YES, SYRAH !

Let's propose a toast to our fathers and forefathers with one of the oldest wines in history: Shiraz, or "Syrah" as its known elsewhere in the world, the grand old man of red wines. No better place to do so than at the grand old wine farm, Boschendal: join us in celebrating Fathers' Day, Sunday 19th June 2005. Dad deserves a treat : he'll be getting the whole Boschendal experience and a surprise gift too!

At Boschendal we have used the term "Syrah" for our special reserve wine. Better known in the New World as "Shiraz", in the Old World, i.e. Europe, the name "Syrah" is preferred. The classic Syrah wine is made in the Rhone valley where the grapes have been grown for centuries. It was also found at Syracuse in Sicily but is said to originate in the Persian town of Shiraz, hence the name of grape cultivar.

It takes three years to produce Boschendal Syrah and if we bear in mind the planting of the vineyards, it amounts to twelve years or so of nurturing before the wine is released. Although the vine is hardy it is not a prolific bearer and at Boschendal where the emphasis is on quality, the constant removal of excess shoots and small uneven bunches enhances the wine even further. Shiraz is one of the last cultivars to be harvested in our late summer i.e. February or March.

In the production of Boschendal Syrah the must from the crushed grapes is allowed to ferment to full dryness for seven days, followed by thirteen days on the skins before pressing. Malolatic fermentation takes place mainly in stainless steel tanks with 5% of the wine was set aside to ferment in French oak barrels. The wine is matured in oak for one year and released two years later.

Reminiscent of the Syrahs from the Rhone Valley, the Boschendal Syrah s dark mulberry in colour with a subtle aroma of berry fruit, spice and dark chocolate. It is elegant and complex with well-integrated wood and soft tannins on the palate. This wine has very good ageing potential and will reward with cellaring. Boschendal Syrah is our Restaurant Manager, Niel Els's favourite wine and he says: while it goes exceptionally well with good food, it goes even better with good friends!

At Boschendal we make friends for life so become a Geselskap member and enjoy all the benefits including 10% off all meals, wines and complimentary entrance to the Manor House. Winter is the time for cosy intimate conversations and for savouring red wines with hearty food so visit Boschendal Restaurant where we serve a six course buffet everyday of the week. For Christmas in June Friday 24th - Monday 27th June 2005 we lay on the full festive fare: including roast lamb, gammon, turkey and chippolata sausages - all of which will go very well with Boschendal Syrah

Le Cafè offers a wonderful fireside winter menu. With Syrah, we recommend beetroot and coconut cream soup for starters, followed by springbok venison pie with bacon served on parmesan puff pastry and ending with Amarula and caramel baked sponge pudding for dessert. Although Le Pique-Nique has closed for the season, it opens in mid-October again for the new summer season and the team are taking a well deserved rest before they start with the new menu trials in August.

Please note that the Boschendal complex will be closed on Youth Day, Thursday 16th June 2005. Remember too the annual Bastille Festival Thursday 14th - Monday 18th July, when Boschendal staff don their revolutionary apparel and serve you provincial French cuisine!

Reservations:

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