- A brief history
Boekenhoutskloof was established in 1776. Located in the furthest corner of the beautiful Franschhoek valley, the farm's name means "ravine of the Boekenhout" (pronounced Book-n-Howed). Boekenhout is an indigenous Cape Beech tree greatly prized for furniture making.
In 1993 the farm and homestead was bought and restored and a new vineyard planting programme was established that now includes Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Grenache, Semillon and Viognier.
- The Figurehead
This svelte lady is the figurehead of Boekenhoutskloof. She is an adaptation of an early silver hallmark of the Cape of Good Hope and she carries the dove of peace and hope. Guarding over Boekenhoutskloof, she represents intrinsic quality, which we prize above all else.
- Conservation of our Environment
The Cape winelands are located in the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of six such plant kingdoms in the world. It is the smallest yet richest, home to some 9 600 plant species – more than are found in the entire northern hemisphere. This makes the Cape Floral Kingdom a world heritage site. In the interests of conserving this unique biodiversity, we are removing invasive alien plants from the farm. Large parts of the mountain have already been cleared of pine and gum trees. Restoration of the sensitive riverine area, as well as the re-introduction of various protea species, is on-going.
A rare Erica called Erica Lerouxiae has been identified on the property and is completely unique to Boekenhoutskloof and the neighbouring farm, Haut Espoir. Boekenhoutskloof is a founder member of the Franschhoek Mountain Conservancy (together with Haut Espoir), an initiative to improve co-operation between neighbours, as well as to improve fire management and fynbos conservation in the valley.
We are also currently sponsoring Christy Bragg, a PHD student, who is researching the feeding behaviour and movements of the Crested Porcupine, after whom our Porcupine Ridge wines are named. The Crested Porcupine research is being conducted as a three-year project on Boekenhoutskloof and on another site near Nieuwoudtville. - Our Winemaker
Marc Kent is the chief winemaker and driving force behind the dynamic farm. A maverick spirit, Marc is unafraid to experiment with the unconventional, but his principal commitment is to quality on every level and in every detail.
- Equipment
JLB Press: Vaslin Burcher, Chalonnes Sur Loire, France
JLB 12HL: The reference for vertical basket presses.
Egg Tank: Nomblot Nomblot, Beaune, France
6HL "egg": Developed in conjunction with Chapoutier by Marc Nomblot.
Sorting Table: SCM Semat Freres, Carcassonne
TRI 600 triage table: Food grade selection table, for de-stemming selection.
Ragazzini Pump: Ragazzini, Feanza, Italy
MS2 perostaltic pump: The ultimate technology for soft handling of must and wine, variable speed.
Viniclean Vibrating Table: Socma, Narbonne, France
Viniclean: The finest in post-destemming selection, developed and manufactured by Socma, Narbonne in conjunction with Boekenhoutskloof.
Vaslin Delta E2: Vaslin Bucher, Chalonnes Sur Loire, France
Delta E2 Destemmer Crusher: The original, and most copied, in destemming and crusher technology.
- Tasting Room
Open for tastings and sales: Mondays to Fridays 09h00-17h00
Closed: Weekends and Public holidays
Groups by appointment only- Wines available for tasting:
- Porcupine Ridge Sauvignon Blanc 2011
- Porcupine Ridge Viognier Grenache Blanc 2010
- Porcupine Ridge Merlot 2010
- Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
- Porcupine Ridge Syrah 2010
- Porcupine Ridge Syrah Viognier 2010
- The Wolftrap Red 2011
- The Wolftrap White 2010
- The Chocolate Block 2010
Wheelchair friendly / No tasting fee applicable
