The accolade arrives fittingly in September, as South Africa celebrates Tourism Month and the contribution tourism makes to the country’s cultural and economic landscape.
For more than 340 years, Boschendal Estate has been shaped by a commitment to craft. Today, that same standard extends beyond the vineyard and cellar into the way guests experience the estate, from wine and food to hospitality, nature and celebration. The Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report is one of the leading annual assessments of South African wine. Authored by internationally acclaimed wine critic and Master of Wine Tim Atkin, the report provides an extensive review of the country’s wines, producers and evolving wine landscape. The Medal of Excellence represents significant recognition of Boschendal’s broader wine tourism offering.
Between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, Boschendal welcomed 156,399 guests to the estate.
Wine remains at the heart of the experience, whether through Cellar Door tastings, premium Manor House tastings, Wine Tram visits or in-cottage experiences. Guests can also enjoy daily picnics, Friday Night Markets, weddings and private celebrations, Jeep vineyard tours and dining at Arum Restaurant, part of the FYN Group. For a deeper exploration of the estate, Boschendal’s Wine & Wander Safaris bring together wine, vineyards and landscape in an immersive journey through the property.
Together, these experiences reflect a considered approach to wine tourism, one that brings Boschendal’s wines, heritage and hospitality together in a way that feels unmistakably its own.
“Wine tourism at Boschendal is about creating a deeper connection with the estate, its wines, its people and its heritage. This recognition is a wonderful acknowledgement of the many teams and individuals who bring that experience to life every day,” says Amy Kropman, CEO of Boschendal Estate.
More than 340 years of craft, experienced at Boschendal.