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Visiting the Winelands of the Cape, visitors are often faced
with road blocks and traffic police that crack down on drinking and driving.
This is especially true in the Franschhoek area. At La Rochelle Tours we have
designed the Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper as a more affordable alternative to the
standard full or half day wine tours. The Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper is a non
guided, fun Hop On – Hop Off
service that runs on a time schedule. You are
welcome to stay as long as you wish at any of the estates – keeping in mind the
final round of collection. |
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By far the best way to experience the beautiful surroundings,
architecture, gourmet and wines of the Franschhoek Valley is to explore with the
Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper where you are free to hop on anytime and hop off
anywhere along the route (see collection and drop off schedule below).
The Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper
is ideal for guests with a real interest in wine, but with limited time / budget
and for those who do not want to be rushed with their tasting experience as is
sometimes the case with normal scheduled wine tours. With the Vineyard Hopper you are free to manage your own experience,
to stay as long as you wish and to chill and enjoy lunch where you choose at one
of the three beautiful venues.
With the Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper you will visit the
following three Franschhoek Vineyards.
Grande Provence Wine Estate
The Grande Provence Wine Estate is home to the now famous
Angels Tears wine range. The estate of Grande Provence wears her 300+ year
history with dignity. True French traditions await you when entering the gates
to this lovely estate. At Grande Provence you can sample some award winning
wines in the ultra modern tasting room, you can browse around the Grande
Provence art gallery, stroll through the Jonkershuis or simply enjoy the
tranquility that Grande Provence offers you. Grande Provence offers you the
opportunity to sample one of Franschhoek’s finest menu’s at their elegant
restaurant, but you are also free to enjoy a cheese platter while tasting the
Grande Provence wines. You also have more than one wine tasting option to choose
from. Grande Provence has beautiful gardens and is often a popular Franschhoek
wedding venue. For those with extra cash to burn, you might choose to overnight
at the very exclusive Grande Provence Manor House.
La Petite Ferme
Your second stop on the Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper will be
La Petite Ferme. At La Petite Ferme you will be experience one of the best views
that Franschhoek has to offer as it is situated high up on the Franschhoek
Mountain Pass. Here you are welcome to enjoy lazy afternoons – just sitting
under a tree with a bottle of La Petite Ferme wine. La Petite Ferme offers a
variety of hand crafted wines to enjoy for tasting at the estate. As one of the
more intimate wineries in the Cape Winelands, La Petite Ferme’s international
accolades accredit the winemaker’s precise attention to detail. Lunch at the La
Petite Ferme restaurant is legendary, but be advised, pre reservations during
the summer months is essential. You are however, also welcome to enjoy a light
snack at the La Petite Ferme wine tasting. The La Petite Ferme recipe book is
also on offer with all the culinary delights in it that you can find on the
estate and in the restaurant. For those fortunate to book well in advance, you
might also experience one of the accommodation options at La Petite Ferme – The
Cottages, The Lodge and the Manor House. You are welcome to enquire about this
as an accommodation option when you reserve the Vineyard Hopper. La Petite Ferme
is also a very popular wedding venue in Franschhoek.
Haut Espoir Wines (presented at
Cafe Bon Bon)
Cafe Bon Bon is a 200 year old restored wine cellar set
amongst historic oak trees. Although you can taste the Haut Espoir range of
wines on the estate, the actual wine is made a couple of km’s away. Some of the
grapes of the Haut Espoir range of wines grow a few meters away from Cafe Bon
Bon. Haut Espoir (meaning “the high hope”) is a boutique wine farm in
Franschhoek. The Haut Espoir farm is completely family driven with mom, dad,
kids and the extended family all having a hand in the day to day operations. The
word “rush” is nowhere to be found at Haut Espoir and we take our time to craft
our wines. As a result, the vintage list at Haut Espoir, is generally a few
years older than what is the norm for South African wines. Haut Espoir is famous
for its conservation efforts as it is for it’s wines. We are proud of our
Biodiversity and Wine Initiative. The Haut Espoir range of wines can be sampled
at Cafe Bon Bon. At Cafe Bon Bon the surroundings are authentic and endearingly
rustic. Here you will find a menu that will satisfy all and the “deli like” look
will make you order freshly baked breads and cakes you never planned on ordering
but can’t resist! During summer you can sit outside under the oak trees watching
the ducks in the pond. During winter months (or cooler days) you can experience
Cafe Bon Bon hospitality at its best by enjoying lunch or a wine tasting close
to a crackling fireplace. Cafe Bon Bon offers a romantic setting for a small
intimate wedding.
The Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper operates Monday to
Friday only.
Cost is R300 per person (excludes lunch and wine tasting fees – typically
between R10 to R25 per person per wine estate).
Itinerary
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Pick up Times |
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| Collection (in village or guest house) |
10h00 |
11h00 |
12h00 |
13h00 (last departure) |
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| Grande Provence |
10h15 |
11h15 |
12h15 |
13h15 |
14h00 (last collection) |
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| La Petite Ferme |
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11h30 |
12h30 |
13h30 |
14h15 |
15h00
(last collection) |
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| Haut Espoir (at Cafe Bon Bon) |
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12h45 |
13h45 |
14h30 |
15h15 |
16h00 (last collection) |
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The Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper is
operated by La Rochelle Tours.
Enquire Now : Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper Tour
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• Hopper tickets can only
be obtained from the Hopper Bus.
• Tickets are not transferable and are only valid for the issued date.
• The Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper operates Monday to Friday only and
will not operate on
Public Holidays as well as during the months of
July & August.
• Offers at wine estates are only valid when tasting room staff signs
the front of the voucher.
• All Hopper staff as well as La Rochelle Tours will not be held
responsible for any loss or damage to personal belongings as well as
injury to yourself.
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All tasting fees to be paid by client. |
Also visit
SA Travel Desk
and
Southern
African Safari Stays
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