Franschhoek Wineries Offering Small Plates And Bites To Accompany Their Wine Tastings

Franschhoek is renowned as a fine food and wine destination. The ‘Gourmet Capital’ of the Cape winelands is the place to visit for tasting experiences that consist of more than just wine. These Franschhoek wineries are all offering small plates and tiny bites to accompany and show the versatility of their wines.

La Motte

La Motte is the perfect estate to visit if you’re looking for a wine tasting experience with a side-serving of art. The Pierneef Museum is an attraction in its own right and a must-visit for those with an interest in art. The food and wine pairing experience at La Motte marries five tasting plates, prepared by the Pierneef à La Motte kitchen, and five complementary estate wines to create an all-encapsulating taste experience. Expect a contemporary take on heritage-based culinary delights, paired with world-renowned wines, all tied together by your professional wine ambassador host, guiding you through the journey.

Prepare to pay: R295 per person for the food and wine pairing, which is available for groups of 2 to 15 and by appointment only.

Le Lude Estate

Le Lude Estate is the ideal choice if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience in a stylish setting. Cooks at Orangerie at Le Lude do their best to provide visitors with a mouthwatering selection of canapés served with a flight of the estate’s Cap Classique wines.

Prepare to pay: R120 for 4 canapes + R95 for 2 NV | R190 or R230 for 3 (vintage depending) Cap Classique wines.

Old Road Wine Co.

The Old Road Wine Co. pairings and tastings give a glimpse into the valley’s most fascinating characters and stories. The Traditional offers 4 wines from the Original range, paired with a selection of homemade traditional treats, consisting of Biltong, Droëwors, Koeksister and Turkish Delight. The other option is a tasting of 4 wines from the Quirky range paired with unique flavoured popcorn.

Prepare to pay: R115 per person

Grande Provence

Oysters and bubbly on ice in Grande Provence’s sculpture garden are the epitome of opulence. The locally sourced West Coast oysters are freshly shucked on the estate and topped with gourmet dressings that are conceptualised by the Head Chef. Grande Provence Brut is sipped along with an oyster topped with pickled daikon, Asian-style radish and a soy and sesame dressing. The Brut Rosé is a decadent partner for an oyster with homemade wasabi mayonnaise and spring onion, and the flagship finale is the Vintage Brut with a yuzu pearl-oyster to add a kick of citrus.

Prepare to pay: R180 per person for 3 oysters and 3 Cap Classique wines.

Vrede en Lust

Embark on a sensory journey of discovery when you take a seat for the tapas and wine pairing at Vrede en Lust whilst enjoying the panoramic views of the Simonsberg Paarl mountains. The knowledgeable tasting ambassadors, better known as the Red Ladies, guide you through the taste journey, offering a flight of five Tapas paired with five wines.

Prepare to pay: R300.00 per person  (R250 Winter promotion)