Hermanus Wine Route Pioneer | Peter Finlayson
A Pioneer…
Peter Finlayson with his Sean Connery looks is bound to amaze you even more so than the old James Bond character. What places him in a league of his own is that apart from playing an important role in putting the Hermanus Wine Route and region on the map and being the first winemaker of the Hemel en Aarde Wine Route is his award winning, internationally acclaimed, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay!
We sat down with one of the founding members of the Hermanus Wine Route, Peter Finlayson, winemaker of Bouchard Finlayson.
When did you come to Hermanus?
I first arrived to start my career in Hermanus in December 1979.
Why did you decide on coming to Hermanus?
The climate and the challenge to make a success at the first fine wine winery development.
What made you decide to become a winemaker?
My love for the Cape mountains. My scientific bent and my creative instincts all fit the role of being a winemaker.
Hermanus is…
An absolute gem. One of the worlds greatest secrets!
I love Hermanus in the…
Summer, because the days are long and the ocean has so much to offer.
If Hermanus was a wine it would be…
Hermanus is all about Pinot Noir. The region is an international success story regarding this variety!
In your opinion what makes Hermanus better than other wine growing regions in S.A.?
A combination of a cool marginal climate and heavy clay soils. Those individuals who develop vineyards in this region arrive here with the intention of making great wines.
What wine do you think represents who you are and your life?
Pinot Noir has been my interest and success. It is like opera, it gives you goose flesh when it is great but nobody wishes to listen to mediocre opera!
My favourite wine is?
Perhaps our 2005 Galpin Peak Pinot Noir which achieved Platter wine of the year in 2008!
My favourite meal to enjoy this wine with would be?
Baguette and Emmentaler cheese.
The worst thing I ever drank was…
KWV Port on new years eve at Grotto beach, I was 16!
The best part of my job is…
The diversity of subject matter and the fact that great wine is always associated with good times!
I would really love to visit…
Antarctica, because of the wildlife and the beauty and it would be an excellent place to share red wine.
My best memories are…
Sharing great wines with family and friends.
Of all the grapes that are transformed into fine wines, none are as steadfast as Pinot Noir in refusing to be tamed. – Eric Asimov, New York Times
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