Franschhoek Life August/September 2021

https://leopardsleap.co.za/ The sunshine of Chenin Blanc (70%) meets the vibrancy of Moscato (30%) in a bright and beautiful wine with a lovely perfume and a flirty touch of sweetness. As versatile as its blending components, the 2021 Leopard’s Leap Chescato is a wine for all seasons and occasions. With its lively fruit flavours and floral bouquet, it is a delicious glassful to enjoy on its own in a sunny spot, but it can make the most of any weather. Enjoy Chescato as a partner to subtle spices in wintery Malay-type curries or pour generous glasses with summer’s sushi and salads, sandwiches and sweets. Perfect for picnics, parties and playing – whether it is under blue skies or in front of toasty fires. On the nose – a playful perfume of apple and citrus…

The pandemic has had the restaurant industry on its knees and while the village has said a sad farewell to firm favourite Foliage, Let’s Frite has filled this prime location space with a new, easy, tasty, mostly “burger and frite” menu. The “street-food”, casual vibe of Let’s Frite already has local tongues wagging and taste-buds dancing with the simple, budget friendly menu and unpretentious, friendly vibe. Made with the finest and freshest ingredients akin to the high standards synonymous with Chef Reuben Riffel, menu items include: Double Cheese – two smashed beef patties, buttermilk bun, melted cheese, chopped lettuce & BBQ sauce for R85; Fried Chicken & Cheese – buttermilk fried chicken, soft bun, melted cheese, chopped lettuce and a ranch dressing for R70 even Squid & Frites for R105. Of…

Explore the farm on horseback – with exquisite views of the Franschhoek Valley. The one-hour guided horse rides are available throughout the day and offer guests a glimpse into Boschendal’s beauty. The MTB and running trails boast some mean climbs and sweet single track rides. Visit the Trail Centre to get permits and advice to navigate all the routes (5km and 10km available) Bike rental bookings are recommended for the weekends and public holidays, or bring your own! The GUIDED FARM TOURS – Complementary for all in-house guests, offer an outdoor adventure experience of a lifetime while the guided hikes and walking tours give rare personal insight into the history of the farm, regenerative farming practices and sustainable gardening. Guests can also try their hand at harvesting seasonal herbs from the herb…

As the world celebrates National Pinot Noir Day on 18 August, Haute Cabrière have decided to dedicate the entire month to Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir and Haute Cabrière go way back! The von Arnims’ dream cellar is built on two pivotal varietals, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The soils of the vineyards are reminiscent of the clay-heavy soils in Burgundy and Franschhoek is one of the few regions in South Africa that produces exceptional quality Pinot Noir wines, despite the warm summers (Pinot Noir favours cooler temperatures). Summers in the Franschhoek wine valley require careful canopy management to ensure the growing conditions are slow and even. When it’s done right, the resulting wines are elegant, balanced, and full of flavour. Pinot Noir is part of the origin story at Haute Cabrière, with…

Dining at Franschhoek Cellar is always an occasion to be enjoyed with delicious food, excellent wine and of course, great company. The restaurant offers the very best in Winelands cuisine with a regularly updated menu curated around seasonality and using only the freshest locally sourced ingredients, including from the very own Franschhoek Cellar garden. There is a fantastic kids menu, a great selection of artisanal beers and some exciting new dishes lighting up the menu. Both winemaker and chef have joined forces to create dazzling food and wine experiences, showcasing the finest wines alongside Franschhoek’s famous artisanal cheeses and chocolates. These decadent pairings with the award winning Franschhoek Cellar wines include specialities such as the Franschhoek Cellar Statue de Femme Sauvignon Blanc with a deliciously creamy goats milk cheese to the more…

Guests at Gondwana can also participate in bespoke nature activities that truly immerse them in the Cape Fynbos environment and enrich the overall safari experience. With the richest floral kingdom in the world and the recent discovery of the largest known population of a rare orchid thought to be extinct, Gondwana Game Reserve is a bucket list destination not just for a Big 5 safari, but also for anyone with an interest in botany and biodiversity. Gondwana offers a Fynbos Conservation Experience which includes a guided nature walk lead by their resident botanist. Among the 1000 plant, 118 bird, 29 mammal and 21 amphibian species coexisting in the Reserve, participants are bound to uncover fascinating stories as they help monitor and map the types of vegetation found on the reserve. What…