
Nearby farms: Haut Espoir , La Petite Dauphine , Glenwood Vineyards ,
Breathtaking scenery, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a village atmosphere: these are the hallmarks of the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, settled more than 300 years ago by the French Huguenots.
Experience the Food and Wine Route, the Artisan Food Route, the Rond en Bont cultural route or the Cap Classique Route. Treat yourself to a Mystery Weekend or go to one of the festivals covering food and wine, art, literature and music.
In Franschhoek, breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine and the finest wines all combine to create lasting memories.
Franschhoek has long boasted a disproportionate number of South Africa’s top restaurants. Leading chefs create everything from cutting-edge cuisine to stylish light meals using the freshest produce of the valley, paired with magnificent local wines.
A member of The Délice Network of Good Food Cities of the World, Franschhoek boasts several of South Africa’s top 100 restaurants and has become known as the country’s culinary capital.
With numerous romantic venues from which to choose, Franschhoek is also a wonderful place to get married. A host of shops and galleries line the Main Street, providing a wonderful choice of boutique fashion and jewellery studios, world-class collections of artwork and photography, speciality delis and produce, and interesting bric-a-brac to browse.
For the more energetic there are numerous walking trails in the surrounding mountains – particularly in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve and in the Berg River area. You can also hire a bicycle and explore on your own, or go wine tasting on horseback. Visit Val de Vie for polo, or play golf at the breathtaking and award-winning Pearl Valley golf course.
The valley was originally settled in 1688 by French Huguenot refugees, who brought with them their age-old wine and food culture. There are a variety of cellars, from small boutique wineries that cater for those in search of something unique, to large cellars that offer organised tours and conducted tastings.
There is an array of cellars, ranging from quaint, boutique wineries to large cellars offering visitors organised tours and tastings. The area also produces some of the country’s most extraordinary Méthode Cap Classiques, which can all be enjoyed on a trip along the Franschhoek MCC Route.
Franschhoek is the place to relax, and is home to a host of premium-quality and serene wellness centres, spas, health shops and beauty parlours. Try spa facilities on wine farms, such as Holden Manz or Babylonstoren, or explore the variety of walk-in salons in the town itself.
For wine tasting with a difference, take a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Passengers on the hop-on, hop-off tour get to see the Franschhoek Valley in a unique, leisurely way aboard an open-side tram and open-air tram-bus, stopping in at wine estates.
Franschhoek prides itself on its annual Bastille Festival, the Cap Classique and Champagne Festival and Franschhoek Uncorked. Watch the media for a variety of art shows, events and concerts throughout the year, including the Franschhoek Literary Festival in May.
You may belong to the group who bounded into the New Year, resolving to enjoy a Dry January.
Or you may belong to a second group of South Africans, summoned to a family meeting by Uncle Cyril and unilaterally informed that you too would be practicing Dry January.
If you're longing for an adult beverage and an excuse to get out of the house, our wineries have responded with some delicious mocktails and mocktail and food pairings.
In the Middle Ages wax seals were used to authenticate documents. South Africa’s own sustainability wine seal does a similar job. The seal guarantees that the information on the bottle label about the variety, vintage and origin of the wine is accurate and that the wine has been grown and made in an environmentally friendly way. To date, South Africa is the only country in the world with such an all-encompassing guarantee.
Summer is in full swing and it’s the perfect opportunity to sample seasonal inspired wines at the annual Franschhoek Summer Wines on Saturday, 3 February, at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards. An intimate and exclusive social calendar highlight where the Franschhoek Vigneron’s choices for Summer will be showcased.
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Haut Espoir , La Petite Dauphine , Glenwood Vineyards ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Grande Provence , Mont Rochelle Hotel and Vineyard , La Bri ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: La Couronne Wine Estate , Boekenhoutskloof , Haut Espoir ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Mont Rochelle Hotel and Vineyard , Dieu Donné Vineyards , La Bri ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Bellevue Wine Estate , Groenland Wines , Kunjani Wines ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: La Petite Dauphine , Boekenhoutskloof , Glenwood Vineyards ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: La Petite Dauphine , Boekenhoutskloof , Haut Espoir ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Boekenhoutskloof , La Petite Dauphine , Haut Espoir ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Glenwood Vineyards , Boekenhoutskloof , La Petite Dauphine ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Haut Espoir , Boekenhoutskloof , Glenwood Vineyards ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Babylons Peak , Slaley , Simonsig Estate ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: Grande Provence , Dieu Donné Vineyards , Glenwood Vineyards ,
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Added to itinerary
Add to itinerary
Nearby farms: MAN Family Wines , Noble Hill , Simonsvlei ,