La Motte has just released the 2011 vintage of its award-winning Pierneef Shiraz Viognier blend. Popular for its Côte-Rôtie-style elegance, complexity and exceptional maturation potential, the Pierneef Shiraz Viognier has become a prime example of this classic blend made from South African fruit. Since winemaker Bernard Podlashuk bottled the first single cultivar Shiraz in South...

Upfront fruit with a savoury finish… Floral bouquet with nuances of cigar box… Meaty and complex… Tasting wine with a connoisseur who is able to identify many tastes and flavours, can be quite intimidating. But do not be overwhelmed. The most important part of wine tasting is deciding whether you like the wine or not....

Participating in the annual Franschhoek Open Gardens for the first time this year, La Motte Wine Estate will open its private rose gardens to the public during the weekend of 31 October to 2 November. Visitors to Franschhoek Open Gardens and guests to the estate will be invited to enjoy the splendour of an old-fashioned...

Earlier this year we introduced our 2011 vintage of the La Motte Syrah, previously known as Shiraz. We also explained the reason behind our name change – we wanted the name of the wine to reflect its style, similar to the style of the wines made in France’s Rhône Valley. The 2011 La Motte Syrah...

This weekend, the Franschhoek Valley is dressed in the colours of the French flag for our annual Bastille festivities. At La Motte, we celebrate with beautiful wine, a French-inspired menu at Pierneef à La Motte restaurant, a classical music concert with a French flavour and delightful gifts and confectionery in our Farm Shop. One of...

In a recent blog, The story of Shiraz, Syrah and Shirazi, we addressed the origin of Shiraz and how despite romantic rumours about it being from Ancient Persia in the Middle East, it actually originates from France. But how did Shiraz make its way to the Southern tip of Africa to become the second most...

The La Motte Museum’s first contemporary exhibition was the impressive modern French tapestries and ceramics of acclaimed French artist, Jean Lurçat (1892-1966).

Every year, La Motte participates in the Bastille Festival with a programme celebrating our Huguenot heritage and passion for food, wine and classical music. 2014 Programme Friday, 11 July 19:00 French-inspired fine dining (For reservations, please contact us at +27(0)21 876 8800 or pierneef@la-motte.co.za) Saturday, 12 July & Sunday, 13 July 12:00 – 17:00 Join...

Join us for a Talk by renowned food historian, Hetta van Deventer-Terblanche on the versatility and unique characteristics of venison, followed by a four-course dinner of venison dishes by Chef Michelle Theron, beautifully paired with exclusive older vintages from the La Motte Vinoteque, presented by Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche. La Motte wines from our Vinoteque will...

The winter holidays is the perfect time to bake some traditional Soetkoekies (sweet biscuits). A delightful treat for the family and easy enough for children to try when they need entertainment on a rainy day. Soetkoekies 4 cups cake flour ½ tsp salt 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 tsp ground cloves 1 tsp ground ginger...