The marble terrace of Café de Paris glowed beneath the Riviera’s evening sky. Inside, crystal chandeliers reflected the soft hum of conversation, as collectors, connoisseurs, and tastemakers gathered for something rare. The private Belle Montagne tasting, an evening devoted to craftsmanship, provenance, and sensory elegance.
This wasn’t an ordinary tasting. It was a celebration of artistry, hosted by the founders of Belle Montagne. Nick and Roslyn Holland, whose vision has redefined how the world perceives South African fine wine.
The Visionaries
Belle Montagne, meaning “beautiful mountain” in French, draws its name from the dramatic slopes of South Africa’s Franschhoek Valley, framed by the Hottentots Holland mountain range. Founded by Nick Holland, formerly in the mining sector, and his wife Roslyn, the brand was born from a belief that wine could be more than a beverage, it could be a collectible, signifying beauty and intention.
Collaborating with acclaimed winemaker Coenie Snyman, the Hollands set out to produce wines of extraordinary refinement. “Wine is no longer simply consumed,” Nick once shared. “It is collected, celebrated as a work of art.”
The Collection
Belle Montagne’s debut collection is limited, deliberate, and designed for longevity. Each bottle is numbered, sealed with a gold crest, and presented in a hand crafted Italian box lined with velvet, echoing the elegance of haute horlogerie.
The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon, produced in only 1,000 bottles, led the evening. Aromas of dark fruit, cassis, and cedar filled the air, unfolding into a palate of velvet tannins, black cherry, and bittersweet chocolate, a composition built for ageing.
Alongside it, guests discovered the house Chardonnay, layered with ripe stone fruit, lime, and toasted vanilla, and the Shiraz, spiced with black pepper, dark berries, and mocha. A wine both bold and balanced, crafted with quiet precision.
The Experience
Café de Paris, with its Belle Époque charm and terrace overlooking Casino Square, became the perfect stage for the night. As glasses caught the lamplight and conversation flowed, the Belle Montagne ethos revealed itself, the pursuit of excellence, emotion, and heritage.
The tasting mirrored the brand’s philosophy: every detail intentional, every note purposeful. This was not about excess or ostentation, but rather the rare harmony between place, design, and craftsmanship.
Each guest felt part of something intimate, a theatre of taste curated for those who seek life at its most luxurious.
The LEGACY
Beyond its wines, Belle Montagne has introduced an exclusive membership limited to 500 collectors worldwide. Members receive early allocations of annual cuvées and invitations to private tastings in cities such as London, Cape Town, and now, Monte-Carlo.
In the world of fine wine, Belle Montagne stands apart, not by heritage but by vision. From the slopes of Franschhoek to the lights of Monte-Carlo, it has emerged as a new symbol of sophistication, merging Old World elegance with modern luxury.
As the evening drew to a close, the final pour glowed deep ruby under the chandeliers. Outside, the hum of Monte-Carlo continued, but within Café de Paris, time seemed suspended.
For a few hours, Belle Montagne had turned a simple tasting into something far greater, a story of creation, ambition, and beauty. And under the Riviera night, its legacy had only just begun.
Written by Ricky Franklin
Victor Franklin 