Franschhoek

The Franschhoek Valley carves through the highlands of South Africa's Western Cape in glorious style. The old town – one of the oldest in the whole country, no less – is sunk into an amphitheatre of peaks. On one side, the serrated tops of the Groot Drakenstein ranges form a phalanx on the horizon. On the other, the thin bluffs of the Simonsberg Mountains are haloed in dashes of fynbos meadows and clusters of rugged boulders.

Jaw-dropping vistas aside, luxury villa holidays in the Franschhoek Valley are really about one thing and one thing only: Wine. This section of the cape was first noted for its viticulture some three centuries ago when French Huguenots settled near its fertile fields and planted grape vines that are still in abundance.

Today, the region is an official Wine of Origin area, famed for its rich Cabernet Sauvignon reds and Cap Classique Brut, made from sweeter, full-bodied Chardonnay grapes. You can spend days and days hopping the various cellar doors seeking out your favourites.

Some of the most spectacular vineyards include Stony Brook to the south of town, the Chamonix Wine Farm to the north, and the lovely La Motte to the west. Alternatively, the hop-on, hop-off Franschhoek wine tram will whisk you between tasting rooms and out-of-town vineyards aplenty.

Once you're done sipping those fine tipples, be sure to drop by the Huguenot Monument, which commemorates the cultural influence of the French settlers on the whole of South Africa. Then, hit the heart of charming Franschhoek town itself, where you'll discover fine-dining bistros serving farm-to-table meals with a Francophone twist.

Our luxury villas in Franschhoek channel the rustic feel of the region and fuse that with a touch of French flair. Within a short drive of Cape Town, get ready to discover elegant farmhouse conversions with shaded porches overlooking the peaks and colonial-flavoured residences with swimming pools and roaring log fires. Most await between the rolling vineyards and fields on the outskirts of Franschhoek itself.