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Franschhoek valley with vineyards and an estate below rugged mountains
User:Da_Legend, Public domain

Franschhoek

Franschhoek for wine lovers: estate tastings from 60 to 220 rand, the Franschhoek Wine Tram and practical tips for a day in the valley.

  • 1culinary experience

Culinary experiences in Franschhoek

Autumn vineyard rows with mountains and clouds in FranschhoekSouth African Tourism from South Africa, CC BYWinery visit

Franschhoek winery visits

Estate tastings in the Franschhoek valley, from 60 to 220 rand per adult, and the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which links the farms by tram and open-air bus.FranschhoekView

Map of Franschhoek

Franschhoek is a small town at the head of a valley ringed by mountains, east of Cape Town. French Huguenot refugees settled there at the end of the 17th century, and the name means “French corner”.

Leopard’s Leap and Rickety Bridge both stand on the R45, the main road through the valley. A wine-only tasting starts at 60 rand at Leopard’s Leap. Rickety Bridge pours eight single-variety wines for 220 rand. The Franschhoek Wine Tram leaves from its terminal at the corner of Main Road and Cabriere Street.

Practical notes

  • The wine tram’s hop-on hop-off ticket costs 350 rand per adult and covers transport. Tasting fees at each estate are extra.
  • Its Flavours of the Vine day, at 1,900 rand, is open to adults, and children cannot book it.
  • Cape Town International Airport is the gateway.
  • Harvest falls in late summer, roughly February and March.