Strauss & co - 26 - 28 July 2020, Online

18 Boekenhoutskloof The name Boekenhoutskloof has become synonymous with the South African Wine Industry. From modest beginnings 25 years ago on an old farm tucked away in the furthest corner of the Franschhoek mountains, Boekenhoutskloof has become a visionary enterprise as well as a winery committed to a fundamental principle: offering consumers around the world a diverse array of exceptional quality wines. Through the relentless pursuit of quality in every detail, a consistent run of 5-star rated wines was achieved within the esteemed South African wine publication, Platter’s Wine Guide. Along with these, Boekenhoutskloof has twice been named Winery of the Year: in 2012 and with an Editor’s Award in 2020. Marc Kent joined Boekenhoutskloof and was appointed as winemaker during December 1994. Over the past 25 years he has overseen the growth of what is now a globally recognised wine operation. Through winery and brand expansions the team has grown exponentially and Marc now leads the business as Managing Partner and Technical Director. The primary winery is still the one set in its beautiful, pristine corner of Franschhoek, but Marc Kent and his team have expanded to other areas of the Cape winelands. They now own properties in other terroir-expressive regions such as the Swartland, Stellenbosch and the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, which has allowed Boekenhoutskloof to capture the country’s exciting geographical diversity throughout its substantial and varied offering of brands and wines. Expertise in winemaking is prevalent at Boekenhoutskloof; Marc Kent was named Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year in 2007, while his chief winemaker Gottfried Mocke won the same accolade in 2006. Both are members of the prestigious Cape Wine Makers’Guild. The wine philosophy centres on wines showing the power of the NewWorld with the elegance of the Old, so too is Marc’s view on the source of the final product. No matter where Boekenhoutskloof has invested in properties – Franschhoek, the Swartland, Stellenbosch, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, Boekenhoutskloof’s commitment it to leave the lands in a better way than they found them. It means farming with minimal intervention and respect for the environment, which is non-negotiable. As a wine producer, they are at one with nature. Boekenhoutskloof Syrah 2005 – 6 bottle lot Boekenhoutskloof leaped onto the scene with an iconic, new wave, Platter 5-star 1997 Syrah and is now well established as one of the Cape’s top growers. Produced from a single vineyard in Wellington, the 2005 vintage, by then well established as one of the top expressions of Syrah from the Cape, won Marc the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year award in 2007 (with Crozes-Hermitage superstar Alain Graillot on the panel as international judge). Marc Kent Tasting room Maturation Cellar