Mont Rochelle is a working wine farm first, and that sets the tone for your stay. The hotel sits on a hilltop above Franschhoek, its whitewashed, thatched manor overlooking the vines and the Dassenberg Mountains in the Cape Winelands.
The estate’s cellar began life in the 1850s as a fruit packing shed and still turns the farm’s grapes into Mont Rochelle’s own wines. Tastings are complimentary every day, and there are free vineyard and cellar tours a few mornings a week. MIKO serves seasonal fine dining with sweeping valley views, while The Country Kitchen beside the cellar keeps things relaxed.
Each season brings its own rhythm. Summer is for picnics among the vines and long afternoons by the heated pool. At harvest, usually between January and March, guests of all ages can help pick and stomp the grapes. In the cooler months, the hammam and spa come into their own.
Children are welcomed as Little Corkers. There is no set programme, so activities are shaped around each family, from lawn games and movie nights to scooter tours through the valley, and babysitting can be arranged. Franschhoek village is a 15 to 20-minute walk away, with its patisseries, galleries and Saturday market, and complimentary transfers run at set times.
ACCOMMODATION
Rooms and suites are spread across the Garden, Manor and Vineyard wings, and most enjoy valley views. Shiraz and Merlot Rooms offer cosy elegance, and Cabernet Rooms in the Vineyard Wing add a private terrace. The Pinotage Suites have a separate lounge, and the Cap Classique Vineyard Pool Suites come with a private terrace and plunge pool. Every room has a Bose sound system, Nespresso machine and Africology toiletries. Families or groups of friends travelling together can book the Manor House for exclusive use, a private villa with its own kitchen, heated pool, chef and children’s bunk room.
Mont Rochelle sits on a hilltop just above Franschhoek village, a 15 to 20-minute walk away. Cape Town International Airport is just over an hour’s drive, 72 to 80 km depending on the route, and the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Somerset West wine routes are within 35 minutes. The estate is a stop on the Franschhoek Wine Tram. Hop on for some of South Africa’s oldest wine farms, or book the other route to taste further afield. Across the valley, the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve has hikes with views to Table Mountain on clear days.
Speak to a specialist for availability and pricing.
