Four Passes. Through the Cape Winelands - 140km

Franschhoek

...was established in 1688 when 207 French Huguenots, who had fled France because of religious persecution, arrived at the Cape. The French origins of the town still persist in the surnames of many residents and the distinctly French names of many of the farms in the fertile valley. A prominent landmark on the eastern outskirts of the town is the Huguenot Monument; the three arches symbolise the Trinity, while the figure of a woman, with the Bible in her right hand and a broken chain in her left, represents freedom of religious belief.

The nearby Huguenot Memorial Museum houses exhibits on the history of the Huguenots, and is also a research, information and education centre. Franschhoek is famous for its many fine restaurants offering Cape Huguenot, French, traditional South African and Malay cuisine.

Franschhoek Wine Route

The Huguenots brought with them their extensive knowledge and skills of winemaking, and the fertile Franschhoek Valley 1 became one of the earliest wine-producing regions in the Cape. In 1885, the vineyards were ravaged by an outbreak of phylloxera, and many farmers planted fruit trees instead. Almost a century later, new vineyards were planted and the valley has once again established itself as an important wine-producing region.

Owing to the variations in climate, soil conditions and the location of the farms, the area produces an unusually large variety of wines. The Vignerons de Franschhoek, an association of over 20 wine farms, was formed in 1984 to promote their wines and the valley. Among the well-known wine farms are Boschendal, La Motte, Mont Rochelle, Augusta Wines, Dieu Donné, L’Ormarins and Cabrière Estate.

Boschendal

...with its magnificent setting in the Groot Drakenstein Valley and impressive Cape Dutch manor house – is one of the most famous wine farms in the Cape. The farm dates back to 1685 when it was granted to a French Huguenot, while the U-shaped manor house was completed in 1812. Since the release of the first wines under the Boschendal label in 1976 the estate has established a strong reputation for its white wines, but in recent years more red varietals have been planted.

The museum in the manor house boasts antiques from the 17th and 18th centuries and has a priceless collection of Ming porcelain and Dutch East India Company glassware. Boschendal is famous for its French-style picnics, which can be enjoyed while on your South African holiday, under the fragrant pine trees between November and April.

Pniel

...located at the foot of the Simonsberg along the Dwars River, is a picturesque village set among oak trees, vineyards and orchards. Founded in 1843 as a mission station by the Dutch Reformed Church, the mission was named after the place where Jacob struggled with God (Genesis 32:30).

Helshoogte

At the head of the Banhoek Valley, the Helshoogte Pass winds up to the saddle between the Simonsberg and the Jonkershoek Mountains. Built in 1854 to link Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, Helshoogte means ‘hell’s heights’. The name is thought to come from the difficulties encountered by ox wagons in negotiating the precipitous route, as well as from the fearsome reputation of the Banhoek Valley, which was believed to be haunted. In the early Settler days, numerous lion and leopard roamed the area, prompting travellers to name it Ban(g)hoek, or ‘scary corner’.