La Motte’s internationally acknowledged Pierneef Collection has seen a meaningful redesign of its packaging with the release of the 2012 Pierneef Syrah Viognier and 2014 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc.

Now featuring lino-cut artworks by famed South African landscape artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef on the front label, the association with the artistry of wine-making as well as the estate’s long-standing involvement with art and its passion for the preservation of the country’s art heritage, will be even stronger. Each artwork on the label is accompanied by its original title and Pierneef’s signature.

Staying true to the brand’s elegant and classic image, each vintage will see the release of six different lin-ocut artworks – essentially six different labels. This means that each six-bottle presentation of the Pierneef Collection will offer a collection of different artworks selected for that specific vintage. The redesigned outercase also prominently displays a selected Pierneef lino-cut artwork – Baobab, N.T. on the 2014 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc and Kaaps Hollandse Huis, Kromme Rivier, K.P. on the 2012 Pierneef Syrah Viognier.

The Pierneef lino-cut artworks used in the new design elements are from a collection bought by the late Dr. Anton Rupert for his daughter and owner of La Motte, Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg. One of only ten sets of the Pierneef lino-cuts printed, the collection exhibited in all the visitors’ areas on La Motte, consists of 128 pieces with the principal themes: South African landscapes (including Cape Winelands landscapes and Cape Dutch Architecture) and tree studies.The initial permission for the use of the Pierneef art on the labels of La Motte’s premium wine range resulted in a friendship between Pierneef’s daughter, Marita Bailey, based in the UK, and Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her husband, Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of La Motte. It was also this friendship that initiated the return of JH Pierneef’s treasured private collection to South Africa and the La Motte Museum.

While visitors to the estate are invited to the exhibition of this special heritage collection as well as to the award-winning Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant and its Pierneef-inspired décor, it is La Motte’s acclaimed wines carrying these special artworks that enable those enjoying the finer in things in life to experience this unique alliance to the full – and take it home with them.

The 2012 Pierneef Syrah Viognier

The 2012 Pierneef Syrah Viognier is a blend of 89% Syrah and 11% Viognier. Good colour and concentrated tannins from Elim combine with elegant juicy flavours from Franschhoek, resulting in a full-bodied and complex wine. The nose reflects raspberry and cranberry fruit with liquorice and green pepper spice, while the splash of Viognier adds a rose-petal perfume.

The 2012 Pierneef Syrah Viognier is available from the La Motte Tasting Room or online at R211 per bottle or R1266 for the collection of 6 bottles.

Featured Pierneef lino-cuts:

1. Berg en Wolk
2. Kruiskerk, Tulbagh K.P.
3. Miershoop S.W.A.
4. Ou Huisie, Silverton
5. Plaasgeboue
6. Tweelingpieke, Stellenbosch

The 2014 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc

The 2014 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc originates from Elgin, Bot River, Elim and Napier. The blend also contains 10% Semillon from Bot River. Combining grapes from various vineyards in these cool areas near the southernmost tip of Africa, results in a Wine of Origin, South Coast. Beautiful citrus and grenadilla flavours are enhanced with green pepper in the background. Very elegant in style with a distinct minerality.

The 2014 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc is available from the La Motte Tasting Room or online for R115 per bottle or R690 for the collection of 6 bottles.

Featured Pierneef lino-cuts:

1. Bome en Berge Soutpansberg
2. Doringboom en Veld
3. Doringboom in Landskap
4. Doringboom, Mariënthal S.W.A.
5. Straat in Tulbagh K.P.
6. Uniegeboue vanaf Prinsenhof