33:55.00S 19:07.59E

Franschhoek

8th-11th May 2012

The mountains of the South Western Cape, called the Great Drakenstein Mountains, stand guard over fertile valleys that are steeped in history and rich in beauty.  One of these idyllic valleys is Franschhoek, flanked by the mountains on three sides, with the diminute and secluded town of Franschhoek lying on one of the tributaries of the Berg River,

View from the top of the mountain pass down to  Franschhoek, with vineyards up each side of the mountains

It was only formally established in 1860, nearly 200 years after the first French Huguenot refugees settled in the valleys.  It was originally called ‘Oliphantshoek’ meanin Elephants’ Corner, as elephant cows treckked over the pass from the hinterland to calve in this verdant valley.

Goodings Olive Farm where we stayed in Franschhoek, close to La Motte

Vineyard workers use the disused railway line right behind the house to walk to and from work

We also crossed the railway to access a great walk on the mountainside amongst the vineyards

Resplendant autumn colours are a joy for the eyes

Small workers cottages date back 150 years or more, but are mostly derelict or knocked down

The smarter farm houses are renovated and extended

Wine Tasting at some of the top vineyards, this one specialises in what they have to call ‘Methode Cape Classique’ instead of Methode Champenoise, not being allowed to even use the name Champagne anywhere in their labelling.

‘Haute Cabriere’ make Pierre Jourdan Brut, , but the young lady woud not let David slice off the top of the bottle of bubbly with a sabre, they have to do that for you!

Gourmet dining at La Petite Ferme on a beautiful sunny day with a view over the vineyard

What a pretty painting they’ve done with the food presentation

A visit to the Franschhoek Car Museum, owned by Johann Rupert and family.  The father Anton Rupert is a respected South African industrialist who built the family’s early fortune in tobcco and other businesses, Richemont whose brands include Cartier, Chloe and Dunhill.

In the 4 huge display museums, you can watch the development of the car from this gorgeous motorised passenger bike to a whole series of Rolls, Daimlers, MGs, Porsche, Ferraries and Mazerattis amongst many others... mind blowing really and so impressive

As most of them were in working order!

The Autumn colours on the road to the museum are just gorgeous aren’t they?

Boschendal was one of the original houses built in 1865 in Franschhoek, absolute classic Dutch style, enlarged into an H shape to house the 29 children!  It was originally a fruit growing farm, in this fertile valley, now all replaced by vineyards.

The restored kitchen – the restaurant however is now in one of the converted stables

It’s refreshing to see a black girl taking us through the wine tasting