Allée Bleue Wine Estate

The land that would become Allee Bleue has been cultivated since the earliest days of European settlement at the Cape. Originally granted under the name Mere Rust in 1690, it is one of the oldest farms in the Franschhoek Valley, established by French Huguenot settlers who discovered the fertile slopes beneath the Drakenstein Mountains and planted the first vines.

The estate takes its modern name from the magnificent avenue of blue eucalyptus trees that line the entrance drive. Allee Bleue -- blue avenue -- is how the property has been known for generations, and those statuesque trees remain the defining image of the farm today.

The current chapter began in 1999, when Friedrich-Wilhelm Dauphin, his late wife Elke, and their daughter Antje acquired the property and set about restoring it with dedication and meticulous attention to detail. Under the Dauphin family's stewardship, the historic Cape Dutch buildings have been carefully preserved, the vineyards replanted, and the estate transformed into a working farm producing wines, olives, herbs, and fresh produce.

Van Zyl du Toit, who previously headed sparkling wine production at Simonsig, joined as winemaker in 2009 and has defined Allee Bleue's style with energy, enthusiasm, and technical skill. The wine portfolio spans whites, reds, and Methode Cap Classique, with the flagship Isabeau Chardonnay and the L'Amour Toujours red blend standing as the estate's most acclaimed wines. The Pinotage, true to Franschhoek tradition, is produced with the same care and has become a popular choice among visitors.

Dining at Allee Bleue draws on the estate's French heritage. The restaurant serves French-inspired cuisine using produce from the farm's own gardens, set against views of the Drakenstein Mountains and the surrounding vineyards. The estate also offers cottage accommodation for visitors who want to stay in the valley.

Tastings are available daily from 09:00 to 17:00, ranging from R120 to R200 per person depending on the experience selected. The estate is family-friendly, with open grounds and a picnic-style atmosphere that makes it equally suited to couples, groups of friends, and families with children.

The estate also hosts weddings and private functions in its Cape Dutch buildings and garden spaces, and the intersection of the R45 and R310 makes it one of the most accessible properties in the valley -- a natural first or last stop on a Franschhoek wine route day.

Allee Bleue is a rare combination: a farm with over three centuries of history, lovingly restored by a family that understood its significance, and producing wines that honour the Huguenot tradition of the Franschhoek Valley. It is a place where the past is not merely preserved but actively cultivated.