The Drakenstein Valley became known as the "Valley of the Huguenots" when several families from Bordeaux, Burgundy and other famous wine regions settled here in 1688, bringing with them the age-old secrets of the French vintners. The charming village of Franschhoek is a must on any Cape Wine excursion, and this tour centers on the features that have made it so memorable to visitors. We begin by driving through the impressive white gates of L'Ormarins, on the edge of the village. The white gables and dark thatched roofs of these farm buildings are classic examples of Cape Dutch architecture, and it's here in the original manor house that we sample the acclaimed reds and whites of this valley.
The tour moves on to the village itself, where we call a short stop in the high street. This is our opportunity to discover the quaint coffee shops, art galleries, bookshops and chocolate sellers that give the town its distinctive ambiance. Our second tasting is at Rickety Bridge winery on the hillside. This is a boutique winery where every vineyard is in fact a selected block, giving all these wines a "Reserve" quality. Mariaan Dawson, the wine hostess, leads us on a walk through the vines, explaining the principles of viticulture, before directing us in a tasting of these delicious wines. The tour ends with a light lunch in the valley before the return transfer to Cape Town. Notes: Our tour price includes all entrance fees to the vineyards, wine tastings, transportation, guide, pick-up and drop-off at their Cape Town hotel, however lunch is to own account 
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