Cape Times

GET HOEKED!

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A unique destinatio­n with a host of exceptiona­l experience­s, including award-winning wines and fine gourmet cuisine

informatio­n centre and at the wine tram hop-in spot.

I highly recommend the hop-in hop-out wine tram and cannot imagine a more exciting and funfilled way to experience the wine valley.

They offer a variety of carefully planned and comprehens­ive wine-tasting routes and we chose the green line.

The tram made its first stop at a Rickety Bridge, from which we did our first wine tasting. You can taste from three categories: white wine, resds and aged reds.

Although this may differ from farm to farm, you can add a platter of cheese or some chocolate to the tasting.

After an hour, we moved on to Grande Provence, where we sipped some award-winning wines paired with food.

An exquisite start to our meal was the first course, a six-hour cured, 30-second seared and nine-minute cold smoked trout, harissa, yuzu pearls, with dill cucumber and candied lemon, followed by four equally exquisite courses.

The food was presented as pieces of art on our plates; almost too beautiful to eat. But after staring at our plates, we indulged. Oh what an experience!

The different textures and flavours of the meal were beautifull­y paired with the Grand Provence sauvignon blanc.

Every dish was indeed story-telling experience.

Our meal was finished off with a cheese course (we won’t ruin it for you, rather taste it yourself), a new alternativ­e to a dessert which was absolutely delicious.

The service in the restaurant was excellent, as both the waiter and the sommelier attended to us for each course. It was such a treat to be served by people so passionate about their jobs.

We ended the night by driving back to the cottage, where we unwound in front of the fireplace a and shared a bottle of zinfandel 2015 before retiring to our rooms for the night.

What I like most about the wine tram system is its flexibilit­y and convenienc­e. This means that you can decide which of the wine farms you would like to visit as and when the time arrives.

The friendly staff of profession­al drivers and guides are always available to assist and answer questions.

When you buy wine, they keep it safely for your collection at the end of your wine-tasting journey.

To enjoy this experience to the fullest, I recommend you visit with your loved ones over the age of 18 who can enjoy drinking or tasting wine.

After such an exciting and fun but short day, we found ourselves having to pack our belongings and, with heavy hearts, leave our newfound love, Franschhoe­k. And so with a greater deal of reluctance we dragged our feet and chased the setting sun.

We looked back on a weekend full of fun and agreed to bid this amazing town goodbye.

Connect with Dibakoane on Instagram @dudefromsa

 ??  ?? ART: Slow-cooked Karoo lamb neck, roast garlic and parsnip puree, minted halloumi and charred baby broccoli.
ART: Slow-cooked Karoo lamb neck, roast garlic and parsnip puree, minted halloumi and charred baby broccoli.
 ??  ?? IMPRESSIVE: The entrance to the Grande Provence Restaurant.
IMPRESSIVE: The entrance to the Grande Provence Restaurant.

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