Franschhoek
The Huguenot valley
- Soil
- Mountain-ringed valley of decomposed granite and alluvium.
- Style
- Bordeaux-style reds, Cap Classique sparkling, and old Semillon — plus a famous food scene.
- Top sites
- A scenic enclosed valley settled by French Huguenots in 1688.
- Vintages
- 2015, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021
- Producers
- BoschendalGlenWO CarlouGraham Beck (MCC nearby)
Tip · Settled by French Huguenots ('the French corner'), Franschhoek is a hub for Méthode Cap Classique — South Africa's traditional-method sparkling — and fine Bordeaux-style reds.
Value pick
Graham Beck Brut (Méthode Cap Classique) · ~$18
SA's benchmark traditional-method sparkling (famously poured at Mandela's inauguration) — Champagne-method quality for a fraction of the price.
Collector pick
Boekenhoutskloof 'The Chocolate Block' or Syrah (nearby) · ~$45 · 2020