Cape Town - Franschhoek Wine Route Travel Guides | Cape Town | Sub Regions | Cape Town - Franschhoek Wine Route

All the vineyards lie along the Franschhoek valley, making it one of the most compact wine routes in the region. What makes this such a rewarding route is that several estates have opened their own excellent restaurants and five also offer luxury overnight accomm- odation. All the valley’s wine can be tasted at the Franschhoek Vineyards Co-operative, located on the right just before you enter the village when approaching from Stellenbosch.

T 021-8704203, http://www.boschendalwines.co.za Mon-Sat, 0830-1630; Nov-Apr, Sun, 0930-1230. Vineyard tours 1030 and 1130, by appointment.

Boschendal estate has been growing wine for 300 years and is today one of the most popular estates in the region. Most of the wine produced on the estate is white; their sparkling wines are highly regarded. The wine cellar has been converted into the excellent Boschendal restaurant which serves a superb buffet lunch.

T 021-8763000, montrochelle@wine.co.za Mon-Sat, 1100-1700; Sun, 1100-1300. Cellar tours Mon-Fri 1100, 1230, 1500.

This estate has one of the most attractive settings in the region, with beautiful views of the valley. Graham and Lyn de Villiers, eighth generation descendants of the original Huguenot Jacques de Villiers, have redeveloped the winery and re-fitted the 150-year-old Victorian cellar.

T 021-8763119, http://www.la-motte.co.za Mon-Fri, 0900-1630; Sat, 0900-1200. Cellar tours by appointment.

This estate was built in 1752 and the grand old cellars, worth a visit for alone, are now used for wine tasting. All the wines are made and bottled on the estate. As a relatively small producer, only 15,000 cases per annum, the estate has managed to create some excellent wines. Look out for their Millennium ’97.

T 021-8741026. Appointment only Mon-Fri, 0900-1630; Sat, 0900-1200.

L’Ormarins vineyard has a beautiful setting on the slopes of the Drakensteinberge. The present homestead was built in 1811 – from its grand marble halls and staircases you look out across an ornamental pond and neat mature gardens. The other notable attraction is the original wine cellar; this has been carefully restored and now houses a set of giant wine vats. L’Ormarins has won a large number of medals and trophies over the last 25 years.

One of the popular recommended day drives from Cape Town is known as the Four Passes route. This takes you through the heart of the Winelands, and as the title suggests over four mountain passes. The first stop on the drive is Stellenbosch. From here you take the R310 towards Franschhoek. Driving up out of Stellenbosch you cross the first pass, Helshoogte Pass. After 17 km you reach a T-junction with the R45: a left turn would take you to Paarl, 12 km, but the route continues to the right. This is a very pleasant drive up into the Franschhoek Valley. The road follows a railway line and for a part the Berg River. After passing through Franschhoek, take a left in front of the Huguenot Monument and climb out of the valley via the Franschhoek Pass. This pass was built along the tracks formed by migrating herds of game centuries earlier, and was originally known as the Olifantspad (elephant’s path). One of the more surprising aspects of this drive is the change in vegetation once you cross the lip of the pass, 520 m above the level of Franschhoek. As the road winds down towards Theewaterskloof Dam you pass through a dry valley full of scrub vegetation and fynbos – gone are the fertile fruit farms and vineyards. Take a right across the dam on the R321 towards Grabouw and Elgin. The route continues across the Theewaterskloof Dam and then climbs Viljoens Pass, the third of four. To the right lies the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, a popular hiking region. The country around here is an important apple growing region. The fourth and the most spectacular pass is Sir Lowry’s Pass, which crosses the Hottentots Holland Mountains.

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