It is with both gratitude and excitement that we announce Season IV of the acclaimed food and wine experience, JAN Franschhoek.  Perhaps you have not yet made it to our generous 18-seater table in the quaint 18th-century Veepos cottage and have only seen the captivating lavender setting, centerpiece age-old oak and picturesque Franschhoek Valley mountain...

There are a few quintessential symbols of French culture, one of which, despite being from Viennese origin, is the croissant.  Historians trace the croissant’s roots to Austria in the form of a “Kipferl”. “Kipf” meaning a crescent, mound or peak in German.  But around 1837, an Austrian officer turned baker, August Zang opened the first...

With the annual Franschhoek Bastille festival being celebrated on 12 and 13 July this year, La Motte is excited to reintroduce our stalwart trio of French-inspired wines. They are made for celebrating a heritage of everyday wine enjoyment and are versatile partners to food and fireside conversations. Let's say enchanté!  2025 La Famille Sauvignon Blanc The 2025 vintage...

Inspired by the delicate pink wines of Provence, generous glasses of La Motte’s Vin de Joie Rosé are evocative of alfresco summer lunches with friends and family or balmy, romantic sunsets. We often picture our Vin de Joie glasses with condensation on the outside and tables filled with fresh salads and Mediterranean delicacies. What a...

This generous and robust French stew is a variant of the original Beef Bourguignon, which has received cult status as one of the most popular red wine based French stews in history. Made with a variety of mushrooms and no meat, this version is lighter yet still packs the punch of a quintessential bourguignon. Served...

If you are familiar with a classic French bouillabaisse, this soup is its cousin. Using fish only (no shellfish) to create a bisque-style fish soup with light and bright flavours of orange rind, fennel and tomato, it is essential to serve it with toasted baguette croutons smeared with a rich red pepper rouille. A dash...

French food is characterised by simple sophistication. This indulgent yet simple fish dish is all about this sophistication, with the delicate flavours of leeks and cream and the clean taste of premium, fresh fish. A delight with our newly released 2025 La Famille Sauvignon Blanc. Ingredients: (serves 2) 30 ml (2 Tbsp) olive oil 2...

On a wine farm or in a restaurant, texture is an element that often plays second fiddle to taste. The same happens in art spaces where we are usually discouraged from touching, and where tactile features are often overshadowed by colour and pattern. But texture is intrinsic to the way we experience life. It is exactly...

The 2025 vintage of La Motte’s popular Sauvignon Blanc is about more than capturing the flavours of what was an exceptional harvest.  In line with our programme of renewal, the wine’s label has been refreshed and a lovely new look and feel introduce the new vintage. Now called La Famille Sauvignon Blanc, this popular white...

While a steaming bowl of soup is one of the best meals to warm us up when cool weather sets in, there is also something nostalgic about this winter staple.   Most of us have a favourite soup recipe or memory, whether it is a chunky cup next to the sport field, an elegant consommé...