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‘Tis The Season To Shop, Celebrate And So Much More
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 with lavish Christmas inspired lunches and dinners, whilst others will be hosting fabulous New Year’s Eve parties. Celebrate the start of 2020 in style with an indulgent evening filled with exquisite food, wine, live entertainment and spectacular views. As a destination geared towards a relaxing break from work, we invite you to explore the region and its many new experiences.
These include the revamped Haute Cabrière, chef Calvin Metior of Monneaux Restaurant’s pass to plate dining experience as well as live entertainment at The Werf at Boschendal on a Friday and Saturday evening. Explore the valley with the Franschhoek Adventure Bus where you are bound to find a new hidden gem (or two). The Sunset Fan Aloe Trail Hike is perfect for nature lovers and for those wanting to catch the ultimate Franschhoek sunset.
Franschhoek with its quaint shops and galleries that all line the Main Street, provides a wonderful choice for shopping this Festive Season, allowing for the ultimate destination experience. Shops include boutique fashion and jewellery studios, world-class collections of artwork, speciality deli’s and wine retailers, interior design shops as well as interesting bric-a-brac to browse through. Shop for that perfect Christmas Eve outfit at either Indian Summer or Desray. Looking for the ultimate in accessories? Lorenzi, ANPA Jewels or The Diamond Works will no doubt add sparkle and glamour to any outfit. Masquerade is perfect for those one-of-a-kind décor items, whilst the numerous art galleries in and around the valley will cater to avid art collector’s wish lists.
Pause for a glass of wine or light meal in one of the restaurants along the ‘retail route’ before continuing with your festive shopping. With most of the shops and galleries extending their opening hours until 7pm daily you’re guaranteed to find something special during the holiday season.
As we reflect on the year that was we also take this opportunity to acknowledge those members who have excelled on the awards front. Representing our wine, accommodation and restaurant sectors we couldn’t be prouder of our members who have done so well throughout the year. The most recent wine accolade includes the launch of the 2020 Platter’s by Diners Club South African Wine Guide, which saw Franschhoek Vignerons taking top honours in most of the categories as well as earning the coveted 5-star rating for no less than 14 wines. Topping the list was Mullineux Wines who were named Top Performing Winery of the Year, winning this title for the fourth time.
And hot off the press is the announcement of 2019 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards, with three Franschhoek eateries securing a spot on this sought-after list of the country’s Top 20. The deserving recipients were La Petite Colombe (#6), Chefs Warehouse at Maison (#14) and Le Coin Français (#16). When next visiting the region be sure to set aside some time to enjoy a meal at one of these fine restaurants.
In closing we thank you for your valued support through 2019 and we wish you and your loved ones all the best over the festive season and a prosperous 2020.