The Franschhoek Valley has to be one of the most beautiful wine regions on Earth. Found east of Stellenbosch and south of Paarl, with the Wemmershoek mountains to the north and Franschhoek mountains to the south, it's a neatly defined area popular with tourists. Vineyards were first planted by French Huguenots in the latter years of the 17th century ("Franschhoek" translates as French corner) and they still like to remember their French heritage here, many wine farms adopting French names and celebrating Bastille Day.