His highly anticipated 2020 South Africa Special Report has just been released and needless to say it was an unconventional gathering of information for leading UK Master of Wine Tim Atkin. His report is usually based on two visits to South Africa throughout the year which allows him to taste…
Although there is still a chill in the air this past weekend we were spoilt with magnificent weather which looks set to last throughout this week. This spectacular Winter weather comes hot off the heels of two icy cold fronts we experienced, which saw our mountain ranges covered with snow.…
Holden Manz Wine Estate is delighted to announce that its Proprietors’ Red Blend 2015 has been awarded Top 100 and Double Platinum in the 2020 National Wine Challenge. “2015 was an exceptional vintage and this is an exceptional blend made from grapes grown on the estate in Franschhoek,” says Gerard…
As we face challenging times and what feels like an endless dark tunnel, every now and then a good news story peaks out from behind the dark clouds and leaves us with hope. With news emerging recently that wine producers are allowed to export there is further cause for celebration…
After serving 30 years as the Viticulturist/Winemaker for GlenWood Vineyards, DP Burger will be handing over this responsibility to his Assistant Winemaker, Natasha Pretorius. DP will oversee the smooth running of the farm in his capacity as Cellar Master and General Manager. GlenWood Vineyards is situated in the heart of…
TripAdvisor, regarded as the world’s largest travel site, has just released their list of the Top 25 Emerging Worldwide Destinations, with Franschhoek securing 15th position. This list forms part of TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2020. Internationally renowned as a leading wine and culinary region, the Franschhoek Wine Valley is…
Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa have been selected within 2019’s Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards. Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa have been awarded the title: Cape Town’s Leading Boutique Hotel, 2019. Now in its second year, the 2019 Global Luxury Hotel & Spa Awards have been designed to recognise…
As we bid farewell to 2019, let’s make the most of the festive season. The Franschhoek Wine Valley offers a delightful alternative to the usual festive season destinations for celebrating this memorable time with family and friends. A number of our members will be pulling out all of the stops…
Sunday, 17 November signified an important day in the culinary calendar as the top South African restaurants were announced at the 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards. Attended by the who’s who in the foodie and media fraternities, three Franschhoek eateries secured a spot on this sought-after list of the…
After months of anticipation the wait is finally over. The 2020 Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide was launched on Friday, 8 November to a room full of industry and media heavyweights, and once again Franschhoek Vignerons took top honours in most of the categories as well as…
At a gala event which took place on Saturday, 2 November at Nederburg Wines in Paarl, the winners of this year’s Western Cape Prestige Agri Worker Competition were announced, and L’Ormarins’ Abednic Simanga was awarded the winner of the Animal Production category. The Agri-Awards – an initiative previously known as…
Embraced by the glory of the Cape Winelands, Santé Wellness Retreat & Spa has cultivated a resounding reputation for delivering holistic wellness services that are a blend of art and science, and high-tech and high-touch in a luxurious sanctuary. But it’s not just the opinion of guests that has painted…
Not only is it the height of awards season for the wine industry, but it is also full steam ahead for restaurants. With the 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards around the corner chefs in and around the country are on tender hooks as they await news as to who…
The list of nominees for the hotly contested 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards has been released, and six Franschhoek establishments have been included in the list of 30 finalists. The Franschhoek restaurants to secure a spot are the following: Chefs Warehouse at Maison La Petite Colombe Le Coin Français…
“Our vast open spaces, hospitable people, fauna and flora, agricultural sector, wine industry, fine cuisine and opportunities for grand adventure echo what all Cape Winelands tourism stakeholders believe: A thousand things to do and then some wine….”. Stated Ald (Dr.) Elna von Schlicht, Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District…
With the wine industry awards in full swing Franschhoek’s Vignerons delivered a stellar performance at both the Michelangelo International Wine Awards and Veritas Awards, which took place a week apart from each. Since its inception the Michelangelo International Wine Awards, which took place on 4 October, has differentiated itself from…
Earlier this month the The Hospitality Counsel hosted their annual Hosco-Audi Luxury Tourism Awards, and Le Petit Manoir Franschhoek secured 4th position overall on this prestigious list, which celebrates the finest contributions to the South African hospitality sector. Le Petit Manoir Franschhoek was one of 60 nominees shortlisted. In addition…
The finalists for the 19th Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year awards have been released, and Thys Smit of Grande Provence has been included in the line-up of five winemakers who will vie for this prestigious title. The winner will be announced at a black-tie gala dinner at La…
The Franschhoek Wine Valley certainly packs a punch when it comes to tourism service delivery. Not only is the region regarded as one of the country’s leading wine producing areas as well as SA’s Culinary Capital, but tourism is also key in their continued efforts to stay ahead of the…
The results of this year’s Western Cape Prestige Agri Worker Competition are in, which saw Franschhoek Wine Valley represented by 10 finalists. This round of the competition was held to select regional winners chosen from the Bergrivier, Breedevallei, Central Karoo, Durbanville, EGVV, Franschhoek, Garden Route, Hexvallei, Klein Karoo, Langeberg, Olifantsrivier,…
The Sommeliers Selection Wine Competition, which was conceptualized in 2015, has revolutionized local wine competitions. It is a competition with a difference, as it is judged solely by top South African Sommeliers, and the winning wines for 2019 were recently announced with seven Franschhoek vignerons shining in their relevant categories.…
“The only South African winery to be included in the prestigious American publication, Wine & Spirits Magazine‘s Top 100 Wineries of 2019 is Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines” Each year the panel and critics of Wine & Spirits blind-taste, review and score more than 15 000 wines from around the world, the most distinguished of…
On 23 and 25 September the Franschhoek Wine Valley gets the opportunity to showcase its wide range of stellar wines to the semi-finalists competing in this year’s triennial Sommelier Cup competition, presented by Wines of South Africa (WoSA). Representing countries from across the globe the sommeliers will spend the day…
Since its inception in 2002 female agri worker participants have increased significantly, which has resulted in 13 women moving forward to the next round. At total of 43 finalists from Franschhoek were selected. Another noticeable factor was the women’s level of knowledge and passion for their respective responsibilities, which impressed…
Awards season is in full swing with the 2019 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge results being the latest to be announced. The Franschhoek Wine Valley was well represented with four of its producers scooping awards in the relevant categories. In the Blanc de Blanc category not only did Colmant receive Double Gold…
A competition dedicated entirely to Rosé and Franschhoek Vignerons scooped no less than 17 medals in total at this year’s Rosé Rocks competition. Eight Double Gold and seven Gold Medal winners were awarded in the Still Wine category. In the MCC category Franschhoek Vignerons were awarded one Double Gold and…
Not only did the beginning of September signify the start of a new season, but it also coincided with the release of the seventh annual review of South African wines by British Master of Wine, Tim Atkin. In this critically acclaimed report the Franschhoek Wine Valley reaffirmed its position as…
At the 41st Annual Loerie Awards, which took place on 23 August 2019 at the Durban ICC, Babylonstoren’s 2019 Calendar was awarded Silver in the Graphic Design category. Congratulations to the Babylonstoren team – Maranda Engelbrecht, Adel Ferreira and Mercia Maree. Their 2020 calendar will be in the Farm Shop…
Leeu Estates, the flagship property of Leeu Collection, is the only hotel in the Cape Winelands to have achieved the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA)’s new 5-Star Premium status, which was introduced in April 2019 to recognise exceptional 5-star properties that have reached the pinnacle of quality where…
This year’s Novare SA Terroir Wine Awards saw a staggering 328 wines entered for the 2019 competition, with the results of these announced at a special awards ceremony on 1 August. Judged by a panel of highly esteemed industry role players, , the Franschhoek Wine Valley excelled in the district…
The S. Pellegrino Top 10 Young Chef semi-finalists for 2020 have been announced, of which seven of the 10 for the Africa and Middle East region are from South Africa. One of the semi-finalists happens to be Callan Austin, Chef De Cuisine at Le Coin Français. 135 chef candidates from…
Of the 956 wines judged from 206 producers, 32 gold medals were awarded and 24 trophies were awarded to deserving producers at the 2019 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. The announcement took place at a special awards event in Cape Town oearlier in June. Two of the big winners were…
After two weeks of judging the results are in for the 16th annual Decanter World Wine Awards, which saw France scoop 13 of the 50 Best In Show medals. South Africa earned six Platinum medals, which included the 2012 Vintage Le Lude Cuvée – the first South African MCC to…
Holden Manz Estate’s Cabernet Franc 2017 and My Wyn’s Les Grandes Horizontales 2015 have each secured a spot as one of the Top 6 Wines at this year’s Cabernet Franc Challenge. Now in its 4th year the competition highlights quality wines produced by some of South Africa’s most passionate winemakers.…
Congratulations to Haut Espoir and La Bri who were amongst the winners announced at the 2019 10 Year Old Wine Awards, which was hosted by Winemag.co.za. 92 entries from 42 producers were received, and the entries were tasted blind, by a three-person panel, with the scoring done according to the…
Regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wine producing regions as well as the country’s premier culinary destination, the Franschhoek Wine Valley has every reason to raise a glass to a stellar year. Earning top accolades has once again placed this picture perfect valley at the top of visitors’ minds.…
StreetSmart SA, an organisation dedicated to helping street children rebuild their lives through donations from restaurants, accommodation establishments and wine tasting venues in the Western Cape, Garden Route, Gauteng and KZN, has handed over R110,000 to their Franschhoek beneficiary for 2019. This grand effort is part of the total StreetSmart…
It’s an event that everyone wants to attend, and when they do they dress up to the nine’s, and this year’s Diners Club Winemaker of the Year Awards once again lived up to its sparkling reputation. La Residence was once again the venue for the awards evening, which was attended…
Following on from the announcement of the finalists for this year’s 5th annual Prestige Agri-Awards, there was excitement in the air when the winners of 2018 Western Cape Prestige Agri Worker were announced. The results were announced at a gala event on 3 November at Nederburg Wine Estate in Paarl,…
After months of waiting the big day finally arrived as the winners of the 2018 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards were announced. Of the 30 nominees a list of South Africa’s Top 20 were selected, which saw four Franschhoek eateries securing a spot on this sought after list. The winning…
In Franschhoek we are not only passionate about wine, but we’re also fanatical about food. Over the years the valley has become avidly known as the Culinary Capital of South Africa and the area is home to some of the best fine dining establishments in the country. We are proud…
The 5th annual Prestige Agri-Awards recently took place at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards in Franschhoek, where the winners for the sought after titles were announced. The initiative, previously known as the Farmworker of the Year competition, honours excellence in the province’s agricultural sector. In doing so the competition is able…
Included in the list of 10 winners announced at the fifth annual Standard Bank Chenin Blanc Top Ten Challenge, Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards secured a position for a third year. This year, the Leopard’s Leap Culinaria Chenin Blanc 2016 made it onto the list together with other prominent SA wine…
The results for the 22nd annual Absa Top 10 Pinotage competition were announced at a special awards event held at Cavalli Estate, which was attended by key industry role players and media. Included in the list of Top 10 winners were two Franschhoek Vignerons, namely Allée Bleue and Môreson. Allée…
Bradley Ewerts who works as a Cellar Assistant at Haut Espoir, will soon be jetting off to Burgundy in France to participate in the prestigious Burgundy Exchange Programme. The programme, which is an initiative of the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, aims to give previously disadvantaged individuals the opportunity to…
The fourth annual Winemag Cape Bordeaux Red Blend Report has just been published, which saw Babylonstoren’s Nebukadneser 2016 scoring an impressive 90 out of a possible 100-point quality scale. The grapes for this award-winning wine are grown on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains, in a combination of Klapmuts/Longlands type…
Franschhoek Vignernons have reaffirmed their position as one of SA’s leading wine producing regions at this year’s International Wine Challenge (IWC) 2018. The IWC is regarded as one of the world’s finest and most meticulously judged wine competitions, which follows a rigorous judging process. Every wine is blind tasted and…
The seventh annual Prescient Cabernet Sauvignon Report has been published and two Franschhoek Vignerons impressed the judging panel, each scoring 90+ for their wines entered. A total of 89 entries were received from 74 producers, and the wines were tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel, with…
The annual Cabernet Franc Challenge recently took place at Avontuur Estate in Stellenbosch which saw Holden Manz and My Wyn were recognized for producing superb wines. Winners were selected for wines of outstanding complexity and elegance. A total of 50 entries were received, and the wines were judged by an…
Looks are certainly deceiving when it comes to Dalewood Fromage, as this small dairy farm situated on the outskirts of Franschhoek punches well above its weight when bringing home the accolades. In November 2017 Dalewood had reason to end off the year on a high note with the excellent results…
Enjoying internationally acclaim for the quality of its wine tourism offering, Franschhoek-based La Motte Wine Estate has again been acknowledged as Best Food and Wine Matching Experience in the 2018 edition of the Drinks International Wine Tourism Awards. Comments from the judging panel included: “Great wine and food experience, fun, interesting and exciting…
Golf Digest today announced that Pearl Valley, Val de Vie Estate’s Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course, has been ranked as the 5th best golf course in the country. The course was also ranked as the Best Conditioned Golf Course in the Western Cape. The biennial ‘Golf Digest Top 100 Courses…
The Babylonstoren Hotel has once again secured a spot on the prestigious Condé Nast Traveler Gold List. This is the third time in a row that the luxurious boutique hotel, situated in the heart of the Franschhoek Wine Valley, has been acknowledged by this internationally recognized lifestyle and travel publication.…
Franschhoek Wine Valley
Physical Address
62 Huguenot Road
Franschhoek
7690
Office hours
Monday: 09h00 – 12h00
Tuesday to Friday: 09h00 – 16h00
Saturday: 09h00 – 13h00
Sunday: closed
Contact Details
+27(0) 21 876 2861
info@franschhoek.org.za
