| This is the fertile ground is where the French first | | | | and fertile valley in the beautiful Heart of the |
| made wine in South Africa 300 years ago. | | | | Cape Winelands. |
| Today, that noble tradition is carried forward by | | | | Franschhoek has many award winning |
| the members of the Vignerons de Franschhoek. | | | | Restaurants for connoisseurs that will find a |
| Franschhoek has 42 wine farms, including some of | | | | delicious choice in and around Franschhoek. Many |
| South Africa's most respected names in wine. | | | | of these eateries are award-winning and widely |
| Noble cultivars and classic styles can be found | | | | acclaimed, both internationally and locally. In season |
| here. From superb whites like Sauvignon Blanc, | | | | (Oct - Feb), it is wise to book your table. Visit our |
| Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc to | | | | Restaurants page to find a list of the best dining |
| Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. | | | | establishments in Franschhoek. |
| The Franschhoek valley's is also renowned for | | | | In South Africa the Graham Beck Wines is |
| Cap Classique Sparkling wines and Ports. Most | | | | acknowledged as one of the great sources of fine |
| farms readily welcome visitors for tastings. | | | | wine from the Cape. With vineyards on four |
| Visiting Franschhoek is a delightful experience. This | | | | farms in three distinct viticultural regions in the |
| small village, tucked away in a valley, surrounded | | | | Western Cape, Graham Becks two estates the |
| by mountains, is only an 60 min from Cape Town. | | | | original Robertson Cellar and the Franschhoek |
| Every day of the week, but especially on | | | | Cellar now operate in tandem. |
| Sundays, visitors flood into Franschhoek from all | | | | The areas of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek |
| over. | | | | comprise the magnificent region of the Winelands. |
| If you're planning to drive to Franschhoek, allow at | | | | These historic towns are fascinating attractions in |
| least 1:30 hour from Cape Town, 12 hours from | | | | their own right, not to mention the many |
| Johannesburg, 17 hours from Durban, 8 hours | | | | surrounding wine farms. |
| from Port Elizabeth and 11 hours from East | | | | The Cape Winelands has a Mediterranean climate |
| London. | | | | and winter rainfall of the south-western Cape. The |
| Situtuated 83 km from Cape Town, along the N1, | | | | rich fertile soils have become world famous for |
| in 1:30 hour one can be in Franschhoek. | | | | their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. |
| This makes it perfect for a daytrip and its | | | | You will be spoilt for choice between small, |
| proximity to Stellenbosch, 30 km; Paarl 30 km; | | | | boutique wineries and the larger, more commercial |
| Wellington 45 km and 45 km to Somerset West | | | | wine estates. |
| makes it ideal to explore the Winelands. | | | | As well as sampling some of the world's best |
| Cape Town is positioned on the 34 th latitude | | | | wines in magnificent surrounds, you can join the |
| south, which equates it more or less with | | | | winemaker on a tour of his cellar where the |
| Casablanca, Los Angeles or Sydney. Cape Town | | | | harvest is lovingly transformed into award-winning |
| however has a Mediterranean climate. | | | | wines. |
| In summer it is pleasantly warm with the hottest | | | | Attractions and Other Places of Interest: |
| days often cooled by the South African Cape | | | | At the foot of the pass you will find the Huguenot |
| Doctor. | | | | Memorial and Museum which commemorates the |
| It seldom rains in summer, and only briefly when | | | | 250th anniversary of the arrival of the Huguenots. |
| it does. The winters are cool and wet, with the | | | | The museum serves as an information and |
| temperature occaisionally falling below 10° C. | | | | research centre on the Huguenots and their |
| Founded in 1688 our scenic gem nestles in a rich | | | | descendants. |