Easter Weekend in Cape Town: Hippity Hop On and Off Franschhoek Wine Tram

It is no secret that I spent my Easter weekend in Cape Town with my friend, Ingrid, and her family. As always, it was a great time!  As I have been to Cape Town many times, we thought it was time for a few different experiences.

Usually, Ingrid drives to the wine farms, unable to truly enjoy the tasting since she has to drive.  And usually, we make it to 3-4 farms.  This trip, to alleviate this issue, I suggested we eliminate some of the pressure and enjoy the Franschhoek Wine Tram (http://winetram.co.za/).

It was actually quite a chilly day and by the time we reached Franschhoek it was raining ... I was wearing open toe sandals!  I needed to enjoy the day so I decided to quickly buy a pair of leather loafers, handmade in South Africa, from Tsonga (http://www.tsonga.co.za/).  They cost me R1000 or $63 (approximately) - what a deal!  The tram left at 10am and now with my warm loafers, I was ready to enjoy the tour!

The tour costs R200 per person or approximately $12.50.  The tour includes visits to 7 of 8 farms and wine tasting at 2 of the farms selected.  We chose the BLUE LINE tour.  On the day of our tour one of the farms, La Petit Dauphine, was closed for a private event.  Trust me, visiting 6 farms was adequate!  You do have the option of staying 2 hours at a farm of your choice to have lunch which means you skip one farm.  As we wanted to visit as many farms as possible, we made the decision to simply snack along the way.  I think this was the way to go for sure!

On the tour you spend one hour at each farm,which is more than enough time to indulge in the tasting being offered.  We visited the following farms on our tour, which ended at 6pm:

• La Lude (www.lelude.co.za).  La Lude only produces fermented sparkling wines - Cap Classique method - with their grapes being imported from France. The tasting room is simply, yet elegantly decorated and ideal for bridal showers, hen parties or even a fun ladies wine tasting event.  I felt quite classy during my tasting and would enjoy visiting this farm again and completing the pairing with the mini savory and sweet bites which are also offered at the tasting.  
  
  
  

  

  WHO does not enjoy a nice glass of bubby??

• Holden Manz (www.holdenmanz.com).  Holden Manz is surrounded by mountains and the views, even on a rainy day, are gorgeous! The tasting at this farm was included in the price of the tram experience; however, Ingrid and I did add three wines to the tasting.  Surprisingly, Ingrid enjoyed their Merlot and I, a red wine lover, enjoyed their Chardonnay the best!  It was a bit windy and chilly so I wish our tasting was inside but otherwise a very  nice experience.  

Grapes on the vineyard

Merlot with a stormy view

Yum!

• La Bourgogne ( ww.labourgogne.co.za).  This was my favorite farm.  By the time we reached this farm the group was warmed up and socializing so we decided to share a large platter which included fresh fruit, meats, cheeses, warm bread, olive oil pressed at the farm, olives marinated in garlic and thyme grown at the farm, savory spreads, a sweet upside down tart and vanilla bean cream.  It was delicious!  My favorites were the olives and olive oil, both of which I purchased to enjoy upon my return to Lusaka.  I am not a port wine person but the tasting ended with a White Honey Wine which I also procured to enjoy at home.  

Everything was so good.  Oops did not get a photo of the
olives and olive oil ... consumed too fast haha

• La Couronne (www.lacouronnewines.co.za).  The farm is named after a French warship built in 1636 by the French Navy and my second favorite farm due to the comfort of the wine tasting and the introduction of pizza pairing wine tasting! Who knew pizza and wine could be perfectly paired?! Mini pizzas were paired with selected Commander's Selection wines.  I would encourage a visit to this farm for this unique tasting!  Of note, at this farm I taught the Samsung friendly group how to "beam" photos!  This lead to the name of our whatsapp group ...

(top-bottom: banana with bobotie paired with Chardonnay; biltong paired with Malbec
and ham with peppers paired with Bordeaux)

• Mont Rochelle (www.montrochelle.co.za).  This farm is now owned and part of the Richard Branson conglomerate.  By the time we reached this farm we were ... tipsy haha so thank God for the healthy portions of bites offered with the wine tasting!  To note, the food was much better than the wine and the views were spectacular!  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  (Bottom to top:  spicy shrimp curry; rich brownie with macademia nuts,
  raspberry and fudge sauce; blue cheese with carmalized onion relish). As I mentioned, I
  LOVED the food ... the wine, not so much.

  
  

  

  It is clearing up!  Gorgeous clouds.

• Rickety Bridge (www.ricketybridgewinery.com).  The final farm on the tour.  By this time we are all hugs, love and have formed a whatsapp group (named:  Touch It)!  The wine tasting room is very open and leads outside which allows everyone to enjoy, yet another, gorgeous view of the mountains.  I was a fan of The Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon.  I would actually like to return to this farm to enjoy an afternoon (a warmer one) with lunch and of course wine. 

  

  On the way to Rickety Bridge!

Ingrid and I made new friends, enjoyed new farms and new pairing bites.  I would absolutely suggest doing the Franschhoek Wine Tram if you are in Cape Town.  On my next visit I plan to stay the night and jump on either the RED or YELLOW line which boasts of 'rolling vineyard' views.

It was rainy. It was cold.  It was an amazing day!

Touch It ... Go ahead, just Touch It! ha