Franschhoek

Wine from Franschhoek

In one of the Cape's most beautiful valleys lies the Franschhoek wine region. This charming village in South Africa is home to elegant family wineries with stunning landscapes and wines. Its location, the magnificent high mountains, and the cool climate make this region perfect for grape growing. Although it is one of the smallest wine regions in the country, it has historically been a very important area. The region owes its name to the Huguenots who settled there in the 17th century. It wasn't until thirty years later that viticulture truly took off.

The history of Franschhoek

Over 300 years ago, French Huguenots, fleeing the French government, imported their wine expertise to South African soil. They were expected to be of great value and make a significant contribution to viticulture. However, the latter proved somewhat disappointing. They were often unskilled laborers and soon turned to grain cultivation or livestock farming. Viticulture only really took off around the turn of the last century. Initially, it was part of the Paarl district, but has been fully independent since 2010. Franschhoek is surrounded by several mountain ranges, including Drakenstein, Franschhoek, and Wemmershoek. As a result, it receives relatively high rainfall, and the vineyards are situated much higher. The soil here consists of sand and sandstone, and these conditions create unique properties.

The young vines of Franschhoek

Franschhoek primarily grows young vines. The ratio of white to red grapes is almost equal. For red wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Merlot are primarily used. For white wines, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Semillon are planted. In terms of quality, the latter is perhaps the most important. It forms the basis for many fine wines from Franschhoek. Franschhoek Cellar is one such winery that produces wines using all the traditional grape varieties. Founded in 1945, this winery offers wines with a distinctive character.

The South African wineries

There are approximately 45 wineries in and around Franschhoek. One of the most famous is Boschendal. Located between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, it has been a leader in winemaking for centuries. The harvest is entirely hand-harvested, and each bottle is unique. One of the highest wineries in this region is Babylon's Peak. The vineyards are situated at an altitude of an impressive 700 meters above sea level. The wines are made with great respect for nature. All the grapes used for the wines are carefully selected and treated before being processed in the traditional way. Another major winery is Rust en Vrede. This magnificent winery has existed since 1694 and is world-renowned. The old vineyards produce unique grapes that, in turn, produce beautiful wines. The flagship winery is Rust en Vrede Estate Wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz. It is a powerful wine with abundant dark fruit and a finish of vanilla and licorice.

Franschhoek

Franschhoek

Wine from Franschhoek

The history of Franschhoek

The young vines of Franschhoek

The South African wineries

Buy wine at PerfecteWijn.nl at the best prices in the Netherlands and Belgium

Perfectewijn.nl

Popular categories

FAQ

Contact

Secure Payment options