Marc Kent
Managing Partner & Technical Director
From 500 cases to a South African benchmark
Marc Kent is a ground-breaking figure in the modern South African wine industry, best known as the Managing Partner and Technical Director of Boekenhoutskloof.
Born on the Natal South Coast, Marc moved with his family to the Cape, where the infectious enthusiasm of friends in the wine industry inspired him to study Cellar Technology at Elsenburg College. Combined with his deep regard for the French winemaking tradition — and in particular the wines of the Northern Rhône — this laid the foundation for his distinctive style and philosophy of winemaking.
Marc’s involvement with Boekenhoutskloof began at the very first vintage in 1996, when he produced just 500 cases. His rapid ascent from winemaker to Managing Partner reflected not only his technical gifts but also a sharp entrepreneurial instinct that would prove as important to Boekenhoutskloof’s success as anything that happened in the cellar.
He made history as the first to put South African Syrah on the international map with his now legendary 1997 vintage of Boekenhoutskloof Syrah, drawing inspiration from producers such as Guigal in the Northern Rhône in his drive to make the finest expression of the variety in the country.
Awards on the global stage
Under his determined leadership, Boekenhoutskloof has become one of the leading names in South Africa, regularly winning awards on the global stage and earning critical praise for its wines — including the title of Platter’s Winery of the Year.
He has expanded the estate’s reach across several key wine regions, including Swartland, Stellenbosch and, most recently, the Hemel-en-Aarde, and has developed a diverse portfolio of acclaimed brands: The Chocolate Block, crafted from 100% Swartland fruit; the critically lauded Porseleinberg Syrah, whose 2018 vintage received a rare 100-point score from Tim Atkin MW; and the well-respected value labels Porcupine Ridge and The Wolftrap.
Known for his innovative and quality-driven approach, Marc has been instrumental in shaping a distinctive “Old World” style for Boekenhoutskloof’s wines, with a focus on technical precision in the cellar — from gentle wine transfers to meticulous blending. On an individual level, Marc has been honoured as Diners Club Winemaker of the Year, a reflection of his sustained commitment to excellence, and has mentored many young winemakers.
A broader commitment to South African wine
One of the first winemakers to recognise the potential of the Swartland region, Marc became a founding member of both the Swartland Revolution and the Swartland Independent Producers Association — initiatives aimed at promoting innovation and excellence in the region.
His commitment to the broader South African wine landscape extends further still: he has been an active Board member of the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Association since its inception, has chaired the Vignerons de Franschhoek on numerous occasions, and has served on the Board of Robertson Winery.
More recently, Marc has taken his deep love of winemaking to Portugal’s Douro Valley, where he co-founded Companhia de Vinhos Invencível with partner Rita Marques, while maintaining his active leadership of Boekenhoutskloof.