In this special edition of our podcast, we travel to Gouda for a live recording at De Wereldse Wijndagen — the wine event hosted by our partner Delta Wines, distributor of Boekenhoutskloof in the Netherlands. Set beneath the soaring arches of the historic Gouwekerk, we sat down with one of South Africa’s most influential winemakers and wine entrepreneurs: Marc Kent.
Together, we explore his life, his vision, and the evolution of Boekenhoutskloof — one of the Cape’s most internationally acclaimed wine estates. Our conversation also dives into Marc’s broader ventures, from Swartland to Franschhoek, and even into Portugal’s Douro Valley, offering rare insights into three decades of winemaking, innovation, and global ambition.
Boekenhoutskloof has long stood at the forefront of South Africa’s fine wine movement. Founded in 1776 in the Franschhoek Valley, the estate entered a new era in the mid-1990s when Marc Kent joined the team — a moment that would help redefine the image of South African wine on the world stage.
What began with a single eight-ton fermenter and a few barrels grew into a portfolio that now spans multiple regions, including Franschhoek, Swartland, Helderberg, and the Cape South Coast. Over the decades, Boekenhoutskloof has become known for its distinctive house style: aromatic elegance, spice-driven reds, and blends of remarkable purity and precision.
From the cellar’s flagship Syrah to the widely loved Chocolate Block, the estate has never pursued trends — only quality, consistency, and authenticity. Today, Boekenhoutskloof’s wines are distributed in more than 100 markets, and the estate remains one of South Africa’s leading producers across both premium and luxury tiers.
Marc Kent’s journey into wine was anything but predictable. Initially selected for the South African Air Force, circumstances diverted him into hospitality, where his talent for selling Chardonnay unexpectedly opened the doors to a career in winemaking.
He soon entered Elsenburg, one of South Africa’s top viticulture and oenology programs, where he studied alongside industry peers such as Eben Sadie. After graduating in the early years of South Africa’s democracy, Marc joined Boekenhoutskloof — then little more than an old fruit-packing shed with a modest winery attached. The rest, as they say, is history.
Marc’s influence has extended far beyond the borders of Franschhoek. His work in the Swartland helped elevate the region’s global profile, while his more recent projects in Portugal’s Douro Valley highlight a restless drive for exploration and craftsmanship.
He calls himself a terrible viticulturist — but a devoted blender. To this day, Marc personally blends every Boekenhoutskloof wine, embodying a philosophy rooted in intuition, respect for terroir, and the belief that “quality lies in the second half of the bottle.”
Hosted annually by Delta Wines, De Wereldse Wijndagen has become a vibrant meeting point for wine professionals and wine lovers across the Netherlands.
The 2025 edition brought together a diverse group of wine companies—including Coenecoop Wine Traders, DGS Wijn, and Pallas Wines—each showcasing international selections with a strong presence in the Dutch market.
This year’s event provided the perfect backdrop for a conversation with Marc Kent, whose wines have deep ties to Delta Wines’ portfolio. From discussions on South Africa’s viticultural evolution to the challenges of winemaking in Portugal, the setting offered an open and lively atmosphere for exploring ideas, tasting wines, and sharing stories.
Stay tuned for our upcoming in-depth feature article on Boekenhoutskloof, including additional context from our conversation with Marc and a review of the wine tasted during the recording — the inaugural release of Goldmine White, a new multi-regional white blend from the Boekenhoutskloof portfolio.
This special edition of Grape Masters is now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, via RSS feed, and on all major podcast platforms.
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We would like to thank Delta Wines for hosting and facilitating the live recording at De Wereldse Wijndagen, as well as our guest Marc Kent, Managing Partner and longstanding creative force at Boekenhoutskloof.
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