Part of the present Boschendal winery was originally the cellar for Le Rhone Manor House, built in 1795. Although we are very proud of our Huguenot heritage, we are very conscious of the need to keep abreast of ongoing advancements in wine-making. This requires continuous research and development to keep the cellar on the cutting edge, enabling the wine-makers to use the latest technology and the best resources to make wines of the highest quality that reflect both our unique terroir and our noble French heritage.

Considerable investment in recent years has resulted in the creation of a magnificent, though functional, red wine cellar fitted with the latest, state-of-the-art equipment for the gentlest handling of our grapes. The unique feature of this winery is the suspended fermentation tanks. By suspending the tanks they are self-draining so an uncluttered working space is created below allowing the press simply to be driven under the tanks and the pommace released into it. Each tank has its own temperature control which can be pre-programmed so that several tanks can ferment several different varietals at their optimum fermentation temperatures at one time.

The barrel maturation cellar provides a temperature and humidity controlled environment in which to mature our wines in French oak. This cellar is divided into four compartments giving the winemakers various microclimates for the honing of fine wines.

The upgraded white wine and sparkling wine cellar also has a special temperature controlled area to allow the Boschendal Cap Classiques to mature at their optimum temperatures prior to dégorgement.

After vinification the wines are bottled and labelled in a new facility using imported equipment. The whole production process is monitored and inspected by a well-qualified quality controller who ensures that we keep up the standards needed to retain our coveted IS09002 status.

However, the capacity and up-to-date equipment of the cellar does not eliminate the traditional craft and skill of the cellarmaster. While continually modernising, innovating and maintaining its forward impetus, the Boschendal cellar still holds firm to the traditions of its European viticultural heritage acknowledging that the making of wine is not only an exacting science but a time-honoured art that requires creative minds and careful nurturing.

Make a Reservation
Maturation Cellar Virtual Tour

back