Franschhoek

Great weekend at F'hoek Uncorked

 

Franschhoek reveled in the success of another wonderful festival in September. They came, they saw and some conked out, but a good time was had by all at Franschhoek Uncorked.

It is not clear how many of the happy visitors were seriously intent on sampling newly released wines and comparing them to tasting notes filed in their memories, but 2704 tickets were sold and the venues were busy all weekend.

First time participant, Maison, was a hit with its laid-back atmosphere and converted scores of wine drinkers to Chenin Blanc. Boekenhoutskloof was an all-weekend party with great food, original comics and a constant flow of Chocolate Block. (They opened 600 bottles for the festival.) Redefined La Motte took everyone’s breath away with the beautiful interior design and excellent service and Lynx could hardly keep up with the demand for Viognier. Parking became impossible at La Petite Ferme, as no-one wanted to leave and down the road at Haute Cabrière the love of Cap Classique and Pinot Noir was verging on the obsessive. Topiary did some serious Shiraz sales and declared the pairing of their wines with the Freedom Hill platter just the ticket. At Vrede en Lust the visitors were enchanted by the French Laundry theme and Les Girls in their fetching outfits. Franschhoek Cellar successfully seduced their visitors with their chocolate tastings and cheese platters.

Adding to the excitement of festival goers, was the accompanying celebrity spotting. Seeing Graeme Smith and Jeannie D was sooo cool!

 

Statistics released on surveys the FWVTA conducted at the festival, contained some interesting facts: Almost half of the respondents were Cape Town residents, 12% were local; 73% came to the festival for the first time and most of them found out about it by word-of-mouth; those who stayed over, stayed for an average of 2 nights; most also went to restaurants and 94% said they would come again next year.

[Article originally published in the October edition of the Franschhoek Tatler]

Heritage Day weekend at Solms-Delta, Franschhoek

Heritage Day, 24 September, is a public holiday on which all South Africans are invited to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of our traditions, as the defining characteristics of a nation that belongs to all of its people.  Solms-Delta wine estate near Franschhoek is celebrating the holiday weekend with a choice of heritage experiences:

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday there will be tours of the Dik Delta Culinary Heritage Gardens at 09h00, 11h00, 13h00 & 15h00;  Cost: R40 pp; and
On Friday and Sunday,* experience Fyndraai restaurant’s new Heritage Menu, designed around the culinary heritage of three main cultures that have existed on this farm. Booking for this feast is essential - at least a day before.  Cost: R165 pp. Should you wish to combine the two, take a Dik Delta tour and then enjoy the Heritage Menu lunch at a cost of R200p/p and you will receive a free heritage newspaper.  Remember, to book for the Heritage meal, by 23 September.

The normal Fyndraai menu – a Kaapsekos feast, local food with a twist, is also available as usual; visit the Museum van de Caab that records the complex and fascinating history of South Africa through the people who lived and worked on the farm; a wine tasting – classical wines with a difference – will round off a perfect Heritage Day experience. 

[*Please note: Fyndraai is closed for a private function on Saturday 25 September, but will be open as normal on Friday 24 and Sunday 26.]

Email restaurant@solms-delta.co.za or call Annalize on 021 874 3937 ext 115.

Franschhoek Affair Photos: 25 - 27 June 2010

During the weekend of 25 - 27 June 2010, visitors from all over came to Franschhoek to engage in "hands-on" activities, such as learning the art of chocolate making, making your own pasta, glass slumping, couples massage classes and much more.

Franschhoek Wine Valley captured some of these activities on camera.

Vrede en Lust is proudly South African

Vrede en Lust has embraced the 2010 World Cup spirit by producing a "Proudly South African" wine tasting that they will be offering to visitors during the 2010 event. This unique tasting gives World Cup visitors a taste of Vrede en Lust's best wines paired with traditional South african delicacies from the restaurant at Vrede en Lust, Cotage Fromage.

Visitors can expect to taste their new Unwooded Chardonnay, Sarah, named after the owner's daughter, as well as their award-winning flagship wine - the Boet Erasmus. Their other wines are also presented and paired with delicacies such as salmon, bobotie samoosas, snoek pate, camembert cheese, springbok biltong and chocolates from Franschhoek's Huguenot Fine Chocolates.

At Vrede en Lust you can genuinely feel it - the World Cup is here! For more information visit their website at www.vnl.co.za. Advanced bookings are required for the Proudly South African tastings.

La La Land at The Gallery at Grande Provence

The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek, has become synonymous with creating the perfect platform for established and emerging artists to showcase their works. The Gallery is proud to present the much anticipated 'La La Land' exhibition that runs from 23 May until 23 June 2010 and will be officially opened by Kabous Meiring. The exhibition is by the respected South African artist Francois Van Reenen who shall present paintings, ‘animation’- drawings and sculptures.

An interesting aspect of Van Reenen’s works is that he tends to invert the usual gender relationship in which the female plays a passive participant in a world determined and shaped by the active male – his female figures are invariably the larger and more powerful characters whilst the boys are diminutive and ‘innocent’. Dogs and boy-as-dog are recurring features where the dog represents our instinctual drives – whether creative, sexual or violent.

For further information on the upcoming exhibition at The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, contact gallery@grandeprovence.co.za For a preview, please call The Gallery on +27 (0)21 876 8630 to make an appointment. The Gallery is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10h00 till 18h00. Visit www.grandeprovence.co.za for regular updates.

Franschhoek is celebrating the arrival of summer with some sizzling hot events

Franschhoek has kicked into another gear since the start of the new hotter season. Some of the events not to be missed include:

 

La Brasserie has kicked off its new summer season of Jazz on Friday 30 October 2009 with the famous Cape Dutch Connection. Don’t miss Jazz on Friday, every Friday from 5.30pm to 8.30pm until April. For more info and bookings, call 021 876 3420 or email info@labrasserie.co.za

 

Visit the Elephant and Barrel in Franschhoek over the weekend and enjoy a real pub fare and live music on Friday and Saturday nights. For live updates of events taking place visit www.elephantandbarrel.co.za

 

Want to do something different? Join Allée Bleue for a sushi evening on Friday, 6 November 2009 from 7pm. Tickets cost R195 per person. If high tea is more your thing, don’t miss Allee Bleue’s high tea on Sunday, 8 November 2009 between 2pm and 5pm. Bookings are essential: 021 874 1021.

 

From 1 November 2009 you are invited to visit the Genot Restaurant Cigar Bar for your after dinner drinks and desserts. Genot offers live music from 8pm to 12pm on Friday and Saturday evenings and will host a Frank Sinatra evening on 6 November 2009. To make a booking contact Klein Genot at 021 876 2738 or email info@kleingenot.com

 

Celebrate the arrival of sunny days and long, balmy evenings at Solms Delta’s sunset supper concerts every Saturday from 5.30pm. Enjoy the regional Cape folk heritage flavours – vastrap, ghoema and boeremusiek, whilst indulging in traditional Cape food. Visit www.solms-delta.co.za to view the full programme.

 

Don’t forget to join Dieu Donné during the Tour de Vino cycle race on 7 and 8 November 2009. There will be live music and a jumping castle. On Saturday 14 November, they will also have a tapas and live music evening. Please contact Dieu Donné at 021 876 3384 or email at info@dieudonnerestaurant.com for more information.

 

The Franschhoek Dutch Reformed Church is currently hosting their annual Franschhoek Christmas Market in the village. The market is open till 8 November 2009 in the Church hall. Visit www.ngkfranschhoek.co.za for more information.

 

Jenny le Roux, previously the fashion editor of Fair Lady, will be showcasing her new highly successful fashion business, Habits’ latest Summer 2009/10 range. Visit the Kruger House in Franschhoek on 11 November 2009 from 9am to 5pm. Visit www.habits.co.za for more information.

 

Lastly, don’t miss the Medscheme Tour de Vino cycle race this weekend. The 7^th sees the Tour de Vino Mountain Bike Challenge with routes of 15km and 45km respectively. The road race takes place on Sunday, 8 November 2009 and will cover a 117km and a 62.3 km route through Franschhoek. For online entries visit www.cyclelab.com

 

Visit www.franschhoek.org.za for more information about Franschhoek.

The Medscheme Tour de Vino Cycle race is coming to Franschhoek, 7 - 8 November 2009

The 7th

- 8th November 2009 marks an awesome cycling event on the PPA calendar, the Medscheme Tour de Vino.  Now in its third year, the Medscheme Tour de Vino will again be held in the heart of the Cape winelands, this time in Franschhoek, at the Huguenot Monument. With the change of venue, addition of the mountain bike challenge a day before the road event and also a 6.4km kiddies race, it promises to be a weekend full of excitement and fun.

The Medscheme Tour de Vino Mountain Bike race takes place on 7^th November.  The race was designed by Meurant Botha of Dirtopia, and Franschhoek’s own champion rider, Geddan Ruddock. The 15km route follows good dirt roads and meanders through beautiful farmsteads in the Valley, southeast of the town – the less strenuous option.  The 45km route has many climbs and is for the more experienced rider, with spectacular views of the Berg River Dam precinct and over the town of Franschhoek.

The 8^th November is the date of the awesome Medscheme Tour de Vino Road race.  The scenic 117km ride will provide a few challenges, excluding the dreaded Helshoogte this year, but with a speedy Sprint Hot Spot and the King of the Mountains prize up for grabs it will be well worth the effort. There are some very tricky windy bits on the route and a few epic flats for the sprinters.  It is a grueling route with many challenges!

 

There is also a shorter route of 62.3km starting at 08h30 for those not willing to brave the fairer views of the wine lands. Routes can be viewed at www.cyclelab.com. For the riders and their supporters, Franschhoek will provide a memorable experience for all. There will be a hospitality area, including a food and wine marquee with many stalls to browse. There is also a special children’s section at the Huguenot Monument.

 

There are over R60 000 worth of prizes to be won, as well as lucky draws and the chance to win a bike.

 

For further information on the Medscheme Tour de Vino and for online entries, please go to http://www.cyclelab.com/ Information on the event is available on the FWVTA website http://www.franschhoek.org.za/

Celebrate summer with the Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival

Come and celebrate the shy budding of summer in the beautiful Franschhoek valley, with a stroll through one of the 10 spectacular gardens on show on 24 & 25 October at the Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival.

Visitors will be able to view the lovingly tended gardens, buy plants, visit the fresh food market and listen to music in the beer or tea gardens. Added bonuses include talks by gardening genius Keith Kirsten, Marie Favard from Ludwig’s Roses and Bridgit Kitley talking about herbs. A variety of plants will be on sale and there will also be Tussy Mussy workshops on both Saturday and Sunday.

Admission to the Festival is R100 and this allows full entrance for the weekend. Ticket prices for the talks range from R20 – R60 and can be purchased online through www.webtickets.co.za. Access passes and maps can be collected from the marquee in front of the Town Hall.