Bosman Winery Awarded for Sustainability and Quality

Bosman - The Ambassador for South African Wines

Bosman Family Vineyards is pleased to announce that it has been awarded the Platter Guide Editor's Choice: Winery of the Year 2024. This accolade recognizes an exceptional winemaking team, celebrating their performance in the current edition and achievements as ambassadors for South African wines.

"Petrus Bosman, CEO of Bosman Family Vineyards, expressed: 'My grandfather, also Petrus, often said: 'Just do something a bit better every day; that'll lead to success. This is the philosophy we live by on the farm.'

"Our extended farming family has been living and working on this farm for over 200 years. Being here and thriving requires a solid dedication to improvement from everyone, not just within the community but also on the land we cultivate."

"We believe that our inclusive approach, balanced with tradition and innovation, has allowed us to prosper. 'This award is for all of us—every worker in the vineyards, in the cellar, the early childhood teachers, the nurse in the clinic, the lab technologists, the accountants in the office, the security at the gate... we are all part of this.'

"Chief Winemaker Corlea Fourie accepted the award on behalf of the winery: 'I'm incredibly proud to receive this award, as it reflects the collaborative efforts on all fronts. A healthy community can grow healthy grapes in healthy soils, leading to excellent wines that propel the momentum of this symbiotic relationship.'

"Corlea's winemaker philosophy is simple: 'To produce wines that authentically express their origins, we must think profoundly and act with careful restraint.'

"This award was further enhanced by the 5 Platter Stars granted to the Bosman Optenhorst Chenin Blanc 2022. This old vine single vineyard wine has consistently scored high since its first harvest in 2007, encapsulating both Corlea’s philosophy and the farm's approach."

"The 'great lady', as she is fondly called, has since been farmed regeneratively, with the wine undergoing natural fermentation in the cellar and only aged in neutral vessels to showcase its full beauty. This 'great lady' has become legendary; this recent achievement simply solidifies her place in the cellar's hall of fame."

"DEDICATED TO IMPROVEMENT: This award is not solely for our 5-star wines but also recognizes our track record and our ambassadorial qualities. Here’s more about our grand narrative:

What Makes Bosman Unique

"COMMUNITY GROWTH: The Bosman Adama Land Transformation Transaction of 2008 remains the largest land reform deal in the South African wine industry, enabling workers to own a 26% stake in our agricultural operation."

"Since then, this Fairtrade-accredited company has made tremendous strides, providing job opportunities and improving the living standards for 450 employees and their families within our community of 3,250."

"Our generation, the eighth, commits to investing 2% of brand sales into improving the lives of our community. Here’s how our funding is allocated:"

"98 children (ages 1-6) attend our kindergarten, overseen by 9 qualified teachers, who receive continuous training."

"Our aftercare program addresses the needs of 92 children, providing necessary support and stimulation."

"Psychometric assessments help our high school students make informed decisions for their futures."

"Learners receive personal assistance in applying for higher education."

"Funds are allocated to education, transportation (3 buses), and sports to create development opportunities."

"Adults receive advancement opportunities through literacy courses and vocational skills training every year."

"4 out of 4 of our winemakers are women. Women account for 50.21% of our workforce and 34.86% of management."

"AGRICULTURE: At Bosman Wines, we believe our natural environment is pivotal to our community's sustainability and that proactive conservation responsibilities lie with each one of us."

"From propagating vines in our nursery to growing grapes on our land and producing Bosman wines in our cellar, we consciously implement practices at every level to preserve our resources, reduce waste, promote growth, foster regeneration, and ultimately minimize our carbon footprint."

"We employ 300 sheep instead of herbicides for weed control in the winter months."

"Rather than applying chemical fertilizers, we brew compost tea that enriches the soil with carbon."

"We have created ecological corridors allowing beneficial insects and plants to thrive and migrate."

"We practice water management by transitioning wine grape planting from surface sprinkler irrigation to drip irrigation, saving 215,000 m³ of water annually."

"Cover crops are planted between the vineyards to sequester carbon, enhance biodiversity, reduce water evaporation, prevent erosion, and fix nitrogen in the soil."

"Unique in being both a vine propagation nursery and wine producer, we partake in the complete process from vine stock to wine."

"Our plant improvement facility ensures healthy plant material for clear varietal characteristics—not only for our own use but also as a leading nursery and plant improvement facility in South Africa. In the last 7 years, we've selected 135 new grape varieties or clones."

"Solar panels provide 50% of our energy needs at 450 kVA/h."

"A drone sprays hard-to-reach high vineyards, reducing reliance on diesel-guzzling tractors that erode and compact the soil."

"The vineyards are irrigated using gravity."

"All lights in our cellars and storage facilities have been upgraded to LED."

"Plant waste is shredded and used as mulch in vineyards to reduce evaporation."

"No harmful insecticides are used in our fields. Instead, natural enemies manage pests like the June bug and thrips."

"In 2021, we were recognized as an accredited Carbon Hero through the 'Confronting Climate Change' initiative. This detailed report measured our carbon footprint and served as a foundation for our efforts moving forward."

"Our farm in Upper-Hemel-en-Aarde, awarded the WWF Champion Status, was also recognized last year in the category of 'Sustainable Wine Tourism Practices' at the Best of Wine Tourism & Ambassador Awards 2023, a competition organized by the Great Wine Capitals Global Network."

"The atmosphere on the farm has been joyful since the recognition. Everyone understands: We achieved this together, and that’s why we are even more committed to improvement! Come visit our farms in Wellington and Hermanus and see for yourself!"