An invitation to a 40th birthday party may be declined for any reason, but when it’s happening in Franschhoek, nothing would keep me away!
We found accommodation that would accommodate our family of 5 as close to the venue as possible, and we ended up being separated only by the dam on the property of the Auberge La Dauphine, where we stayed and a wall too high to scale!
The Chardonnay Suite at the Auberge La Dauphine usually has a double bed on the lower level, and twin beds on a mezzanine level, but a 3rd bed was comfortably added to the mezzanine level for our 3 children. Guest rooms and suites are furnished to suit all requirements, including a self catering cottage. The property is a couple of minutes drive, or a comfortable stroll into the village. Breakfast is included in the rate and is sufficiently suitable for all appetites.
Rose Cottage is where our friend, Giles had arranged his weekend celebration. Consisting of a collection of self catering units, situated just outside the Village on the Verdun Farm Road, Rose Cottage is great for families or couples, and if you enjoy a good open fire, look no further! Giles had arranged a formal sit down meal on the veranda on Friday night for about 30 guests, and had booked the entire property for the weekend, to accommodate his guests. Saturday afternoon was a traditional braai and the children enjoyed a great game of cricket on the lawns.
I spent Saturday morning with my family at L’Ormarins Wine Farm, not tasting wine, but at the Franschhoek Motor Museum, where 100 years of motoring history has been preserved. The exhibits include over 220 motor cars, motor bikes and bicycles in pristine, working condition. Ranging from an 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo supercar, they are comfortably displayed in 4 de-humidified halls in the magnificent setting of L’Ormarins, the home base of Anthonij Rupert Wines.
On Sunday morning, after checking out of Auberge La Dauphine and a quick history lesson at the Hugenot Monument, we left Franschhoek with a short visit to the recently opened Berg River Dam, the first eco friendly dam to be built, according to the United Nations World Commissions on Dams, in South Africa. The long wall is barely visible from the road, as it has been covered in indigenous fynbos.
Then a stop at the annual Cheese Festival, which takes place at the Dieu Donne and is organised by Agri-Expo to showcase dairy in general, but particularly cheese. Also exhibited are plenty local wines, olives and olive oils. The first Cheese Festival in 2002 attracted over 12 000 visitors over 3 days, it has grown considerably since then, so we excused ourselves and made our way to Boschendal Farm so that we could comfortably enjoy some of our favourite wine with an un-crowded lunch.
Boschendal, is one of the first wine farms in the area that never fails to impress. We enjoyed a light lunch in the café with a chilled bottle of their Blanc de Noir. Other lunch options at Boschendal, are at the ever popular Le Pique Nique on the lawns, or an extensive buffet lunch in the Restaurant, both of which should be pre-booked to avoid disappointment.
Homeward bound after another fabulous Franschhoek weekend, which is only 45 minutes out of central Cape Town.