Latest News from La Motte

La Motte's association with the art of renowned South African landscape artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (1886 – 1957) dates back to early 2002, with the creation of the estate’s premium wine, the Pierneef Collection. Ever since, Pierneef’s love for that which is truly South African, as well as his passion for his art are echoed...

Every August, guests to La Motte Wine Estate in the Franschhoek Valley have the opportunity to experience Shiraz (or Syrah as it is called here) in a variety of ways. As part of the estate’s celebration of National Shiraz Day (21 August) and its participation in Seven Days of Shiraz (21 – 28 August), the...

Every year in August we make the most of Syrah to enjoy the last stretch of winter. Rather than only celebrating this versatile variety on its National Day (21 August), we find ways to make it part of the last stretch of winter in every way we can. How Syrah adapts to terroir, how beautifully...

"A recipe where the Mediterranean meets North Africa meets Iberia. The lamb is an ideal 'canvas' for the slightly sweet and smoky warmth of the paprika and the aromatic, liquorice notes of the fennel seeds. Suited to the barbecue or grilled in a smoking hot grilling pan, it is a brilliantly easy recipe. Serve the...

"Chicken Marbella is an iconic dish from The Silver Palate Cookbook by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins. The name references Marbella, the chic, sun-drenched Spanish coastal city, evoking a sense of Mediterranean sophistication and the recipe became one of the most celebrated American recipes of the 1980s. Forty years later it is still delicious and...

Although traditional Italian osso buco is made with veal shanks, oxtail is a fabulous substitute. While many South African oxtail stews are made using red wine, this rendition is made with white wine (osso buco style), resulting in a lighter sauce. If you prefer, red wine can also be used. This comforting stew is outstanding...

Paccheri is tube shaped pasta from the Puglia region, ideal for stuffing with popular fillings like spinach and ricotta. Unlike canneloni, paccheri tubes are short enough to arrange on their cut sides (on a bed of sauce), resulting in a beautiful repetitive visual result. This is an unusual yet crowd pleasing pasta bake that can...

French onion soup is highly revered as one of the most comforting yet humble classic dishes for colder months, especially when topped with crunchy, melted cheese baguette rounds. This rendition also includes mushrooms for a umami boost, and is made with chicken stock instead of beef stock for a fresh take on an iconic favourite. Ingredients:...

With the French Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) celebrated on 14 July, the Franschhoek Valley commemorates its French heritage with the annual weekend-long Bastille Festival, while at La Motte, we enjoy sharing a few French secrets with you to enjoy during July. Join us as we embrace the influence of the French on our winemaking heritage,...

Legendary chef Auguste Escoffier famously declared that the three great secrets of French cuisine are: butter, butter, butter. While this is a playful culinary proverb, French gastronomy is built on a few core pillars that elevate simple ingredients into world-renowned masterpieces. We know that French cooking relies on the freshness and quality of its ingredients,...