Travel Diary: Mont Rochelle in Franschhoek

Mont Rochelle is located in the heart of the culinary capital of South Africa, Franschhoek, which is a 45-minute drive from Cape Town. The hundred-acre property has a rich history dating back to 1699, with the first vines being planted around 1899. It is currently owned by Sir Richard Branson and is a part of the esteemed Virgin Limited Edition collection. There are a few grape varieties that are grown on the farm including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Accommodation

They also have a 4-bedroomed exclusive use Manor House which comes with a private chef and is recommended for families or groups of friends. The Manor House also comes with two swimming pools (one is heated), its own gym and one of the bedrooms has bunk beds that can sleep up to 6 children.

Activities on the wine estate

We spent quite a lot of time looking at what activities clients can experience and there are many activities on offer but we would like to highlight a few. 

• We would encourage you to have a wine tasting in The Country Kitchen or in their wine cellar to sample some of the estate’s award-winning wines. 
• We also stopped by the in-house Spa where the aroma of essential oils made us never want to leave! It is recommended that you pre-book beauty treatments. 
• The astroturf tennis court is a great drawcard and Sir Richard Branson likes to play a game or two when he visits. The court boasts the most amazing views across the valley. 
• There is also an expansive fitness centre which has large floor-to-ceiling glass windows which overlook the same picturesque valley.

• The restaurant at The Country Kitchen is open for lunch and dinner or picnics. All meals are made with locally sourced produce. 
• We highly recommend you chat with the staff to arrange a picnic basket. Be sure to ask them to add a chilled bottle of Mont Rochelle, Miko, or Little Rock wine which is produced on the farm.
• We were fortunate enough to sample a delicious breakfast at Miko – another on-site restaurant. We were served a delicious continental platter with every fruit and cheese imaginable.
• For the ultimate in relaxation, there would be nothing better than simply relaxing around the outdoor swimming pool, where chilled refreshments are served and the views are just out of this world!

Overall feedback

This property was not just another stay in the Winelands, it was an entire experience. There is just so much to do! From the tennis courts, swimming pool, and lawn games, to two restaurants, wine tasting, walks on the estate, the spa and so so much more. With everything Mont Rochelle has something for everyone so we recommend it for multigenerational families, or groups of friends in the Manor House, as well as honeymooners or couples.  

On behalf of Ker & Downey® Africa, we would like to thank Amanda and James for hosting us at breakfast and Amanda for taking time out of her busy day to show us around this spectacular property. We will be back!

If you are interested in experiencing a luxury experience at Mont Rochelle with Ker & Downey® Africa, get in touch with one of our LuxVenture® Designers today!