Franschhoek

Franschhoek Uncorked Weekend Specials

With something for everyone at this year's Uncorked Festival (4 - 5 September 2010), make a weekend of your visit, taking full advantage of the various accommodation packages on offer. Come and indulge yourself as you witness the country’s gourmet capital blossom and come alive. Please see below some Franschhoek Uncorked weekend specials valid for this weekend only. To make a booking please contact Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism at 021 876 2861.

Click here to view a complete list of accommodation establishments in Franschhoek.

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La Fontaine Guest House

Double:
1 x night @ R450-00pp sharing
2 x nights @ R400-00pp sharing

Single:
1 x night @ R600-00 per night
2 x nights @ R500-00 per night

All rates include breakfast

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La Terra de Luc

Book a double room for two nights at La Terra de Luc at R1 400.00 for both nights (Friday + Saturday / Saturday + Sunday).

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L’Auberge Chanteclair

Stay 2 nights for R900.00 per person sharing. Includes full South African Breakfast, R100.00 Dinner voucher at a top restaurant. On line booking available (Normal rate R525.00 per person per night sharing)

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L'Ermitage Chateau and Villas

R675 per person sharing per night with breakfast included. Valid 3 - 5 September 2010.

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Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards

One Night Winter Escape: R2300 per room for one night

The One night Winter Escape includes: • Full English breakfast, • A 3-course dinner for two persons in the multi-award winning Mange Tout • 2 bottles of Mont Rochelle wine to take home and enjoy.

Two Night Winter Escape: R 2000 per room per night i.e. R4000 package

The Two night Winter Escape includes: • Full English breakfast on both mornings • A 3-course dinner for two persons in the multi-award winning Mange Tout • Mont Rochelle cellar tour and tasting • 2 bottles of Mont Rochelle wine to take home and enjoy.

This special is valid in our Shiraz & Merlot room categories. These rooms have spectacular views of the Franschhoek Valley and surrounding wine farms. Under-floor heating throughout will ensure that guests are kept warm and feel snug.

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Protea Hotel Franschhoek

In the breathtaking Franschhoek valley and just over an hours' drive from Cape Town, the Protea Hotel Franschhoek is perfectly located for exploring this tranquil region. For a limited time only, we are offering you, our valued GUEST, an exclusive offer of only: R 398 per person sharing per night PLUS pay for 1 room and get a 2nd room absolutely FREE.

Valid until 30 September 2010. Minimum 2 night stay. Valid Sunday to Thursday only. Full pre-payment required. No cancellations. Subject to availability in the specific rate category. Block out dates apply. GUESTS will pay for the first room for 2 nights at R 796 per night, and get the second room for FREE. All rates exclude breakfast and a 1% tourism levy. THIS OFFER CAN BE BOOKED ON OUR WEBSITE OR TELEPHONICALLY WITH THE HOTEL. PLEASE QUOTE THE “Rooms Squared” CODE WHEN BOOKING TELEPHONICALLY!

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Riverside Cottages at La Bourgogne Farm

One bedroom cottage R600 per night and a Two bedroom cottage R1050 per night. Book 2 nights or more and receive a 10% discount on the booking as well as a bottle of La Bourgogne Estate wine.

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Rusthof Country House

Based on a 2 night stay. Subject to availability.

INCLUDES: Accommodation; Full country breakfast; Complimentary port/sherry on arrival; Complimentary R300 dinner voucher at Ryan's Kitchen @ Rusthof OR Complimentary room upgrade, if available

RATES: R680pp per night sharing

ONE NIGHT STAY @ R550pp, including Breakfast & VAT, excluding a 1% tourism levy

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The Corner House

Double room, 2 persons sharing, breakfasts included @ R700, all inclusive.

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Whale Cottage Franschhoek

R400 per person sharing, including breakfast.

Tasting 101 Celebrates Cabernet

Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties and became internationally recognized through its prominence in Bordeaux wines where it is often blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Despite its prominence in the industry, the grape is a relatively new variety, the product of a chance crossing between Cabernet franc and Sauvignon blanc during the 17th century in southwestern France.

Tasting 101, hosted by Mont Rochelle Vineyards in Franschhoek, a monthly wine tasting event aimed at teaching restaurant staff in Franschhoek more about the wines of the valley and surrounding areas, focused its last tasting on getting to know Cabernet better. Dustin Osbourne, winemaker at Mont Rochelle, introduced participants to the background and techniques of making Cabernet. A special barrel tasting of the Mont Rochelle Cabernet 2008 First Fill barrels, Third Fill barrels and proposed blend demonstrated the difference that various techniques can have on the same wine.

Participants were also treated to a tasting of the Stony Brook Ghost Gum 2006, which ended up as a firm favourite amongst the tasters, as well as the Chamonix Cabernet 2007 and the brilliant Miko Cabernet 2006. Wines from Stellenbosch, such as the Starke Conde Three Pines 2006, a wine made in the Jonkershoek valley, and Le Riche Cabernet 2007 were also presented. However, I must admit, without being biased, that Franschhoek’s Cabernet’s came out tops this time!

Rob Armstrong from Haut Espoir presented the Haut Espoir Cabernet 2005 and explained the importance of sustainability in the entire wine making process. Rob, who has a BA in Archeology and Environmental and Geographical Science, heads up the Franschhoek Wine Valley’s sustainability committee and has contributed significantly to the Biodiversity and Wine initiative.

To end off a very informative and enjoyable Tasting 101, the Country Kitchen at Mont Rochelle treated guests with some delicious canapés, which included spiced Kudu biltong risotto, bake ostrich neck and mushroom pie, lentil soup, braised beef and chocolate “pudding” and a miniature lamb shank with potato-garlic mousseline.

If you are a restaurant based in Franschhoek and would like your staff to attend these tastings, please contact Marika at 021 876 2770 for more information.

Ten ways to celebrate Women's Day in Franschhoek this weekend

If you are still looking for something different to do this weekend why not come to Franschhoek and celebrate Women's Day. Here are 10 great ideas of what to do in Franschhoek this long weekend:

1. All women love chocolate! Visit Huguenot Fine Chocolates and discover how they make those great belgian chocolates. The tour cost R25 per person and includes a divine chocolate tasting. Bookings: 021 876 4096

2. Treat your woman to a proper High Tea at Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa. High tea served on Sunday 8 August 2010 from 12h00 to 16h00. R 125 per person includes sparkling wine on arrival. Information: 021 876 8900

3. Feast on the special women's day menu at Solms-Delta's Fyndraai restaurant this Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Curried tiger prawn and smoked snoek cakes or a warm spicy root vegetable soup for starters; freshly baked pickled line fish, local lamb curry or vegetable rice masala for mains, and end off with vermicelli and sago pudding flavoured with rose water, stewed prunes and cardamom ice cream for dessert. Call Annalize on 021 874 3937. See full menu here: http://bit.ly/9xbVZf

4. Treat your woman to a special spa treatment at La Terra de Luc. From Secret Signature Massages, to facials and treatments in an intimate setting on the farm. Bookings: Carla von Palaca 071 255 1740

5. Explore the Franschhoek Cap Classique route and taste the beautiful bubblies of Franschhoek. Don't miss Boschendal, Cabriere, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Graham Beck Wines, Moreson and La Motte. Visit www.franschhoek.org.za for more information. If you are pressed for time, visit the Fizz Affair Champagne bar in Franschhoek where you can sample all these great mcc's. Information: 021 876 2580   

6. Visit an art gallery in Franschhoek. The Gallery’ at the 5-star Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek continues its trilogy of exhibitions with the ‘WHERE?’ exhibition by Ingrid Wolfaardt. From 8 August 2010 EBONY will showcase an exhibition of paintings by Olaf Bisschoff and new ceramic pieces by John Newdigate and Ian Garrett. IS Art at Le Quartier Francais is presenting an exhibition of photography by Marc Stanes, Clint Strydom, and Strijdom van der Merwe and sculpture by Guy du Toit from 8 August 2010.

7. If you are looking for a party in Franschhoek, be sure to join the Elephant and Barrel on Sunday the 8th August. Live music and half price draught, wine by the glass, vodka and brandy. All starts at 7pm till close. Information: 021 876 4127

8. Meander down the Franschhoek main road and indulge yourself in the stylish Franschhoek shops. If you are into pottery, be sure to visit David Walter's studio at Roubaix House Gallery. Information: 021 876 4304

9. If you are up for an adventure and in the mood for something different, why not do a wine tasting on horseback? Contact Paradise Stables for bookings at 021 876 2160.  

10. Why not make a weekend of it? It's not too late! Visit www.franschhoek.org.za for accommodation options or book your accommodation online. For queries contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley office at 021 876 2861.

We look forward to welcoming you in Franschhoek this weekend!