Bastille Day or the French La Fête Nationale is celebrated on the 14th of July and serves as a celebration of a reunited France. In Franschhoek, with its rich French Huguenot history, French traditions have always been treasured and that is why each year Bastille Day is celebrated with a special festival.
This year the annual Franschhoek Bastille Festival takes place from 10 to 12 July, with an exceptional celebration of the Valley’s French heritage and love for food and wine.
La Motte will participate in the weekend’s French Festivities* with a wine stand in the Festival tent sharing La Motte Millennium and La Motte Sauvignon Blanc, while the Rhône-style La Motte Syrah and Pierneef Syrah Viognier will be available to taste and purchase from the Town Hall.
On the estate, the following will be on offer:
Friday, 10 July
French-inspired Dinner
On Friday 10 July, Chef Michelle Theron of La Motte’s highly acclaimed Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant will be charming guests with a French interpretation of Cape Winelands Cuisine and a special Chef’s Menu as well as à-la-carte menu.
The menu varies from the more rustic flavours of a warm fine bean salad with wood-roasted pears and walnuts, guinea fowl and chestnut soup and marrow bones with sourdough and pickles to the fine tastes of foie gras on brioche with calvados jellies, mushroom risotto with black truffle and quail on hay with dried fruit stuffing and truffle-creamed potato. Chateaubriand and oxtail bourguignon complete the picture for carnivores, while cheese and dessert cover all the decadence expected – from French cheese to the beauty of mille feuille, le soufflé, macaroon with pistachio financier and clafoutis. Each dish comes with a suggested wine partner and all La Motte wines are available per glass to encourage guests to enjoy the French tradition of well-matched food and wine.
Saturday, 11 July
Taste the range of award-winning La Motte wines and Rhône-inspired blends presented from La Motte’s welcoming Tasting Room with a special French theme. Pierneef à a Motte offers a French-inspired menu for lunch and dinner, with live lunch-time French café music setting the tone. To make a reservation, please contact the restaurant at +27 (0)21 876 8800 or pierneef@la-motte.co.za.
La Motte’s popular Classical Music Concert programme also offers a French flavour, with soprano Louise Howlett and pianist Albert Combrink taking guests on a journey through the streets of Paris – from the Paris Opera of Bizet to the cafés of Cole Porter and the nightclubs of Piaf. For more information and to book, please contact Angela at +27 (0)21 876 8000 or concerts@la-motte.co.za. Also visit the La Motte Farm Shop for a variety of confectionery, baguettes, croissants and beautiful French-inspired gift ideas.
Sunday, 12 July
Taste the range of award-winning La Motte wines and Rhône-inspired blends presented from La Motte’s welcoming Tasting Room with a special French theme. Pierneef à la Motte offers a French-inspired menu for lunch with live French café music setting the tone. To make a reservation please contact us at +27 (0)21 876 8800 or pierneef@la-motte.co.za.
Also visit the La Motte Farm Shop for a variety of confectionery, baguettes, croissants and beautiful French-inspired gift ideas. * Bastille Festival Programme
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