2024 Boekenhoutskloof The Chocolate Block

Boekenhoutskloof Wines

Boekenhoutskloof is a prominent winery in Franschhoek that impresses, above all, with its exceptional quality. Despite its somewhat unusual Afrikaans name for the ‘French’ Franschhoek, Boekenhoutskloof was founded over three centuries ago by French Huguenots.

Current winemaker Marc Kent maintains strong ties with France. He visits at least once a year, particularly to Cornas in the northern Rhône, to draw fresh inspiration. Marc Kent, Managing Partner & Technical Director of Boekenhoutskloof, is a maverick spirit and the driving force behind the various brands and estates within the Boekenhoutskloof stable. Unafraid to experiment with the unconventional, his primary focus remains on delivering quality at every level and in every detail. Marc is just as committed to the ongoing development and growth of Boekenhoutskloof as he is to the broader South African wine industry. Since its inception, he has been actively involved with the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Association as a board member and has chaired the Vignerons de Franschhoek multiple times. Through Boekenhoutskloof’s investments in the Swartland wine region, he became one of the founders of the Swartland Revolution and the Swartland Independent Producers Association.

Boekenhoutskloof is one of South Africa’s most renowned wineries, located in the picturesque Franschhoek Valley. Since its establishment in 1776, the estate has been known for its elegant, characterful wines where terroir and tradition take center stage. From iconic blends to refined single varietals, this winery offers a broad selection of top-tier wines.

Fun fact: On the top of each bottle’s capsule, you’ll find an image of a slender female figure. She is the emblem of Boekenhoutskloof, inspired by an early Cape of Good Hope silver mark, carrying the dove of peace and hope. She stands guard over Boekenhoutskloof and symbolizes intrinsic quality above all else.

About Boekenhoutskloof

The name Boekenhoutskloof translates to "ravine of the Boekenhout," referring to a native Cape beech tree prized for fine furniture. Nestled at the foot of the Groot Drakenstein mountains, the vineyards benefit from a unique microclimate and rich soil structure. Under the guidance of winemaker Marc Kent, Boekenhoutskloof blends traditional winemaking techniques with modern insights.

At home in Franschhoek, Marc Kent has made a name for himself with standout wines such as Boekenhoutskloof Semillon, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon—each ranked among South Africa’s very best. But Kent has more arrows in his quiver. Alongside these limited-production flagship wines, he also produces exceptionally appealing wines under the Porcupine Ridge and The Wolftrap labels, making quality accessible to a broader audience. At a higher level, the famed The Chocolate Block also belongs to this portfolio. In 2020, Boekenhoutskloof was named Winery of the Year by Platter’s Wine Guide.

Climate and Vineyards of Boekenhoutskloof

Key grape varieties include Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Semillon, each carefully selected and vinified to express the best of the region.

Boekenhoutskloof’s vineyards are spread across Franschhoek and the Swartland region, each offering a unique terroir. In Franschhoek, the vines benefit from a temperate Mediterranean climate, with cool sea breezes ensuring slow ripening and freshness. The soils here consist of granite and slate, contributing to the wines’ minerality and complexity.

In Swartland (where, among others) the Syrah is grown, the climate is warmer and drier. Old bush vines, deeply rooted in the region’s poor, schist-rich soils, yield concentrated grapes with powerful aromas and impressive structure. This blend of terroirs gives Boekenhoutskloof wines their hallmark balance of power and elegance.

Buy Boekenhoutskloof wines

At Grandcruwijnen, you’ll find a carefully curated selection of Boekenhoutskloof wines. Here’s a taste of our collection:

The Chocolate Block

Boekenhoutskloof’s most renowned wine. The Chocolate Block is a bold blend primarily of Syrah, complemented by Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cinsault, and Viognier. Expect aromas of dark berries, cocoa, and spices, with a velvety-smooth finish.

Boekenhoutskloof Syrah

A complex, elegant red wine from old Swartland vineyards. This Syrah is defined by notes of black pepper, violets, and red fruit, supported by subtle oak nuances.

Boekenhoutskloof Semillon

A white wine with a rich history. The Semillon comes from centuries-old vines in Franschhoek and offers layers of citrus, honey, and light minerality—perfect for lovers of structured, deep wines.

Buy Boekenhoutskloof at Grandcruwijnen

Looking for Boekenhoutskloof wines? At Grandcruwijnen, you can easily order online, directly from our cellar in Dordrecht. Visit us for in-store pickup or choose fast home delivery. Experience the excellence of South African winemaking with Boekenhoutskloof! 

The Western Cape is South Africa’s most versatile wine region. A place where cool ocean breezes, warm inland valleys, ancient soils and modern winemakers meet. The result is a wine world bursting with energy. The Western Cape delivers so much variety that it almost feels like three countries in one, without the jet lag.

The broad wine landscape of the Western Cape

The Western Cape includes a remarkable collection of wine regions such as Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Swartland, Constantia, Paarl, and Robertson. Each area has its own identity. Near the coast you feel the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean. Further inland you find warm summers and calm, sheltered valleys. This diversity shows immediately in the wine styles.

Some areas are known for elegant white wines with freshness and definition. Others focus on powerful red blends with structure and depth. The Western Cape offers everything from modern to classic and from refined to robust. It is a region where long wine traditions blend naturally with new ideas. And yes, sometimes a winemaker experiments so enthusiastically that you wonder whether the sunlight was a little too intense that day. Yet more often than not, the results are surprisingly impressive.

Climate: a play of sun, wind and contrast

The climate of the Western Cape is one of its greatest strengths. Along the western coastline, the cold Benguela Current brings cool air, fog and strong wind. This is ideal for grapes that benefit from a slow ripening process and need to retain acidity. As a result, regions such as Constantia and Walker Bay produce wines with finesse, precision and pure fruit expression.

Moving inland, temperatures rise and the landscape changes. Areas such as Paarl and Breedekloof experience warm and sunny summers. Grapes ripen more quickly here and produce wines with ripe aromas and firm structure. These wines are bold, generous and full of character. Cabernet sauvignon in particular thrives in these conditions.

Stellenbosch sits between the cool coast and the warmer inland zones. With its hills, wind corridors and sunlit slopes, it is one of the most balanced areas of the Western Cape. Wines here often show concentration combined with freshness. A winemaker might say that nature does half the job. Almost.

Soils and geology: a library of stones

The Western Cape is built on one of the oldest geological formations on the planet. Granite, slate, sandstone, schist and iron rich red soils alternate throughout the region. It feels like walking through a geological library in which every soil type writes its own chapter about flavor, texture and structure.

Granite usually gives wines elegance, minerality and crisp acidity. Slate brings intensity and darker aromatics. Schist contributes depth and concentration. Sandstone adds liveliness and an easy flowing character. The red soils rich in iron often lead to wines with power and complexity.

This broad range of soil types allows many grape varieties to succeed. From crisp sauvignon blanc to rich shiraz. From refreshing rosé to multi layered blends.

Grape varieties that define the Western Cape

Pinotage, South Africa’s signature grape, is a logical starting point. In the Western Cape, pinotage can be light and fruity or serious and structured. Occasionally it is so elegant that you check the label to confirm it really is pinotage.

Cabernet sauvignon and shiraz are important red varieties. Cabernet delivers wines with depth and age worthiness. Shiraz adapts well to local conditions. In cooler places like Swartland and the cooler pockets of Walker Bay, shiraz can be peppery and vibrant. In warmer zones it becomes fuller and richer.

On the white side, chenin blanc remains the star of the region. It offers everything from sharp and mineral styles to richer, oak matured versions. Chardonnay is becoming increasingly important. Some Western Cape chardonnays are fresh and citrus driven, while others are creamy and textured. Sauvignon blanc shines in cooler areas, producing lively and aromatic wines.

In coastal zones such as Constantia, blends of sauvignon blanc and semillon reach impressive levels of complexity. These wines often show both freshness and weight, with long, balanced finishes.

Wine styles and character of the Western Cape

The variety of wine styles in the Western Cape is enormous. This makes the region ideal for both newcomers and long time wine enthusiasts. Cool coastal regions produce aromatic and refined white wines, including chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and chenin blanc with vivid fruit.

Warmer areas produce structured, concentrated red wines with ripe fruit. Bordeaux style blends are a specialty of Stellenbosch and Paarl. Shiraz plays a significant role in nearly every subregion. Rosé is also gaining popularity, partly because winemakers have realised that modern rosé has become universally loved. Even under the African sun.

The Western Cape is also known for excellent sparkling wines made in both traditional and contemporary styles. Single vineyard bottlings are becoming more common and reveal the distinctive character of individual plots.

A region full of energy and experimentation

What makes the Western Cape so compelling is the combination of tradition and innovation. Old vineyards are maintained with dedication. At the same time, winemakers experiment with new plantings, sustainable practices, spontaneous fermentation and low intervention techniques. Not every experiment succeeds, but the spirit of curiosity keeps the region dynamic and forward looking.

The Western Cape continues to surprise. Each bottle tells a story about the landscape, the soil and the vision of the winemaker. And sometimes a bottle simply reflects that the weather was perfect and the winemaker was in a particularly good mood. You can taste that too.