Franschhoek Wine Farms


If in search of exotic things you decided to visit South Africa, be sure to check the surroundings of Cape Town . There are three quarters of the South African grapes, which is the third largest wine country in the world. It is Franschhoek (in translation the "French corner") - a suburb of the capital, which is 75 km away from it - is famous for its winemaking products. Another name for this area is the Elephant Corner, since there used to be a huge herd of these animals.

Farms of Franshuk - elite vineyards of South Africa

Every year Franchohuk wineries export to the world market at least 8 thousand tons of wine. It is made in strict accordance with ancient recipes, many of which date back to 1688 - the time of the appearance of the first plantations. They were settled by French immigrants-Huguenots, settled here in the XVIII century. For this reason, most farms have French names. The vine estates make a wonderful contrast with the white farmhouses in the Old Dutch style. On each farm you will have a wonderful chance to taste excellent varieties of "Shiraz", "Chardonnay", "Pinotage", "Sauvignon Blanc" wines.

Alcoholic beverages that are produced here have practically no analogues in the world for the following reasons:

  1. Grapes grow here on sandy ground, which, together with specific climatic conditions, gives the local wine a unique taste.
  2. Now in Franchehuck there are several dozen companies producing wine, so even the most demanding gourmets will necessarily find a product that they will like.
  3. Thanks to the detailed stories of the guides, you will significantly expand your knowledge about the art of winemaking.

Attractions of Franschhoek

To fully examine the vineyards of the town, you should take a ride in the open air on a special excursion tram-bus. He stops at the oldest wine estates in South Africa . The tram-bus is painted green and works on silent bio-diesel engines, which reduces pollution to a minimum.

Going on a trip on such an amazing vehicle, you should know that the tram-bus travels on two routes with 6 stops (4 bus and 2 tram). From the guide you will learn a lot of amazing facts about the history of the city, the peculiarities of growing grapes and winemaking traditions and get an incomparable pleasure from nature. Also you can taste different types of wine.

In Franshhuk, a wine festival is held - a dazzling action, where tourists are offered not only to try a glass or two of amazing drinks, made from the most diverse grades of grapes, but also taste original French cuisine specializing in local chefs. The festival is usually held on July 13-14 and is accompanied by bicycle competitions, as well as performances by artists.

Where to stay?

If you want to spend a few days on wine farms to learn more about the peculiarities of local winemaking, you can stop at the existing plantation Franschhoek Pass, surrounded by majestic mountain peaks. The villa has 2 bedrooms and an open-plan living / dining area. For relaxation, a small wooden veranda is ideal, there is also an opportunity to swim in the pool, have a barbecue or play golf. The kitchen is also fully equipped. At the villa you go down to the wine cellar to determine which wine you like best, or stroll through the vineyards.

How to get there?

To fully experience the special atmosphere of the Franschhoek wine farms, you should rent a car or take a taxi that will take you here on the R45 from Stellenbosch or Paarl.