A Grande Retreat
Franschhoek has long been the quaint town of choice for a getaway – Grande Provence takes a holiday here to the next level with its luxurious offerings.
Avisit to the quaint town of Franschhoek in the western Cape is a grand retreat. Boutique stores, five-star restaurants, and art galleries line the streets of this French quarter. what makes a trip to Franschhoek even grander is a stay at Grande Provence.
Dating back 300 years and spread across 22 hectares of vineyards, Grande Provence Heritage wine Estate is a picturesque site steeped in opulence. one of the first estates that greet you as you enter the town, Grande Provence is the prime location from which to base your Franschhoek adventures.
If, however, you are a home-body who prefers not to venture beyond the confines of your own living quarters, then you can still enjoy all of what the Franschhoek Valley has to offer in the comfort of this historic estate. within its extensive grounds lie an art gallery, sculpture garden, fine-dining restaurant, winery, and curio shop selling boutique jewellery and African souvenirs.
Franschhoek is one of the top fine-dining destinations in the western Cape, so venturing beyond the Grande Provence gates is highly recommended. Having said that, one of the finest eateries in the region is the onsite The Restaurant at Grande Provence.
Executive Chef Darren Badenhorst plates up perfection with every course he serves. “I would like my guests to feel challenged by my methods and ingredients while simultaneously imparting a sense of comfort and familiarity of the home-style characteristics and depth of flavour. This is the key to satisfying the wide spectrum of nationalities that visit our restaurant, and at the same time staying true to what south Africa, and Africa as a whole, have to offer,” he explains.
The Restaurant serves lunch and dinner à la carte, as well as an elaborate six-course gourmand dégustation menu which is available by prior arrangement. on pleasant days, which are plenty in this valley, garden picnics are available under the majestic oaks which frame the mountain backdrop. For the ultimate indulgent experience, Chef Darren hosts a Chef’s Table in the stately Jonkershuis private dining room for a table of six or more.
of course, the cherry on top of the gourmet cake that is Grande Provence is the accommodation offering. The estate offers two kinds of accommodation. La Provençale Villa in the Vineyards is perfect for vacationing couples and families with its two en suite bedrooms, separated by a shared lounge which leads directly onto an outdoor terrace. It’s equipped with a private swimming pool overlooking spectacular views of the landscape and the lush vines of the estate.
If absolute grandeur is what you are after, then a stay at The owner’s Cottage is a must. with its historical features and contemporary luxury, the private cottage comprises four bedrooms blanketed in a palette of muted charcoal greys and white linen. There is also a deluxe suite, lounge, and Cape Dutch-style conservatory which leads out to the pool area. In the evenings, soft jazz music and a lit fireplace fills the lounge with a rich, warm ambience, while the soft glow of lit lanterns across the poolside beckon you to take your evening outdoors, which is comfortable to do even in mid-winter, thanks to the cosy poolside lounge, equipped with its own fireplace and comfortable sofas.
Available until september, tailor-made Heartland accommodation packages at both The owner’s Cottage and la Provençale Villa in the Vineyards offer wonderful winter-value, making booking a stay here all the more enticing.
As you sit enjoying the luxury and beauty of Grande Provence, you can toast to your great vacation choices with a glass of one of Grande Provence’s award-winning wines. From the popular sauvignon Blanc, Viognier/chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, shiraz, and Cabernet sauvignon, to the estate’s flagship wines, The Grande Provence Red and Grande Provence white, a wine tasting is not to be missed.
The Grande Provence Amphora, a blend of Chenin Blanc and Muscat d’ Alexandrie, is like liquid gold. Made from grapes harvested from one of the oldest vineyards on the estate, the Amphora is fermented in a Tuscan clay amphora (harking back to the winemaking traditions of the ancient Greeks and Romans), and has set a new benchmark for this style of wine.
Indulging in the five-star cuisine at The Restaurant, enjoying the awardwinning wines of the estate, and revelling in the luxury of the accommodation, a stay at Grande Provence Heritage wine Estate is the grandest retreat within the Franschhoek Valley.
For more information, www.grandeprovence.co.za. please visit