Dieu Donné Vineyards, Franschoek

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Dieu Donné Vineyards is a boutique winery situated high on the steep southwest, facing the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains. The name Dieu Donné means ‘A Gift from God’. The farm’s rich history dates back to 1887 when it was acquired by the French-Mauritian, Robert Maingard, in search of his French roots in South Africa. Hailed as a delightful haven of peace and tranquility in the most beautiful valley in South Africa, this wine farm overlooks the Franschhoek valley offering some of the most fabulous vistas of the Winelands. Dieu Donné is also known of being the most beautiful place in Franschhoek to watch the sun setting over the Simonsberg Mountains while sipping a glass of their exceptional wines.

The Wine Maker

Stephan du Toit, Dieu Donné’s wine-maker, is one of the few South-African winemakers with the distinction of being a Cape Wine Master. He is a graduate of Elsenburg Agricultural College and he aims to continually reshape his philosophy in order to keep up with South Africa’s innovative wine industry.

Award-Winning Wines

The ideal location of Dieu Donné ensures the slow ripening of our grapes. The vines also do not show excessive vigour nor over-produce because of the cool summer conditions and unique soil from weathered granite with rocky topsoil, called ‘Greywack’. This exceptional terroir gives Dieu Donne wines their special character.

Wines on offer at Dieu Donné Vineyards include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, Belair Rose, Shiraz, Chardonnay unwooded, Chardonnay barrel fermented, Noble late harvest, and more recently Dieu Donné started producing a Méthode Cap Classique and Viognier.

Dieu Donné Vineyards, Franschoek

Merlot is Dieu Donné’s Flagship wine. Merlot 2008 has won four consecutive awards. It garnered a double gold medal at the Michelangelo Awards in 2010, a gold at the Veritas Wine Show in 2010 and another gold medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in 2011. Other awards have been granted to Dieu Donné’s Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rosé, bubbly MCCs, and two different red blends.

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Yes we know it’s back to “school” tomorrow but sssshhh we won’t tell if you don’t! . #Repost @southernvinessa ・・・ POP Goes This Year’s Franschhoek Uncorked Festival 2018 ~ a weekend well spent! @franschhoekuncorked * A trip to the verdant wine valley of Franschhoek makes for an enchanting excursion on any weekend of the year. But throw mild spring weather, sizzling food, live music, and brand-new vintage wine tastings into the mix and you’ve got a weekend of serious indulgence that is both unforgettable and challenging to remember. The fabulous Franschhoek Uncorked Festival is an annual celebration during which participating wineries showcase their brand-new vintage wines. With the smell of festival food permeating the air, plenty of wines to taste, fun competitions, live music, and kiddies’ entertainment on offer, people arrive by the car and busload to spend the weekend having good old-fashioned fun in the winelands. * Through the looking glass of our experience, the Franschhoek Uncorked Festival 2018 was a roaring success. The wineries we visited put on a great show that was neither over-the-top nor ordinary. The festival is certainly a standout on any wine lover’s calendar or, for that matter, anyone who loves getting out the house and spending a leisurely food, music, and wine-drenched day in the spectacular Franschhoek winelands. Read more about our fun-filled experience at Franschhoek Uncorked on www.southernvines.co.za

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Aside from their award-winning wines, Dieu Donné also makes for wonderful summer picnics with your wine and a cheese platter in hand. You can also just sit outside and take in the beautiful views of the mountains and the vineyard. The setting is truly breathtaking.

Dieu Donné Vineyards also has a restaurant on site called the Roca Restaurant. The classy and chic restaurant is a cellar-style one with a spectacular view over the valley and serves superb French Huguenot Provincial cuisine, African, Asian and Mauritian influence. You can watch the sunset from the terrace and sip on one of their excellent wines.

Being one the most distinguished wine farms, Dieu Donné Vineyards is one of the stops of the Wine Tram.  Wine Tram is a combination tour between bus and tram which works as a one way hop on – hop off service for two different tours, Red/Yellow Line and Blue/Green Line. The tour takes passengers right into the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, with a narration focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation and unparalleled views of the valley and vineyards. You need to book in advance to secure your seats but you can also book at the ticket office on the day subject to availability.

Dieu Donné is open daily from 09.00 AM – 17.00 PM on Mondays to Fridays and from 10.30 AM to 17.00 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. They are closed on 25 December and 1 January. Reservations for groups and cellar tours are necessary. Bookings can be made at [email protected]

Enjoying Dieu Donné’s delightful wines while watching the magnificent scenery Franschhoek has to offer is surely a perfect way to spend your wonderful afternoon.