Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat Crocodile’s Lair 2021

Bouchard Finlayson is a family-owned farm, and at the heart of the estate is The Homestead, the residence of the Tollman family. Set on a hill above the cellar, and surrounded by lush indigenous gardens, in its white-washed walls and thatched roof The Homestead draws inspiration from the timeless Cape Dutch architectural style.

The Bouchard Finlayson estate stretches across 125 hectares of the Hemel-en-Aarde valley. However, only 25 hectares is cultivated under vine with the remainder set aside as a conservancy to protect the indigenous ‘fynbos’ vegetation endemic to the Western Cape.

The Kaaimansgat or Crocodile’s Lair vineyard is hidden away in the Elandskloof Valley behind the village of Villiersdorp, just 80km from Hermanus. A beautiful, blind valley nestled amongst majestic mountains. Bouchard Finlayson has been linked directly to this vineyard for thirty vintages. It is located 700m above sea level, ripens a month later than other Cape Chardonnays and benefits enormously from cool autumn temperatures. The name of the vineyard is derived from the mispronounced name of the original settler – a Dutchman Kwaaiman.