Franschhoek is an absolutely gorgeous little French style town in South Africa. It’s just over an hours drive from Cape Town making it the perfect place for weekend break or stop off on the way to the Garden Route. The area is famous for its wine business and as such is home to over 200 wine estates. Picking the best winery in Franschhoek to visit for the day is no easy task! Your best bet is to pick one that offers everything and the Grande Provence Estate delivers it all.
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List of Contents
- 1 Firstly, what’s the wine like?
- 2 Eating at Grande Provence
- 3 Art work at the Grande Provence Estate
- 4 Visiting the Grande Provence Estate with kids
- 5 How to get to the Grande Provence Estate
- 6 The History of Grande Provence
- 7 Where to stay near Grand Provence Vineyard
- 8 What makes Grande Provence the best winery in Franschhoek
- 9 FAQs About Visiting Grande Provence Estate
- 9.1 Is Grande Provence Estate worth visiting?
- 9.2 How much does wine tasting cost at Grande Provence?
- 9.3 Do you need to book wine tasting at Grande Provence?
- 9.4 Can you visit Grande Provence on the Franschhoek Wine Tram?
- 9.5 Are the picnics at Grande Provence worth it?
- 9.6 Is Grande Provence Estate family friendly?
- 9.7 When is the best time to visit Grande Provence Estate?
- 9.8 How long should you spend at Grande Provence Estate?
Firstly, what’s the wine like?
A little disclaimer here, I’m no wine connoisseur. I was visiting for the experience, for the whole estate, the food, for those epic views but my husband is. He’s been on the courses, sipped the posh stuff and can recognise a decent merlot when he tastes one. According to him, the three wines we tasted were very good – so much so, we purchased a box for the rest of our trip. And whilst it carries a lot less weight, I really liked them too!
The wine tasting room is open between 10am and 5.30pm. You can try 5 wines for under £7 or try one of their pairing such as 3 wines with 3 oysters for £10.
Eating at Grande Provence
You have plenty of options for what and where to eat at Grande Provence. And all the food looked delicious. The restaurants are beautifully designed and staff are all very attentive.
The main restaurant is chic and modern, it’s upscale but friendly. Each item on the menu comes with a wine pairing suggestion – best to take it from the experts right? Starters such as Cerviche and Quail lollipops are around £8 and mains like beef fillet and confit duck are about £15. It really is great value for the quality of produce.
If you’d rather something a bit more relaxed then head to the Bistro. Think comfy sofas and open fires. In summer tables spill out on to the terrace and adults can enjoy a top quality meal whilst the kids play in the grass. The food is still gorgeously presented and again great value with salads for around £7 and burgers and seafood for £8. The Bistro also offers a fantastic breakfast menu from 9am which will set you back around £6.
Picnics at Grande Provence vineyard
As we were visiting during South Africas summer months we opted for a picnic. These are taken in the grounds just outside the bistro. You can choose to seat at the sturdy picnic benches or on the comfy beanbags and blankets on the grass. This was a huge win for the kids. We preordered our picnic baskets which were absolutely massive and friendly staff helped us carry everything outside.
Our baskets arrived loaded with freshly baked bread, hummus, salad jars, cooked meats, wraps and cheeses. There was so much we couldn’t finish it all and ended up taking plenty home for later. The kids got fruit, wraps and brownies. It was all delicious.
You can have a look at the Picnic options on the Grande Provence website. Make sure you book a couple of days in advance so they can get everything ready for you.
Picnics are available between October and April. They can be collected between 11.30am and 3pm and must be ordered at least a day in advance. Picnic baskets are around £13.50, for kids its £7.50. It’s a really good option if you’re visiting Grande Provence on the wine tram.
Art work at the Grande Provence Estate
Whilst you can easily have a wander around Grande Provence, grab some wine and a meal in an hour I really recommend staying for at least half a day to fully explore the estate. The buildings are gorgeous and the views of the surrounding mountains are just stunning. The Estate is home to many large scale artworks and a small modern art gallery.
I could write a whole other blog on the many beautiful sculptures, here are a few of my favourites so you get the idea.
There’s also an indoor art gallery with some more interesting and quirky pieces.
Visiting the Grande Provence Estate with kids
Kids and Wineries don’t really sound like the best combination but our tweens enjoyed their visit to Grande Provence as much as we did. You have a take a tractor ride to reach the main buildings so that was a win from the start.
There’s also plenty of space for them to run around and make as much noise as they like. Our girls loved the small outdoor play area and we loved that we could watch them enjoying themselves whilst we indulged in the wine.
The bistro has an excellent kids menu with toasties and chicken nuggets and you can also order picnic baskets for kids.
How to get to the Grande Provence Estate
Grande Provence Estate is located just outside the centre of Franschhoek, making it incredibly easy to reach whether you’re staying in town or visiting for the day from Cape Town.
If you’re driving, the estate is around a 5 minute drive from Franschhoek village and there is plenty of free parking on site. From Cape Town it takes roughly 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on traffic, making it a perfect day trip from the city. You can easily book a tour that includes transport from Cape Town and will include your wine tram ticket from Get Your Guide.
Another fantastic option is the Franschhoek Wine Tram, which stops directly at Grande Provence. The tram is one of the most popular ways to explore the valley’s wineries as it allows you to hop on and off at different estates throughout the day without worrying about driving. If you’re planning to visit several wineries, this is easily the most relaxing way to do it.
You can also reach the estate by Uber or taxi from Franschhoek, which is inexpensive and convenient if you’re staying in town. We found ubers to be super cheap all over South Africa and especially if you’re sampling the wine, it’s best not to drive.
The History of Grande Provence
Grande Provence is one of the oldest wine estates in the Franschhoek valley, with a history dating all the way back to 1694. The land was originally granted to French Huguenot settlers who fled religious persecution in France and brought their winemaking traditions with them to South Africa.
The estate was originally called La Provence, reflecting its French heritage and the influence those early settlers had on the region’s wine culture.
Over the centuries the property changed hands several times before being carefully restored and redeveloped into the elegant estate visitors see today. Historic Cape Dutch buildings have been preserved while modern art, contemporary restaurants and luxury hospitality have been added to create a unique blend of heritage, wine and culture.
Today Grande Provence is known not just for its wine but also for its award-winning restaurants, art gallery and sculpture garden, making it much more than just a traditional winery.
Where to stay near Grand Provence Vineyard
If you’re planning to spend a night or two in Franschhoek, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation. The town is packed with beautiful boutique hotels, vineyard stays and cosy guesthouses.
We stayed at the fabulous Belmont Boutique hotel. It has just seven rooms with including family suites and doubles. There’s a gorgeous communal pool area and outdoor kitchen and a larger communal indoor kitchen and sitting room for sharing family meals. It was just a ten minute walk to the wine tram which we travelled on to Grande Provence.
For something truly special, you can stay right on the estate at the Grande Provence Owner’s Cottage. This beautifully restored Cape Dutch house offers a peaceful vineyard setting with luxury suites, manicured gardens and a private pool.
If you’d prefer to stay in the village itself, there are plenty of lovely guesthouses within walking distance of Franschhoek’s restaurants, shops and wine tram station.
Franschhoek is the kind of place that really deserves at least one overnight stay. Once the day trippers leave, the town becomes wonderfully relaxed and you can enjoy long dinners, great wine and those incredible mountain views. After returning to town after our Grande Provence visit we had a quick drink in one of the many friendly pubs (Starbucks for the girls). We ordered a takeaway and watched the glorious sunset from our pool. All in all it was a pretty perfect day.
What makes Grande Provence the best winery in Franschhoek
With more than 200 wine estates in the Franschhoek valley, choosing just one to visit can feel almost impossible. But Grande Provence stands out because it offers so much more than just wine tasting.
Here you get:
- Excellent wines and affordable tasting experiences
- Two fantastic restaurants
- Relaxed picnic options in the gardens
- Beautiful mountain views
- A sculpture garden and art gallery
- Plenty of space for kids to play
- Easy access via the Wine Tram
It’s the kind of place where you can arrive mid-morning and happily spend half a day or more soaking up the atmosphere.
Whether you’re visiting for the wine, the food, the art or simply the scenery, Grande Provence delivers the full Franschhoek experience in one beautiful estate.
FAQs About Visiting Grande Provence Estate
Is Grande Provence Estate worth visiting?
Yes, Grande Provence Estate is widely considered one of the best wineries in Franschhoek. The estate offers excellent wine tastings, two restaurants, picnic experiences, beautiful mountain views and a collection of contemporary art and sculptures. It’s a great place to spend a relaxed afternoon in the Cape Winelands.
How much does wine tasting cost at Grande Provence?
Wine tastings at Grande Provence are very affordable. Visitors can usually sample five wines for under £7, with pairing options such as three wines with three oysters for around £10. Prices may vary slightly depending on the tasting you choose.
Do you need to book wine tasting at Grande Provence?
Wine tasting is generally available on a walk-in basis, but during busy seasons or weekends it’s a good idea to book in advance, especially if you’re visiting as part of a larger group.
Can you visit Grande Provence on the Franschhoek Wine Tram?
Yes, Grande Provence Estate is one of the stops on the Franschhoek Wine Tram route. The hop-on, hop-off tram makes it easy to explore multiple wineries in one day without needing to drive.
Are the picnics at Grande Provence worth it?
The picnic baskets at Grande Provence are a fantastic option, especially during the warmer months. They include a generous selection of breads, cheeses, meats, salads and other picnic favourites. The baskets are large enough to share and are enjoyed in the beautiful estate gardens. They are only 300 rand per person (about £13.50) and for what you get, its an absolute bargain!
Is Grande Provence Estate family friendly?
Yes, Grande Provence is surprisingly family friendly. There is plenty of outdoor space for kids to run around, a small play area, and both the bistro and picnic options offer kid-friendly food.
When is the best time to visit Grande Provence Estate?
The best time to visit is between October and April, during the South African summer months. This is when the picnic experiences are available and the weather is perfect for enjoying the estate’s gardens and outdoor spaces. We visited in late March so the photos in this blog reflect the weather you can expect during that period.
How long should you spend at Grande Provence Estate?
Most visitors spend 2–4 hours at Grande Provence. This gives you enough time to enjoy a wine tasting, explore the grounds, see the artwork and have lunch or a picnic. You could easily spend longer and even stay overnight. The estate will be much quieter once the wine tram has stopped running.