ENCHANTED it is. There’s nothing else like it in the winelands of the Cape. A boardwalk alongside a stream through a forest on the farm Boekenhoutskloof in Franschhoek, meandering this way and that between some wonderful trees that include Cape holly, wild almond and white alder, African red alder, white poplar and English oak. There is also some Cape Beech (Boekenhout) that the name of the farm stems from and which was once much sought after for making furniture.

The property was proclaimed in 1776. In 1993 it was acquired by the current owners – Tim Rands, Marc Kent and partners – who restored the farm and homestead, established new vineyards and continue to participate in efforts to preserve the valley’s fynbos. Just under a kilometre in length, the forest walkway was constructed over a period of 14 months using treated pine planks and gum poles. According to the builder/carpenter Yacek Orzechowski, approximately 7500 planks were laid using 60000 stainless-steel screws. If the planks were laid end to end they would measure 13.5 kilometers. And along the way there are wolves – wooden creatures standing guard, on the prowl or baying at the moon…

“When this farm was founded, the Franschhoek valley was far wilder than it is today,” reflects artist Simon Max Bannister, “as the wolf trap we once discovered goes to show. Today, the mountains are still alive with indigenous animals, including the majestic leopard… We created this series of 10 wolves to remind us of the mysteries and legends of days gone by,” says Bannister, and of course they also serve as a reminder of Boekenhoutskloof’s Wolftrap range of wines.

The Wolftrap red and white (blends) retail for around R50 a bottle and the farm’s other ‘critters’ under the Porcupine Ridge labels sell for between R55 and R66 – although it’s only the top-tier Boekenhoutskloof and Chocolate Block wines that are available direct from the outfit in Franschhoek.

The Chocolate Block Shiraz blend goes for R175 a bottle and is readily available. Whereas when it comes to the Boekenhoutskloof range with a row of chairs on the labels (one for each owner?), there isn’t much more than 1200 bottles of each wine produced. Generally, there are some 200 cases of each vintage made available, each case consisting of three bottles of the Cabernet, three of the Syrah, three of Semillon and three of the Semillon Noble Late Harvest – all in a branded wooden box that retails for upward of R4000. (At the time of writing the 2012 and 2013 vintages were available)

One of the Top 20 wineries in the country, Boekenhoutskloof is open to the public by appointment only – would-be visitors can phone in advance to arrange a tour, a tasting or permission to wander around the property, past the vineyards and down to the creek and boardwalk with the resident Irish Wolfhound and Great Danes for company.