JUST OVER an hour's drive (around 80km) from Cape Town, the ‘French corner' of the Cape winelands – east of Stellenbosch and Paarl – is one of the most popular wine routes in South Africa. Numerous guesthouses and Airbnb options, as well as a wine tram connecting one end of the valley to the other. This is gourmet country. Franschhoek is so geared for visitors that every other winery has a restaurant alongside.
See below for the top cellars in the area and what they're best at, and for the names of exactly which wines from the area have the best track records, see the Classification. The producers with best track records overall: Bellingham, Boekenhoutskloof, Boschendal, Chamonix, Holden Manz, La Motte and Mullineux. For all of the Top 100 in the SA Cellar Classification, click here.
FRANSCHHOEK'S TOP CELLARS
Allée Bleue
Strongest Suits: Cabernet-led Blend, Pinotage, Shiraz
Bellingham
Vinification at DGB
Strongest Suits: Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Shiraz-led Blend
Boekenhoutskloof
Strongest Suits: Cabernet Sauvignon, Noble Late Harvest, Shiraz
Boschendal
Strongest Suits: Cap Classique Sparkling, Chardonnay, Noble Late Harvest, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz-led Blend
Chamonix
Strongest Suits: Cabernet-led Blend, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Colmant
Strongest Suit: Cap Classique Sparkling
Franschhoek Cellar
Strongest Suit: Sauvignon Blanc
GlenWood
Strongest Suit: Chardonnay
Holden Manz
Strongest Suits: Cabernet Sauvignon-led Blend, Cabernet Franc
La Bri
Strongest Suit: Shiraz
La Motte
Strongest Suits: Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Shiraz-led Blend
Leeu Passant
Strongest Suit: Chardonnay
Leopard's Leap
Strongest Suits: Cabernet Sauvignon-led Blend, Chenin Blanc
Môreson
Strongest Suits: Chardonnay, Pinotage
Mullineux
Vinification in Riebeek Kasteel
Strongest Suits: Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Straw Wine, White Blend
My Wyn
Strongest Suit: Cabernet Franc
Pieter Ferreira
Vinification at Graham Beck
Strongest Suit: Cap Classique Sparkling
Rickety Bridge
Strongest Suits: Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Shiraz
Rupert
Strongest Suits: Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
