“At La Motte our harvest usually starts at the end of January, even early February, but this year the grapes are early. The team at La Motte has however been encouraged by the early season and with just over 600 tons of the estimated 1500 for the year already in the cellar, we are optimistic...

Try our delicious recipe for a Corn and basil soup that can be served hot or cold and try it with a refreshing glass of 2019 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc. Corn and basil soup (Page 41 in our Cape Winelands Cuisine Cookbook) This is an old soup recipe, but it certainly would not seem out...

This weekend we will be serving our 2014 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc at Franschhoek Summer Wines, an annual celebration of the best summer wines in the valley. Although a beautiful and refreshing glass on its own, the Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc is made in a style that is exceptionally versatile with food. With a complex character and...

Cooking with seasonal ingredients is something that has become fashionable again in recent years, but in the old days, cooking with what was available locally and fresh was the order of the day. The Dutch stationed at the Cape had access to the wonderful produce from the Company’s Gardens and plainly carved them to serve...

In order to celebrate harvest time in the Winelands, we invite guests to join in the activities: Day-time Harvest Tour and Tasting, starting on 27 January for the duration of the harvest Tour, Taste and Talk the Harvest Evening, on Thursday, 19 February Day-time Harvest Tasting On day visits, guests are guided through the vineyards,...

On 6 April 1652 Commander Jan van Riebeeck landed three ships in the today Cape Town, to form a half-way station on the VOC’s trading route between the Netherlands and the East Indies. The main reason for the half-way stop was to provide fresh provisions – especially fruit and vegetables – to the fleets. Soon,...

The La Motte Hiking Trail alongside the Wemmershoek mountain on the estate is popular during the summer months as visitors enjoy the opportunity to explore some of our greatest assets – the abundant bird life, a protea garden, sustainably farmed vineyards, a wealth of flora, resident mammals and reptiles and the breathtaking vistas of the...

Enjoy the temptation of Caramel for Christmas, with a Winelands interpretation of the popular Italian Semifreddo and served it with some delicious caramel shards. And while savoury desserts – yes you got that right! – might be fashionable at the moment, the festive season is too special to go without something sweet. Recipe for Semifreddo...

Both its story and flavours make Kandeel a beautiful option for a festive dessert - especially when you celebrate a Summer Christmas! Kandeel (caudle) is a delicacy that Jan van Riebeeck refers to in his Daghregister. In the Netherlands, it was traditionally served to visitors when a baby was born. This custom was continued at...

This year the 78th SAMA (South African Museum Association) National Conference was held in East London with the general theme of ,“Collections making Connections”. The following awards were presented at the Conference: FitzSimons Award – awarded to the outright best paper presented by a SAMA member President’s Award – awarded to the best first time...