Vineyard in Franschhoek
Vineyard in Franschhoek, South Africa

A major highlight of visiting Cape Town is dropping by the picturesque wine estates that lie just a scenic drive outside the city. We dropped in to two wineries over two days, sampling crisp whites and luscious reds at La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek and Groot Constantia in the Constatia Wine Valley. Framed by majestic mountains and clear blue skies, these vineyards offer world class wines with breathtaking views. But don’t just take my word for it – the proof is in the pictures!

Hit the road to Franschhoek
Hit the road to Franschhoek
On the road to Franschhoek
On the road to Franschhoek
La Motte Wine Estate
La Motte Wine Estate
Outer wall at La Motte Wine Estate
Outer wall at La Motte Wine Estate
La Motte Wine Estate
La Motte Wine Estate
Vines at La Motte Wine Estate
Vines at La Motte Wine Estate
Bridge at La Motte Wine Estate
Bridge at La Motte Wine Estate
Wine tasting room
Wine tasting room
Display barrels
Display barrels
Tasting by the fireplace
Tasting by the fireplace
Wine tasting
Wine tasting

If you’re lucky and it happens to be a quiet day (or if you just ask reeeally nicely) the staff at La Motte can also take you for a quick tour in the back where the magic happens and grapes get turned into delicious wine.

Chilling down Sauvignon Blanc in tanks
Chilling down Sauvignon Blanc in tanks
Barrel room
Barrel room
Bottling machine
Bottling machine
Filled wine bottles in crate
Filled wine bottles in crate
La Motte wine
La Motte wine

If you’ve made it all the way to La Motte, then I highly recommend you make the short drive to Babylonstoren for lunch at Babel Restaurant. Babylonstoren serves only organically grown and raised food, and if you think you know fresh, think again. You’ve never quite tasted a salad like this before – we felt as if we were eating our greens straight off the lettuce patch. Even the cooked spinach inside my incredible warm spinach pie was bursting with flavor. Throw in the crisp countryside air and majestic mountains in the backdrop (beyond the vegetable patches and lemon orchards) and this is one meal you’re not soon going to forget (and not with pictures like these below!)

Lunch at Babylonstoren
Lunch at Babylonstoren
Crisps with fresh herb oil
Crisps with fresh herb oil
Homemade cordial of the week
Homemade cordial of the week
Garden salad
Garden salad
Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren
Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren
Warm spinach pie with winter salad greens
Warm spinach pie with winter salad greens
Spicy beetroot Tom Yum soup
Spicy beetroot Tom Yum soup
Cured moist biltong
Cured moist biltong
Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren
Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren
Smoked Franschhoek Trout
Smoked Franschhoek Trout
Sirloin steak with white wine mushroom sauce
Sirloin steak with white wine mushroom sauce
Roasted turnips
Roasted turnips
Warm pumpkin fritters
Warm pumpkin fritters

Psst! They even have accommodation! What be better than a post-lunch siesta in one of these lodges??

Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren
Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren
Babel Restaurant at Babylonstoren

Up next: Wine tasting and lunch in the Constantia Wine Valley at Groot Constantia.