About Boschendal
Boschendal is one of South Africa's oldest and most prestigious wine estates, with title deeds dating back to 1685. Located in a breathtaking 1,800-hectare valley between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, the estate's name—derived from the Dutch for "bush and dale"—perfectly captures its natural beauty. The Cape Dutch manor house, completed in 1812, is now a National Heritage Monument. The estate's rich history began when French Huguenot refugee Jean le Long was granted land by the Dutch East India Company in 1688. From 1717, the De Villiers family farmed Boschendal for over 160 years, building the heritage homestead that still stands today. In 1887, Cecil Rhodes acquired the estate as part of his Rhodes Fruit Farms venture, planting 200,000 deciduous fruit trees. Following extensive revitalisation since 2012, Boschendal now employs 550 people and has planted 600,000 new fruit trees alongside an ambitious regenerative agriculture project. The vineyards cover 254 hectares between Groot Drakenstein and Simonsberg mountains, specialising in varieties that thrive in the Cape's unique terroir. Boschendal is particularly acclaimed for its complex white wines, including substantial plantings of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. The winery is certified as one of only 38 WWF Conservation Champions, with significant land dedicated to preserving native flora and fauna. UK wine enthusiasts can find Boschendal wines at Tesco, with the Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay showcasing the estate's white wine expertise. Each bottle represents over three centuries of winemaking heritage from one of the Cape's most beautiful and historically significant estates.