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