If relaxing and appreciating the beauty of nature is what you enjoy, then you are at the right
place! Here is what you can enjoy at Stony Brook:
Wine Tasting
Wine Tasting at our Tasting Room
Swimming
Swimming and picnicking at our farm dam
Walking
Walks around the farm
Pop over to the Stony Brook Vineyards website to view our range of premium wines,
crafted by Franschhoek’s favourite boutique winery.
Should you want to get out to experience some of the treasures of our Valley, here are a
few of our recommendations.
Restaurants
Fine Dining
Le Bon Vivant
La Petite Colombe
Le Lude (Orangerie)
Le Coin Francais
Arkeste
Oku
Epice
Casual Dining
Cartel – Italian
Leopard’s Leap – Rotisserie
Spit Braai/Traditional
Klein Goederust
Local Pubs
Elephant & Barrel
Taki’s
Station Pub
Asian
Oku/Yama
Glenwood Sushi
High End Bistro
Chef’s Warehouse at Maison
Deux Lions
Protégé
Reuben’s
Brewery Restaurants
Hey Joe
Tuk Tuk Microbewery
Franschhoek Beer Co.
Breakfast Recommendations
La Paris Bistro
MCC
La Cotte Farm
Smitten
Steak
Hussar Grill
Ryan Boon’s Steak & Chips
Very Casual/Burger Bar/Takeaway
Let’s Frite
Wine Farms
Anthonij Rupert
Mondays to Saturdays, 10:00 to 16:30
Black Elephant Vintners
Mondays to Fridays, 11:00 to 17:00. Booking is advisable +27 (0)21 876 2903
Boekenhoutskloof
Special Winemaker tastings on Tuesday and Thursdays by booking on Dineplan from their website.
Colmant
Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 13:00 – booking is recommended. Saturdays from 11:00 to 13:00 – by appointment only. +27 (0)83 778 8874
Franschhoek Pass Winery
By appointment +27 (0)82 559 8063
Glenwood
Tuesday to Sunday 11:00 to 16:00
Haut Espoir
By appointment +27 (0)60 811 3928
Mullineux & Leeu
Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 17:00. Booking required +27 (0)21 492 2224
My Wyn
By appointment +27 (0)21 876 2518
Rupert & Rothschild
Monday to Friday 10:00 to 16:30. Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Booking is recommended +27 (0)21 874 1648
Wildeberg
By appointment +27 (0)82 895 4111
Experiences
Referred to as “The Valley of Dreams” Franschhoek has much to offer by way of interesting and unique experiences. A walk up the main road of the village, Huguenot Road, provides great opportunities for seeing beautiful art, bespoke shopping, craft markets, places of historical interest, and of course, numerous restaurants to pop into for a meal or a glass of wine.
The Huguenot Monument and Memorial Museum
An iconic landmark of Franschhoek, the Huguenot Monument commemorates the French Huguenots who arrived in the Cape in 1688. Designed by J C Jongens, a Dutch architect, and built from Paarl granite, the monument was officially unveiled in 1948. The central female figure, created by South African sculptor, Coert Steynberg, personifies religious freedom, holding a bible in one hand and a broken chain in the other.
Franschhoek Perfumery
Part of the Huguenot Memorial Museum complex is the Franschhoek Perfumery – the first South African Perfume Museum. Here you can learn about the history of perfume making and even make your own perfume at one of the popular Perfume Prive Workshops.
Franschhoek Art Route
This route promotes fine art in the valley, showcasing the local talent and presenting art offerings to the growing number of local and international art enthusiasts. View the route map to find out where the 24 galleries and studios can be found.
The Wine Tram
We prefer to offer a more personalised, intimate and dedicated (service) experience on our farm, so we have chosen not to be on the Wine Tram route. Should you choose to visit some of the bigger wineries in the Valley and be part of a group wine tasting experience, you might want to check out this option.
Wine & Culture Tours
Book a tour which incorporates Culture, History and Wine with our good friend Dominic Dear of Art Trip.
We also recommend Winelands Guide, Wine Escapes, Wine Desk, Tuk Tuk Franschhoek and Josh Juries at First Class Tours
For a curated art walkabout to experience the unique galleries and art in the breathtaking landscapes of Franschhoek, contact Rene de Reuck of “Art & About” on 084 514 5344.
The Franschhoek Motor Museum
If you’re a petrol head, then visiting the Franschhoek Motor Museum is a must! The Museum offers visitors the opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history with its unique and exciting collection of vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia.
Horse Riding
Take a horse ride through vineyards and orchards, taking in the spectacular views of the Franschhoek Valley and stop for a bit of wine tasting along the way! Check out Paradise Stables and Courchevel as well as Cape Winelands Riding. There are many different options to choose from.
Hiking & Biking
Franschhoek offers stunning hiking trails and exhilarating and fun mountain bike trails.
For the various hiking trails in the area, check out: https://www.alltrails.com/south-africa/western-cape/franschhoek
For mountain bike trials, see https://www.trailforks.com/region/franschhoek/trails/
Pop into Franschhoek Cycles and chat to Gary and Jackie about hiring bikes and guided cycle tours.
Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures
If snakes and crocs are your thing, get down to Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures. Daily tours are available as well as croc cage diving for real adrenalin junkies!
Pigcasso at Hog Heaven
Visit Hog Heaven farm sanctuary and meet the famous Pigcaso – the pig who paints! Her art is available for viewing and buying at the onsite OINK Gallery. While farm owner Jo Lefson and Pigcasso do not do public painting demonstrations, visitors are most welcome between 11- 4pm daily. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Winelands Paragliding
For an exhilarating way to witness the valley’s majestic topography, book a winelands paragliding trip and enjoy the vineyard-dotted plains and magical landscapes. The 1 to 2 hours excursions start at the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve off the Franschhoek Pass from Wednesday to Sunday, 08:00 until 16:00.
Huguenot Fine Chocolates
The boutique chocolaterie, in the main street of Franschhoek offers a delicious range of chocolates, made from the finest imported Belgian chocolate. Chocolates are made in view of visitors to the chocolaterie, and you can also sign up for a Chocolate Experience – a half-hour programme of tasting, demonstrations and chocolate history. This programme is held daily at 11h00 and again at 15h00.
Golf
The Jack Niklaus Signature Golf Course, Pearl Valley – is just a chip and putt from Franschhoek. In addition, there are another two golf courses close by – Boschenmeer Golf Estate and Theewaterskloof Country Estate.
Wellness Spas
Need to relax and unwind? Choose one of a number of spas in Franschhoek for some pamper time.
Festivals
Franschhoek plays host to a number of exciting festivals each year, bringing visitors in from around the country and the globe.
The month of May brings the annual Franschhoek Literary Festival. This three-day event provides a space for a cross-section of South African and international authors to gather to inspire, delight, inform and challenge audiences. The festival programme is curated for all South Africans and visitors who love to read books.
The Valley celebrates Bastille in mid-July each year. Franschhoek is a hive of activity and French flair, offering a weekend of indulgent food and the renowned fine wines of the area.
Garden fanatics and nature lovers will be able to view some of the valley’s breath-taking gardens at the annual Franschhoek Open Gardens Festival held in October. Gardens range from small village gardens to beautiful large farm gardens.
The Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival – for bubbly lovers is held in December each year. Festivalgoers are able to enjoy local Cap Classiques as well as Champagne from some French producers. Fabulous fare from a variety of stalls and local favourite restaurants is offered, and live music adds to the elegant, yet laid back atmosphere of the garden-party-style event.
Markets
The Franschhoek Village Market in the centre of town under ancient oaks, is a warm and convivial coming-together of local food, craft and artisanal purveyors offering delicious things to eat and drink to the soundtrack of live local musicians. This wonderful family outing can be enjoyed on Saturdays from 09:00 until 15:00 in the Summer and from 10:00 in the winter (weather dependant).
The Boschendal Friday Night Market is a weekly summer market held at the Boschendal Estate. Bring the family for live music, fresh farm produce, food stalls and other artisanal stands filled with handmade local products. Held weekly on Fridays in summer: 18:00 to 21:00 (weather dependant).
Getting Around
If you need to make use of public transport while you are visiting the Valley – here are a few reliable options:
Tuk Tuk:
Magnas Tours:
Absolute Transfers:
+27 (0)72 735 3035 (Tuk Tuk and normal vehicles)
+27 (0)82 083 1715
+27 (0)66 212 5588