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Franschhoek is a small wine town just past the famous Stellenbosch that is about an hour and 15 minutes from Cape Town. There are so many wineries (or wine farms, as South Africans call them) in the area, so we’ve done our job speaking to locals to find out which are the best wine farms in Franschhoek.
Franschhoek is blessed with unmatched mountain views that are as majestic as they are inspiring. This is one of the few places in the world that makes you want to pause and just take in the natural beauty of our planet. Franschhoek is also the unofficial titleholder of culinary capital of the Western Cape, if not the whole of South Africa. You can get some of the best of South Africa’s food, but no matter where you go, you’ll be guaranteed an incredibly fresh meal made with the best of local ingredients.
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The Franschhoek Wine Tram
If you’ve done any research into Franschhoek, you no doubt would have come across the famous Franschhoek wine tram. The wine tram is designed to whisk you through the Franschhoek valley, stopping at some of the many different vineyards.
The wine tram is a wonderful experience, but it can be slightly inefficient if time is a consideration. If you do decide to use the tram, you should know that the wine tram is infrequent (usually no more than once an hour). This means you’ll either have too little or too much time at any particular vineyard if you’re traveling by wine tram. It is still a great choice for a relaxed day.
It’s a great way to meet other travelers and locals going through the different wineries. And if you want a particularly magical experience, we can’t recommend the Festival of Lights experience enough. It is simply beautiful to be on the tram as it passes through the lights.
Best Wine Farms in Franschhoek
Grande Provence
A wine farm with over 300 years of experience under its belt is probably one you know you can trust. Grande Provence delivers not just in the quality and selection of the wine (which, we think, is a minimum in Franschhoek), but also in its dazzling location and gorgeous architecture, including the iconic Jonkerhuis with its iconic thatched roof ceiling.
The team here isn’t resting on its loins, though. The tasting room is modern and welcoming, the food at the restaurant is culinary artistry, and the whole team knows they are individually responsible for making your experience amazing.
It also just so happens that one of the best things to do in Franschhoek is to buy a picnic basket and enjoy a picnic in the sculpture garden at Grande Provence. The scenery is breathtaking and the atmosphere is always inviting.
Boschendal
Boschendal is a firm favorite of frequenters to Franschhoek. The whole estate is manicured to perfection, and you simply can’t go wrong with the wines on offer. If you’re deciding between the best wine farms in Franschhoek, Boschendal has cemented its place on that list for a number of reasons, and it won’t take you long to realize why when you arrive.
Boschendal boasts a delicious farm-style kitchen restaurant. However, if you don’t manage to get a reservation, you can picnic on the lawn under the oak trees. You can borrow picnic blankets and chairs which works just as well if you miss the picnic hampers. Be aware that Boschendal’s picnic area is reserved for picnic booking guests only, and picnics are only during the summer season.
If you don’t manage to get a picnic booking, you can browse Boschendal’s farm shop which offers everything you need to make your own little picnic. You can then take your picnic and sit underneath the trees at the Werf lawns or food gardens.
Pigcasso
As far as new concepts go, Pigcasso is certainly in the left of field category. We’ll let you read the story of Pigcasso for yourself, but the key part to get you interested is that the wine estate features artworks created by the eponymous pig, Pigcasso.
The barn is beautifully designed, and the concept is certainly intriguing, but the wine (particularly Pigcasso’s pinot noir) is nothing to sniff at. Pigcasso is also on the wine tram so you can certainly include this in your day’s itinerary, but it is certainly one of the newer and smaller wineries. It’s also perfectly positioned in the Franschhoek valley so you’ll get to enjoy the beautiful views as well.
Haute Cabrière
Haute Cabrière turns 330 years old in 2024, so, like Grande Provence, you can take comfort in knowing that a wine farm that has been around for so long is doing something right. The team is committed to quality and innovation which are the key ingredients for creating a special experience – and for keeping one of the best wine farms in Franschhoek going for over three centuries.
Haute Cabrière is known among Franschhoek locals for their pioneering blends and single-varietal wines. Beyond their wines, the entire estate is stunning and is a great place to spend the day. This is one of those places where you go to soak up the moment, and enjoy tasty wines and food. You can also visit their romantic, underground cellar for a little bit more.
Leeu Passant
For Franschhoek locals, the husband and wife team, Chris and Andrea Mullineux, is a known and appreciated name. They have absolutely delivered with Leeu Passant which is located on the famous Leeu Estates, home to La Petite Colombe, one of the best restaurants in Franschhoek. Over its relatively short lifespan, Leeu Passant has already developed a reputation for beautiful wines.
Driving through Leeu Estates is, on its own, an experience. Stopping at Leeu Passant and enjoying the wine is the addition to the experience that you didn’t know was available. The tasting room at Leeu Passant is called the Wine Studio and was designed to be inviting and a place you want to spend time. The difference with Leeu Passant is advance booking for their wine tastings is essential.
If you book well in advance, you’ll be guaranteed one of the most intimate wine farm experiences in South Africa. You’ll taste wines produced at the Franschhoek winery including The Leeu Passant, their flagship blend, which is a special experience in its taste and delivery.
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