2023 Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block

Boekenhoutskloof is a high-profile winery in Franschhoek that is particularly impressed in the assessment. Boekenhoutskloof, despite its somewhat unusual African name for the 'French' Franschhoek, was founded three centuries ago by French Huguenots.

The current winemaker Marc Kent also still has something with France. He initially visits once a year to find new inspiration in the confused Rhône, Cornas. Marc Kent, Managing Partner & Technical Director of Boekenhoutskloof, is a headstrong spirit and the driving force behind the various brands and properties within the Boekenhoutskloof stable. He is not afraid to experiment with the unconventional, but his main commitment is quality at every level and in every detail. Marc is as confident about the subsequent development and growth of Boekenhoutskloof as he is about the larger South African wine industry. He has been actively involved in the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Association since its inception as a board member and has chaired the Vignerons de Franschhoek on several occasions. Through Boekenhoutskloof's investments in the Swartland wine region, he became one of the founders of the Swartland Revolution and Swartland Independent Producers Association.

Biodiversity and being careful with this earth is an important element and is highly valued. In order to preserve the unique biodiversity of their terrain, all invasive alien plants can be removed from the farm - so the things that don't belong to nature. Large parts of the mountain have already been cleared of pine and gum trees. Restoration of the fragile riverine area and the reintroduction of several protea species are ongoing. Boekenhoutskloof is a founding member of the Franschhoek Mountain Conservancy (together with Haut Espoir), an initiative to improve neighborly cooperation and improve fire management and conservation of fynbos in the valley.

At home in Franschhoek, Marc has made a name for himself with great wines such as Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, each of which ranks among the absolute top of South Africa. But Kent has more strings to his bow. In addition to these small showpieces, produced in small quantities, he also makes exceptionally attractive wines under the name Porcupine Ridge and The Wolftrap that are available to a wider audience. At a somewhat higher level, The Chocolate Block certainly belongs here. In 2020 Boekenhoutskloof is chosen as the best Winery by Platter

Fun fact: On the head of the capsule you will find an image of a thin dam. This is the figurehead of Boekenhoutskloof and is an adaptation of an early silver mark from the Cape of Good Hope and she bears the dove of peace and hope. They document the Boekhoutskloof and stand for intrinsic quality above all else.