Latest News from La Motte

Viticulturists agree that Chardonnay is quite an easy variety to produce. It can be planted in most wine countries where it can result in a wine of satisfactory quality. Even non-traditional wine countries such as Zimbabwe, has in the past produced acceptable Chardonnay. With the release of the 2015 La Motte Chardonnay and 2013 La...

Artichokes are part of the Cape Winelands culinary heritage, and as they are in season, we share this delightful recipe with fennel and spice. Although artichokes are notoriously difficult when it comes to finding a suitable wine match, the way they are cooked and served make all the difference. Acclaimed food and wine writer, Fiona Beckett:...

La Motte enjoys sharing its passion for art, wine and food and this year for the annual Franschhoek Art in Clay Festival, the estate stays true to this ethos with an inspirational exhibition entitled, A Sense of … This group exhibition in the La Motte Maturation Cellar features 20 local ceramicists, showcasing bespoke ceramic pieces...

The La Motte Sustainable Hike has reopened, and after the winter’s rain, the mountain offers a splendour of indigenous flora and breathtaking vistas of the Franschhoek Valley. A further expression of La Motte’s commitment to the highest conservation and biodiversity standards and the protection of precious indigenous flora and fauna in the mountain area surrounding...

Sometimes there are vintages that, because of an ideal set of conditions, deliver exceptional wines and sometimes one has the luxury of only producing or at least releasing wines from these special years. Most of the time, however, the romantic image of wine production is also guided by commercial means and an established brand has...

Waterblommetjies (Aponogeton distachyos), also known as Cape pondweed, are bulbous plants that thrive in slow- moving water dams, particularly in the Western Cape. The flowers or stems of these plants are used in traditional soups and stews (bredies). Sorrel is a natural accompaniment to waterblommetjies. Cultivated or wild sorrel can be used. If using cultivated...

South Africans are known for their hospitality. In the days of the early Cape, travellers and writers wrote in letters and journals about the kindness with which they were received and catered for, and today still, although it might be on alternative platforms, South Africans are praised for their exceptional hospitality. While in the old...

Food traditions differ among nations and in South Africa, with its rainbow culture, the food culture is all but simple. One of the common customs, however, is our love for cooking over an open fire – therefore, also, why Heritage Day in South Africa is fondly refer to as National Braai Day. But we share...

We often tend to think of wines as being quite seasonal – white in summer and red in winter. But can a wine be better suited to one season than to another? What makes one wine more of a “summer wine” and another more of a “winter wine”? There is no simple formula for wines...

Many people ask “why must I decant a wine?”, “when must I decant a wine?” and “how must I decant a wine”? Decanting is probably one of the most intimidating aspects of wine culture for many wine novices. “Why can’t I just pull the cork (or twist the cap) and enjoy my bottle?” “Why must...