Franschhoek offers visitors a wide range of accommodation – from luxury boutique hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts and self-catering establishments. Choose to stay in one of the many establishments located within easy walking distance of the main road, or opt for a more secluded establishment – located on farms in and around the valley – offering you the ultimate winelands experience. Whatever your choice, you will be guaranteed of a blissful night’s rest.
Franschhoek may be South Africa’s Culinary Capital, but you are bound to want to explore further than our award-winning restaurants and wineries. If the options are simply too many for you to decide, contact one of our local tour operators who have distilled what’s available into itineraries for all tastes. For a wine tasting with a difference take a ride on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. For the more energetic there are numerous walking trails in the surrounding mountains – particularly in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve. You can also hire a bicycle and explore on your own, or go wine tasting on horseback. Venture out to Val de Vie for some polo or opt for an exciting game of golf at the breathtaking and award-winning Pearl Valley golf course.
As with fine food and outstanding wines, so too fine art needs to be savoured in order to be appreciated. Regarded as SA’s premier food and wine destination, Franschhoek has added art destination to its résumé.
Sample the Valley’s finest artisanal and fresh produce on the Franschhoek Artisan Route. The Franschhoek Artisan Route affords visitors the opportunity to treat their taste buds to some of the finest olives, cheeses, charcuterie, artisanal breads, chocolates or craft beer Franschhoek has to offer.
Franschhoek also boasts many business services that you’d not expect to find in a village such as ours. Graphic designers, photographers, printers, business consultants, estate agents, architects, attorneys and many more are all to be found in our dynamic village.
Franschhoek boasts some of South Africa’s ‘Top 100’ restaurants and has become known as the country’s Culinary Capital, providing visitors with a memorable dining experience. Leading chefs create everything from cutting-edge cuisine to stylish light meals, using only the freshest local produce paired with superb local wines. Franschhoek is also a member of The Délice Network of Good Food Cities of the World. Délice is an international network of likeminded cities engaged in promoting the benefits of culinary excellence and good food. Franschhoek was granted membership to this prestigious network in October 2014, and is the only member in the Southern Hemisphere.
A short wander down the main road in Franschhoek uncovers world-class shops and boutiques for an intimate and relaxed shopping experience. There is truly something for everyone. Whether you are looking for wine, jewellery, designer clothing, artworks, a special gift, collectable books or chocolate you’ll find the best of these and much more along our main street. Many of our wine estates also have superb deli’s serving the best in terms of freshly baked breads, olive and olive oils, charcuterie and much more.
Franschhoek has been the ideal wedding setting for as long as we care to remember. Anyone who has ever been married here will tell you that the beautiful and serene Franschhoek Valley is the perfect place to start off your life long journey together. The romantic scenery adds to a wedding’s ambiance and ensures that your never to be forgotten day is just that more special. With numerous venues to choose from you’re bound to find something that is everything you ever dreamt of and more.
Franschhoek is the epitome of relaxation and is home to a host of premium quality and serene wellness centres, spa’s, health shops and beauty parlours. Restore a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit whilst being rejuvenated in our breathtaking valley.
As you make your way into Franschhoek you will notice that most of the farms still bear their original French names, some complete with a spectacular Cape Dutch homestead, towering oaks and rolling vineyards. You will find an array of cellars, ranging from quaint boutique wineries that cater for those in search of something unique, to the large cellars that offer visitors organised tours and tastings. The fertile Franschhoek Wine Valley is home to some of South Africa’s noble cultivars and classic styles. These range from superb whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc, to the full-bodied reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. The area also produces some of the country’s extraordinary Méthode Cap Classiques, which can all be enjoyed during a trip along the Franschhoek MCC Route.
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.
Franschhoek Wine Valley, South Africa
Since its inception the Michelangelo International Wine Awards, which took place on 4 October, has differentiated itself from other competitions in using a judging panel comprising a majority of international wine and spirits experts. For this year’s judging, 30 judges representing 22 countries were called upon to score the more than 2 000 entries received. At this year’s awards six Double Gold and 25 Gold medals, respectively, were awarded to Franschhoek producers.
The deserving winners were the following:
Double Gold
Allée Bleue Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Black Elephant Vintners Two Dogs, a Peacock and a Horse Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Holden Manz Avant Garde Chardonnay 201
Holden Manz Chardonnay Reserve 2017
La Motte Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Old Road Wine Company Juliette Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Plaisir De Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
Gold
Allée Bleue Shiraz 2017
Allée Bleue Chenin Blanc 2018
Babylonstoren Shiraz 2017
Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2018
Babylonstoren Sprankel 2014
Black Elephant Vintners The Back Roads “Petite Sirah” 2017
Black Elephant Vintners The Honey Thief
Dieu Donné Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Dieu Donné Methode Cap Classique Blanc de Blanc 2017
Dieu Donné Merlot 2017
Franschhoek Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2019
GlenWood Vineyards Grand Duc Semillon/ Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Grande Provence Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Grande Provence Chardonnay 2018
Grande Provence Shiraz 2017
La Bri Syrah 2016
La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Leopard`s Leap Semi Sweet 2019
Leopards Leap Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Plaisir De Merle Shiraz 2016
Plaisir De Merle Chardonnay 2018
Old Road Wine Company Pardonnez – Moi Cinsaut 2019
Old Road Wine Company 12 Mile Syrah 2017
Old Road Wine Company The Fat Man Pinotage 2018
Rickety Bridge Chardonnay 2018
At the recent Veritas Awards Boschendal was awarded a Double Gold for its Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016. Babylonstoren (Chardonnay 2018 and Shiraz 2017) and La Couronne (Malbec 2016) were each awarded Gold for their respective wines. Regarded as SA’s premier wine competition, the 2019 Veritas Awards, which took place on 11 October, awarded 1 411 medals in total this year, of which 76 were Double Gold and 198 Gold. The judging panel comprised five international and 95 local specialists, who spent a gruelling five days judging the wines by means of a blind tasting session.
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 one Gold medal, respectively.
Image courtesy of Babylonstoren
The first of its kind in SA, the competition seeks to not only acknowledge excellence in Rosé winemaking but also to in effect, promote the category in SA. The competition was chaired by leading industry influencer, Allan Mullins, who was joined on the judging panel by five other leading industry role players.
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 Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards which scooped the Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend for its Culinaria Collection Grand Vin 2017, while Wildeberg was awarded Trophy for Best Semillon for their Wildeberg White 2018.
The Culinaria Grand Vin is part of the Culinaria Collection, which is available exclusively off the farm, and is a celebration of the harmony in which food and wine complement one another – to create optimal enjoyment through mutual enhancement. The Culinaria Collection Grand Vin is best described as a wine showcasing complex layers, with aromas of vibrant red fruit, black currant and blueberry, perfectly integrated with subtle oak spices and a hint of dark chocolate in the after-taste. The ripe tannins ensure a firm, elegant structure. Without a doubt a sincere wine that will complement well-prepared red meat dishes.
The maiden vintage Wildeberg White exemplifies the magic of Franschhoek, which is produced from 100% Semillon grapes and aged in new and older oak. On the palate the wine offers a citrus tang with a terrific mouthfeel. Described as a vast wine with layers of expression.
Congratulations to both of these winners for a sterling performance.
There is no excuse not to open a bottle of your favourite Chardonnay today. So let us all raise our glasses to International Chardonnay day!
Colmant Brut Chardonnay NV
Chardonnay’s popularity makes it one of the most planted
white varieties in the world – about 160 000 ha. It is also planted in more
wine grape areas than any other grape variety.
Together with Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon,
Chardonnay is one of the three most planted varieties in Franschhoek, and
together with Semillon, it is regarded as the future of wine production in the
Valley.
Franschhoek Vineyards
The Franschhoek Wine Valley is renowned for producing
excellent Chardonnay, and one of the reasons for this (and possibly the single
biggest differentiator) is the high diurnal temperature variation in the
vineyards. The difference between the region’s day and night temperatures
during the growing season fluctuate between 13 – 15˚C, and this large
fluctuation allows for natural acid preservation in the berries at night (malic
acid) and optimal sugar accumulation during the day without prolonged metabolic
activity. This gives the area a wider spectrum and diversity of styles to play
with when it comes to Chardonnay production, and in doing so creating optimal
growing conditions for this popular grape variety.
Although understanding all the variables can be
a challenge, it is difficult to deny that Franschhoek Chardonnay has that
special X-factor. The recognisable lime, citrus and cashew nut on the nose, a creamy
texture with minerality on the palate and a lingering follow through. And as a
tribute to the French Huguenot heritage of our area, Franschhoek Chardonnay
often offers that oatmeal character some of the best French examples are known
for.
So now that you have opened that special bottle of Franschhoek Chardonnay, what exactly is the best way to serve and drink this wine? Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche from La Motte offers this great advice:
“Chardonnay, like all wines, should be served in the
correct glass and correct temperature. The classic Chardonnay glass has a big
rounded bowl and a wide rim. This will decant the wine in the correct places on
your palate. The temperature should be around 10 degrees celcius for wooded
wines and maybe a little cooler for unwooded wines.” Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche
La Motte Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche
We have also asked Edmund to tell us a little more about the
Chardonnay that they produce at La Motte:
“La Motte’s Chardonnay, like many other in Franschhoek is slightly wooded, with a creamy texture and juicy lemon citrus, nuts and out meal flavors. We pick it in different stages, ferment partly in different oak barrels and age it for 12 months to get a well balanced and integrated, complex wine. We aim towards a light to medium bodied wine to maintain finesse and freshness.” Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche.
La Motte Chardonnay
And if we look a little bit further than Franschhoek to our French counterparts, it seems like the Domaine Coche-Dury from Meursault, France has impressed GlenWood winemaker, DP Burger, the most! When we asked him what makes this specific bottle of wine so mindblowing and one of his favourites, he explained the following:
“I encountered this wine during my travels in Europe and it was
truly a memorable experience when I tasted it for the first time! Beautifully
integrated with an excellent strong yet subtle minerality. The 2008 vintage
stands out in my mind and even this wine still had many years to reach full
potential.” DP Burger (GlenWood).
DP Burger (Glenwood Vineyards)
So back to Franschhoek, we all know that this area is pretty
serious about their food! As the gourmet capital of South Africa it is no doubt
that you will find some of the best food and wine pairings around. So what is
the best food to enjoy with a Chardonnay?
Edmund Terblanche, Cellarmaster at La Motte said the
following:
“Chardonnay is very versatile with food but preferably
those that contain cream, butter, cheese or something lightly smoked. Pastries
and creamy fatty cheeses does well and any vegetarian dish which is not too
acidic.”
Try your hand at this delicious recipe created by La Motte for chicken with sorrel and lemon. Not only is it perfect for winter, but it is more than 300 years old! It comes from a cookbook titled De Verstandige Kock (ca. 1668) and has basically stayed unchanged.
Chicken with sorrel and lemon (La Motte)
Billet Magara, sommelier and tasting room manager at Paserene in Franschhoek, recommends that Chardonnay works particularly well with seafood dishes with a creamy sauce. In addition, creamy dishes with an Asian twist are also a great option. Billet’s favourite dish to enjoy with a glass of Chardonnay is butter chicken, but for the perfect pairing he recommends the Paserene Chardonnay with poached crayfish in tangy mayonnaise.
Paserene Chardonnay
Though it is nearly impossible to single out only a few Chardonnays from our Franschhoek producers because they are all so good, we have below highlighted some of our favourites that we know you will enjoy too!
The Moreson Mercator Chardonnay 2017
In 2018, Môreson’s Clayton Reabow was announced as the 2018 Diners Club Winemaker of the Year in the Chardonnay category for his Môreson Mercator Chardonnay 2017. Clayton is no stranger to this competition, winning the Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year Award in 2009. Clayton regards the Mercator as their benchmark white wine forming the pinnacle of Chardonnay production on Môreson Wines. With over 20 hectares of small vineyard parcels planted exclusively to Chardonnay, the Mercator has been grown and produced from two mature vineyards for the last 11 years. Only the cuvee juice is used in the production of this wine ensuring absolute pure fruit with delicate oak integration after being matured in French oak for 11 months. Like all great Chardonnay’s, the purpose is to produce a wine with focus, energy, precision and restraint.
Moreson Mercator Chardonnay 2017
Glenwood Chardonnay Grand Duc
Regarded as their flagship wine, GlenWood’s Grand Duc Chardonnay has raked in an impressive number of awards. Amongst other it has received the Decanter Trophy for the best South African Chardonnay, the Old Mutual Wine Trophy Gold and Second Best Chardonnay in SA, Veritas Gold and Double Gold, Mundis Vini International Gold, Winemakers Choice Best White and Top 3 Chardonnays, numerous Veritas Double Gold awards and was listed on the 2017 Sommeliers Selection Wine List. Winemaker, DP Burger, who has been at the helm of this boutique wine estate for 25 years, describes the wine as showing outstanding oak and fruit integration. On the palate the wine displays a full, rich, creamy mouth feel of almonds and vanilla, resulting in a lingering aftertaste of smoky peach and citrus. The GlenWood currently produces three styles of Chardonnay, Grand Duc, Vignerons Selection and an Unoaked Chardonnay. The grapes sourced for their wines are all vinified on GlenWood, thereby reflecting the unique terroir of the Franschhoek Wine Valley. The 2016 Grand Duc Chardonnay is available at R3300 per case of 6.
Glenwood Grand Duc Chardonnay 2016
La Bri Chardonnay 2017
Irene de Fleuriot, General Manager and Winemaker of La Bri and her team, produce a range of the most sublime wines, one of which is the La Bri Chardonnay 2017. The wine outdid itself in the Prescient Chardonnay 2018 Report in October by being scored 94 out of a hundred. The grapes for the La Bri Chardonnay 2017 come from a single 26-year Chardonnay block on the Estate.
La Bri Chardonnay 2017
Haut Espoir 2018 Chardonnay
In celebration of International Chardonnay Day on the 23rd Haut Espoir’s 2018 Chardonnay will be released and available to order. This 2018 Chardonnay was produced from a single vineyard, sourced from neighbouring farms in the Franschhoek valley. Typical flavours of citrus and lime are accompanied by a rich textured mouthfeel, due to the barrel ageing. The fresh acidity lingers on the aftertaste and makes this a well-balanced and rounded wine.
Haut Espoir Chardonnay 2017
Colmant Brut Chardonnay NV
This Colmant Blanc de Blanc blend, created from a special selection of Chardonnay, is the epitome of Chardonnay expression – fine, elegant and fresh. Colmant came out tops at the 2018 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, with their Brut Chardonnay NV being named the Best Blanc de Blancs at this prestigious industry event. The Amorim Cap Classique Challenge is the only competition that focuses exclusively on Cap Classique.
Colmant Brut Chardonnay NV
Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2018
The 2018 Babylonstoren Chardonnay is an old world style Chardonnay with a fresh, fine-grained nose of quince, lime and vanilla. It was recently included in the National Wine Challenge’s Top 100 SA Wines and received a Double Platinum award.
Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2018
Holden Manz Chardonnay 2018
The 2018 Chardonnay grapes are specially sourced and hand selected by Holden Manz’s Cellar Master from a ridge overlooking the ocean in Somerset West and a high-altitude slope on the side of the Simonsberg Mountain. These two locations are both relatively cool but for different physical influences. They combine magnificently to produce a rounded well-balanced wine. Grapes were harvested in two separate pickings from Somerset West adding to the complexity. Six month’s lees contact adds a creaminess and complexity, presenting an appealing full mouth and length.
Holden Manz Chardonnay 2018
Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016
On the international front Boschendal was awarded Gold as well as the Trophy for Best South African Chardonnay at the 2018 International Wine Challenge for its Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016.
Boschendal Appellation Series Elgin Chardonnay 2016
Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2016
During the 2019 Platter’s Awards, Mullineux Wines not only received the award for Straw Wine of the Year for its Straw Wine 2017, but also walked away with the title of Chardonnay of the Year for its Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2016.
Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2016
With thanks to Edmund Terblanche (La Motte Wine Estate), DP Burger (GlenWood) and Billet Magara (Paserene Wines) for their inputs provided in this article.
