Bosman Hermanus
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In Their Words
Bosman Hermanus History & Location
Drive up the Hemel-en-Aarde Pass, leaving the busy beaches of Hermanus far below and slowly, slowly, this pristine wine valley will envelop you in stillness and wonder. As you turn towards the De Bos dam and around a bend, a low slung building appears on the horizon, perched on a sweeping landscape and anchored under a large tree. This is the Frame House, our wooden wine tasting venue belonging to Bosman Family Vineyards, in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
It is here where you can sample our wines and enjoy a light meal amongst fields of indigenous ‘fynbos’, luxuriating in the ‘champagne’ air and absorbing the awe-inspiring views. Great care has been taken to tread lightly on this delicate landscape to allow the natural fauna and flora to thrive, and to craft a sensitive way for us to enjoy it.
We hope to see you at the Bosman Hermanus Frame House and we can’t wait to share our wine, food, nature trails, steaming coffee and magnificent surroundings with you.
Bosman Hermanus Operating Hours
Wine Tasting: open Tue to Fri 9am-4pm & Sat to Sun 10am-3.30.
Tapas: available Tue to Fri 10am-4pm, Sat & Sun 11am-3pm.
Nature Trails: available in line with opening hours, pre-booking recommended.
*PLEASE NOTE*
Please note due to space limitations, during peak times tables are booked for a max of 2 hours. Bookings essential for groups of 5 or more. This is cashless estate so payments via card, Snapscan or Zapper only. We are open on most Public Holidays from 10am-3pm. Closed on Mondays, plus Good Friday, 25, 26 December & 1 January.
All times, prices and facilities listed are subject to change. We recommend checking latest details directly with the farm and pre-booking experiences wherever possible, to avoid disappointment.
Bosman Hermanus Wine Tasting
With one of the pre-eminent vine nurseries in the Southern Hemisphere and 3 different growing regions from which to cultivate our blends, Bosman Family Vineyards have unrivaled access, knowledge and expertise when it comes to wine crafting. A strict selection process means that only the top percentage of the total harvest is used and while historic vines offer distinct vintages, a thriving vine garden allows for constant innovation and the perfect blend of old and new.
The Frame House offers both wine tasting and tapas, designed by Chef Nic van Wyk to complement the wine tasting and superb coffees on offer at the Frame House. We also have a kids’ jungle gym nearby, for little ones.
Soak up the views from the veranda, or for the more adventurous amble up the mountain path to enjoy 360º views of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Walker Bay and Hangklip from the top.
Wine Tasting Prices
Wine Tasting costs R80pp for 5 wines, including 3 wines from our Upper Hemel-en-Aarde range and 2 from our Wellington wine region. This fee falls away if 6 bottles of wine or more are purchased.
The tapas-style menu includes options such as flatbreads with smoked salmon, Parma ham or goat’s cheese, seasonal soups and salads, Italian arancini balls and sweet treats. Tapas from R65 per plate. The Deli Platter including cheese, charcuterie and bread is also available for R185 as is a kiddies pizza.
Bosman Hermanus Restaurants
Please note there is no full service restaurant at Bosman Hermanus, only tapas-style treats to complement the wine tasting (see Wine Tasting above).
Bosman Hermanus Tours & Activities
Currently Bosman Hermanus do not offer cellar or farm tours, however regularly run workshops, activities and events throughout the year. Refer to www.bosmanhermanus.com/whats-happening/ for more information.
For hikers, two self-guided circular Nature Trails can be booked, which wind their way through fynbos, farmland and wetland habitats. These are 2km (Koppie Trail) and 7km long (Wetland Trail). Entry is R50 per adult, R25 for children under 12. To book visit www.bosmanhermanus.com/hiking-trails-bosman-hermanus/ and we recommend ordering your food before you depart.
For horseriders, Heaven and Earth Horse Trails takes both beginner and experienced riders through the vineyards and indigenous fynbos, offering spectacular mountain views. Finishing at the Frame House for a light lunch and wine tasting, this trail is for 2-8 riders, takes 2.5 hours and costs R600pp. Please visit www.heavenandearthtrails.co.za/horse-trails/.
Bosman Hermanus is also a working flower farm which produces proteas and a small variety of indigenous flowers and foliage known as ‘fynbos’. These unique and beautiful natural products are for sale by pre-order and can be collected at the Frame House. Orders can also be made for larger events such as weddings or birthday celebrations.
For something special, Bosman Hermanus boasts two quirky small wooden huts placed strategically in amongst the fynbos offering privacy and spectacular vineyard and mountain views. They can seat 4 but are ideal for 2 people, and are popular for proposals and romantic interludes. Huts can be pre-prepared if booked in advance however are not serviced, so once prepared, additional wine and food must be fetched yourself, from the Frame House.
When Lucy Visited
I won’t lie, I’ve fallen in love with Bosman Hermanus! Tucked away down a scenic dirt road surrounded by mountains, rolling hills and colourful fynbos, you’ll find this modern and stylish Tasting Room – a figurative million miles away from civilisation. Total bliss!
So What Makes Bosman Hermanus Stand Out?
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to go on a luxury safari, you might get a sense of deja vu coming to Bosman Hermanus. The remote setting, the panoramic views, the standalone wooden structure (The Frame House) with its stylish, modern interiors. It very much felt like a beautiful safari lodge and being a lover of the bush, I instantly fell in love.
But hey, it’s also so much more than that. It stands out for the expanse of space, the view, the flat lawns, sociable tables and friendly welcome for couples, groups and families – plus the hikes, flatbreads and wine sealed the deal. An absolute must visit!
So What About The Farm Itself?
Firstly you may have heard of the winemaking Bosman family, who have been vine growers in the Wellington region of the Western Cape for over 300 years (that’s EIGHT generations of winemakers). Visitors to their historic wine farm in Wellington will attest to their proud heritage and wide range of wines, ideally suited to the warmer climate of that area. It was with a desire to further expand their range that they set their sights on the cooler Hermanus and Hemel en Aarde region, known for its cool climate varietals.
The family purchased this Hermanus farm in the year 2000. It’s situated about 1 kilometre down a dirt road from the main R320 Hemel en Aarde mountain valley road (the turn off is just next to La Vierge) and you pass a dam, vines, rolling hills and beautiful indigenous fynbos as you come in. There is a short walk from the car park to ‘The Frame House’ past many beautiful Proteas.
The flat lawns surrounding The Frame House are ideal for families, dog owners and couples who enjoy the sunshine as there is limited shade (and it can get quite windy). A few tables and safari-style leather deckchairs grace the grass, plus there is a jungle gym under a large tree for kids just metres away. Next to this is a long boules sandpit and you can take a short walk from here to admire the fynbos towards the two wooden huts which they can set up for special occasions. The views are so spectacular. There are also two longer hikes you can do from here (pre-book for a small fee) and next time I’m doing this as the views are apparently even better!
I’m not sure when they built ‘The Frame House’ but it could have been yesterday – it was pristine! A relatively simple structure, it’s the base from which to explore the farm. Inside you have an explosion of warm woods adorning every inch, statement drop lights and comfy sofas suitable for intimate tastings. This beautiful inside space then opens on to their partially enclosed glass veranda, with 4 long benches ideal for seating groups of up to 8 people each. The views and vibe are sublime.
What About The Wine Tasting and Food?
Food is tapas style and crowd pleasing – think flatbread pizzas, deli platters etc. We ordered two flatbreads and they were delicious and good value at R100 each. For kids, they have a margarita/bacon flatbread which is limited but fine. If you visit and it’s still on the menu, you HAVE to try their honeycomb ‘Chocolate Rocks’. I swear I would drive from Cape Town just to have these again!
Wine tasting costs R80 for 5 wines. It includes some of their Wellington wines and some from Hermanus, which is great if you like a mix of both cooler and more full bodied warmer climate styles. You can also order by the bottle (and in fact you HAVE to do this if you come between 12-2, as they can get so busy doing tastings by the glass gets too tricky). I visited at 2pm to get around this. Wines options are limited by the glass but they have good coffees or locally made apple juice if you are a non-drinker.
Typical of the area, their Hermanus wines focus on minerality and elegance. With the vineyards being so close to the sea, this creates a rather unique terroir and they specialise in a cool climate Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their specific site Magnum Opus Pinot Noir was my favourite, lightly spiced with medium tannins, with rich red fruit on the nose. Service was great.
In Summary
A wine farm with a bit of a wow factor, Bosman Hermanus flies a little under the radar but is an absolute must visit for couples, groups, families and doggie owners. The setting is unbeatable. I would definitely pre-book and although it would still be lovely sitting inside on a wet day, to see it in all its glory definitely visit on a beautiful sunny day and hopefully you’ll love it as much as I did.
Top Tip!
This wine farm is worth spending a whole afternoon at. Pre-book one of the walks (R50pp, one is a 2km long child-friendly route and one is a longer 7kms), come early and order your food and wine before you go. They’ll be able to estimate how long you’ll be and once you’ve explored the farm in all its glory you can sit back and relax, soak up those magnificent valley views and pat yourself on the back for truly earning that delicious juicy flatbread!
