Bouchard Finlayson

Travelling from Cape Town along the Garden Route, a right hand turn after about 15 miles takes you down to the coast and the popular holiday resort of Hermanus. Just short is the Hemel-in-Aarde (Heaven on Earth) Valley, home to Bouchard Finlayson and Peter Finlayson’s erstwhile employer, Hamilton Russell.

At Bouchard Finlayson there is a stunning (and rarely used) house with superb views down to the sea. And the sea is the crucial factor here. The ocean really does temper the hot summers, giving ideal conditions for growing Burgundian look-a-like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. There are 19 hectares, of vines half of which are given over to Peter's favourite grape variety, Pinot Noir. Grapes are also bought-in from carefully selected vineyards in the locality.