Wines of South Africa (WOSA) recently hosted some of the world's best sommeliers for the finals of the WOSA Sommelier World Cup in October 2010. I was asked to talk to the group about the Franschhoek valley where La Motte and Leopard's Leap Wines are based. I have added some notes to the presentation to help guide people through it.

1. Welcome to Franschhoek
Hein Koegelenberg
La Motte
October 2010

2. The “French Corner” of South Africa
176 French Huguenot refugees originally settled in the valley in 1688. Many of the
refugees, eeing religious persecution, were given land by the Dutch government

3. ... but first
known as
Olifantshoek
The valley was originally called Olifantshoek ("Elephants' corner"), because of the
herds of elephants that roamed the valley. The valley’s name soon changed to le Coin
Français, and later to Franschhoek.

4. Estates were named after regions in France

5. There are currently 49 members of the Franschhoek Vigneron Association.

6. comprising the traditional

7. ...and the new

8. Franschhoek is not only know for its wine but also for its...

9. its cuisine

10. and its natural beauty

11. MEDIA TASTING 2010
FRANSCHHOEK PASS
WEMMERSHOEK TO VILLIERSDORP
MOUNTAINS
FRANSCHHOEK FRANSCHHOEK
PASS WINERY MOUNTAINS
LA PETITE FERME
MY WYN CABRIÈRE STONY BROOK
AT HAUTE CABRIERE COLMANT KLEIN DAUPHINE
DIEU
DONNÉ LA BRI KLEIN GENOT
CHAMONIX LA BOURGOGNE BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF
LA CHAUMIÈRE HAUT ESPOIR
LANDAU DU VAL
FRANSCHHOEK
CELLAR MONT ROCHELLE
VON ORTLOFF
GRAND PROVENCE
THEEWATERSKLOOF LA ROCHE ESTATE
RESERVE RICKETY BRIDGE GLENWOOD
LA VIGNE
LEOPARD’S LEAP
MAISON BERG RIVER DAM
LA MOTTE
EIKEHOF
MÔRESON
LA CHATAIGNE LE MANOIR DE BRENDEL
AKKERDAL
RICHENEAU
TOPIARY WINES
LYNX
GROOT DRAKENSTEIN
GRAHAM BECK WINES MOUNTAINS
FRANSCHHOEK
BELLINGHAM WINES
ANTHONIJ RUPERT WINES
L’ORMARINS
TO PAARL & N1
(EXIT 59)
R301
SOLMS-DELTA
BOSCHENDAL WINES
ALLÉE BLEUE
TO PAARL & N1 R310
(EXIT 55) TO
R45 PLAISIR DE MERLE STELLENBOSCH
VREDE EN LUST
RUPERT & ROTHSCHILD

12. the terroir of Franschhoek
Franschhoek’s soil is good for making high quality wines, with vineyards high on the
mountain slopes. Most afternoon there is a cool wind across the value.

13. wide range of varietals grown
Franschhoek was planted mostly with white varieties 30 years ago. Today an even
split of red and white. SAWIS lists 36 varietals grown in Franschhoek Valley. The next
slides show the many varietals and some of the valley’s wine producers.

14. 15.1%

15. 13.9%

16. 9.9%

17. 14.9%

18. 13.2%

19. becoming
well-known
for its MCC

20. and innovation of its winemakers

21. Franschhoek wines have traditionally being sold in Europe, but the wines are now
being exported to the US, Asia and into Africa.

22. Franschhoek
Food & Wine
Route
Franschhoek will be opening a new food and wine route in
2011.

23. thank you