The Cellar

After graduating from the University of Stellenbosch with a degree in Viticulture and Oenology, winemaker Chris Albrecht spent three years working six harvests at acclaimed cellars in California, France, South Africa and New Zealand.

Chris joined Bouchard Finlayson as assistant-winemaker in 2010, working alongside founder Peter Finlayson. After honing his passion and talent for capturing the unique terroir of the Hemel-en-Aarde, in 2017 Chris was promoted to the position of winemaker.

Since then he has had the opportunity to travel extensively in Europe, with trips to Burgundy and Northern Italy to taste, benchmark and deepen his winemaking knowledge. Chris was instrumental in conceptualising and crafting the Aurum Straw Wine, the latest addition to the Bouchard Finlayson portfolio.

Bouchard Finlayson is open daily for visitors, with a choice of tasting flights available at our charming cellar door tasting room. Seated in the tasting room, barrel maturation cellar or out on the terrace, visitors may taste all of the wines in the Bouchard Finlayson portfolio, including the iconic Tête de Cuvée Pinot Noir

Select from our range of five curated tasting options.

R25 - R350 per option

Arriving at the tasting room you will be welcomed with a glass of our Blanc de Mer, a perfect aperitif to begin the tour and tasting experience. One of our knowledgeable tasting room team members will guide you through the cellar and share the stories of our wines, the buildings and history of the estate. You will taste three wines, including two as yet unreleased wines and one older vintage available from the tasting room during the tour. We encourage you to relax and spend time appreciating the breath-taking view overlooking the valley.

The cellar tour experience is available at 10:30 at R250 per person. Bookings are essential and need to be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Enhance your wine-tasting experience at Bouchard Finlayson by ordering one of our delicious tasting room grazing platters. Served on oak boards our generous platters of cheese and charcuterie are focused on celebrating regional producers and suppliers. This includes fresh breads from a local bakery, delicious cheeses, locally cured charcuterie, seasonal preserves, and olive oil from the olive orchards on the Bouchard Finlayson estate.

Platters can be enjoyed in the cosy tasting room, barrel maturation cellar, or out on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. Cheese Platters are available at R300, and Cheese and Charcuterie at R390. We also offer an Olive board at R100 as well as a variety of snacks.

Bouchard Finlayson is a family-friendly estate, and we welcome children of all ages. Join in the fun of our pairing menu with a juice and snack kiddies pairing while colouring in a uniquely created doodle sketch. We also offer a snack box for children with a variety of treats and ice cream. The wide grassy lawns and jungle gym offer to entertain children while adults enjoy a tutored tasting of the Bouchard Finlayson wines.

A 100-hectare conservancy dedicated to preserving the endemic fynbos vegetation of the Cape Floral Kingdom surrounds the vineyards of Bouchard Finlayson. Visitors to the farm are invited to discover these beautiful fynbos-clad hills on the three well-marked walking trails that traverse the estate.  A fee of R50 per person is charged and includes a bottle of water. Visitors may collect detailed maps and directions from the cellar door.

Bouchard Finlayson is situated a short drive from the seaside town of Hermanus, on the shores of Walker Bay. The town is renowned for offering some of the world’s finest land-based whale watching during winter and spring, with spectacular sightings possible from the 12-kilometre coastal Clifftop Path. Active travellers will enjoy discovering the hiking trails of Fernkloof Nature reserve, while the region also offers golf, kayaking and shark-cage diving. Recognising the diversity of culinary experiences in the region, in 2019 Hermanus was designated a Creative City of Gastronomy by UNESCO.