Franschhoek
South Africa's food and wine capital
Where it is
Less than one hour’s drive north-east from Cape Town, on the N1.
What it is
The little French town of Franschhoek was established by the French Huguenots some 350 years ago, bringing with them an appreciation of fine wine and gourmet cuisine. Within a radius of 7 km the much revered beauty and attractions of Franschhoek are captured in a unique meander which lures you into the luxurious guesthouses, hotel, wine-spa and two boutique wineries.
Take the time to indulge in the natural beauty,excellent hospitality, wonderful wines and distinctly French flavor of this quaint town. Majestic mountains and sculptured vineyards surround the delightful village of Franschhoek nestled in the valley below, complete with white-washed walls and
charming gabled facades, characteristic of the Cape Dutch style.
This is wine country, a warm temperate region where the sun drenches the fertile earth and grapes ripen slowly on the vine. Apart from the 42 extraordinary wine-cellars and 109 eclectic places to stay,
no less than eight of South Africa’s leading restaurants are based in this little town with
its 35 000 residents!
What to see /do/experience
Day 1:
Arrive in Franschhoek and explore the town on foot.Dinner at Le Bon Vivant.
Le Bon Vivant’s owner and chef, Pierre Hendriks’ food wizardry is will blow your mind
and taste-buds! Try starters such as ‘trout terrine with sweet potatoes’ or ‘quail breast
confit with marinated apple’.
Follow with main courses such as ‘blesbok loin and
springbok shank with porcini butter’, or ‘crayfish & pork belly with lentils and crackling
vinaigrette’. End with desserts including ‘espresso souffle’, all with wines to match!
O/n Rusthof Country House
This luxurious Cape Dutch guest house has 8 spacious bedrooms, each tastefully decorated with its own unique style. Warm, personal service is guaranteed by the owners who share a passion for good food and wine. Full country breakfasts are served in the delightful open plan Provencal style kitchen All rooms have access to a sparkling pool and the charming garden courtyard. Visit website: www.rusthof.com
Day 2: Wine-tasting at GlenWood and Huguenot Museum
Wine-tasting at GlenWoodGlenWood is a boutique winery located in an area of outstanding natural beauty,surrounded by the Franschhoek mountains, forests and indigenous fynbos. The area is the
home of the rare Blushing Bride protea.All Glenwood’s grapes are hand-picked in the early hours of the morning to preserve their natural fruitiness.
The wines are fermented in oak barrels or stainless steel tanksusing natural and other yeasts, before maturation 
and bottling. State-of-the-art winemaking techniques and personal attention by the owner DP Burger are producing outstanding quality cultivar wines.
GlenWood’s Chardonnay and Shiraz receive top awards vintage after vintage, while the winery is re-establishing Semillon as the varietal for which Franschhoek is renowned. The range also includes Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot. GlenWood welcomes visitors to taste these hand-crafted, award-winning wines in a tranquil and relaxing environment, offering personal attention to guarantee a memorable visit: www.glenwoodvineyards.co.za.
Huguenot Museum:
Visit this excellent museum with gripping displays of the trials and tribulations of the French Huguenots. These were a sizable group of brave men and women who had to flee religious persecution and make a new life in a foreign land, leaving an indelible legacy and enriching the South African cultural mosaic.
O/n Ashbourne House
Ashbourne House (circa 1897) situated in the centre of Franschhoek. It is an imposing, tranquil colonial retreat with classically elegant interiors filled with flowers, art and antiques, boasts superlative accommodation in 6 sumptuously en suite rooms, superb buffet or a la carte breakfast using fresh local produce. Enjoy afternoon tea or a glass of wine in the beautiful white garden or pre-dinner drinks in an elegant guest sitting room a
secluded heated pool. www.ashbourne.co.za.
Day 3: Wine-tasting at Lynx
Wine Spa and dinner at L’Ermitage ChateauLynx Wines:
Don’t expect the usual formal wine-tasting when you visit Lynx. Owner/winemaker Dieter Sellmeyer loves to share his passion and knowledge when he welcomes guests to his small, eclectic tasting room. All visitors receive a cellar tour, guided through the various stages.
The small cellar is equipped with traditional equipment like open concrete fermentation tanks and a basket press, making it easy to visualize the process step-bystep. The tasting room looks out onto the manicured vineyards against the backdrop of the majestic Simonsberg. The impressive wines include the vibrantly fresh Blanc de Noir, the highly aromatic Voignier, the Xanache named after his three daughters and the award-winning Shiraz.Visit Website: www.lynxwines.co.za
O/n L’Ermitage Wine Spa and dinner
Situated on the magnificent Fransche Hoek Wine and Olive Estate, and surrounded by majestic mountain ranges and indigenous fynbos, L’Ermitage Chateau and Villas is a charming boutique development offering 5-star luxury and sophisticated elegance. This international award-winning development has 6 chateaux and 36 villas, all opulently decorated in a classic French Provencal style.
L’Ermitage caters to every need, offering personalized service, a fine dining restaurant, a
delicatessen, a Wine Spa, swimming pools, a wedding chapel, a conference centre.