Boekenhoutskloof is a high-profile wine estate in Franschhoek that is particularly impressive in terms of quality. The Boekenhoutskloof was, despite its somewhat unusual African name for the 'French' Franschhoek, founded three centuries ago by French Huguenots. The current winemaker Marc Kent also still has a thing for France. He visits it at least once a year to find new inspiration in the northern Rhone, Cornas. In 2020 Boekenhoutskloof was voted best winery in South Africa by Platter

The Boekenhoutskloof Sémillon is the absolute top wine of winemaker Marc Kent. Rich, lively and mineral, this wine is a particularly complex wine. In the glass, the wine has a beautiful pale yellow color. In the scent a blend of freshly squeezed lemons, juicy pears, orange blossom, soft lemon pudding and honeysuckle. The wine is rich, elegant, lively and mineral at the same time. The use of wood is evident: in the taste some vanilla and almonds. All this ending in a long, dry, nutty finish with peach blossom and subtle marzipan. It is a great, characterful white food wine. Serve something special, something rich in flavour: for example a lobster salad, dishes with crab or a spicy Moroccan chicken tagine. This is not a wine to serve on the terrace or with a drink.

International Wine Challenge, 2017 Silver Medal (2015)
Wine Spectator, April/May 2016 - 92 points (2013)

Boekenmanskoof is located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, a sub-area within the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It is about twenty kilometers from Hermanus, the coastal town on Walker Bay that is also known as the 'whale capital' of South Africa. The Atlantic Ocean not only ensures that the whales enjoy floating around here, it also provides an ideal climate for viticulture. It is warm, but it rarely exceeds thirty degrees during the growing season. This is due to the fresh sea breeze and the fact that the vineyards are slightly higher than most vineyards in the area. The grapes get the chance to ripen optimally, but retain their fresh acidity thanks to the cool nights. The soil also plays an important role in this. The vineyards have a clay-derived slate soil called Bokkeveld. It prevents water stress and makes the vines less vigorous, which in turn contributes to the slow ripening of the grapes (due to the slow release of groundwater).