Iconic wine estate, Boschendal is celebrating an impressive performance at this year’s International Wine Challenge (IWC). The Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016 was awarded stand-out accolades scoring 96 points and securing the title of top South African Chardonnay and Best Elgin Chardonnay for the second year in a row.  

It seems surreal to think that harvest and everything that went with it, is finally over.

When one of South Africa’s pre-eminent fashion designers collaborates with one of its most iconic wine brands, you know magic is going to happen.

With March coming to a close we celebrate how far we have come and how few blocks we still need to process before we turn off the crushers. 2018 has not been the biggest harvest to date, but nevertheless, it certainly had its challenges.

During harvest (and every other season in the cellar) we focus on creating wines that are savoured by our committed winos (those who have been sipping on Chardonnay since Bruce Springsteen made his debut), but we also focus on making wines that are complex but not too intimidating for newly-introduced wine lovers.

As Boschendal shifts into full-on harvest mode, we reflect on the planning that has gone into #harvest2018.

As we bid January and the starting-month of harvest adieu, a recent newsletter was sent out regarding “Day Zero”.

Boschendal has started the 2018 awards season with a sparkle. The estate’s Cap Classique Grande Cuvée Brut has been named one of the Top Ten Cap Classiques by South African Wine & Cellar Classifications for the ten year period of 2008 to 2018.

Every few years you hear wine growers, viticulturists and winemakers mention that it has been a difficult season. Albeit only in certain regions or affected areas, there are always those few cases who have a more difficult harvest – or need to prepare tenfold to avert disaster. Be it hail, drought, mildew or “kalander” – not everyone has the opportunity to “crush it” every season.

As we swiftly move into 2018, many are often reminded of their self-made promises, expectations and commitments for the year. And while New Year’s resolutions may seem blasé to some, others’ good intentions may already have gone well of track. Yet, there remains much value in seeing each new year as an opportunity to ‘re-boot’, especially nutritionally.