Franschhoek · Franschhoek
Mont Rochelle
Sir Richard Branson's five-star mountain lodge with a boutique cellar and unrivalled valley views.
About Mont Rochelle
Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition property above Franschhoek village, combining a five-star lodge, restaurants and a boutique wine cellar with the best view over the valley.
Mont Rochelle sits on the mountainside above Franschhoek and looks straight down the valley. The estate is best known as a luxury lodge, but the cellar produces small volumes of quality wine that visitors can taste at the Country Kitchen restaurant.
History
Acquired by Richard Branson's Virgin Limited Edition group in 2014 and given a full refurbishment. The 22-suite lodge is a favourite for overseas guests and celebrities.
The wine experience
Tastings run in the Country Kitchen with sweeping valley views. The range is small — Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah — but well made.
- Standard tasting
- Lunch pairing
Signature wines
- Chardonnay
- Syrah
- Little Rock (white blend)
- Sauvignon Blanc
Food on the estate
Miko (fine dining) and Country Kitchen (relaxed lunch).
Pros and cons
An honest read from a driver who's been to every farm on this list.
Pros
- Arguably the best view over the entire Franschhoek valley
- Five-star Virgin service standards
- Country Kitchen lunch is excellent and less formal than expected
- Small wine range means each label gets real attention
- Perfect end-of-day sunset stop
Cons
- Winding mountain road — slow going
- Expensive — pitched at luxury travellers
- Wine offering is small — not for volume tasting
- Not suited to large groups
Best for
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about visiting Mont Rochelle.
How much does a wine tasting at Mont Rochelle cost?+
Tastings at Mont Rochelle start from R150 per person. Options include Standard tasting, Lunch pairing. Prices are typically waived or discounted with a bottle purchase — confirm current rates directly with the estate as they change seasonally.
What are Mont Rochelle's opening hours?+
Mont Rochelle is open Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00 (restaurant hours vary). Tastings are pre-booked and the last tasting slot usually closes 60–90 minutes before the estate does, so arrive with time to spare.
How far is Mont Rochelle from Cape Town and Stellenbosch?+
Mont Rochelle is roughly 70 minutes by car from central Cape Town and about 35 minutes from Stellenbosch town, traffic depending. The estate is at Dassenberg Road, Franschhoek.
Do I need to book in advance at Mont Rochelle?+
Yes — like most Franschhoek estates, Mont Rochelle works on pre-booked tastings, especially on weekends and in peak season (November–April). Walk-ins are sometimes possible mid-week but never guaranteed.
Is there food available at Mont Rochelle?+
Miko (fine dining) and Country Kitchen (relaxed lunch).
Can Stellenbosch Shuttles drive me to Mont Rochelle?+
Yes. We run private, all-inclusive day tours to Mont Rochelle and the wider Franschhoek winelands from Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the Winelands hotels. One flat rate covers the vehicle, driver, fuel and tolls — you taste freely, we drive safely. Request a quote for your dates and group size.
More wine farms in Franschhoek
Boschendal Wine Estate
The most complete winelands day out — vineyards, restaurants, farm shop, cottages and the famous picnic.
La Motte
Rupert-family estate with Pierneef art museum, hiking trails and the Pierneef Collection Shiraz.
Babylonstoren
A 3.5-hectare formal garden, farm-to-table restaurants and Cape Dutch cottages that redefined the winelands.
Visiting Mont Rochelle? We'll drive.
One flat all-day rate — driver, fuel, tolls and cellar-door bottle collection included.