For many visitors, Franschhoek is a place for at least two of the seven deadly sins: sloth, and gluttony. And, I mean, who can blame them? With endless restaurants promising gourmet adventures and a clutch of lovely hotels and guest houses to kick back on the sunlounger, it’s quite the spot for some indulgent R&R.
But for people like Matthew Sterne, the valley begs to be explored on foot and with a sensible hat on your head.
Sterne is a tour guide who has created a pair of immersive guided walking tours in and around Cape Town. He started with the Lion Trail – we rate it as one of the best things to do in Cape Town – before taking a sho’t left into Constantia with the popular Constantia Wine Walk. On both the blend of food, wine, history and colourful storytelling over a truly unique introduction to the Cape.
Now, he’s stepped out into the Franschhoek Valley with the Franschhoek Wine Wander.
And wander is a good word because this is no Hunger Games-style endurance event. Sterne knows that wine-travellers are coming in search of a good time, and so he’s cleverly fashioned the route into a gentle stroll that takes in three leading estates in the valley.
“It took me nine months of exploring and interviewing to put the walk together, and I'm delighted with the route as it features some of the most spectacular views in the Franschhoek Valley,” says Sterne. “We've also unearthed the most interesting Huguenot stories and the details of how Franschhoek went from a small farming village in the ‘80s to the culinary capital of South Africa in the ‘90s."
Guests meet at the NG Kerk in town at 8.30am, stroll through town and Clos Cabriere before arriving at Mont Rochelle for the first tasting. From there, it's a gentle amble across to the art-filled Leeu Estates for a tasting of the fabulous wines of Mullineux & Leeu. You’ll then hop on a tuk-tuk and enjoy the views over a delicious harvest-style lunch at La Cotte Heritage Farm. After a coffee at the Old Mill, stroll down the hill back to the NG Kerk where it all began.
Total walking distance? Just four kilometres on a route that is generally flat and very accessible for all ages, in all weather.
The Franschhoek Wine Wander costs R1950 per person, and includes a tasting of nine wines, lunch and the guided tour.
All aboard the new Durbanville Wine Safari!