Boschendal, meaning 'wood-and-vale', is one of the oldest and most esteemed Wine Estates in South Africa, nestled between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. With a winemaking tradition spanning over 340 years, Boschendal Wine Estate offers a veritable treat for wine lovers everywhere.
The entrance to Boschendal Wine Estate.
Early History and Ownership
Although the title deed for ‘Bossendaal’ dates back to 1685, evidence of the earliest inhabitants of the Franschhoek valley date back to the stone ages some 700,000 years ago. The farm's title deeds are dated 1685. The original title deed drawn up in 1713 after the 60 morgen had been measured shows that the first owner, the French Huguenot Jean le Long, farmed there from 1685. Jean le Long, the estate's first owner, was one of the party of 200 French Huguenot refugees who were fleeing religious persecution in Europe.
He was granted land in the Cape of Good Hope by the Dutch East India Company in 1688. The governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, encouraged all the colonists to plant new trees, especially oaks, wherever indigenous forests were cleared. To this day oaks planted down the years are still an integral part of Boschendal's setting, as they are on many other old Cape farms.
In 1715 the farm was acquired by another Huguenot, Abraham de Villiers, who sold it to his brother Jacques in 1717. The De Villiers family farmed Boschendal until 1879. The founders of the De Villiers clan were three Huguenot brothers, Pierre, Abraham and Jacques who, to escape religious persecution after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, were forced to leave parents and a younger brother Paul and flee their wine farm at Niort, near La Rochelle in France, for the Netherlands.
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In 1812 Paul de Villiers and his wife, Anna Susanna Louw, completed a new house at Boschendal on the site of his father's home. At a later stage, the gable depicted the date 1818 but enough evidence has been uncovered to confirm that the house was completed in 1812.
The Boschendal Manor House, a classic example of Cape Dutch architecture.
Transition and Redevelopment
A global phylloxera epidemic, caused by tiny, sap-sucking insects, spread through the Cape vineyards in the 1880s and 1890s, destroying the vines of the Boschendal area in 1890. In the meantime, farmers needed alternative forms of agriculture, and the lucrative fruit industry in California provided a suitable model for the Cape. Harry Pickstone, an Englishman with experience of growing fruit in California, convinced Rhodes that a commercial nursery was needed to propagate new varieties of fruit trees for the industry.
In 1896 Rhodes decided to invest further in fruit farming. In March 1897 Rhodes secured the first of more than 20 farms, including Boschendal and Rhone. After Rhodes's death in 1902, the De Beers mining company continued to manage the farms for forty years before the estate was sold to Sir Abe Bailey and afterwards to a syndicate. When Anglo American took ownership of Rhodes Fruit Farms and Boschendal in 1969 one of the key projects was the re-establishment of a range of wines under the Boschendal brand.
In the late 1960s the estate was taken over by the Anglo American Corporation, before being sold in 2003 to a consortium of international investors, led by the property developer Clive Venning. The new millennium saw the latest changing of the guard as a carefully appointed consortium took the reins from Anglo American in 2003. This Consortium has a deep dedication and understanding of the gravitas of history under their care, with a firm commitment to the environment and social upliftment for the conservation and sustainable progress of Boschendal into this century and beyond.
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In 2013, Boschendal was acquired by Sam and Rob Lundie, with the intention of rejuvenating this magnificent property. Over four years they had attracted a team of talented people who share their dream of making Boschendal into a top agricultural Farm. It has since been resold on October 31, 2003.
Wine Production and Grape Varieties
The vineyards at Boschendal cover 2.54 km2 between Groot Drakenstein and Simonsberg, and include substantial plantings of Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc, together with recent plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.
At Boschendal we believe wine is made in the vineyards. We take the utmost care to find specific terroir-driven sites best suited for our cultivars. At Boschendal teamwork is essential. We all strive for the same goal which is creating exceptional, memorable wines. When you drink a glass of Boschendal we want you to taste the view, taste the lifestyle and taste excellence.
Here's a selection of Boschendal wines and their characteristics:
Boschendal Wines
| Wine Name | Grape Varieties | Tasting Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boschendal Cap Classique Grande Cuvée Brut 2016 | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay | Yeasty aromas of flowers and apples, taut and dry with flavors of apples and citrus. |
| Boschendal Suzanne 2022 | Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc | Gorgeous, elegant, and age-worthy white with balanced fruit and fresh acidity. |
| Boschendal The Pavillion Chenin Blanc 2016 | Chenin Blanc | Wonderfully aromatic, full of tropic fruits, ripe stone fruits and honey. Full-bodied, dry, round, and soft with medium acidity and a waxy mouth feel. |
| Boschendal Rachelsfontein Chenin Blanc 2016 | Chenin Blanc | Deeper melon and oak on the nose. Full bodied, round with a thick mouth feel. Waxy, citrus, ripe pears and melon, with a hint of sweet spice and vanilla flavors. |
| Boschendal 1685 Shiraz 2014 | Shiraz | Dark ripe red fruit and raspberries on the nose, along with a light vegetal component. Full body, round with soft tannins. Ripe cherries, sweet ripe red fruit, and hints of vanilla and sweet spices. |
| Boschendal Lanoy 2013 | Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot | Deep, dark black fruit and very ripe raspberry aromas. Full bodied with firmer tannins. Ripe raspberries, black fruits and cassis flavors, along with some chocolate and pepperiness. |
Sustainable Practices and Farm-to-Table Experience
Working with nature, producing real food and a simple farm lifestyle, is at the heart of Boschendal. Today, Boschendal is a Cape winelands icon and an acclaimed wine and food destination. The vineyards and fruit trees have been joined by vegetable gardens and a growing herd of free range, 100% pasture fed, Angus Cattle. reflecting their commitment to serving wholesome, farm-to-table food.
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Enjoying a farm-to-table dining experience at Boschendal.
Besides wines, Boschendal also has a restaurant and 100 individual cottages where you can stay for your vacation. It has the first restaurant and first picnic grounds on a wine farm. In a recent addition, they do farm to table at their restaurant. They have cattle on the farm, a butcher, a baker, and vegetable garden. 70% of food in their restaurant comes from the farm.
Guest accommodation is also a recent addition to the farm. Cottage guests enjoy access to the entire farm where they can walk and cycle on trails through mountain fynbos, dine under the stars, have picnics and sundowners in exclusive areas, fly-fish in the dams and swim in pristine mountain water.
We look forward to welcoming you into our home. Our deliciously nourishing, soil-to-fork fare is created especially for you by our artisan chefs, butchers, growers and bakers. Enjoy all the family-friendly fun our magnificent wine farm has to offer, from award-winning wine and culinary adventures to exploring the spectacular landscape by foot, horse, or bike. Our farm is yours to explore, play, and discover.
Visit our artisan Farm Shop & Butchery and Homeware Shop for produce and homeware crafted with care right here on our farm, or sourced from our carefully selected sustainable, local suppliers.
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