Franschhoek Valley is a broad vineyard-lined valley in the south-east corner of Paarl, in South Africa’s Western Cape. This small valley is home to some of South Africa’s most famous wine estates and has been producing wine since the 17th Century. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are the key grapes behind Franschhoek's full-bodied red wines. The region is also associated with the production of Cap Classique sparkling wine produced mainly from Chardonnay - Pinot Noir blends.
The vineyards of Franschhoek sit within a clearly defined valley. The Wemmershoek Mountains to the north separate it from the Breede River Valley, while the Groot Drakenstein and Franschhoek Mountains to the south protect it from heavy oceanic influences. The Berg River, originating in the Drakenstein Mountains, runs through the center of Franschhoek towards Paarl.
©Jonathan Reeve
Franschhoek has a warm climate, ideally suited to the production of heavy, robust red wines and rich, fruit-driven white wines. The shadows cast by the surrounding mountains help to moderate temperatures, reducing the amount of sunlight that reaches the vines. This is particularly true on the south-facing slopes, where high trellising systems are used to catch the passing sun. The mountains surrounding the area help to trap the cool southerly winds, lengthening the growing season and producing complex aromas in the grapes.
Soils in Franschhoek are largely made up of alluvial sandstone, although there are deposits of granite on the slopes of the mountains in the north. While heavy soils closer to the river have some water-retaining qualities, the sandy soils on the lower slopes drain rapidly. This means that despite the reasonable amount of rainfall in the area during winter, some irrigation is still required.
Vineyards have been planted in the area since the late 1600s, when exiled French Huguenots brought their viticultural know-how to their new home in South Africa. Franschhoek (‘French corner’ in Dutch) still retains a heavy French influence today, evident in many of the names of the vineyards and in the town’s architectural style.
Franschhoek Valley is a stand-alone Coastal Region district in the South African Wine of Origin scheme. Nearby districts include Stellenbosch in the south-west and the higher-altitude areas of Overberg in the east.
