THE festive season upon us and it’s the perfect time to stock up on our favourite Cap Classiques. Running out of ideas on what to add to your collection? Franschhoek’s Cap Classique Route, the first of its kind in South Africa, holds the key.
Regarded as one of South Africa’s leading Cap Classique producing areas, the route was established a few years ago, and boasts more than 20 producers ready to welcome you and showcase their Cap Classique offerings to you. These range from large traditional estates to the smaller lesser known niche producers.
Franschhoek has been challenging other wine-producing areas in South Africa, with great strides in quality in recent years, and is proud to have many of the most innovative and progressive producers in the country among its wineries. The winemakers responsible for producing these superb Cap Classiques range from Old World to New World thinking, resulting in a diverse range of wines. This is reaffirmed by the numerous industry accolades bestowed on some of the region’s producers, which include Le Lude (2021 five-star Platter recipient) and L’Ormarins (gold medal winner and recipient of the Best Rosé for its Brut Rosé NV at the 2020 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge).
One of the unique characteristics of this route is that visitors have the opportunity to tailor make their experience by means of a user friendly Cap Classique Route map, which can be downloaded. Alternatively, a map is available from the tourism office.
Less than an hour’s drive from Cape Town, a day trip to Franschhoek is a breeze, but why not treat yourself (and that someone special) to an overnight escape, or better yet a weekend getaway? Franschhoek offers a wide range of accommodation, from luxury boutique hotels to quaint bed and breakfasts and self-catering establishments. Choose to stay in one of the many establishments within easy walking distance of the main road or opt for a more secluded establishment – on farms in and around the valley – offering you the ultimate winelands experience.
For more information on things to do in and around Franschhoek this season, click here.