Bouchard Finlayson – Pinot Noir with Burgundian Roots in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley

Where You Can Only See Heaven: Location and Climate

Bouchard Finlayson lies in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley behind Hermanus, about 110 kilometres south-east of Cape Town [1]. The valley belongs to the Walker Bay region [1]. The name means "heaven and earth" in Afrikaans, and the first settlers described the mountains as so close to the sea that the eye can only see heaven [7]. According to Eatout, Walker Bay is one of the coolest wine-growing areas in the Cape [12]. Decanter describes the estate's wines as fresh and saline-maritime [4]. Galpin Peak dominates the eastern skyline of the valley [11].

From Hamilton Russell Winemaker to Founder: The History

In 1979 Peter Finlayson became the first winemaker at Hamilton Russell [3]. Eatout calls him the first modern-day winemaker of the valley [12]. In 1989 he founded his own winery with the Burgundian Paul Bouchard [1][2]. Both shared a passion for Pinot Noir [2]. For this they bought an untouched piece of land of 125 hectares [12].

According to Wine Spectator, Finlayson called the purchase of the neighbouring property "a bungee jump" [3]. The first commercial wines followed with the 1991 vintage [1]. In 2000 the Tollman family, who own the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, bought the winery [2]. Today Chris Albrecht makes the wines [7].

Pinot Noir on Shale: Vineyards and Fynbos

Of the estate's 125 hectares, only 22 hectares are under vine [5]. At least half of them are Pinot Noir [1]. In addition there are Chardonnay and smaller amounts of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Nebbiolo and Sangiovese [3]. The soil is rich in clay and comes from weathered Bokkeveld shale [1][3]. The vines are planted densely with a low canopy, and according to Wine Spectator planting cost about 50 percent more [3]. "If quality is 50 percent higher, you simply have to do it," said Finlayson [3].

The rest of the estate is nature. A conservancy of 100 hectares protects the endemic fynbos of the Cape Floral Kingdom [6]. More than 306 plant species have been recorded there [10]. The Crocodile's Lair Chardonnay, by contrast, does not come from the estate. Its grapes grow in the Kaaimansgat vineyard in Elandskloof, about 80 kilometres inland [1]. It lies at about 700 metres, and the grapes ripen more slowly there [4]. According to Wine Spectator, they ripen about a month later than on the estate [3].

Galpin Peak, Tête de Cuvée and Hannibal: The Wines

The Galpin Peak Pinot Noir is the flagship of the house and carries the name of the mountain above the estate [1]. It matures in French barriques, 30 percent of them new [4]. The Tête de Cuvée is made only in exceptional years from the best Galpin Peak barrels [4]. It comes from some of the estate's oldest vines and is built to age [4]. In a Decanter tasting, the Tête de Cuvée 2019 received 95 points and the Galpin Peak 2019 received 93 points [4].

The Missionvale Chardonnay is the only Chardonnay from the estate's own vineyards [4]. The Chardonnay sans Barrique, by contrast, is fermented in stainless steel, without oak and without malolactic fermentation [4]. The Hannibal unites Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Barbera [4]. Master Sommelier Eric Zwiebel suggested pairing it with venison or wild boar [4]. The Blanc de Mer consists mainly of Riesling, complemented by Viognier, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc [4].

Bouchard Finlayson in Our Shop

In our shop you will find the Sauvignon Blanc, the Blanc de Mer, the Chardonnay sans Barrique, the Missionvale Chardonnay and the Crocodile's Lair Kaaimansgat Chardonnay. There are also the Hannibal, also as a magnum, and the Tête de Cuvée.

Bouchard Finlayson in Hermanus: The POP UP

The winery in the valley is currently temporarily closed. By its own account, it is undergoing a "world leading transformation" [8][9]. The estate gave no details, and there is no reopening date [9]. Since December 2025 the POP UP by Bouchard Finlayson has been open on the ground floor of the Harbour Square Hotel in Hermanus [9]. It runs until further notice, possibly until at least 2027 according to EatPlayDrink [8].

The options are the Legacy Experience, the Alchemy Discovery and the combination "Two Collections, One Journey" [8][9]. Before the closure, the estate also offered cellar tours and three marked walking trails through the fynbos [6].