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.
Calling all Franschhoek Wine Valley fans! The Klink Awards are once again inviting foodies, wine lovers, outdoor adventurers and wine farm visitors to show their love and appreciation for South Africa’s Winelands by voting for their favourite nominees in the annual consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism awards.
Last year Franschhoek, regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wine producing regions and gourmet capital, walked away with the title of The ‘Happy Times’ Award for Most Memorable Wine Route, second year in a row. This is thanks to the support of the loyal Franschhoek enthusiasts.
This year the Valley has once again been nominated for the same award, as well as the Crowd Pleaser award for the annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival. This year the event celebrated its 21st anniversary, and over the years has become a social calendar highlight attracting visitors to the area from across South Africa.
BUT remember, to stand a chance of winning, please comment (in the section provided on each voting page) by telling us that you have voted and why!
Example below:
Entries close on 31 October 2013
Thank you for your valued support!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Entries close on Thursday, 31 October 2013 at 17h00.
Winners announced Friday, 1 November 2013 at 12h00.
To enter the draw, voters must comment in the section provided as per example.
Entrants should be older than 18 years.
Flights and transport not included in prize.
The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence may be entered into.
Prizes are not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash.
Calling all Franschhoek Wine Valley supporters! The Klink Awards are once again inviting foodies, wine lovers, outdoor adventurers and wine farm visitors to show their love and appreciation for South Africa’s Winelands by voting for their favourite nominees in the annual consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism awards.
Last year Franschhoek, regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wine producing regions and gourmet capital, walked away with the title of The ‘Happy Times’ Award for Most Memorable Wine Route, all thanks to the support of the loyal Franschhoek fans.
This year the Valley has once again been nominated for the same award, as well as the Crowd Pleaser award for the annual Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival ‘The ‘Magic of Bubbles’, Presented by Mastercard. The event which has become a social calendar highlight attracts visitors to the area from across South Africa.
As a token of thanks each time you encourage your friends to vote for the Franschhoek Wine Valley in these categories you will be entered into a draw to win either a selection of superb Franschhoek wines or tickets to this year’s Cap Classique and Champagne Festival. More details about the competition will be available soon.
The Franschhoek Wine Valley, regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wine producing regions and gourmet capital, walked away with the title of The ‘Happy Times’ Award for Most Memorable Wine Route, at this year’s inaugural #KLINK Awards, which took place on 1 November 2012.
The competition was the brainchild of Wine Tourism South Africa publisher, Monika Elias, whereby she (via the publication) invited foodies, wine lovers, outdoor adventurers and wine farm visitors to show their love and appreciation for South Africa’s Winelands by voting for their favourite nominees in South Africa’s first ever, consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism awards.
Earlier this year Franschhoek was awarded the title of Best Local Tourism Authority Information Service (LTA) of the Year, at the annual Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayoral Tourism Awards.
This latest award reaffirms Franschhoek’s position as one of the country’s popular (and most memorable) regions to visit. Visitors to the area are spoilt for choice with experiences ranging from lifestyle festivals, award-winning wine farms, gourmet dining as well as world-class shops and boutiques for an intimate and relaxed shopping experience. For those wanting to make the most of their visit accommodation in Franschhoek ranges from the finest bed and breakfasts to luxurious boutique hotels, all nestling in a picturesque and secure environment.
Other Franschhoek Wine Valley members sharing the spotlight at the awards ceremony were:
Beyond Expectations: Award for Great Food and Excellent Value – Haute Cabriere
Gourmet: Award for Best Gourmet Restaurant at the Cellar Door – Pierneef à La Motte
Wild Card: Award for Most Unusual Attraction on a Wine Route – Museum Van de Caab at Solms-Delta
‘Receiving the endorsement by consumers as the Most Memorable Wine Route is such an honour and I’d like to thank everyone who voted for us as well as their continued support,’ says Franschhoek Wine Valley CEO Jenny Prinsloo.
Calling all foodies, wine lovers, outdoor adventurers and wine farm fans! Show your love for South Africa’s winelands by voting for your favourite nominee in the country’s first ever, consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism award – the #Klink Awards. You also stand a chance to win fabulous weekly prizes through your participation.
Franschhoek Wine Valley and its members have been nominated in a variety of different categories. Please support the valley by voting for us and our members below:
BEYOND EXPECTATIONS: Award for Great Food and Excellent Value
Situated between our Klink awards for bistro-style country cuisine and fine dining, this award is for a Winelands restaurant in the mid-price category that serves seriously good food at very fair prices,
attracting foodies by raising the bar and presenting local garden and winelands produce with passion and contemporary culinary style.
Vote for the following Franschhoek establishments:
WILD CARD: Award for Most Unusual Attraction on a Wine Route
Celebrating the most unusual and memorable attraction on a wine farm, this award is for a destination that offers a unique selling point attracting wine tourists to the cellar- door – from wine and river cruises to vintage motorcar and heritage museums.
Vote for the following Franschhoek establishments:
COUNTRY COMFORT: Award for Boutique Accommodation on a Wine Estate
The winner of this category offers boutique accommodation on a wine farm that promises something extraordinary in a vineyard setting, whether that be in a Cape Dutch manor house or a luxury guesthouse. The winning venue will capture the romance of a wine farm getaway and offer world-class accommodation.
Vote for the following Franschhoek establishments:
GOURMET: Award for Best Gourmet Restaurant at the Cellar Door
This award goes to the best of the best cellar-door restaurants in the Cape Winelands – those gastronomic destinations with signature chefs who create cuisine on the cutting edge to attract domestic and foreign wine tourists. We were looking for restaurants which pay great attention to detail in terms of an overall cellar-door experience, have a great location, first-class service, a focus on artisanal and local Winelands produce, seasonal menus, tasting menus which expertly pair food and wine, a sommelier service and a wine list which showcases older vintages, own wines and/or regional wines at the cellar door.
The wine farm that sets the standard for green, planet-friendly farming practices in terms of sustainable viticulture and wine production, biodiversity and conservation initiatives, as well as organic or biodynamic viticulture is celebrated with this award.
FAMILY DAY OUT: Award for Best Child-Friendly Venue on a Wine Farm
This award goes to a wine farm where you can take the whole family and the kids are taken care of in a safe environment. There must be something for everyone here. The adults can relax and enjoy their wine experience – while a kids’ menu, special kids’ activities or a kids’ playground for all ages keeps everyone happy on a day out in the Winelands.
This award goes to the most popular wine route event on the annual Winelands calendar – an event that draws repeat visitors year after year, helps to build a regional wine brand and market a specific wine route destination.
This award goes to the most popular wine route selected by wine tourists who cherish memories of their experience of a particular wine region because of its ambience, accessibility, scenic beauty, soul, sense of community, family tradition and heritage, warmth, friendliness, culinary offerings, etc. These criteria all go into the memory mix.
DELICIOUS DELI: Award for Best Deli on a Wine Farm
These days, cellar-door delis sell all manner of goodies: estate olives and olive oils, artisanal breads, cheeses and charcuterie, boutique chocolates and nougat, organic vegetables, farm honey, jams, pickles and picnic baskets. This award recognises the top cellar-door deli, one that tempts wine tourists with an authentic range of traditional and contemporary Winelands produce grown on the farm or sourced locally from artisanal producers.
Calling all Franschhoek Wine Valley fans! The Klink Awards are once again inviting foodies, wine lovers, outdoor adventurers and wine farm visitors to show their love and appreciation for South Africa’s Winelands by voting for their favourite nominees in the annual consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism awards.
