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Bosman offers the best of nature Writer & Photographer Hedda Mittner
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he Hemel-en-Aarde Valley is a special place, known not only for its vineyards but also for its unspoiled landscape, unique fauna and flora and scenic vistas framed by the mountains and ocean. Driving up the R320 Hemel-en-Aarde Road, you’ll leave the hustle and bustle of Hermanus behind and soon find yourself enveloped in a world of stillness and wonder. Turning left towards the De Bos dam and driving over the dam wall, around a bend and up a hill, you’ll arrive at a sign that reads ‘Bosman Hermanus’. Winding your way through fields of proteas and vineyards, a modest building appears on the horizon, perched on a sweeping landscape and anchored under a large tree. Aptly named the Frame House, this quaint building on the 200 ha De Bos farm houses Bosman Hermanus’s wine tasting room and picnic service. Every effort was made to minimise its impact on the landscape, using only simple wood and canvas instead of brick and mortar. No excavations were made and the Frame House blends in seamlessly with its natural environment. Bosman Hermanus is part of Bosman Family Vineyards, based on the Leliefontein farm near Wellington, where eight generations of Bosmans have farmed since their ancestor, Hermanus Bosman, arrived in the Cape in 1707. That name turned out to be prophetic when Jannie Bosman (Snr), searching for the perfect place to plant Pinot Noir, found his way to Hermanus in 2001 and discovered that the Hemel-en-Aarde region provided the perfect cool-climate terroir that he was looking for. It turned out to be not only the perfect place for vines to grow, but also the perfect place to find peace, to discover the wonders of nature and reconnect to ancient paths. The Bosmans’ desire to share this special
place on a more personal level led to the launch of a tasting venue on the farm in December 2017. Here visitors can kick back and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and magnificent views while sampling a wide range of award-winning Bosman wines and indulging in a picnic of seasonal local fare either indoors, on the deck or in the shade of the large tree that takes pride of place next to the Frame House. A visit to The Frame House is not complete without a leisurely hike up the mountain path to absorb the stillness, broken only by the rustling bushes or soft bird call. At the top you can enjoy a breathtaking 360º view of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and all the way across Walker Bay, stretching from Gansbaai to Hangklip. The Koppie Trail is a self-guided, 2 km circular hike that starts and finishes at the Frame House. At a cost of R50 pp (R25 for children U12) hikers will receive a bottle of water and a map, and signage will guide you along the way. For the more adventurous, there is also a Wetland Trail of 7 km that winds its way through a number of habitats, from farmland to fynbos and renosterveld. The walk begins at the Frame House on the farm and then goes up onto the slopes of the Babylonstoren range before descending back again to complete the circle. A steep kloof or two raises the heart rate just enough to warrant a delicious meal and wine tasting at the end. The hiking trails have been laid out by well-known local conservationist and botanist, Frank Woodvine, and dedicated to this intrepid 89-year-old for his tireless work in clearing the farm of invasive alien vegetation and rehabilitating it to its natural, pristine splendour. A guided walk with Frank is highly recommended as he enjoys sharing his knowledge and amusing anecdotes with guests. Besides the beautiful natural vegetation, hikers might be lucky enough to spot the
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odd ribbok, perhaps a duiker or even a porcupine. Frank reports seeing a caracal which is a very rare find as this is a nocturnal animal, and baboons also put in a regular appearance. Even at his advanced age, Frank is as fit as a fiddle and continues to make an invaluable contribution to the sustainable conservation of our biodiverse fynbos environment. In a career spanning more than six decades he served as curator of Fernkloof Nature Reserve and later as superintendent of Nature Reserves, Parks and Gardens for the newlyestablished Overstrand Municipality for almost 20 years, developing the hiking trails in the reserve and spearheading ecotourism in the area. He is also well-known for his work as an environmental consultant at Bouchard Finlayson and other wine farms in the Hemel-en-Aarde region.
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Bosman Hermanus is open Tuesday to Saturday from 09:00 – 17:00 and on Sundays from 10:00 – 16:00. Mountain-bikers and hikers are welcome to enjoy a cup of barista-made coffee at the Frame House or to enjoy a wine tasting and a picnic afterwards. Children are very welcome. For more information visit www. bosmanhermanus.com or contact taste@hermanusbosman.com or 063 083 5571.
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1 & 2. A visit to Bosman Hermanus is not complete without embarking on one of the hiking trails, laid out by well-known local conservationist and botanist, Frank Woodvine.
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3, 4 & 5. The Frame House at Bosman Hermanus, where visitors can kick back and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and magnificent views while sampling a wide range of award-winning Bosman wines and seasonal local fare.
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