A few weeks ago Grant and I set off to Franschhoek, for a much anticipated meal at Haute Cabriere Cellar Restaurant. Not only does it have one of the best locations in Franschhoek, set high up on the mountain overlooking the picturesque valley, but Haute Cabriere also produces some of my favourite wines! [Read more…]
Franschhoek Uncorked Festival 2015
We were invited to attend the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival at the end of last month. Like many other adventures this year – a first for us! Wine tourism has become such an integral part of the wine and tourism industry in SA and I love to celebrate it whenever possible! If you for some reason you did not managed to attend the Festival this year, then it is a definite must for next year!
Franschhoek Uncorked
The Franschhoek Uncorked Festival, took place on the 26th and 27th of September. To celebrate Braai4Heritage, Franschhoek wineries opened their doors to the wine loving public.
What better way to celebrate your heritage, than with a glass or two of Franschhoek wine! Wines featured at the festival where selected by the winemakers, of the participating farms. Wines were then paired with delicious food and cooked over an open flame – a braai, as we know it!
We started out our wine adventure at Vrede en Lust. After collecting our weekend pass and our wine glasses, we got stuck into the wine tasting. Then it was time for a bite of lunch.
Attending a festival like Franschhoek Uncorked, is a great way of experiencing farms and wines, which you may have overlooked before. It also gives you the opportunity of spending time, soaking in the beautiful valley that is Franschhoek!
One of the highlights of the festival for us was visiting Maison, which we both love. The atmosphere was wonderfully festive and the setting gorgeous! I also picked up a few bottles of the Blanc De Noir which is delcious!
After the Festival we were invited to attend the Protea Party, at Anthonij Rupert Wines. The Protea Party started at 18:30pm, to take advantage of the sun setting over the Franschhoek valley.
Held in a marquee, on the lush lawns of the Anthonij Rupert Tasting room, one could not have asked for a more magical setting! Dining under the stars, with the majestic Drakenstein Mountains as your backdrop – stunning…
Booking for the Protea Party is essential, as seating is limited. Tickets are available for purchase online and are in addition to the cost of the Uncorked Festival tickets.
I am not usually one to write about an event after the fact but we had such fun! I really recommend you pencil in Franschhoek Uncorked for next year, as it is well worth the visit. I know we will be back! Be sure to do what we did and make a weekend of it – stay over! We spent the night at the Le Franschhoek Hotel, which was wonderful!
Your Uncorked Weekend Pass, costs R120 per person and allows you access to the participating farms, as well as a complimentary tasting glass and free wine tastings.
For more info contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices on 021 876 2861 or visit the Franschhoek Uncorked Website.
Disclosure Ranking:2
Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa
As you must know by now, Grant and I love Franschhoek and do not miss an opportunity to visit the area! We recently attended the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival and decided to make the most of it and stay over! Our home for the night was the beautiful Le Franschhoek Hotel!
After a busy day wine tasting and eating at the Uncorked Festival, we made our way to the hotel, to relax and shower before heading out again. It was a welcome retreat after all the crowds and festivities, at the festival.
Le Franschhoek Hotel
I particularly love the position of the hotel, which is nestled at the foot of the Franschhoek Mountains. It overlooks the valley and the view still manages to take my breath away, even though we have been there many times!
The old world charm, is the first thing that captures your attention when you arrive at the hotel. Pristine white walls and thatch roofing transports you to a bygone era. However once you enter the hotel, the stylish modern interiors bring you straight back to the 21st Century!
Accommodation
Guests can choose from Standard Rooms, Family Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, Suites, as well as Villas. All of the 63 rooms reflect the contemporary styling and luxury, which one would expect from a four-star hotel. Rooms are elegant, with clean lines, elegant furnishings and gorgeous views from every room.
The rooms are well appointed and all feature: air conditioning, under floor heating, direct dial telephones, remote controlled TV with selected DSTV channels, hairdryers, tea & coffee making facilities, electronic safes, as well as internet connections (at a surcharge).
The Garden-view Apartments overlook the perfectly manicured gardens, with lush green grass, pretty seasonal blooms and stately trees.
In the distance, the slate-grey Franschhoek mountains loom in all their glorious splendour and leave one in awe of the sheer natural beauty of the valley!
The hotel grounds are so lovely and I enjoy nothing better than a quiet stroll after breakfast. Taking time out, to simply enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
In warmer months the sparkling pool is a firm favourite of ours! Lazing on a lounger reading a good book, while sipping a G&T poolside – could not think of a better place to be!
Dining
The Le Franschhoek Hotel offers three on-site restaurants, as well as a full-service bar. Dish at Le Franschhoek Hotel, is elegant 80 seater, fine dining a la-carte restaurant. The menu is seasonal and under direction of Executive Head Chef, Scott Shepherd.
Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa also offers guests the accompanying Terrace Bar and Lounge, with a selection of fine coffee and teas in the elegant lounge, and a fantastic selection of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails at the stylish bar.
Lastly is Le Verger, The Orchard Restaurant. The conservatory-styled design, was inspired by the spectacular geography of the restaurant’s location. It offers diners unequalled views of all that is Franschhoek – mountains, streams, vineyards and orchards enfold the restaurant.
The Spa
As well as luxury accommodation, breathtaking views and superb dining, the onsite spa will cater to your every whim. It has always been one of my favourite Spa experiences – the ultimate in relaxation and pampering!
The Spa offers a comprehensive range of treatments – both traditional and contemporary. The Grecian liquid-sound flotation room, Moulin rouge colour therapy adventure, fragrant herbal sauna and steamy Swiss shower are just some of the cutting edge therapies offered at this spa.
A serene outdoor massage area sets the scene for ultimate relaxation, where you can partake of a traditional Bali full-body Massage and invigorating scrub, or indulge in the signature Camelot range of massages. Hot Stone, Kahuna, Balinese and Indian Head massage techniques are used for this treatment, along with the unique massage candle.
Thalgo Spa Skin Treatments and body wraps harness the healing power of the ocean to enhance, revive and soothe your skin and are available for both ladies and gentlemen. Couples treatments, teen’s treatments and a gentleman’s executive package are also on the menu at Camelot Spa!
We had a lovely stay at the Le Franschhoek Hotel, the staff were helpful and friendly – I just wish we could have stayed longer! I would definitely recommend you try the hotel if you are visiting the area, you will not be disappointed.
Location: Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa, 16 Minor road, Franschhoek, 7690, Situated in the world famous Winelands of the Western Cape, 50 km’s from Cape Town International Airport, 75 km’s from Cape Town city centre (central business district) & the V&A Waterfront, 20 km’s from the spectacular winelands of Stellenbosch and Paarl and 3 km’s from the village of Franschhoek.
Contact:Phone: 021-876 8900 or Email: [email protected] or visit the Le Franschhoek Website to make a reservation.
To discover more amazing places to eat out in the area, read my post on Eating Out in Franschhoek.
Images: Room, Dining & Spa – source: Le Franschhoek Hotel, All other images: ©Inspired Living
Disclaimer: Certain information in the article, has been obtained from the Le Franschhoek website and to my knowledge, was correct at the time of publishing.
Bistro Allee Bleue Franschhoek
I recently wrote a post which featured some of the great eateries Franschhoek has to offer. One of the restaurants I mentioned in the feature was Bistro Allee Bleue.
The Allee Bleue Estate is located a few minutes outside of the town of Franschhoek, just off the R45. Allee Bleue (blue avenue or drive) owes its name to the statuesque, blue eucalyptus trees that magnificently line the entrance to the estate. The estate has an unmistakably French feel, being part of the Franschhoek Valley (or ‘French corner’). Picture perfect rows of vines, fields of lavender and meadows, stretch towards the Drakenstein Mountains in the distance.
Bistro Allee Bleue
As you enter the estate you will find Bistro Allee Bleue directly on your right. The Bistro offers breakfasts, light lunches, afternoon tea and cakes, as well as a full à la carte menu.
Chef Beau Du Toit recently introduced a new menu at Bistro Allee Bleue, which Grant and I had the opportunity of tasting. The new menu focuses on using in-season, local produce and a variety of fresh herbs, grown in the estate’s herb tunnels.
The bistro has an elfresco dining area, including a kiddies play area, perfect for warmer weather. Inside, crisp white tablecloths, blue chairs and blue-wash on the walls, emulate the estates “bleue” theme.
We started lunch with a glass of the Allee Bleue Brut Rosé, which was perfect, as it was a rather balmy winters day!
Before ordering our starters, we were offered a complimentary herb salad with farm baked bread. I think that this is a really nice touch, especially if you are not planning on ordering starters.
For starters I decided on the Smoked Salmon Trout with coriander, mint, sweetcorn, pickled chilli, garlic and a lemon aioli. My starter was absolutely delicious! I loved the sweetness of the corn, which was off set by the heat from the pickled chilli and the zingy citrus from the aioli – it all complimented the smoked trout really well!
For mains I had to try the Venison and ‘skaap stertjie’ Burger, which I had heard so much about! The burger is served with sautéed wild mushrooms and thyme, sweet potato chips and a homemade sweet chilli mayo. The earthiness of wild mushrooms worked really well with the burger and I loved the sweet potato chips! I decided to pair my dish with the Allée Bleue Shiraz, which complimented the dish perfectly.
Grant opted for the Pulled Pork Shoulder Pie, which came highly recommended by our waitress. The pie is served with mash, gremolata, caramelised root vegetables, pickled cabbage and gravy. We both agreed that this was the winner out off the two main dishes we tried – it was utterly divine!
I am not entirely sure how but we managed to squeeze in a desert – but we did! We both thought that the Malva Pudding with custard and cream was the perfect way to end our meal!
We really enjoyed our lunch at Allee Bleue Bistro. Great food and wine, topped off by friendly service, made for a wonderful experience!
Location: Intersection R 45 and R310, Groot Drakenstein 7680, South Africa Contact: For bookings please email or call on 021 874 1021. Allée Bleue Bistro is open from Tuesday – Sundays & Public Holidays 08h00-17h00.
Disclosure Ranking:4
Fabulous FranscHHoek Eating Out
Franschhoek is one of those places, that will steal your heart if you let it. If it does, you will be smitten forever! Exquisite natural beauty, world-class food and wine, as well as luxurious accommodation make it a perfect destination. [Read more…]