Franschhoek Still Top of the Pops!

Franschhoek has once again been voted by Klink supporters as the best wine route in The ‘Happy Times’ Award for Most Memorable Wine Route category, which was announced at a special cocktail event in Cape Town on 13 November.

Conceptualized in 2012, the competition is the brainchild of Wine Tourism South Africa publisher, Monika Elias, whereby she (via the publication) invites foodies, wine lovers, outdoor adventurers and wine farm visitors to show their love and appreciation for South Africa’s Winelands, during the month of September and October, by voting for their favourite nominees in South Africa’s first ever, consumer-driven, interactive wine tourism awards.

‘As Brand Franschhoek we continually strive to keep Franschhoek top of mind with our local and international visitors, and it has paid off. We are extremely thrilled by this latest recognition and we owe our gratitude to the Franschhoek supporters,’ says Franschhoek Wine Valley CEO, Jenny Prinsloo.

Earlier this year Franschhoek was awarded, also for the second year in a row, the title of Best Local Tourism Authority Information Service (LTA) of the Year, at the annual Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayoral Tourism Awards. And the cherry on the cake was an additional award for the Valley’s annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival, which was awarded as the best Tourism Related Event of the Year.

The authoritative and internationally recognized Platter’s South African Wine Guide has selected 80 wines to be awarded the highest honour of five stars in this 34th edition of the guide at an awards ceremony on 9 November, of which three Franschhoek producers were included in the line up. These were awarded to the Boekenhoutskloof Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Chamonix Troika 2011 and Chamonix Chardonnay Reserve 2012.

Reaffirming its position as SA’s premier culinary destination highly acclaimed chefs Chris Erasmus of Pierneef À La Motte and Margot Janse of The Tasting Room were listed as one of the Top 10 restaurants in the annual and prestigious 2013 Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards held on 10 November.

Already a firm favourite amongst South Africans, Franschhoek producers walked away with four silver awards at the Vinidivio Dijon-Bourgogne Awards in Dijon, France, for their superb wines. These were awarded to La Motte, Boekenhoutskloof (two awards) and Holden Manz. The competition took place at the annual Dijon International Gastronomy Fair, regarded as one of France’s top food event.