fruits of the vine.
Peter Finlayson (pictured) is regarded as the Father of Pinot noir in South Africa and has won many local and international awards for his efforts with the temperamental grape variety.
Included in Bouchard Finlayson’s many decorations was winning the South African Wine Index Awards for the Top 2010 Wine Cellar (for the second time); the winery was also included in the SAWI Top 10 Winery Awards.
Finlayson congratulated his hard-working team and commented, “We have the Hemel-en-Aarde’s uniquely gentle climate and the cold ocean to thank for our quality grapes which make Burgundian-styled wines of excellence.”
Bouchard Finlayson is part of the Tollman-owned portfolio of hospitality interests, including the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, namely The Oyster Box Hotel, Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
SAWI is a private initiative managed by several roleplayers in the wine sector who have researched the field of wine judging and its pitfalls and introduced an innovative way to express the quality of wines. “The overall aim is to showcase South African wines and their standing among the best in the world,” says SAWI project director Izak Smit. – Ridge Correspondent