The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley! A romantic name established two hundred years ago which translates to Heaven and Earth; there could be no better way of expressing such appreciation for this truly beautiful part of the world. The Valley started its modern history when a Leper colony was established in 1820. This was a gift from a Moravian Missionary called Peter Leitner who dedicated his energy to the plight of needy people in the area. Years later in 1981 – the Valley launched its first wines. Notoriety was instantly achieved with the success of the early Pinot noirs and Chardonnays. Notoriety is the apt description because it took five years before bureaucratic restrictions disappeared before uplifting of archaic vineyard protectionist laws allowed the cultivar titles such as Pinot noir and Chardonnay to be used on the wine labels! Peter Finlayson the original valley’s wine maker launched the second vineyard in 1991. The Bouchard Finlayson winery established itself alongside the Hamilton Russell vineyard! The Valley now has seven wineries and has become famous for the production of fine quality Pinot noirs – a unique situation as Pinot noir is respected as requiring unique terroir situation – it’s the combination of heavy clay soils coupled with the influence of a cold Atlantic Ocean which works so well viticulturally!
	The vintage commenced with Pinot Noir on the 23rd January. 29 tons were harvested over four days under unusually hot weather conditions. This placed pressure on all concerned as rapidly rising grape sugars posed a potential winemaking pressure point, but fortunately all wines have fermented to dryness. Sauvignon blanc was fourteen days later, interrupted by two inches of rain which perhaps stalled the advent of a near perfect pick. Sauvignon blanc was all in by 20th Feb, generally in great condition plus presented a fairly generous crop! Chardonnay from the Domain was in excellent form, a very miserly crop which aught to offer notable quality. The only down side was the aspect of rain on numerous occasions but no rotten grapes resulting from this net effect has been superficial. The latter part of the vintage produced no surprises. The Sangiovese harvest was well balanced and shows excellent promise in the young wine. Nebbiolo although modest at 1.8 tons has offered a superb wine. Our supply of Chardonnay from Kaaimansgat maintained its reputation of excellent quality. From a general perspective vintage 2007 must be considered well accomplished with excellent promise. Conditions were not ideal but we anticipate that 2007 will prove to be a most encouraging vintage!! The cellar has been most ably managed by Teresa Fourie with help from Nicola Biasi from Tuscany and from Guillaume from Beaujolais! Approximately 200 tons was in the cellar by end of March.
	The eagerly awaited Tête de Cuvée Galpin Peak Pinot noir 2005 was released on the 1 April. The 2005 vintage was an excellent summer which presented cool conditions and allowed for ideal Pinot noir ripening. The Pinots from this vintage have proved to offer fantastic fruit driven wines. This is the sixth Tête de Cuvée release since 1997 and follows in the tradition of blending a handful of the best barrels to carry this title. In this case it is twelve barrels! Appealing on the nose with whiffs of Raspberry, cherry and oaky plum. Rich, long on the palate with full bodied firm harmonious structure ending in layers of velvety tannins which act as a guarantee for many years of positive development. Galpin Peak Pinot noir vintage 2005 echoes a strong resonance with Burgundy vintage 2002. This was a vintage of great wines. Both white and red! The Galpin Peak is described as tantalizingly attractive. Early tasting reflects confirmation of this vintage being on a par with the great 1997 and 2001 vintages. The harvest was swift and neat – all complete in eight days. A constant 24 degrees Balling of ripeness was achieved through all parts of the Pinot vineyard. Great natural fruit acid levels and secure clean grapes! Perhaps the keenest characteristic of this wine is its delicious harmony of sweet raspberry fruit and soft balanced perfumed tannins. There is also a delightful lingering long finish on the wine. A great future is expected, will mature to greater heights! The debate concerning unwooded versus wooded Chardonnays continually raises split views on the subject. Sans Barrique first launched in 1997 with a trial four hundred cases this label now presents its 10th vintage. Time has endorsed its position as being a hugely popular choice amongst certain Chardonnay lovers. This 2006 stands out as being a very dry year which offered small compact bunches with flavourful berries. The grapes stem from a blind valley high in the mountains behind the village of Villiersdorp. The location is particularly cool; vines are non-irrigated and consequently produce small concentrated berries which are full-flavoured and rich on the aftertaste. A stylish fresh wine with a determined back bone. Rich full mouth feel and a long finish. Kiwi fruit and peach flavours cover and elaborate overlay of primary flinty lees characters. A great accompaniment to shell fish, particularly Cape Rock lobster! Missionvale Chardonnay 2006 will be released at the end of May. The 2006 growing season was cool with the added blessing of lower than usual temperatures between December and February. It was predicted soon after harvest that the highlight of 2006 would be the Chardonnay. The crop was small but showed very good natural pH and fruit acidity levels. Harvesting was a protracted affair – all over a three week period representing parcels from three different Domain sites. The tradition of 30% new barrels has been maintained with a total of seven months in French Oak. This bottling perhaps a little tighter than previous vintages – more austere offering greater longevity and potential for bottle ageing and development. An intense and concentrated bottling. Citrus and apple notes finishing with crisp acidity and excellent length. Nutty with some hazelnut, fig and quince – like character. Year by year the Blanc de Mer label has varied in its blend, but I have always considered this wine to require Rhine Riesling as its dominant identifying varietal. This has not always been possible but for this vintage we have managed to secure a 39% Riesling content. The floral foot print plus its fresh Riesling acidity offers an identifiable style. The rest of the blend 33% Viognier, 17% Sauvignon Blanc and 11% Chenin Blanc. Deliciously fragrant with an inviting easy drinking style. Rich on the palate with a creamy elegance followed by hints of green apple and melon. The finish is firm which makes the wine seem almost dry despite some natural residual grape sugar. Blanc de Mer relates to sea foods, but do not hesitate in serving at all occasions. Enjoy young or be patient and take advantage of its added complexity after four years of aging! It is with gratitude that we thank our loyal supporters of Bouchard Finlayson. We have had a fantastic first quarter in 2007 both locally and internationally. On the export market we have many exciting developments. To name a couple, we have sent off our second order to Japan and have received our first order from Poland. Bouchard Finlayson’s representation extends from Canada, USA, UK, Europe, Africa, Middle East to the Far East and South East Asia.
	For many of us the term French Paradox is not a new topic of interest. The lifestyle advantages of the French and Latin dietary habits have encouraged researchers to conclude that red wine associated diets have definite longevity benefits. The particular compound which has emerged as red wines elixir of longer living is called resveratrol. It is found in the skins of red grapes. Researchers have now deduced that resveratrol activates an enzyme, SIRT1, within human cells. This enzyme in turn engenders new nitochondria in muscles and other tissue which follows to boost metabolic rate. While this may play beautifully into the hands of the pro wine drinkers lobby, it does not alter the fact that there could be fewer more enjoyable ways of taking ones medicine!
	Bouchard Finlayson encourages waiter trainings at the Homestead, if however the establishment is unable to visit the farm, then we offer to present the tasting on site. Some of the establishments hosted at the Homestead have been Wijnhuis and Sinns based in the Cape. On site trainings in the Cape include the Metropole Hotel and Solushi for Sushi making and wine pairing. In February, Peter Finlayson hosted Our UK agent Seckford Agencies and 7 of their clients to a wine tasting and seafood luncheon at the Homestead. Prior to the tasting, Peter and Frank Woodvine who is a part-time environmental consultant and respected botanist lead the group up Fernkloof nature reserve on a Fynbos trail. As a proud member of BWI (Biodiversity Wine Initiative) which is a partnership between the South African Wine Industry and Conservation Sector, it was fitting to combine Fynbos with wine! In late April Teresa Fourie (Assistant winemaker) and Karen Davison (Sales and Marketing Manager) hosted our German Agent Weinland Ariane Abayan and their valued customers to an evening of Wine tasting and dinner. We hosted this event in our Cellar at the Homestead. Bertus Basson and Craig Cormack from All things Culinary served a delicious dinner paired perfectly with our fare of fine wines. The Cellar provides the perfect ambience for events like these. Weinland Ariane Abayan, together with Bouchard Finlayson, ensures the demand for our wines in Germany continues to grow.
	Bouchard Finlayson is proud to support cultural events at the vineyard and hosted this year from 23 to 25 March, for the second time, a traditional Byzantine Icon exhibition in the barrel cellar, which reminds one strongly of the old monasteries in Europe and which was further enhanced by all the burning candles, glowing icons, crosses, wooden sculptures and original Russian choir music in the background. There has been a growing interest in icons worldwide. Not the least in South Africa. This was obvious in the attendance of several hundred people who visited the exhibition on the Friday evening, where Peter Finlayson personally welcomed the guests and Bouchard Finlayson wine was served, Saturday and Sunday morning. The Greek word icon (eikon) means image and it usually denotes religious paintings on wooden panels in Byzantine style, either Greek or Russian. The icons on display were written, (painted) according to the original ancient technique, using natural pigments, egg yolk and gold leaf on prepared boards. The icons are original reproductions of old masterpieces in museums, monasteries and churches worldwide. Artists and non-artists from Hermanus, and the Western Cape studied under the mentorship of the well known iconographer and artist, Anna-Marie Bands, who studied at the Russian Orthodox Church in Vienna, Austria, and recently with Master Iconographer Vladislav Andreyev in New York State. Geta Finlayson, well known goldsmith, presented her newest jewellery: beautiful Byzantine crosses in metal and semi-precious stones. Father Roger Hickley, who is a well known speaker and expert on icons, opened the exhibition and also presented his Zimbabwean wooden sculpture collection in the same vein, which he has commissioned over several years.
	For many years Bouchard Finlayson has supported and hosted The Hermanus Music society’s Music evenings. Friday the 30th March saw the Hermanus Music Society presenting the Cape Universities Brass Quintet in concert in the serene ambience of the Bouchard Finlayson barrel cellar. The Quintet was led by Sean Kierman who is known as the “father” of University concert bands in South Africa. He is currently the senior lecturer: Head Brass Studies at the SA College of Music. He played the tuba with Pamela on the French horn. She is an accomplished concert musician and was appointed to brass lectureship at the University of Stellenbosch in 2002 after a spell as head of brass at Beau Soleil in Cape Town in 1998. The quintet was completed by Ryan Kierman on trombone and Alistair and Merlin McDonald on trumpet. All the members of the band are regular members of various Cape philharmonic and Symphony orchestras. The program included works from Pucell (Trumpet Tune and Ayre), Viktor Ewald (Quintet Number 2), G.Bizet (Toreador Song from Carmen), Phillip Souza (Semper Fidelis), Mouret (Rondeau) and Johann Pachelbel amongst others. A portion of the proceeds from the Hermanus Music Society evenings held at Bouchard Finlayson are donated to a Charity cause. As a very generous show of appreciation and heart, the Hermanus Music Society donated R8000 to the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust, (a very fitting allocation from funds raised in a cellar!) and are now planning on making ongoing annual donations to CWG Development Trust projects so that they too can assist with the development of young black winemakers. Please contact the Hermanus Music Society on 028 312 3006 for further information or refer to our website for further events.
	From Canada to the USA to the UK, Peter is currently traveling for 3 weeks visiting a few of our international markets and agents: Lamprecht International (Ontario), Terry Seitz Inc (Florida) and Seckford Agencies (UK). Peter visited Toronto to attend the Santé: Bloor Yorkville Wine Festival. On the 9th May Peter received the Bloor Yorkville Wine Festival Award of Excellence for his Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot noir 2005 at the Ultimate Winemakers Dinner. The multi-course gourmet dinner served to 500 guests, was designed and produced by Four Seasons Executive Chef, Lynn Crawford, with each course created by one of the chefs from Food Network. Each dish was specially created to match one or two of the wines selected by the Wine Selection Committee. Ten wines were served in total. From Canada (Toronto) to Orlando and Miami a series of food and wine pairing evenings will delight our current and potential customers. The London International Wine and Spirits Trade Fair – LIWTF - lures Peter to the UK. This is one of the most important business events in the world bringing together importers, merchants, producers, agents, restaurateurs, wholesalers and sommeliers.
	After tasting a selection of 2006 CWG Auction wines for his highly respected “International Wine Cellar” newsletter, Steve Tanzer, internationally renowned wine judge, has awarded 90 points to Bouchard Finlayson CWG Auction Reserve Pinot noir 2005. Tasting over 320 wines for his “South Africa Focus”, Tanzer says he had “saved some of South Africa’s finest wines for last”. Stephen Tanzer’s Wine Rating System is one of the toughest of the wine industry and is the most valued by many enthusiasts all over the world. He has served as Senior Editor and wine columnist for Food & Win magazine and as wine columnist for Forbes. His International Wine Cellar is a critically acclaimed bi-monthly journal read by wine lovers in all 50 states of the USA and in 28 countries. He samples more than 10,000 wines annually, spending several many months tasting and discussing wines with their makers. Since 1985, the members of the Cape Winemakers Guild have produced wines in small quantities exclusively for their Auction held annually in October and sponsored by Nedbank, one of South Africa’s leading banks. The wines on offer are selected at a blind tasting, ensuring that only those showing technical excellence and maturation potential are chosen. The Auction is open to anyone wishing to bid for these unique wines and tastings are held both locally and internationally. Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat limited Edition Chardonnay 2004 received 90 points in Wine Spectator Magazine reviewed by James Molesworth - USA March 07 Sante: The Bloor Yorkville Wine Festival Award of Excellence was presented to Winemaker Peter Finlayson of Bouchard Finlayson for his Galpin Peak Pinot noir 2005. The presentation took place at the Ultimate Winemakers Dinner held at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto.

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