Tailor-made tripping through Franschhoek
The newly launched Franschhoek Valley Food & Wine Route highlights Franschhoek as a destination offering more than just a ‘centrefold’ spread of vineyards, or the usual renown as the country’s Gourmet Capital. The Route opens up a whole new world of experiences to further enchant all the senses and the soul.
Depending on what you’re looking for, a number of different routes can be tailor-made for groups of two or more. Options include insights into the chocolate-making process as offered by Huguenot Fine Chocolates, a Cape Music and Wine social history tour at Solms-Delta, or a Village Heritage walk. The Art & About Route from galleries to studios, gives an opportunity to meet artists and craftspeople, discover more about African artefacts, or even view a collection of old corkscrews. The Cap Classique Route includes Chamonix, Colmant, Cabriere and Graham Beck, to name a few. Winelands Experience, a tour company in the area, has also included a number of route options such as hikes over the Franschhoek Mountains, and wine walks that inform on the types of fynbos and its growth after the 2010 fire (half day R495 pp including wine tasting and picnic).
A blend of all things divine called out for a trial run. My experience began with a cheese and wine pairing at Franschhoek Cellars, situated on Main Road as you first enter the town. Intriguingly, every wine in the winery’s Village Walk range is named after a monument. We paired both red and white wines with cheese from Truckles, a wholesaler of both local and international speciality cheeses, who display and retail from the winery. A favourite was the Old Museum Merlot with Gorgonzola sourced from an Italian producer based in Johannesburg.
A further stop took us to La Motte – an increasingly popular spot. And it’s no wonder as one is spoilt for choice with the option of a wander through the Pierneef Art Gallery, lavender fields, or a decadent food and wine pairing experience at Pierneef restaurant. Five pairings are offered at R195. One that made a definite impression was the 2008 La Motte Shiraz with braised impala neck skilpadjie: a local mini ‘pie’, butternut and Shiraz chutney. Breads are baked on the premises, with chef Chris Erasmus’ own yeast made from local spores, he even includes sweet potato shavings in one of his yeast batches. Of particular note is the Shiraz bread; around two tonnes of Shiraz skins are ground to a fine powder to mix in with the dough. It works particularly well as the powder is high in anti oxidants, which is just what the yeast is after.
Dalewood Cheese marks the official beginning of the various routes, followed by Babylonstoren, Backsberg, Noble Hill and Vrede en Lust, Val De Vie on the R310, and goes all the way through to Boekenhoutskloof and Franschhoek Pass Winery. The route is available throughout the year with a map available to visitors highlighting the various activities, allowing them to tailor make itineraries.
Visit www.franschhoek.org.za or contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices on 021 876 2861
Winelands Experience www.winelands.travel 021 876 4042
I have been frequenting F'hoek for 25+ years, but not so often these days because I live in KZN. The whole day was a huge disappointment and I don't have the slightest inclination to return.
Food at a very highly rated restaurant, which in the past was superb, was dreadful. They tried to convince me that a 2009 Chenin was fine - I wouldn't wash my car in it - it was way over the hill.
Prices are ridiculous, aimed at overseas tourists, and the whole place is over-commercialised.
From experience of the last 2 weeks, the only place in the winelands that impressed me was the Robertson area. A nice vibe, some lovely wines at reasonable prices, friendly people and an altogether beautiful setting. It outstrips F'hoek by many a mile.
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