It is with great sadness that La Motte’s owner Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and CEO Hein Koegelenberg share news of the death of Marita Pierneef-Bailey, the daughter of famed South African landscape artist, JH Pierneef and a dear friend of the family.

Syrah goes well with the smokiness of a barbeque, the sweetness of marinades, the flavour and spice of mild curries, the fattiness of lamb and the earthiness of game and mushrooms.

As the permanent host to Jacob Hendrik Pierneef’s Heritage Collection, the La Motte Museum is delighted to present a recreation of what is probably the artist’s most famous work, the momentous Station Panels commissioned for the old Johannesburg Park Station.

Inspired by La Motte’s owner and internationally renowned mezzo-soprano, Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg, La Motte’s close association with classical music is celebrated by a series of classical music concerts presented in the beautiful Historic Cellar on the estate. The estate has just announced the line-up of international and local artists to perform in the coming months.

As visitors drive through the vineyards towards the reception area of La Motte, they are welcomed by the impressive Wine Bearer sculpture by sculptor Toby Megaw. Holding an overflowing cup in her hands, this proud woman elegantly serves as a symbol of La Motte’s tradition of sharing.

Looking for something that is delicious but light and summery? Try Chef Eric Bulpitt’s recipe for Citrus and Fennel Cured Franschhoek trout. At its best, served with the refreshing and moreish 2018 La Motte Sauvignon Blanc or the more complex and mineral 2018 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc.

La Motte’s 2018 Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc has just been released and already received international acclaim with a Gold Medal and acknowledgement as Best of Show South Africa White in the renowned Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2019!

A winery is a hive of activity during harvest time: monstrous clanking machinery crushes great vat-loads of freshly-picked grapes, water sluices from altitudinous metal networks of walkways as tanks the size of elephants are cleaned in preparation, and workers tramp about in heavy boots with looks of fierce focus on their sun-beaten faces.

The vintage, the winemaking and eventually consumer preference, to a large degree determine the success of a wine. But there are other important factors as well – the story behind the wine, the art of the packaging and the marketing skill.

Caption for image: La Motte CEO Hein Koegelenberg celebrates the estate’s exceptional performance in the Drinks International Wine Tourism Awards with Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche and Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant’s Executive Chef Eric Bulpitt.