A new breeze is in the air; the herald of spring. But there’s something else too and it’s called Eleven. Eleven – the twin of perfect balance and a new sensory experience; Eleven - a culinary exploration and incomparable original soon to be at the heart of South Africa’s gastronomic capital.
“A nuanced crimson red that presents a balance between warm and cool, assertive, but not aggressive, a carmine red that does not boldly dominate but instead takes a ‘fist in a velvet glove’ approach”.¹ This is but one of the various descriptions of Viva Magenta 18-1750, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2023, that also beautifully applies to La Motte’s recently released 2020 Millennium.
Say South Africa and you could be talking safaris. Say South African wine and you could be talking Chenin Blanc. Now bring these two national pleasures together by entering a mountain bike Chenin Safari challenge in the Cape Winelands, and you could be having your best autumn ever.
South Africa, Franschhoek, 22 November 2022: Pioneering Asian restaurants in Franschhoek -Yama Sushi Emporium and Yama Sushi Emporium - enter the summer season with fresh verve underscored by a greater focus on seasonality and new menus. Currently marking their second anniversary, the popular duo has become the Asian dining destinations in a Cape winelands town that is long famous as South Africa’s culinary capital.
CHARDONNAY RÉSERVE 2021
A pioneering Franschhoek wine estate, Haute Cabrière is renowned for its Cap Classique range and wines made from Burgundian grape varieties. Recently announced, the estate has extended its Chardonnay offering with the introduction of the Haute Cabrière Chardonnay Réserve with the maiden 2021 vintage. This is an exciting addition to the Haute Cabrière Range and the winery’s reserve wine collection which already hosts the Pinot Noir Réserve and Arnim Family Réserve (a Pinot Noir and Syrah blend).
From the 27th October to 3rd of November - it’s all about the arts in Franschhoek’s valley of dreams.
Aesthetes and patrons of the arts, can look forward to ‘Franschhoek Creates’ - a week of curated gallery exhibitions, interactive showcases and a feast of visual storytelling.
Spirit of free creativity shines in latest offering from Franschhoek winery
The boutique Franschhoek winery Paserene’s first release of Dark – a full-bodied and broody 2018 Syrah in its Elements range – is a fine ambassador of the winemaker’s pursuit for appealing and authentic expression. Showing notes of spicy treacle, cherries, and antique leather, this Syrah was crafted from a combination of grapes grown in clay soils in Tulbagh, and sand in Franschhoek. These two renowned wine regions, together with vineyards in Elgin, are the palette from which third-generation winemaker and Paserene co-owner Martin Smith draws for his creations.
Franschhoek’s population is officially safe and is the first town in South Africa to have more than 80% of its people vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
A project, with the full support of Premier Alan Winde, Wesgro and the Department of Health, was kick started towards the end of August, whereby the goal was to have everyone in the valley vaccinated. This was undertaken in an effort to boost the faster return of international visitors to the region, and more importantly stimulate Franschhoek’s employment growth.
The Nest Collection’s boutique property set for upswing in tourism
La Petite Ferme, the renowned manor house and vineyard suites on the Franschhoek Pass and member of The Nest Collection, has appointed a talented new head chef. Odette Olivier comes with a wealth of local and international experience and is set to re-invigorate the dining experience at one of the Cape’s most scenic locations.