The Franschhoek Wine Wander: the Enlightening Way to explore the Valley of Dreams

The Franschhoek Wine Wander offers an exciting, immersive way to discover the heart and soul of the Franschhoek Valley, one of South Africa’s most renowned wine regions. This walking tour, led by Matthew Sterne, is more than just a stroll through stunning vineyards—it’s a deep dive into the rich history, culture, and legends that have shaped this picturesque area.

From its early beginnings with the arrival of the Huguenots in the 17th century to the iconic characters who played a pivotal role in turning Franschhoek from a humble farming village into the vibrant Food and Wine Capital of South Africa, the Wine Wander brings these fascinating stories of the Franschhoek Valley to life.

The Franschhoek Wine Wander

The wine tour of the Franschhoek Valley involves three curated locations, as well as a tuk-tuk ride and a harvest-style lunch in the heart of South African wine country. The tour begins at the NG Kerk and follows a winding, curated path through Franschhoek. Guests take part in their first wine tasting of the day at the Mont Rochelle vineyard, before ambling to Mullineux & Leeu for more world-class wines. A tuk-tuk ride takes adventurous guests to lunch with a view at La Cotte Heritage Farm. Finally, after a cup of coffee at the Old Mill, guests take a gentle stroll back to the NG Kerk to complete the tour.

Each tour has a maximum of 12 guests, which gives the day an intimate feel and allows guests to connect with each other. Each stop on the tour is peppered with information and stories about the history of the Franschhoek Valley.

Franschhoek Wine Wander host Matthew Sterne (centre)

About the Host, Matthew Sterne

Matthew Sterne has spent seven years travelling the world and has spent time as a photojournalist for Getaway Magazine. In his time as a tour guide, he has been leading the Constantia Wine Walk for the past 18 months, which recently won Silver in the World Wine Awards as South Africa’s Most Innovative Wine Tourism Experience. Now, Matthew is bringing the same concept to Franschhoek and has spent nine months exploring the Franschhoek Valley in search of the best trails, stories, wine and food.