The namesake of the nearby nature reserve is Richard Branson’s South African retreat Mont Rochelle. With whitewashed walls and a thatched roof (reminiscent of the region’s traditional Dutch heritage) Mont Rochelle dates back to the 1800s when it was a family farmhouse.
Hotel
Richard and his team took the estate under his wing in 2014, lovingly replanting each vine across the 96 acres. With much of the property described as ‘late 20th century Cape revival’, the Virgin team brought the wine farm back to life, appointing Kritzinger Architects to lead the re-design, and local Cape Town based design studio Hotcocoa the interior vision.
At Mont Rochelle there is more to do than simply drink wine or stretch out beside the pool (a popular option should you wish). For us, this included rallying on the breath-takingly set tennis court. Overlooked by the magnificent mountains, beside the court there is a stylish outdoor lounge with bottles of ice-cold water waiting for us as we arrived with our rackets. Whilst on the lawn behind the pool and the gym is croquet – for a less sweat inducing ball game!
Beyond the garden games, guests are also encouraged to explore the grounds that surround the hotel with a picnic, stocked, of course, with wine entirely grown, produced, and bottled on site.
Rooms
With extensive views of the valley that surround the property are the 22 unfussy, contemporary rooms and six suites. Categories are suitably in keeping with the wine producing region and Richard’s private estate. ‘Shiraz Rooms’ include king-size beds with courtyard or valley views, larger ‘Merlot Rooms’ also with king-size beds and valley views, whilst six ‘Cabernet Rooms’ come with a private terrace overlooking the valley.
We had the pleasure of staying in one of the four ‘Pinotage Suites’ which each feature a separate lounge. Meanwhile, there are also two ‘Cap Classique Suites’ which include a lounge, private terrace and plunge pool. On Mont Rochelle’s estate, there can also be found the Manor House. Ideal for larger groups seeking privacy from other guests, this separate building is made up of four deluxe suites and a children’s bunk room.
Food and drink
Mont Rochelle’s two restaurants are MIKO and the Country Kitchen. The namesake of the property’s previous owner, MIKO is the hotel’s signature fine-dining restaurant in the main hotel. Offering a ‘taster to South African favourites’ MIKO’s menu aims to ‘tell a story’. Everything here is local from the on-site herb garden which grows parsley, thyme and rosemary for the kitchens, whilst olives and fruits are picked from local trees.
Meanwhile, vegetables are grown on neighbouring farms, lamb and springbok are reared down the road, and the trout comes from the Franschhoek valley itself. At MIKO, breakfast is also served with fresh fruits, yoghurts and cheeses alongside hot egg dishes layered with hollandaise sauce.
On the other side of the estate, The Country Kitchen is attached to the winery. Dating back to just after the second World War (with the original cellar over 150 years of age) here is a more so informal (but suitably smart) daytime dining spot. Open to guests of the hotel and regular visitors who often hop from The Wine Tram, the wine tastings can be paired with hearty dishes. These include deep-fried calamari to the popular ‘CK’ 200g beef burger.
Spa and wellness
The spa isn’t central to Mont Rochelle’s offering. There is however a small, serene one that is popular with guests who pad their way through the property in their slippers. With two treatment rooms and a Hammam, visit and rejuvenate the body from any signs of a lingering hangover. Using eco-friendly products made with essential oils and natural plant extracts, we visited for a couples massage.
Should you want to try something a little different, the Swedish inspired bespoke deep tissue ‘Little Rock’ massage relieves muscle tension. Meanwhile, the restorative ‘Soul Of Africa’ is a ceremonial treatment that has been created to improve skin hydration. With a detox mud mask and massage using Africa’s Miracle oil ‘Marula’, it will help soften signs of ageing to treat inflamed, irritated, or sun-damaged skin.
Surrounding area
The pretty vineyard town of Franschhoek in the Western Cape is just an hour from the city lights of Cape Town. A contrast to the city, its convenience makes it a popular rural retreat, widely considered the gourmet capital of South Africa. A notable attraction is The Franschhoek Tram. Possibly the most glamourous tram you’ll encounter, it weaves the famous wine producing region, allowing passengers to hop on and off the variety of wine related activities found in Franschhoek – from tastings to cellar tours and vineyard lunches.
With a choice of ten different lines, each passes through a collection of estates across the valley of vineyards for easy access to the region’s best farms and producers. Considered the cultural centre point of South Africa’s Dutch heritage, the tram is a great way to learn about the Huguenots who made the valley home over 300 years ago. They brought with them their passion and knowledge for winemaking to transform Franschhoek into the place it is today.
In a nutshell
Situated in what is described as South Africa’s ‘French corner’, Mont Rochelle is an elegant boutique hotel and winery that brings to life Richard Branson’s love for this beautiful wine producing-region.
Factbox
Address: Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek, 7690, South Africa
Phone: +27 21 876 2770
Website: virginlimitededition.com/en/mont-rochelle.
