Franschhoek wine estate Boekenhoutskloof was recently named the best South African winery in a poll conducted by wine writer Tim James for the independent local e-zine Grape.

Comprised of 26 members, the judging panel included some of the countrys top wine cognoscenti, including Caroline Rillema from Carolines Fine Wine Cellar, Miguel Chan, former sommelier at The Cellars Hohenort, and wine writers Angela Lloyd and Michael Fridjhon.

This is yet another feather in the cap of Boekenhoutskloof cellar master Marc Kent, who was named Diners Winemaker of the Year in 2007, garnered the coveted five-star John Platter rating for his flagship Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in the 2010 Platters Guide, and earned the estate another five stars in the latest edition of Robert Parker’s Parker’s Wine Buyer’s Guide.

He also got a nod from the International Wine Report as a number one South African wine producer. For a complete list of Grapes top 20 South African wineries, click here.