Boekenhoutskloof Winery

In the furthest corner of the Franschhoek Valley, where the Groot Drakenstein mountains close in and the Cape Beech trees — boekenhout in Afrikaans — once grew so densely they gave the ravine its name, Boekenhoutskloof has been making wine since 1776. It is one of the oldest farms in the region, but its modern reputation owes everything to one man: Marc Kent.

When a group of friends purchased the property in 1996, the farm was a historical curiosity with unrealised potential. Kent, who became Managing Partner and Technical Director, saw something others had missed. The steep, north-facing slopes at the head of the valley received intense sunlight tempered by altitude and cool mountain air — conditions ideal for producing wines of concentration and character. He set about replanting the vineyards with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier, and built a winery designed to match the quality of the fruit.

The results were immediate and dramatic. The Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, sourced from the estate's Franschhoek vineyards, established itself as one of South Africa's finest expressions of the variety. The Cabernet Sauvignon, made in both Franschhoek and Stellenbosch versions, demonstrated Kent's ability to draw out site-specific character. The Semillon, from old vines, became a benchmark for the variety in the Cape. In 2007, Kent was named Diners Club Winemaker of the Year — the industry's highest individual honour.

But it was two branded blends that would make Boekenhoutskloof a household name far beyond South Africa's borders. The Chocolate Block was born in 2002, inspired by Kent's travels through Spain and the South of France studying Grenache and Syrah plantings. The name came from Oddbins buyer Tony Allen, who secured exclusive UK distribution for the inaugural vintage of just 15 barrels. Today, The Chocolate Block is produced at a scale of 2,400 barrels — some 740,000 bottles — and is one of South Africa's most successful wine exports. The Wolftrap, a Rhone-style blend named after a 250-year-old wolf trap monument still standing on the farm, followed as an accessible, everyday wine that introduced millions of drinkers worldwide to South African wine.

The Porcupine Ridge range extended the brand family further, offering excellent value wines that carry the Boekenhoutskloof quality stamp. Together, these three labels — Boekenhoutskloof, The Chocolate Block, and The Wolftrap — have become arguably the most successful and celebrated wine brands of the modern South African wine era.

Visits to the winery are by appointment only and limited to Tuesdays and Thursdays, reflecting the estate's focus on production over tourism. Those who secure a booking are rewarded with an intimate wine workshop experience in the shadow of the Drakenstein peaks, tasting wines that range from the accessible Wolftrap to the rarefied Boekenhoutskloof Syrah. It is a place where the scale of commercial success has not diluted the seriousness of the winemaking.