More Fame To Claim For Bouchard Finlayson Vineyards And Legendary

WINEMAKER PETER FINLAYSON South Africa, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley - June 2007: Bouchard Finlayson vineyards in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley continues to be recognised as one of the world's leading wineries and a benchmark in crafting superlative Pinot Noir wines. These past months have been especially exciting and a true testimony to winemaker Peter Finlayson's skills, as he was recognised by receiving various distinguished awards. On the international forum, at SANTÉ: THE BLOOR-YORKVILLE WINE FESTIVAL, which took place for its ninth year, in Toronto, Canada, The Bloor Yorkville Wine Festival Award of Excellence was presented to Winemaker Peter Finlayson of Bouchard Finlayson for his Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2005. The Festival combines the world's best wineries, world famous winemakers, Toronto's celebrity chefs and the best restaurants and gourmet food to create one of the most spectacular wine festivals in the world, offering participants an intense wine experience. At the 2007 Festival, over 70 world-renowned wineries participated from 14 countries - more than ever before, making Finlayson's honour even more commendable.

Finlayson was presented with a spectacular trophy at the Ultimate Winemakers Dinner, held at the elegant Four Seasons Hotel in Toronto - a rare and wonderful opportunity to indulge in a grand dinner prepared by five of Canada's celebrity chefs and paired with wines that have been awarded the Santé 2007 Award of Excellence.

In South Africa, at the JULIET CULLINAN WINE CONNOISSEUR'S AWARDS, the overall winner for 2007 was Peter Finlayson, once again for the Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2005. Bouchard Finlayson also came out trumps in the category of Unusual Reds, for their Bouchard Finlayson Hannibal 2004. These awards were introduced in 2000, to highlight the best wines at the Juliet Cullinan Wine Festival, which showcases some of the country's premium wines and is supervised by KPMG and judged by Cape Wine Masters, who are the most qualified in being able to understand the nuances and the local consumers' preferences in picking out the best of the crops. The top-scoring winemaker gains considerable exposure overseas, winning a trip abroad sponsored by Juliet Cullinan. He or she is introduced to wine media, public relations companies, sommeliers, and leading wineries in France and the United Kingdom, thus enhancing contact with the international wine fraternity and influencing global trends. Juliet Cullinan Wines donates funds towards the Cape Wine Masters' Bursary Fund and pledges her support for Kids with HIV by associating its Wine Activities closely with the organisation.

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The only 5 Gold Medal winners were:

• Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir 2005
• KWV Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2005
• Steenberg Merlot 2005
• Raka Biography 2004

De Krans Cape Tawny Port NV This winning wine has not only won the Toronto Bloor Yorkville Award, the Juliet Cullinan Wine Festival Awards Connoisseurs Awards and also Santé Wine Festival Awards of Excellence, but also the Old Mutual Awards and the Decanter World Wine Award. The Decanter World Wine Awards enlists the help of an international panel of experts with region-specific knowledge and wines are judged in a format that prioritises origin over 'homogenised' international style.

Peter Finlayson has achieved something of legendary status for his craftsmanship and his list of awards reads like the who's who of wine competitions. His Pinot Noir has attracted the attention of critics since he won the prestigious Diners Club Award in 1989. The 1996 Pinot Noir was the first South African red wine to fly First Class on British Airways; he has won the International Wine Challenge Trophy in 2000 and the 2001 Pinot Noir won the first Classic Wine Trophy in 2002.

In describing the Galpin Peak, Pinot Noir 2005, Finlayson says it has "a delicious harmony of sweet raspberry fruit and soft balanced, perfumed tannins, with a delightful lingering long finish".

Pinot Noir arguably plays its biggest role in the arena of winemaking as the major component of French Champagne. It's one of the most temperamental grapes in the vineyard but in the cellar, given the right treatment and the skilled hands of a well-versed winemaker such as Finlayson, it can be made into a superlative single-varietal wine, if not a benchmark, speaking of all the characteristics that drive this varietal. Says Finlayson, "Pinot can so easily offer too much tannin or bitterness", yet he has successfully come up with the right balance to create a beautifully-structured wine with soft tannins for his winning 2005 Galpin Peak Pinot Noir. For further information contact Bouchard Finlayson vineyards on (27) (28) 312 3515; email info@bouchardfinlayson.co.za; or visit www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za. The Bouchard Finlayson vineyard and winery is situated on the R320 in The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.