“There were two things that struck me when I realised that wine was going to be my career. I had two ambitions. One of them was to be a Diners Club Winemaker … and the other thing was to become a member of the Guild.”
Tucked away in a remote corner of the Franschhoek mountains, Boekenhoutskloof was rescued from dereliction and given a new lease on life in 1993, when it fell into the hands of a six-member syndicate. Ripping out old orchards, they planted Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Viognier. The old farm cellar was extended and renovated and into this mayhem they brought a seventh member, the newly qualified Marc.
Marc was born on the Natal South Coast but moved with his family to the Cape. Here the passionate interest of friends in the wine industry not only inspired him to study Cellar Technology at Elsenburg College but, together with his own regard for the French winemaking tradition, laid the foundation for his own style and philosophy of winemaking. Marc’s first vintage took off without the benefit of promotion, and third-party endorsement has ensured sold-out vintages ever since. Marc was Diner’s Club Winemaker of the Year in 2007.