Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town in the town of Franschhoek in South Africa, there is a stunning 26-bedroom hotel and vineyard – Mont Rochelle. Franschhoek is famously known as the French Corner of the Cape and considered to be the food and wine capital of South Africa.
It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a superb culinary experience accompanied by some outstanding wines.
The grounds at Mont Rochelle cover 39 hectares and every guest is welcome to explore every inch of it. There are two restaurants, a cosy bar, a spa, a gym and a heated outdoor pool. Of course, there is a 37 hectare vineyard and an amazing wine cellar.
The main grapes cultivated in the region are the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties amongst a few others. The vineyards are situated between 250m and 400m above the sea level on north and north east facing slopes exposing the grapes to a range of micro climates
WINE TASTING AND CELLAR VISITS
At Mont Rochelle wine tasting isn’t just a special event – it’s an everyday occurrence. The 150 year old wine cellar, previously used as a fruit packing shed for the early settlers, is one of the places where the tasting takes place. Since being converted to a traditional wine cellar, it can now process close to 105 tonnes of grapes in a season – a small volume but one that allows more concentration on quality rather than quantity. Stainless steel tanks aid in the making of the crisp clean whites, while barrels are favoured for the red wine making.
ROOMS AT MONT ROCHELLE
Rooms at Mont Rochelle are named after different wines. There are four Shiraz rooms with king-size beds, all featuring courtyard or valley views, six Merlot rooms larger than then the Shiraz ones, six Cabernet rooms which include a private terrace overlooking the valley and four Pinotage suites, which each feature a separate lounge and fantastic views. Finally, the two largest rooms, the Cap Classique suites include a separate lounge area, private terrace and own plunge pools.
THE MANOR HOUSE
Just a short walk from the main hotel building and a stone’s throw from the winery, the Manor House is ideal for families or for small groups looking to escape the winelands.
Younger guests, also known as ‘Little Corkers’, have their own tailor-made itinerary during the stay.
An exciting range of activities are on offer for children to enjoy, whatever their interests. Budding vintners will love getting their hands (or should we say feet!) dirty while stomping grapes with our experts, before recharging with a refreshing grape juice tasting. The hotels extensive grounds are the ideal setting for a scavenger hunt and picnic, and lawn games dotted throughout are sure to see youngsters getting competitive with the adults.
At the end of the day, the whole family can relax in the villa, which comfortably sleeps eight adults and boasts a cosy bunkroom that can sleep up to six children.
DINING IN STYLE
There are two restaurants at Mont Rochelle: Miko and the Country Kitchen. Miko is the main restaurant and is the setting for some fantastic gourmet meals. It offers impeccable 180-degree views over the Franschhoek valley and a stunning terrace surrounded by glass doors, giving guests the feeling of an al fresco dining experience all year round. Each dish tells a story, meaning guests can experience a little slice of the South African culture.
Also, on selected dates, Miko invites music-lovers to enjoy acoustic performances served alongside gourmet dishes and home-grown wines.
Adjacent to the winery is the Country Kitchen, an ideal spot for a light lunch.
RELAX AND EXPLORE
Enjoy a day at the spa
There are numerous ways that you enjoy your day here at Mont Rochelle, but what could be more relaxing than a spa treatment? There are two dedicated spa treatment rooms and a Hammam where you can pamper yourself. They use the eco-friendly Africology Authentic range of products, which are made from 100% essential oils and natural plants extracts.
Walk into Franschhoek
Take a 15-20 minute walk from the property and go exploring in Franschhoek, a traditional small town known for its beauty. It has lots to do and see including interior design boutiques, craft shops, patisseries, lovely restaurants, art galleries and museums.
A great way to discover the Franschhoek Valley is by the famous wine tram. This is a hop-on, hop-off service offering picturesque vineyards, beautiful scenery, fine wines and world class cuisine as you travel. Here guests will have the chance to visit some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates travelling on an open air tram. Mont Rochelle is a stop on one of the Wine Tram routes, so guests can book the other route to sample more of the area’s vineyards.
Hiking
Enjoy a hike through the hills, valleys and vineyards surrounding the hotel, as well as in local nature reserves. The Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve on the opposite side of the valley offers superb views of the wine valley and on a clear day you can even see Table Mountain and the ocean.
