Sipping organic wine at Waverley Hills

Waverley Hills

Lying at the foot of the Witzenberg Mountains on the R46 between Tulbagh and Ceres, Waverley Hills produces organic wines that are definitely worth sampling. The Du Toit family entered the rather tough organic market in 2000 when they planted 21 hectares of vineyard, and we popped in to visit the estate recently.

Waverley Hills Estate lies on a natural watershed area – both the Breede and Berg River originated here before continuing on to enter two completely different oceans – which more than accounts for the myriad wild flowers and the effortless expanse of grasses at Waverley Hills. It was officially spring Continued

Butterflies, anyone?

Butterfly World is a hive of activity over weekends, which is only to be expected if you consider that it’s virtually designed with children in mind, or certainly the young at heart.

Butterfly World

But the surprise came, despite our having read up on Butterfly World before heading out, when we entered the covered garden (after muscling our way through the gift shop filled to the brim with butterfly memorabilia, sweets and such like) to discover a tropical paradise filled not only with butterflies but a whole heap of other wonderful animals too – like marmoset monkeys, incredible iguanas, other lizards, huge spiders (good thing that they’re in locked glass boxes), scorpions, snakes and a variety of very vocal birds!

The 1 000 square metre greenhouse – the largest butterfly park in South Africa – is a feast for sore eyes. In fact, the butterflies play second fiddle to all the other activity both at knee level (various fish ponds) and eye level (see previous para but add a wonderful selection of foliage, exotic plants and conveniently placed benches for tired moms) … Continued

Franschhoek Sunset Drive

Winelands Drive

The famous gourmet capital of the Western Cape is the wine valley of Franschhoek. As a valley it is cradled between mountain ranges that display a spectacular view over the luscious vineyard region. Pack a picnic with your favourite bottle of wine and take a drive to watch the sun set over this beautiful valley. Its so romantic and beautiful, it makes a perfect spot for popping significant questions!

As you drive into Franschhoek on the R45, the Main Road namely Huguenot Rd (named after the village’s French settlers) leads you to a T-Junction at the the landmark Hugenot Monument. At the T-Junction turn left onto Lambrecht Road (which is still classified on a map as the R45) and scoop your way along the mountain road winding up mountain curves singing ‘We’ll be coming round the mountain, when we come …’. Continued

Franschhoek Photographs

Todays “photo of the day” is in fact 3 photographs taken in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. The French corner of the Cape, Franshoek lies in one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world, just 45 minutes’ from Cape Town … Continued

Inaugural Wines2Whales Mountain Bike Race in November

Every Cyclists Dream – This is a spectacular three day route to showcase the best of the Cape Winelands – The inaugural Wines2Whales mountain bike race will take place from 13 to 15 November this year (2009). Over the course of 3 days, teams consisting of two cyclists each will cross approximately 230 km of the most beautiful and unspoilt terrain in the Western Cape … Continued

Heads we take the N1, Tails the N2

Franschhoek

One sunny morning, two national highways that lead you to Franschhoek and three reasons to visit; in order of appearance scenery, wine and food. Be warned though what starts as a happy breakfast in a little town whose name translates to “French Corner” will evolve into an even happier lunch and a borderline ecstatic dinner. All accompanied by the continuous reappearance of the very same three reasons you decided to visit; the view of the Gods, the juice of the Gods and the food… oh my God!

Franschhoek is known as the gourmet capital of the Cape and even has its own three sources of natural spring water that is bottled in the valley. It is not unusual when dining at any of Franschhoek’s world class restaurants to see framed accolades and reviews taking residence on the walls as a mark of international recognition of cuisine excellence. Four courses in and phrases like ‘I couldn’t possibly fit another bite in’ morph themselves alongside a bottle of delicious local vintage into ‘well you only live once’. Savour local game dishes glazed with a French signature from eight of South Africa’s Top 100 restaurants (some located on wine farms and some on the Main Street). Continued

The French Charm of Franschhoek

Franschhoek

Meaning French Corner, Franschhoek, was first colonized by the French Huguenots in 1692. One of the most famous attractions in the town remains the Huguenot Memorial, with its distinctive three arches, representing the Holy Trinity and the woman, holding a bible and broken chain, symbolizing these early settlers escape from religious oppression, which is located at the end of the main road. When entering Franschhoek, one is immediately aware of an air of relaxation and elegance, and on any given day, the streets are lined with holiday makers and leisure seekers.

A cultured and refined little town, the French influence on the culture and architecture is visible almost anywhere, and many of the Franschhoek attractions reflect this history. The town hosts a large array of annual festivals, ranging from the Bastille Festival, commemorating the towns history, to the Franschhoek literary festival, wine, champagne and cheese festivals to name a few, all displaying the same air of refinement that the town itself is renowned for. Continued

Spectacular Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch is one of those unique places in South Africa. Known for its wine production, as well as for the Stellenbosch University, one of the premier tertiary education institutions in Cape Town, Stellenbosch is in a class of its own. Stellenbosch offers many attractions for leisure seekers and tourists. The historical town is also known as Eikestad, literally translated as Oak City, and for good reason. Many of the streets are lined with Oak trees planted by early settlers to the area, complimenting the numerous historical buildings dotted throughout the town centre.

The Jonkershoek valley offers many hiking trails and nature reserve areas to explore, as well as picnic spots, some of which allow that typically South African past time. Quite unique among animal viewing experiences in the area are the crocodile park, butterfly world, and the giraffe house. Continued

Featured Cape Wine Routes

Cape Wine Routes

Traditionally, when referring to the Cape Winelands, one called to mind the cellars around Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Franschhoek. However, South African wine has undergone a whole new momentum.

An emerging ethos has taken the local wine industry into the global arena. South African wine has come of age and is now competing on the world wine stage. A whole new generation of winemakers has appeared and there has been a shift from grape farming to wine growing.

The Cape winelands stretch from the coast to the plains of the Little Karoo, where grapes are also grown in the riverine valleys. There are currently some 560 wineries and 4 400 primary producers of vineyards in the Cape, divided by the Wine of Origin Scheme into 4 main regions namely the Breede River Valley, Little Karoo, Coastal and Olifants River. Continued

Le Franschhoek opens in Cape Winelands

Le Franschhoek

The Cape’s latest resort hotel, Le Franschhoek, has opened its doors, presenting itself as the valley’s first retreat-style resort property as well as the perfect setting for a taste of the legendary Cape wine route. Eighteen months from concept-to-completion, located on the site of one of Franschhoek’s original country retreats, Le Franschhoek retains its luxurious charm along with a contemporary Cape sensibility and wineland architectural vernacular.

Contained within the vast estate are 63 elegantly-appointed rooms, conference facilities, a deluxe destination Camelot Spa (opening October), a la carte fine dining restaurant, unique al fresco Le Verger restaurant (opening late October and in which patrons sit within a fruit orchard), swimming pool, tennis court and authentic wine tasting venue for private functions. With its sylvan setting, Le Franschhoek is also destined to be a much-in-demand wedding venue. Continued

Cape Wine Tourism Conference

Thebe Conferences is organising the first international Cape Wine Tourism Conference 2006 at Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate in Paarl from 10 to 12 April 2006. Gm of Thebe Conferences Zelda Ingram said:

“The fact that South Africa is hosting the first international Wine Tourism Conference and Expo in Southern Africa is testament to the quality of the local industry.”

The conference will also bring value to the tourism industry according to Nokhuthula Dube, CEO of Cape Town Routes Unlimited. She said South Africa’s reputation for producing exceptional wine has added a greater depth to the country’s image. She said: Continued