Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper
Cape Winelands | South Africa
Your Luxury Non-Guided Hop-On-Hop-Off Experience!
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Welcome To Our Valley
We are proud to offer the Non-Guided Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper to all guests staying within the Franschhoek Village.
Franschhoek is located in the Cape Winelands. It is a little gem surrounded by mountains with amazing scenery and only about a 1h15 minute drive from the Cape Town International Airport and a 1h20 minute drive from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town.
Guests can select a Flexi Schedule Package of 1-4 hours / 4-7 hours Non-Guided Hop-On-Hop-Off Service:
Within this time guests are free to visit as many wineries, breweries, restaurants, or places of interest (listed on this site) as they want to and can fit in the 4 to 7-continuous-hour period.
We also offer a Fixed Group Schedule Package option which departs/returns at specific times – view the Historical Beauty & the Awesome Trio packages.
This service is ideal for a couple or a small group of people who would like to do their own thing (perhaps do a specially curated tasting or have a picnic for lunch).
Guests get collected from their accommodation in the Franschhoek Village (within a 4km radius of the town hall).
If you are not staying in the Franschhoek Village (within 4km from the town hall), please request a quote for a return transfer and get collected from your accommodation at an additional fee.
flexibility
So how does the Flexi schedule work?
Guests can choose where they want to go from the wineries, breweries, and restaurants listed on our site.
Once we have collected the guests we will take them to the first winery/brewery/restaurant or place of interest – if they don’t know where to go we will gladly offer advice.
We will drop them off and introduce them to a staff member at the winery/brewery who will then be presenting the tastings.
Once the guests are ready to move to their next venue they can just call/WhatsApp us (or get a staff member to call us) and we will be there in a flash to collect them. We advise you to give us a 15-minute notification.
PLEASE NOTE: ONCE GUESTS BOOKED THE SERVICE, PLEASE DON’T JUST AUTOMATICALLY ASSUME THAT THE SERVICE CAN BE EXTENDED ON THE DAY AS WE TAKE OTHER BOOKINGS BASED ON THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT WERE BOOKED – EXTENSION WILL BE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY.
This is a fun and safe way (no drinking and driving) for guests to get around AND they have a lot more options available to them vs any other transport option in the village.
30 World-class Wineries
2 Craft Breweries
>50 Restaurants
Just Relax
Just have fun
Incredible Scenery
Flexi Schedule Rates
A minimum of 2 guests required.
The following rates are per person | CASH, ZAR payments only
1-4 Hours
Quickie | Valid until 30 September 2024- Any 4 hours between 09h00 till 17h00
4-7 Hours
Full Day | Valid until 30 September 2024- Any 4-7 hours between 09h00 till 17h00
1-4 Hours
Quickie | From 1 October 2024- Any 4 hours between 09h00 till 17h00
4-7 Hours
Full Day | From 1 October 2024- Any 4-7 hours between 09h00 till 17h00
View more information about the flexi schedule packages:
Quickie | 1-4 Hours
Get collected from your accommodation in the *village of Franschhoek.
Book any 1-4 hours between 09h00 and 17h00.
The 1-4 continuous hours are calculated on a door-to-door basis which is calculated from the agreed-upon collections time.
This is a NON-GUIDED service.
The rate only includes the driver and the vehicle.
Excludes all tasting/entrance fees.
No eating and drinking will be allowed in the vehicle.
*Village – within a 4km radius of the town hall.
Full Day | 4-7 Hours
Get collected from your accommodation in the *village of Franschhoek.
Book any 1-4 hours between 09h00 and 17h00.
The 4-7 hour continuous hopper is calculated on a door-to-door basis which is calculated from the agreed-upon collections time.
This is a NON-GUIDED service.
The rate only includes the driver and the vehicle.
Excludes all tasting/entrance fees.
No eating and drinking will be allowed in the vehicle.
*Village – within a 4km radius of the town hall.
Do you want to explore a bit further afield?
Explore Boschendal, Babylonstoren, and L’Ormarins on our Group Hopper | Fixed Shedule
Historical Beauty Package | 1-4 Hours
Group Hopper
Historical Beauty | Valid util 30 September 2024- 09h30/10h30 till 13h30/14h30
Group Hopper
Historical Beauty | From 1 Oct 2024- 09h30/10h30 till 13h30/14h30
Inclusions
- Collection & drop off from your accommodation in Franschhoek within 4km of the town hall.
- Transfers between Babylonstoren & Boschendal.
If the event that your accommodation does not fall within this radius, we can collect you at an additional fee which will be confirmed upon your request.
Exclusions
- Entrance fee at Babylonstoren of *R100 pp.
- All tastings and activity fees at each estate.
- * Subject to change.
1st Stop | Babylonstoren
Things to do:
- Gardens (*Garden tour, *Olive Oil & Balsamic Tour)
- Wine Tasting & *Cellar Tour
- Restaurants: *Babel | *The Bakery | *Greenhouse
- Farm Shop & Scented Room
* Bookings Advised – Clients are required to make all their bookings via the Babylonstoren website. Entrance fees are subject to change.
2nd Stop | Boschendal
Things to Do
- View Vegetable Gardens
- Wine Tasting
- Restaurants: *The Werf Restaurant & Bar | The Deli | Picnics (bookings required)
- Farm Shop
* Bookings Advised – Clients are required to make all their bookings via the Boschendal website.
Collection & Return | 1-5 Hours
Collection from accommodation in Franschhoek within 4 km of the town hall:
Collection at 09h30 | Drop off at 14h30
Collection at 10h30 | Drop off at 15h30
This package lasts approximately 4 hours.
Hopper Schedule
1st Collection | Babylonstoren
- 09h30 Group will departure from Babylonstoren at 12h00
- 10h30 Group will depart from Babylonstoren at 13h00
2nd Collection | Boschendal
- 09h30 Group will departure from Boschendal at 14h00
- 10h30 Group will depart from Boschendal at 15h00
Awesome Trio | 1-5 Hours
Group Hopper
Awesome Trio | Valid until 30 September 2024- 11h30 till16h30
Group Hopper
Awesome Trio | From 1 Oct 2024- 11h30 till16h30
Inclusions
- Collection & drop off from your accommodation in Franschhoek within 4km of the town hall.
- Transfers between the Franschhoek Motor Museum located on L’Ormarins, Boschendal, and Babylonstoren.
If the event that your accommodation does not fall within this radius, we can collect you at an additional fee which will be confirmed upon your request.
Exclusions
- Entrance fee at the Franschhoek Motor Museum.
- Entrance fee at Babylonstoren of *R100 pp.
- All tastings and activity fees at each estate.
- *Subject to change.
1st Stop | Franschhoek Motor Museum located on L'Ormanrins
Things to do:
- Motor Museum Tour | *Entrance Fee at R80 pp
- *Classic Car Drive at R80 pp
- Coffee Shop
* Bookings Required – Clients are required to make all their bookings via the Franschhoek Motor Museum website as a visit to the museum is by appointment only. Entrance fees are subject to change.
2nd Stop | Boschendal
Things to Do
- View Vegetable Gardens
- Wine Tasting
- Restaurants: *The Werf Restaurant & Bar | The Deli | Picnics (bookings required)
- Farm Shop
* Bookings Advised – Clients are required to make all their bookings via the Boschendal website.
3rd Stop | Babylonstoren
Things to do:
- Gardens
- Wine Tasting & *Cellar Tour
- Restaurants: *Babel | *The Bakery | *Greenhouse
- Farm Shop & Scented Room
* Bookings Advised – Clients are required to make all their bookings via the Babylonstoren website. Entrance fees are subject to change.
Collection & Return | 1-5 Hours
Collection from accommodation in Franschhoek within 4 km of the town hall:
Collection at 11h30
Drop off at 16h30
This package lasts approximately 6 hours.
Hopper Schedule
1st Stop Collection | Franschhoek Motor Museum
- Depart from the Franschhoek Motor Museum at 12h30
2nd Stop Collection | Boschendal
- Depart from the Boschendal at 14h00
3rd Stop Collection | Babylonstoren
- Depart from the Babylonstoren at 16h00
SELECT FROM 30 WINERIES IN FRANSCHHOEK
Franschhoek Cellars
Old Road Wine Co.
Grande Provence
Rickety Bridge
Klein Goederust
Atlas Swift
Maison Estate
Eikehof
Paserene
La Motte Estate
Leopard’s Leap
Chamonix Estate
Dieu Donné Vineyards
Pigcasso at the Farm Sanctuary SA
La Petite Ferme
Haute Cabrière
Le Lude Estate
La Bri Estate
Colmant
La Bourgogne Farm
Stony Brook Vineyards
Holden Manz Estate
Haut Espoir
La Couronne
Mont Rochelle
* Wildeberg
* Mullineux
* Boekenhoutskloof
* Franschhoek Pass Winery
* Black Elephant Vintners
Wineries marked by * are by appointment only.
NOTE:
Guests MUST MAKE THEIR BOOKINGS where required.
We can recommend advance bookings during October and April to ensure more sufficient use of your time on the day.
Please check the trading hours of the wineries when planning your itinerary.
SELECT FROM 2 CRAFT BREWERIES IN FRANSCHHOEK
Tuk-Tuk Brewery
Franschhoek Beer Co.
NOTE:
Guests MUST MAKE THEIR BOOKINGS where required.
We can recommend advance bookings during October and April to ensure a more sufficient use of your time on the day.
Please check the trading hours of the breweries when planning your itinerary.
SELECT FROM MORE THAN 50 RESTAURANTS IN FRANSCHHOEK
- La Petite Colombe
- Chef’s Warehouse at Maison Estate
- Le Chêne Restaurant at Leeu Estate
- Oku Asian Eatery
- La Petite Ferme
- The Cellar Restaurant at Haut Cabrière
- Orangerie Restaurant at Le Lude
- Sauvage at Le Franschhoek Hotel
- Arkeste at Chamonix Estate
- The Restaurant at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate
- Pierneef à La Motte at La Motte Estate
- Protégé at Le Quartier Français
- Le Coin Français
- Le Bon Vivant
- Miko at Mont Rochelle Hotel
- Reuben’s
- Le Petit Manoir
- Hussar Grill
- The Kitchen at Holden Manz Wine Estate
- The Restaurant at La Residence Hotel
- Monneaux at Franschhoek Country House & Villas
- Yama Eatery | Asian & Sushi
- Epice at Le Quartier Français
- Deux Lions
- Rotisserie at Leopard’s Leap
- Paulina’s at Rickety Bridge Winery
- Franschhoek Kitchen at Mont Rochelle
- Allora | Italian
- French Connection
- Col’Cacchio Pizzeria
- Frank’s Corner
- Blue Coriander | Indian Cuisine
- Get Lost Coffee
- Cartel Italian Café
- Klein Goederust
- Tuk-Tuk Micro Brewery
- Tap & Eat at The Franschhoek Beer Co
- Platform Bar & Bistro at Franschhoek Cellars
- Grape & Bean Café at Franschhoek Cellars
- Old Road Wine Co.
- The Garden Café
- Franschhoek Café
- Wiensenhof
- Terbodore Café
- Bootleggers
- MCC Franschhoek
- Let’s Frite
- Smitten
- Mon Amour
NOTE:
Guests MUST MAKE THEIR BOOKINGS where required.
We can recommend advance bookings during October and April to ensure more sufficient use of your time on the day.
Please check the trading hours of the restaurants when planning your itinerary.
Testimonials
What People are Saying
“We had a wonderful day, wine tasting in Franschhoek. Picked up at our hotel by Andrew who was our exclusive driver and guide for the day and was excellent, interesting company. We knew which vineyards we wanted to visit but Andrew advised on the best order to see them and smoothed our entry…including persuading the last one to stay open a bit longer to facilitate our visit!“
“Perfect”
“Absolutely excellent. Johann met us at our hotel, brought us to a vineyard, collected us when we called him and brought us to another….. this service is perfect for people who don’t fancy being with a large group or on a tight schedule. We were on honeymoon and wanted to be relaxed and that it certainly was. I would recommend this service to anyway it was really super.“
“Easy & Efficient”
“We recently did the Vineyard Hopper in Franschhoek for 4 hours and (at the price) it was the best money we spend our holiday. Easy to organize, inexpensive and a delightful chap in Thabo made our day very enjoyable. We could visit estates at our own pace which was ideal as we decided on an last minute lunch. We will do this again. Ideal to see a couple of estates and not pay an arm and a leg.“
TripAdvisor
“My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of being able to spend two days touring some handpicked Franschhoek wineries with the Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper back in late October.
We love Franschhoek and having visited several times we now feel acutely aware which wineries we prefer to stop in at and which wine we particularly enjoy thus this new service suited us perfectly. It is now our number one choice when booking wine tours in the area and I will now tell you why;
Assuming like us you enjoy drinking the wine as opposed to using the spittoon then by default the self-drive option is excluded. Therefore this leaves you with three main alternative options:
1. Book a small group wine tour
2. Book a private wine tour
3. Book the much lauded Franschhoek Wine Tram
The main drawback for me of a small group tour or the Franschhoek Wine Tram is the predetermined route and therefore lack of flexibility in terms of which wineries you get to visit. This is coupled by the fact you are constantly on a schedule and having to check your time whether that be at the behest of other guests on a small group tour or in the trams case simply the nature of its pick up and drop off policy. Both options are fine ones that ones we have used in the past but due to the recent re-introduction of the Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper they are no longer optimal in my opinion
A private wine tour is a lovely experience which I can recommend highly however its drawback is price as for those on a budget it is considerably more expensive than any other option and although the price quoted may include tastings it will not generally include lunch or of course gratuities. Therefore once you factor in the almost inevitable wine purchases then the private option can add up to an expensive day out and particularly so if you are planning to do more than one day of wine tasting.
In contrast The Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper experience for me provides a ‘best of both worlds’ experience. Although it operates on a pick up/drop off model it is much more fluid and offers guests much more freedom and flexibility to select or include specific wineries that they wish to visit. It does this while managing to price itself very competitively with it coming in much less than a private tour or even small group tour and only slightly more than the cost of experiencing the Wine Tram.
It is probably worth mentioning for wine newbie’s that you may not get the same level of expertise and imparting of viniculture and viticulture knowledge from your driver that you may get from a designated wine tour guide. However this all equates in the lower cost besides IMO you will pick up more than enough knowledge from the various winery staff or even the winemakers themselves at the wineries you visit.
From start to finish this company were pleasures to deal with. From my initial email enquiry to Danielle to the subsequent follow up email assistance of Johan all the way to the enthusiastic and lovely manner of Thabo who was our driver for both days. We were fortunate that on both days we were Thabo’s only guests therefore essentially we have 2 private tour experiences at a fraction of the cost. I doubt as more and more tourists become aware of this service if we’ll ever be so lucky in the future but regardless it was an unexpected treat on this occasion.
Through a little pre planning on my behalf I managed to devise a day 1 itinerary visiting all our favourite red wine producing wineries in the valley with a picnic lunch stop off in-between for lunch and then a day 2 itinerary focusing solely on our favourite MCC which are being produced in the valley and are of exceptionally quality. All at a fraction of the cost of 2 private wine tours which up until now would have been the only viable way of setting this up.
The contrast of both days was great, ably assisted by Thabo. My wife had initially been upset that this year we were missing out on the wonderful MCC & Champagne festival that is held each December in the village and so with Johan and Thabo’s help I was able to provide her very own MCC festival road trip which certainly went down well.
A big thank you to The Franschhoek Vineyard Hopper for providing us with two really memorable days. I couldn’t recommend you highly enough and without question we will be repeat customers of yours for as many years as we are able to keep visiting beautiful Franschhoek.”
Hours of Operation
OFFICE HOURS ARE MONDAY -SUNDAY
09:00 – 17:00
CLOSED ON 25, 26 DEC & 1 JAN
Contact Us
Don’t be shy.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Tel: +27(0)83 3016774
E-mail: info@franschhoekvineyardhopper.co.za
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