Mont Rochelle is a stunning 26-bedroom hotel and vineyard just under an hour’s drive from Cape Town in the town of Franschhoek in South Africa.
Franschhoek is a traditional vineyard town in the Western Cape Province famously known as the French Corner of the Cape and is considered to be the food and wine capital of South Africa.
HISTORY
In 1940 Abraham Michelson purchased the land which at the time consisted of a cellar with 20 large oak vats with the majority of vines having been planted around the time of the last Boer War (1899- 1902). Descendants of the Michelson family still live in the area and own part of the land from that original holding.
Michelson started Franschhoek Winery after the 2nd World War and the farmers in the district used to send their bulk wine to them for bottling. During this period Italian prisoners-of-war were used to work in the district’s vineyards and at the war’s end Mr Michelson employed one of them, a Mr AG Augustini, to manage their winery. In 1955 Abraham died and his three children inherited the farm.
One son ran the farm while a daughter moved away to France, and Siggy Michelson moved with his wife and four children into a small residence where the present reception area stands.
Over the past 20 years the building has been extended on numerous occasions and has also changed hands several times. The most recent owner prior to Sir Richard Branson was Erwin Schnitzler, a German hotelier and Miko Rwayitare, who took possession of the hotel and winery which at the time was called ‘La Couronne’.
La Couronne Hotel and Restaurant was severely damaged by a fire in February 2006. After a period of repair and renovation, Messieurs Rwayitare and Schnitzler used the opportunity to merge the hotel and the neighbouring Mont Rochelle Mountain Vineyards to create ‘Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyards’.
Mr Rwayitare was the first black owner of a vineyard in South Africa and the vineyard’s premium wine was named after him – as well as the current main restaurant.
Mont Rochelle was purchased by Sir Richard Branson in 2014 and now joins the exclusive Virgin Limited Edition collection which includes Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands, The Roof Gardens in London and Ulusaba Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
After an extensive period of refurbishment the hotel began welcoming guests in September 2014.
Mont Rochelle is open year-round for visitors, and hotel's 26 rooms and suites can be booked for any length of stay.
You could even hire Mont Rochelle exclusively if you're planning a party, a wedding or just a special occasion.
Guests staying in hotel's two largest rooms, Cap Classique Suites, will enjoy a separate lounge area, a private terrace and their own plunge pool.
Both suites are in the Vineyard Wing.
There are four spacious Pinotage Suites located in both the Manor House and Garden House.
Each suite features a separate lounge and fantastic views.
There are two restaurants at Mont Rochelle including the Country Kitchen which joins up to hotel's wine cellar – it’s an ideal place for a light lunch in the sunshine. Hotel's main restaurant, Miko, is the setting for some fantastic gourmet meals including for those special occasions.
Start the evening off with a refreshing cocktail from bar and find a comfy space on the terrace to watch the sunset.
At Mont Rochelle the food served is a blend of international dishes with a healthy nod to the varied nature of South Africa cuisine, paired naturally with some superb local vintages.
Miko is hotel's main restaurant located in the hotel's Manor House.
Breakfast07.00h - 10.30hLunch12.00h - 15.00hDinner19.00h - 21.30h
You are welcome to explore the grounds at Mont Rochelle, and what better way to this than with a picnic basket prepared by hotel's team? Just let team know whether you’d prefer a bottle of white, red, or perhaps both!
Picnic baskets are for two adults sharing and children baskets are available per child.
The Country Kitchen is Mont Rochelle's informal restaurant located just a short walk or a quick drive from the main hotel building and adjacent to hotel's wine cellar.
If you’re visiting the Country Kitchen for lunch or dinner, or if you’re off to the wine cellar just let team know and you'll be taken over in one of hotel's vehicles.
Wine tasting10.00h - 18.00hLunch12.00h - 17.00h
150 year old wine cellar was previously used as a fruit packing shed for the early settlers. Since being converted to a traditional wine cellar we can now process close to 110 tons of grapes in a season, these smaller volumes afford more concentration on quality rather than quantity.
Stainless steel tanks aid in the making of the crisp clean whites, while barrels are favoured for the red wine making.
Hotel's team can organise wine tastings in a variety of locations, including in Miko Restaurant, at the bar, at the Country Kitchen and in wine cellar.
Wine tasting isn't just a special event – it’s an everyday occurrence.
There are two treadmills, bikes, an adjustable bench and suspension training pack and a set of free-weights.
Resident guests are welcome to make use of Hammam.
What could. be more relaxing than a spa treatment during your stay? Mont Rochelle has two dedicated spa treatment rooms.
Take a dip and relax in the main outdoor heated swimming pool at Mont Rochelle - there are some fantastic views of the Franschhoek Mountains.
From personalised wine tasting to a picnic amongst the vineyards, wine enthusiasts will be in heaven at Mont Rochelle!
You could work up an appetite in the gym or just sit back, relax and indulge yourself in hotel's in-house spa.
If you're looking to get a bit more active - take a dip in the outdoor heated swimming pool.
There are some wonderful routes that make it easy to explore the surrounding area on bike
Passengers aboard the hop-on hop-off tour will experience a unique and leisurely way to see the Franschhoek Valley.
South Africa is known for the high standard of its many golf courses with courses in Paarl, Stellenbosch and Somerset West.
Enjoy a hike through hills, valleys and vineyards surrounding the hotel, as well as in local reserves.
Franschhoek village offers a variety of art and craft shops as well as galleries and antique stores.
Table Mountain is Cape Town’s most famous icon and, as part of the Western Cape Floral Kingdom, was declared a World Heritage Site in 2004.
Hotel has a Astroturf floodlit tennis court and a cabana complete with a kitchen and bathroom. Racquets and balls supplied.
Picturesque location at the foot of the Klein Dassenberg Mountain Range is the perfect setting for your special day.
MONT ROCHELLE HOTEL & VINEYARD
Dassenberg Rd Franschhoek, 7690South Africa