Boschkloof Wines

Family cellar in the Polkadraai Hills

Boschkloof Wines is a family-run Stellenbosch cellar on Polkadraai Road, in the Polkadraai Hills on the western edge of Stellenbosch (wine-route framing often folds this pocket into Stellenbosch Valley itineraries). The farm was purchased in 1995 and named for the natural ravine—the kloof—that runs through the property. Rolling hills, mountain backdrops and granite-rich soils set the visual and viticultural tone. Veteran winemaker Jacques Borman established the cellar in 1996. Son Reenen Borman joined in 2010 and took over winemaking in 2012. Father and son continue small-batch, site-driven wines shaped by season and soil.

Official site: boschkloofwines.com — prefer this to generic wineroute listings.

Soils: decomposed granite and koffieklip. Early plantings were largely Cape Riesling; Jacques transitioned the vineyards toward varieties suited to the site—including Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Reenen has publicly noted replanting a large share of the farm (about 55%) with young vines as the next generation chapter for his two sons. Three farm families (Tieties, Andrews, Sagarias households named on the About page) are credited with more than two decades of hands-on work—Boschkloof markets itself as people-and-place as much as points-and-press.

Farming ethos: as sustainable as practicable, handpicked fruit, gentle / hands-off cellar work aimed at revealing place. The aim stated on the estate site is timeless wines that tell a story—not volume tourism. From the natural kloof to replanted blocks, decisions are framed as long-view farming rather than short harvest cycles alone.

Signature wines

Boschkloof is best known for Syrah, led by flagship Epilogue—a single-vineyard Syrah, highly limited, released by allocation each April (loyalty members get first access per official copy). The estate states Epilogue earned standout international recognition, including being the first South African red associated with a 98-point score from an internationally acclaimed critic; other Boschkloof communications also reference exceptional Tim Atkin MW scores on Epilogue. Treat scores as critic opinions on specific vintages—ask which vintage is current when buying or tasting.

Estate / shop lines (examples from the live shop)

• Syrah (estate)
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Chardonnay
• Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
• Kottabos range — contemporary label, including Kottabos Grenache / Syrah
• Further estate blends (e.g. Conclusion) appear in narrative pages—confirm on the shop

Online ordering, gift sets and a mailing list for releases are core to the direct-to-consumer model. Neighbour comparisons on the estate blog place Boschkloof beside other Polkadraai cellars that share granite soils and False Bay cooling—useful context if you are building a western Stellenbosch day. Pricing on the shop is published per bottle and per six-bottle box; confirm live figures before ordering.

Tasting room

Newly renovated tasting room for unhurried cellar-door pours where the wines are made. The team positions the visit as guided, intimate and unhurried rather than a high-throughput tourist flight.

Hours (official contact)

• Monday–Friday: 09:00–17:00
• Saturday–Sunday: Closed
• Public holidays: Closed

Bookings highly recommended (walk-ins only if space allows). Book via the site form or:

• Phone: +27 66 396 2689
• Email: orders@boschkloofwines.com
• Address: Boschkloof Wine Farm, Polkadraai Rd, Stellenbosch

Flights

Choose on arrival (or when booking):

1. The Boschkloof Collection — signature estate flagship wines 2. The Kottabos Collection — contemporary terroir-driven range 3. Both collections if arranged

Seasonal cheese and charcuterie platters must be pre-ordered at least 48 hours ahead; walk-in catering is not offered. Lighter snacks (olives, droëwors, cashews) may be available on the day. Groups by prior arrangement only—email ahead so the team can keep the experience intimate. You can purchase Boschkloof and Kottabos wines at the cellar. There is no full on-site restaurant—plan lunch elsewhere if needed.

FAQ

Are weekends open?

No per official contact—weekday tasting room only.

Do I need to book?

Strongly recommended; weekends are closed anyway, so weekday slots matter.

What is the icon wine?

Epilogue single-vineyard Syrah (allocation release each April).

Is food available?

Pre-ordered platters (48h) or light snacks—not a restaurant.

Who makes the wine?

Jacques Borman founded the cellar; Reenen Borman has led winemaking since 2012.

Stellenbosch Valley / Polkadraai visit tips

Pair Boschkloof with other Polkadraai neighbours only after checking each cellar’s hours—Boschkloof’s weekday-only pattern differs from many Saturday-heavy tourist farms. Arrive for a guided flight, ask about current Syrah and Kottabos Grenache/Syrah, and enquire about Epilogue allocation if you collect Cape Syrah. No invented visitor-volume claims: the estate markets intimacy and unhurried tasting, which fits a booked weekday slot far better than a spontaneous weekend hop. If your itinerary is weekend-only, buy online or from merchants instead of forcing a closed gate into the route.

Why Polkadraai suits Syrah seekers

Western Stellenbosch’s Polkadraai Hills sit close enough to False Bay for cooling influence while retaining warm ripening days—conditions that suit structured Syrah and thoughtful Bordeaux-style blends. Boschkloof’s replanting programme and dual-label approach (classic Boschkloof vs contemporary Kottabos) give visitors two lenses on the same granite farm. Book a weekday morning, pre-order a platter if you want more than snacks, and leave time to discuss Epilogue allocation honestly: it is not a walk-up icon pour every day of the year. That clarity—hours, booking, food rules, flagship scarcity—is exactly what outdated wine-route blurbs usually omit. For midweek travellers, Boschkloof is a natural Polkadraai anchor: family cellar, site-driven Syrah, and a tasting room that still feels like a working farm rather than a theme stop.