La Petite Ferme – From the Mountainside in Franschhoek: White Wines, Baboon Rock and Verdict
Since 1974 in Franschhoek: winery with restaurant, known for white wines and Chardonnay
La Petite Ferme lies on a hillside in the Franschhoek Mountains and began in 1974 as a plum farm owned by the Dendy-Young family. Since 1996, vines have grown there, and today the estate is a winery with a restaurant and boutique hotel, known for white wines and Chardonnay. The Baboon Rock Chardonnay came about because baboons ate part of the harvest.
If you want to buy La Petite Ferme wine, you will find wines from Franschhoek and Robertson with us, from the Baboon Rock Chardonnay to the Verdict. Browse the range from the mountainside to the cellar and find your favourite.
Baboon Rock Unwooded Chardonnay
- La Petite Ferme
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Robertson
- Chardonnay
- Jahrgang 2024 - John Platter: 3.5 Sterne
Content: 0.75 Litre (€15.93* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Sauvignon Blanc
- La Petite Ferme
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Sauvignon Blanc
- John Platter: 3 Sterne / 81 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€14.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Grenache Noir Rosé
- La Petite Ferme
- rosé wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Grenache Noir
- John Platter: 3.5 Sterne / 83 Punkte
- Winemagazine South Africa 2025: 90 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€15.93* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Shiraz
- La Petite Ferme
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Shiraz/Syrah
- John Platter: 4 Sterne / 87 Punkte
- Gilbert & Gaillard 2025: Doppel-Gold
- Veritas Awards 2025: Silber
- Winemagazine South Africa 2025: 90 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€21.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
- La Petite Ferme
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Coastal Region
- Chardonnay
- Michelangelo Awards 2025: Gold
Content: 0.75 Litre (€18.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
- La Petite Ferme
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Coastal Region
- Chardonnay
- Tim Atkin 2026: 89 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€19.93* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Cabernet Sauvignon
- La Petite Ferme
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- John Platter: 4 Sterne / 88 Punkte
- Gilbert & Gaillard 2024 & 2025: Doppel-Gold
- Veritas Awards 2025: Silber
Content: 0.75 Litre (€21.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Merlot
- La Petite Ferme
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Merlot
- Jahrgang 2021 - John Platter: 4 Sterne
- Jahrgang 2020 - John Platter: 4.5 Sterne
- Jahrgang 2019 - John Platter: 4.5 Sterne
Content: 0.75 Litre (€16.95* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Verdict
- La Petite Ferme
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Cabernet Franc - blend
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 92 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€33.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Variation
- La Petite Ferme
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Shiraz/Syrah - blend
- John Platter: 4 Sterne / 87 Punkte
- Gilbert & Gaillard 2020: Gold
Content: 0.75 Litre (€29.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Vineyard La Petite Ferme
From plums to wine: the story of La Petite Ferme
In 1974, John and Carol Dendy-Young moved from Zimbabwe to Franschhoek and bought a farm where they mainly grew plums [1]. When the fruit industry declined, they opened a 40-seat restaurant in 1984 and funded it by selling the lower half of the farm [1]. In 1996, their son Mark Dendy-Young planted vines and started with two tanks [1]. The estate was sold in 2015 [1], and today it belongs to The Nest Estate [5].
Between pass and baboons: site and vines
The estate lies on a mountainside above the Franschhoek Valley, on the road to the Franschhoek Pass [4][5]. At around 400 metres, it is up to 5 degrees cooler than on the valley floor according to Tanners Wines, which benefits the white varieties above all [2]. They make up two thirds of the roughly 13 hectares [2]. The pressure from baboons shows in their appetite: they ate up to 40 percent of the Chardonnay harvest [3].
Wikus Pretorius, Baboon Rock and Verdict: the wines
Winemaker Wikus Pretorius came from marketing and learned his craft in vineyards across three continents, including Corsica, California and Australia [3]. The Baboon Rock range supports a partnership with the conservation organisation Baboon Matters, which cares for injured baboons [3]. The Baboon Rock Unwooded Chardonnay comes from Robertson, whereas the Verdict is, according to Tanners Wines, a Cape Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot [3][2].
Cellar and kitchen under one roof: visiting La Petite Ferme
The cellar shares its roof with the restaurant, and the wines are meant to accompany food [2]. The restaurant lies on the mountain road to the pass and looks out over the Franschhoek Valley [4]. Those who want to stay longer will find Vineyard Suites, a Manor House and, since December 2023, five Winery Suites in an old wine cellar [5].
Vineyard facts
- Year of established:
- 1972
- Address:
- Pass Road, Franschhoek, 7690
- Geo data address:
- -33.91806758773681, 19.13572853762527
- Acreage:
- 14 ha
- Our recommendation:
- La Petite Ferme Viognier
- Why you should visit:
- From classic wine tastings to handcrafted boutique wines, La Petite Ferme offers memorable experiences overlooking the Franschhoek Valley
- The restaurant showcases contemporary country cuisine, seasonal ingredients and one of the Cape Winelands' most spectacular terraces
- Luxurious suites and the Manor House combine elegant comfort with breathtaking vineyard and mountain views
- Relaxing in-room spa treatments make La Petite Ferme an ideal retreat for food, wine and wellness enthusiasts
- Phone:
- +27 (0)21 8763016
- Vineyard website:
- https://www.lapetiteferme.co.za/
Frequently asked questions about La Petite Ferme
Where is La Petite Ferme?
La Petite Ferme lies on a mountainside above the Franschhoek Valley, on the road to the Franschhoek Pass [4][5].
Since when has La Petite Ferme existed, and who owns it?
The Dendy-Young family bought the farm in 1974, opened a restaurant in 1984 and planted vines in 1996 [1]. The estate was sold in 2015 [1], and today it belongs to The Nest Estate [5].
How big is La Petite Ferme?
According to Tanners Wines, it covers about 13 hectares at around 400 metres, two thirds white and one third red [2].
Who makes the wines?
The winemaker is Wikus Pretorius, who came from marketing and learned his craft in vineyards across three continents [3].
What is Baboon Rock?
Baboon Rock is a range from the estate that came about after harvest losses to baboons and supports a partnership with the conservation organisation Baboon Matters [3].
What is the Verdict?
According to Tanners Wines, the Verdict is a classic Cape Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot [2].
Can I visit La Petite Ferme or stay overnight?
Yes, there is a restaurant and accommodation such as Vineyard Suites, the Manor House and Winery Suites [4][5]. Current offers and times are on lapetiteferme.co.za.
Can I buy La Petite Ferme wine online?
Yes, you can buy La Petite Ferme wine from us, including the Baboon Rock Chardonnay, the Shiraz, the Barrel Fermented Chardonnay and the Verdict. Our range shows which vintages are currently available.