Winery · Franschhoek

Cap Classique Sabrage at Haute Cabriere

Haute Cabrière's Cap Classique Sabrage Masterclass teaches the 18th-century technique of opening sparkling wine with a saber in an intimate 8-seat underground cellar.

What to do there

TastingCap Classique Sabrage at Haute CabriereAchim von Arnim sabres bottles of Cap Classique -- cutting the neck with a sword -- in a cellar carved into the Franschhoek mountains. Graham Beck was Mandela's champagne of choice, the fizz that toasted democracy. Frans Malan made the first Cap Classique at Simonsig in 1971. South Africa now has 250+ producers, undercutting Champagne by 5x for 96-point wine.

Wineries nearby

Winery Boschendal: Oldest Huguenot Estate Still Making Wine Boschendal (est. 1685) is South Africa's oldest wine estate, founded by French Huguenot Jean le Long fleeing religious persecution in Europe.
Winery Boekenhoutskloof Boekenhoutskloof, founded in 1776 in Franschhoek, is a Syrah specialist whose 'Chocolate Block' blend became South Africa's most successful modern wine launch.
Winery · Paarl KWV Emporium KWV's Cathedral Cellar, built in 1930, holds 32 large vats; the house says its 20 Year Old brandy beat Cognac at the 2015 International Spirits Challenge.