The first event in the series, titled From This Soil: An Intimate Exploration of Terroir and Chardonnay, will be held on Wednesday evening, 27 May 2026 at the estate’s POP UP in Hermanus village.
Held on the last Wednesday of the month, each evening is designed not as an event but as an unfolding, offering a deeper look into the elements that define the wines and the thinking behind them. Structured across three thematic chapters – Care for Land, Care for Culture and Care for People – the series traces a journey from the soil beneath the vine to the human hands and creative forces that shape what follows.
From masterclasses and cellar retrospectives to conversations with artists, makers and winemakers, each gathering reflects a central truth: that great wine is not created in a single moment, but shaped over time through attention, intention and care.
“It’s important to me that people see both sides of what we do – the craft and the thinking behind it. Winemaking is as much about precision as it is about instinct. You’re constantly working with what the season gives you – soil, climate, timing – and making small, considered decisions that shape the outcome,” says Chris Albrecht, winemaker at Bouchard Finlayson. “When it comes together, you’re not just making wine, you’re striving for balance. Being able to share that process, and the reasoning behind it, is where the real connection happens.”
Designed for those who look beyond the label – from the emerging palate to the seasoned connoisseur – each event offers rare access, intimate scale and meaningful engagement.
Over the course of the event series, guests can expect:
- Guided tastings led by winemaker Chris Albrecht and invited collaborators
- Access to library wines and limited releases
- Conversations with artists, makers and custodians of craft
- A setting that encourages reflection, dialogue and discovery
- A curated selection of seasonal, locally sourced platters celebrating regional ingredients
No two evenings are the same. Each is shaped by its theme and contributors, as well as the seasonal rhythms that govern the wine farm.
Launch event: A focus on Chardonnay
"From This Soil: An Intimate Exploration of Terroir and Chardonnay" hosted by winemaker Chris Albrecht and farm manager Stefan Hartmann
Date: Wednesday, 27 May 2026
Time: 18h30 - 20h30
Venue: POP UP by Bouchard Finlayson, Ground Floor, Harbour Square Hotel, 5 Harbour Road, Hermanus
Price: R850 per person
Click HERE to book now.
(Reservations essential – 20 guests only)
This opening evening brings together the foundational narrative of soil with the expressive nature of Chardonnay. Guests will explore how the ancient soils of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley – alongside climate and altitude – guide a single varietal into distinct and compelling forms.
Rooted in origin and unfolding through expression, the experience invites guests to consider Chardonnay not simply as a varietal, but as a reflection of landscape itself, where soil, site and season become the most honest storytellers.
Hosted by Chris Albrecht alongside farm manager Stefan Hartmann, the evening includes:
- Two curated flights of four wines each
- A guided educational deep-dive into terroir and site expression
- Charcuterie platters
- Q&A and informal discussion
Continuing the journey
The Care for Land chapter continues through winter with:
- 24 June: ‘The Architecture of Pinot Noir: Foundations for Greatness’
- 29 July: ‘Patience Poured: A Retrospective of Bouchard Finlayson’s Finest Vintages’
As the seasons shift, the series will move into Care for Culture, exploring creativity, transformation and the intersection between wine and contemporary African artistry.
In a world that moves quickly, the WITH CARE event series is an invitation to slow down, and to experience the quiet discipline behind exceptional craft. As Bouchard Finlayson undergoes a world-leading transformation that includes a major redevelopment of its estate in the nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, these evenings offer an intimate view of its pioneering work combining time-honoured principles with cellar innovation.
Immersive and insight-driven, the events form part of the wine farm’s deepening commitment to a philosophy of winemaking that places care for land, culture and people at the heart of its operations.
Click HERE to read more about the ‘WITH CARE’ series.