BE OUR VALENTINE !
At Boschendal the path of true love can run smoothly - from Valentine to Wedding Day! Boschendal caters for lavish weddings in the buffet restaurant, outdoor weddings at Le Pique Nique and wedding ceremonies in the gazebo. It all starts on St Valentine's Day so join us on Tuesday evening, 14 February 2006 for a romantic Valentine Pique Nique with sparkling wine, gentle music and tempting food while dusk falls on the Boschendal Estate.
Don't break the spell that music has woven and treat your loved one to superb music at Boschendal on 1, 2 and 3 March. Part of the German funded Cape Classic Concerts, musicians and singers of international standing will be performing Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Schuman as well as works by contemporary South African composers. Tickets cost R200 and are available at Boschendal (021) 870 4279. For more information visit our website: www.cape-classic.com. Contact Stephe Oosthuysen:. 084 520 5919, email: oosthuysen@gmail.com or Kathy van Niekerk on kvniekerk@boschendal.com.
Red winemaker James Farqharson and his bride, Nicki
On Valentine's Day winemakers in the southern hemisphere have little time for romance: it's the middle of harvest and they're working around the clock to process the grapes. Wisely, James Farqharson, chose to marry his sweetheart, Nicki Alexander in October last year and enjoy a honeymoon in the Seychelles well before the hectic period set in. James wore a kilt at his wedding - the Farqharson tartan - and one wonders how a highlander ends up making wine in Africa and speaking fluent Afrikaans. James explains:
"I was born in Nairobi but after Idi Amin started his nonsense back in '73 my father thought it best to relocate to his native Scotland. Living under the Iron Lady wasn't much fun either so when offered a job working for the CSIR in 1982 my father leapt at the chance and we emigrated to Pretoria in '83. I took Matric at Pretoria Boys High in 1989 and moved to Stellenbosch in 1990 to pursue a career in winemaking, starting off with a BSc. degree in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of Stellenbosch. Since then I've worked at various wineries in South Africa and France, including Vergelegen, Lievland, Rhebokskloof, Château des Fines Roches (Châteauneuf-du-Pape), Château Calon, (Montaigne St Emilion) and Château Francs (Francs). In 1998 I started up Reyneke Wines with Johan Reyneke, focusing on small amounts of top quality biodynamically grown wines. I have been red winemaker at Boschendal since Jan 5th 2004, and am very excited by the prospects this great winery has to offer for style and quality."
Harvest
James's own style in winemaking is bound to come through in the red wines to be released mid-year. For James the terroir is all important and he works closely with the viticulturist, Spekkies van Breda, in bringing the best in the grapes to fruition. The 2006 harvest looks very promising: "Late winter rains ensured a good supply of ground water essential for the proper development and ripening of top quality fruit. Persistent south-east winds have drastically reduced disease and fungus, keeping the vineyards healthy. It seems that the harvest is about a week later than in 2005 and we're confident about the quality. Sauvignon blanc and Shiraz in particular have small, loose bunches with small berries which translates into concentration and intensity of flavour in the wines."
The harvest started mid-January with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, followed by Sauvignon blanc, then the rest of the white grapes and the reds last. The recent heat and dryness has caused the grapes to ripen fast and the farm manager, André Lambrechts foresees a rush to harvest them in time. Thanks to the efforts of the fire-fighters Boschendal vineyards were saved from the fires that swept through the Drakenstein mountains over Xmas and New Year.
Helicopters fighting fires close to Boschendal
Wine-makers choice: Blanc de Noir
As red winemaker, James Farqharson is also responsible for Boschendal's Blanc de Noir, produced in a white wine style from black grapes. Developed at Boschendal several decades ago, Blanc de Noir has proved to be a winning wine and was copied throughout the trade. Yet James has put his own stamp on it and elevated it to new levels with more fruit on the nose and a well rounded palate.
A light salmon colour, Blanc de Noir is made from 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21.5% Merlot, 16.5% Ruby Cabernet, 32% Pinot Noir and 7% Shiraz. The wine is produced from the free run juice of these grapes but cool-fermented like white wine. After crushing, a maximum of two hours skin contact is allowed to achieve the characteristic colour of the wine. This versatile medium dry wine will complement any meal especially duck, calamari and cold meats.
Wine and food
Reflecting the rosy hue of the Drakenstein mountains at sunset, Blanc de Noir is a suitable choice for the romantic al fresco meals held at Boschendal this February.
The highlight of our summer has always been the Moonlight Pique-Niques which take place on 10 & 11 February. Set in the Boschendal werf with a string quartet playing in the background, the formal six-course buffet dinner features crayfish, gravadlax, beef fillet, roast duck, grilled butterfish and a variety of salads, cheeses and desserts on the menu.
For the Valentine Sunset Pique-Nique on 14 February 2006, enjoy a bottle of Blanc de Noir with the smoke salmon and spinach roulades, smoked snoek and avocado & bacon pâtés, roast beef, ham, chicken and the baked berry cheesecake packed into the picnic basket.
February is the height of our tourist season and the Boschendal complex is open everyday of the week, including the Manor House, Gift Shop and Taphuis. Be sure to book for lunch at the buffet restaurant and at Le Pique-Nique, and come early to get a place at the popular Le Café.
Email: reservations@boschendal.com
Tel: +27 (0) 21 870 4272/3/4/5
Fax: +27 (0) 21 874 2137
Forthcoming events
Boschendal Six a Side
For the more sporty amongst us, there is Six a Side Cricket at the Groot Drakenstein Games Club on Sunday 5 February 2006. The event, which is sponsored by Boschendal, lasts the whole day. Encircled by mountains, this is one of most picturesque and oldest turf clubs in the country and claims to have passed its rules on for the development of one day cricket!
For more info: Kathy van Niekerk: kvniekerk@boschendal.com, 874 1853
Pick'n Pay - Argus Mountain Bike Challenge
Now an annual mountain bike event on the Boschendal Estate, the start and finish will take place on the front lawn at Rhone on Sunday 5 March 2006. Visit the website www.dirtopia.co.za or call (021) 8741863.
