Dear wine friends and family

It seems the clock is ticking just a little bit slower these days. As we eagerly await the grapes to ripen – where last year this time we were already picking grapes! – we want to wish you all a very happy New Year. May 2008 brings forth ample joyful friendships with good food, music and beautiful wines.

Last year was a profound year for the wine family at Bosman Family Vineyards. Our perfectly restored brand new cellar opened its doors at the beginning of November ­– 51 years after the last wine was made on this farm.

A lot went into this project so close to our hearts. It was an emotional journey seeing this historic cellar dating back 250 years, slowly changing shape by the renovation process. It now boasts a state-of-the-art cellar where our proud legacy of eighth generations can continue to make premium wines.

Today the fruit of our labour clearly shows a result that shows off simplicity, scale, proportion and detail. What separates this cellar from any other is its tie with our past.

All things wine

As legend wants it, my granddad’s granddad buried a chest full of gold coins beneath the cellar walls. As children, we constantly kept searching for it. With the restoration of the cellar, one would think that we would have found it, but this treasure is still missing.

Today we are looking harder than ever for the wealth in our vineyards. This treasure hunt makes every day full of excitement.

After many years of searching through floods, drought, wind and heat waves, our cellar now enables us to find some of these hidden treasures. To make and enjoy a wine is the same as finally finding an old treasure with a long history.

Last year also saw the birth of our own wines made in our own cellar – elegant, balanced wines made in the time-honoured tradition.

Chenin Blanc 2007

Our winemaker’s feminine touch truly shows in the Chenin – quince, melon and grapefruit on the nose with an elegant structure and pleasant acidity.

Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2007

Only 100 cases were made from this wine derived from old bush vines dating back to 1952. This Chenin definitely have the ability to age a few years.

2005 Bosman family vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

This wine shows ripe berry fruit, dark fruit with hints of cherry and blackcurrant.

According to Heinie Nel, viticulturist at Bosman Family Vineyards, the past two magnificent seasons resulted in higher than normal abandoned water in the soil.

“Budding took place two weeks later than normal and when growing took off, it really took off,” smiles Heinie. “Vigorous growth may, however, be a problem due to the soil moisture levels.”

Suckering has taken place twice and in the old blocks such as the Chenin Blanc, it was painstakingly done by hand.

“The cooler weather so far has been fantastic. Vines are healthy and flowering went as should because of the little wind we had. Overall, I’m very excited about our 2008 vintage.’’

For winemaker Corlea Fourie this time of year it’s all about their Single Vineyards Status. “I’m so thrilled with the Sawis Single Status for a block of 1952 bush vines Chenin Blanc on the farm we just received,” she says.

“From now on we can make single vineyard wines from this old block. This 1.5 ha block produces amazing grapes and the wines are going to be even more incredible.

Wines made from vines this old have beautiful structure. I just think the plant has had years to figure out what it wants to do.”

The 2008 harvest will be a challenge for the people from Bosman Family Vineyards they eagerly await. “The 2007 vintage was such an incredible vintage and benchmark year for us. So we are excited!”

Our wines are available directly from our family to your doorstep. Please
submit an ORDER REQUEST to find these exclusive hand crafted wines.

We invite you to visit our refreshed and updated website www.bosmanwines.com which features our new releases and a gallery of our estate.

We will appreciate your comments. Should you wish to get in touch, or unsubscribe from this emailer, please contact:

Petrus Bosman
Bosman Family Vineyards
Tel: (021) 873 3170
E-mail: info@bosmanwines.com
Website: www.bosmanwines.com