Boekenhoutskloof

Tucked away in a quiet corner at the very end of the Franschhoek Valley in South Africa’s Western Cape province lies Boekenhoutskloof Estate, one of the country’s most renowned wine producers. The estate specialises in Syrah and is also the creator of such hugely popular brands as The Chocolate Block, The Wolftrap and Porcupine Ridge, which are sold all over the world.

History

The farm itself is historic, founded in 1776, making it one of the oldest estates in the Franschhoek Valley. The name means ‘Boekenhoutskloof’, referring to a local tree species, the Cape beech, prized in these parts for its timber, which is used to make furniture. The chairs on the wine label are a nod to this heritage. The modern history begins in 1993, when Mark Kent and a group of partners bought and restored the run-down farm and estate and began planting new vineyards. The first vintage under the Boekenhoutskloof label was produced in 1996. Mark Kent remains the managing partner and technical director, working alongside head winemaker Godfrey Moke, who joined the team after establishing a reputation at Chamonix in the same valley.

Vineyards

Around 20 hectares are planted on the home farm in Franschhoek, mainly with red varieties. However, from the very beginning, Boekenhoutskloof has worked with grapes from the best plots across the Western Cape. In 2009, the team acquired two plots in the Swartland to produce its flagship Syrah wine, and very recently they began developing a small plot of land in Hemel-en-Aarde near Hermanus, planted with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Terroir

Franschhoek is situated at the foot of the surrounding mountains, with soil consisting of a mixture of alluvial deposits, weathered granite and clay, as well as a relatively cool climate by South African standards. The plots in the Swartland, by contrast, are warm and dry, with stony subsoil and predominantly shale soils. Hemel-en-Aarde is much cooler, which suits Burgundian varieties. The estate is also one of the founding members of the Franschhoek Mountain Conservancy and is actively involved in the removal of introduced plants and the protection of native fynbos and protea species.

Grapes

The vineyards grow Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier. Mourvèdre, Cinsault and a small amount of Merlot also play a role, particularly in blends. White varieties used in various labels include Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Viognier and Chardonnay.

Winemaking method

The wines are certified as environmentally sustainable under the South African ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) scheme, and some batches are even certified as organic. Harvesting is carried out by hand, and the grapes are carefully sorted. The team uses concrete tanks and oak barrels for fermentation, depending on the wine, whilst ageing takes place mainly in French oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak selected individually for each wine. The style is generally precise and structured, with an emphasis on freshness and ageing potential.

Wines

Boekenhoutskloof’s range of top wines includes Syrah (mainly from Swartland), Cabernet Sauvignon (from Stellenbosch and Franschhoek), Semillon (from old vines in Franschhoek) and the rare Noble Late Harvest. The Chocolate Block, a Syrah-based blend, has become a global hit. Below this tier are The Wolftrap (Rhône-style reds, whites and rosés) and Porcupine Ridge — a wide range of single-varietal wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, intended for everyday drinking.