Page 28 - WINE DINE AND TRAVEL FALL 2020 South Africa

Franschhoek Wine Valley

For our visit, cloudless skies and autumn heat
basked this valley in the glowing light artists extol.
Some of it undoubtedly radiates from the brilliant
white-washed buildings that dot the landscape
and line streets in the small towns. This traditional
Cape Dutch architecture, often roofed with thick
black thatch, adds a sophisticated European ambi-
ence to the valley’s pastoral setting.
Among the first to see promise in the area’s cli-
mate and fertile soils, early Dutch settlers influ-
enced more than the look of the land when they
welcomed persecuted French Huguenots at the
end of the 17th century. Given small free plots in
Franschhoek, which means French Corner in
Dutch, these newcomers drew on their farming ex-
perience to grow grapes, olives and more. Their
love of food and art also reverberates to this day.
The town of Franschhoek - population 20,000 -
is a patchwork of galleries, antique stores and bet-
ter souvenir shops that fill in around tourist shops,
gourmet grocers and sundry stores that cater to
locals. Cafes and restaurants enliven the main-
street and its many courtyards filled with um-
brella-shaded tables. During our stay we enjoyed
delicious pasta alle vongole at Allora and passable
Mexican “with a twist” at Tuk Tuk Microbrewery -
all savored outside on balmy evenings before
leisurely strolls back to Plumwood.
Our innkeepers Roel and Lucienne Rutten
served cooked-to-order breakfasts with fresh pas-
tries and fruit salads on a patio overlooking the
pool. Throughout the day, guests used an honor
system for cocktails and South African wines along
with happy-hour snacks. Roel and Lucienne also
were expert guides to the region, as were many of

28 WINE DINE & TRAVEL MAGAZINE 2020