BOSCHENDAL VOTED TOPS !

Boschendal Manor House is the prime example of Cape Dutch architecture. This was affirmed by the first ever nation-wide survey on architectural design run by VISI magazine and the South African Institute of Architects in October 2005. Boschendal Manor House was the only historic building to feature amongst the three winners of the competition: the other two were ultra-modern buildings in city centres. It is worthy recognition for a unique rural architecture that evolved at the Cape over the past three centuries. The restoration of Boschendal by Gawie Fagan in 1973 was a landmark in the preservation of this heritage and the complex has subsequently become a draw-card for tourists wishing to experience the beauty and culture of the Cape.

Out of Boschendal comes the best! This is true of our Cellar Master, JC Bekker, who has been producing award-winning wines at Boschendal since 1996. Starting off as wine-maker, JC's main focus has been white wines although his responsibilities as Cellar Master now include all aspects of wine production at Boschendal. JC has honours degrees in both oenology and viticulture and worked as viticulturist for KWV before coming to Boschendal. He was given the opportunity to make several study trips overseas to keep abreast with new developments in the wine industry, spending on one occasion three months at Matanzas Creek in California. JC is currently busy with a Masters in Wine Business Management offered jointly by UCT Graduate School of Business and the University of Adelaide. As in rugby, we expect JC to beat those Ozzie wine-makers at their own game!

Cellar Master's choice: Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc 2005

Close to JC's heart is the Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc which won gold medals at the Veritas Awards for three years running. This is part of the top Jean Le Long range of wines that JC has developed. The wines are produced in small quantities and are only available for sale on the Boschendal estate. Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc 2005 has just been released and can be obtained at the Taphuis or wine-tasting centre on the Boschendal Estate for R75,00 a bottle. This is the only retail outlet for the wine of which only 260 cases were produced - so it's worth investing in a bottle for the New Year! Email: taphuis@dgb.co.za

Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc is made from 100 percent Sauvignon blanc grapes grown on the cool south-facing side of the Simonsberg which catches the ocean breeze. The vines are trellised in a vertical shoot position. The grapes are hand-picked and harvested at around 21 degrees balling. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks and the wine is left on the primary lees for 5 months. After this period the wine is blended and bottled.

In Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc 2005, JC Bekker has created a more steely style of wine with distinctive green fig and green pepper on the nose, mineral tones on the palate and an undercurrent of citrus and passion fruit. A full crisp wine with firm but balanced acid and lingering after-taste, Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc 2005 can hold its own as an aperitif. Only the finest food like shellfish, lobster, salmon and sushi, would do justice to this brilliant wine!

Wine and food

Grilled crayfish tail wrapped in smoked salmon provides the perfect excuse to open a bottle of Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc at the Moonlight Pique-Niques on Friday 13 or Saturday 14 January 2006. Oysters are served on such occasions, featuring also on the menu for New Years day. There is such a variety of hot and cold fish dishes, salads and delicate cold soups on the Restaurant's buffet table that a selection could easily be made to complement the subtle flavours of the Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc. At Le Cafe this wine could be best served with smoked salmon trout timbale for starters or with smoked salmon trout and marinated cucumber salad as a main course.

Remember you can treat yourself to a romantic outing to Boschendal for the Valentine Sunset Pique-Nique on 14 February 2006. A bottle of Jean Le Long Sauvignon Blanc will go well with all the special delicacies packed into your picnic basket. So book now to avoid disappointment!

Reservations:

Email: reservations@boschendal.com
Tel: +27 (0) 21 870 4272/3/4/5
Fax: +27 (0) 21 874 2137