We are delighted to be have been recognised as one of the honourees in the inaugural Wine & Food Tourism Conference Awards - in the category Authentic South African Experience. La Motte's entry focused on celebrating South African Master, JH Pierneef’s art as part of the La Motte Wine Tourism Experience – in the estate’s museum, restaurant and wine tasting room.
The La Motte Museum hosts the heritage collection of Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (1886 – 1957), a famed South African landscape artist. The collection has never been on exhibition and was obtained from Pierneef’s only daughter living in the UK. Having Pierneef’s acclaimed works back in South Africa allows visitors to a wine estate an introduction to his art, otherwise often limited to collectors and art museums. Those familiar with his art enjoys his heritage works and the sentimentality of memorabilia such as his easel and brushes that accompanies the exhibition. For those unfamiliar with Pierneef and South African art, this exhibition serves as a great talking point and an introduction of the development of art in South Africa.
Guests to La Motte are invited to visit the La Motte Museum with its treasured Pierneef heritage exhibition on a complimentary basis. A full-time well-informed Museum Curator hosts guests to a guided tour with reference to the wider South African cultural and art landscape.
With Pierneef art on the wine labels of the estate’s premium Pierneef collection of wines, the art collection opens up the conversation about the art of South African winemaking. The Pierneef Collection of wines is an ultra-premium range which is a tribute to the artist, famous for his mastery in portraying the unadorned beauty of the South African landscape and its architecture. Each bottle in a six-pack offering of Pierneef wines, reflects a different piece of Pierneef art on its label.
Visitors are invited to taste the wines from the premium Pierneef Collection in the beautifully appointed La Motte Wine Tasting Room and visit a display of his art against the wine labels in the estate’s Syrah Studio. The Pierneef wines use the Pierneef artwork to celebrate the art of winemaking in South Africa.
The name of Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant is inspired by La Motte’s admiration of the artist. Pierneef’s adoration of the South African landscape and his appreciation of the country’s diversity are reflected in the restaurant’s focus on heritage cuisine and how it embraces cultural influences, ingredients and recipes. His European inspirations, exceptional creativity as well as pioneering efforts in the South African art environment, involving new techniques and various genres, also resonate with Pierneef à La Motte’s interpretation of the history of South African cuisine and its strive towards innovation in executing modern South African heritage cuisine.
With its refined and calm ambience perfect for extended lunch hours, Pierneef à La Motte invites guests to start their meal with shared dishes inspired by the various food cultures and stories from our rich culinary heritage – a variety of breads, spreads, salads and meats. The family-style starters are also accompanied by condiments from Grandma's pantry - fruit and vegetables pickled or preserved, chakalaka or chutney, kaiings or kluitjies... A big part of our collective food heritage lies in these additions and Chef Eric Bulpitt’s communal starter serves as an innovative introduction of our diverse culinary traditions.
Keeping with the heritage theme, but without losing the sophistication it is renowned for, Pierneef à La Motte’s à la carte menu offers a choice of main courses, individually plated with Bulpitt’s signature modern interpretation. Expect a selection that interprets authenticity and wholesomeness with the latest culinary trends. All dishes are introduced with La Motte Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche’s wine recommendations, but the acclaimed wine list does, however, also include other interesting South African as well as international wine choices.
