A sculpture at La Motte Wine Estate, Franschhoek. Photo: Renate Engelbrecht
Travel is so much more than ticking off bucket list destinations spotted on influencers’ Instagram feeds. Even more so when it comes to South Africa’s winelands. It’s about exploring the rich stories of a destination, interacting with locals, and enjoying authentic tastes. These are the things true travellers are after, and it can only truly be appreciated when you travel at a slower pace.
In essence, slow travel is about taking time to explore and not to rush from one tourist attraction to the next. It’s about submerging yourself in where you’re at and South Africa’s winelands are perfect for it.
La Motte
La Motte Wine Estate. Photos: La Motte
La Motte is one such destination where travellers can – and should – slow down. While they don’t offer accommodation, it’s easy to spend a full day here and still leave wanting to return for more. In fact, during a recent visit, we merely got round to half of the activities and had to leave the lavender fields, JAN Franschhoek, the Grade1B-rated La Motte Hiking Trail, and breakfast at The Bakery for next time.
La Motte Farm Shop – A shoppers’ sanctuary
The Franschhoek winery’s aesthetic Farm Shop, encircled by glass panels, boasts high ceilings accentuated with farm-style detail. From acorn-shaped baskets and Pierneef-printed tea towels to locally produced furniture by Pedersen + Lennard and beautiful botanical books, it’s a treasure trove of elegant, thoughtful gifts and a true shoppers’ sanctuary. A welcome introduction to all things La Motte, it captures what the wine farm stands for, highlighting local craftsmanship.
A La Motte wine tasting experience
With freshly baked mosbolletjies from the on-site bakery as palate cleanser, wine tasting at La Motte is a must. The Tasting Room’s elevated location, overlooking a pond and the La Motte yard, offers the perfect angle from which to familiarise yourself. With stunning indoor and outdoor seating, you can taste some of La Motte’s award-winning wines here, including the acclaimed Pierneef Collection.
The La Motte Tasting Room. Photos: Renate Engelbrecht
Lunch at L’Ami
Nestled amidst ancient oaks, L'Ami Family Brasserie’s beautiful stoep flows out onto the lawn, offering the ideal setting for laidback lunches. Sit back and enjoy flavours from both kitchen and cellar while you watch scurrying squirrels, waddling toddlers, and visitors meandering along shaded pathways. While the menu states: "This is not fancy, this is farm," the experience is certainly nothing short of spectacular. Expect simple cuisine executed to perfection.
Sip and paint at the Ateljee
At La Motte’s Ateljee, you can also spend time sipping on a glass of wine while painting your own masterpiece. The gallery is an ever-evolving space which displays all kinds of local creations. A recent silk display by Rita Trafford, colourful creations by Mia Mélange, and a collaboration between Qaqambile Bead Studio and Ronélde Jager livened up the Ateljee’s walls, making for great conversation starters and inspiration.
La Motte's new Ateljee gallery: Left: Sip and paint | Right: A silk wall display by Rita Trafford. Photos: Renate Engelbrecht
Indulge at the Bakery
Arrive early and start slow in the magnificent gardens while indulging in incredible breakfasts, delectable lunches and an enticing selection of patisserie at the Bakery. Here, kids can run wild on outstretched lawns and hop onto and off of giant, wooden acorns. With guidance from none other than Knysna’s Île de Pain’s master baker, Markus Färbinger, the La Motte Bakery – with quaint indoor and outdoor seating – is a must-visit.
La Motte Hiking Trail
Explore the Private Nature Reserve where the virtually extinct Franschhoek Blushing Bride flower is being re-established. The La Motte Hiking Trail is informative, with stone markers guiding you along the way. You’ll spot a variety of plant and bird species, and if you’re lucky, mammals like the small spotted genet.
Pre-bookings are required for this Mountain Club of South Africa-endorsed hike. Book on 021 876 8820 or tasting@la-motte.co.za.
A signpost in the La Motte garden. Photo: Renate Engelbrecht
Spier Wine Farm
With the slogan "Growing for Good" at its core, Spier Wine Farm is another destination that speaks to the trend of slow travel. Spier has a way of involving guests in their everyday doings with subtle educational gestures around every corner – whether it’s through interactive art experiences or terroir-driven tastes.
The Manor House at Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch. Photo: Renate Engelbrecht
Spier Hotel
The Spier Hotel has just been renovated, offering a reimagined experience. The entrance lounge, now more intimate, invites one to explore the farm’s essence from the get-go, with beautiful design elements that represent a luxurious, yet unpretentious wine farm stay. The rooms, which have all been refurbished, offer everything you need and more, with the riverside suites providing the ultimate slow travel experience.
Spier Light Art
Between 21 March and 21 April 2025, the annual Spier Light Art festival will light up the night skies with sixteen luminous installations and an open-air exhibition. While you still need to book, in-house guests and outside visitors can wander, explore and soak up the magic for free from 18h30 daily.
Wine tastings at Spier
The hotel’s Wine Library Tastings include daily selections that showcase the farm’s award-winning wines, special vintages and unique South African vintages. Cellarmaster Johan Jordaan was recently crowned Chenin Blanc Master Winemaker at the Master Winemaker 100 Awards in Paris, which means this experience is not to be missed!
Of course, you can also taste wines at the Tasting Room adjacent to the farm dam, where you can do some birdwatching while sipping on some of Spier’s finest wines.
Wine tasting on the veranda of the Spier Tasting Room. Photo: Spier
The Cowshed Shop
Spier’s passionate artisans and makers’ products can be purchased at The Cowshed Shop, with each item telling a unique story. Browse through the thoughtfully curated collections and purchase souvenirs that allow you to take a slice of Stellenbosch with you.
The Soil Room
Gardener Megan McCarthy makes magic at the newly opened The Soil Room where guests can explore how plants, art, and intentional design collide to create a sense of wonder. It’s an inspiring gallery of living things where you can purchase everything from terracotta planters and locally made designer straw hats to incredible feature pieces by Chris van Niekerk – a horticulturist turned conceptual botanical artist. They also sell botanical inks from Forage Studio and the most beautiful giant, wood-carved mushrooms.
Designer straw hats, plants, planters, and botanical inks at The Soil Room at Spier. Photos: Renate Engelbrecht
Dining experiences
Poolside lunches have renewed meaning at Spier following the recent renovations. The Garden Room and Veld are two new dining spaces where guests can indulge in farm-to-table cuisine. Enormous plant baskets hang overhead and rows upon rows of glass vases are filled with seasonal flowers, marked clearly for guests to see what is currently in bloom. Of course, there is also Vadas – a long-time favourite for many – and the popular riverside picnics to enjoy.
Dining options at Spier: Left: Poolside lunch at the Spier Hotel | Right: The Farm Café and the Picnickery. Photos: Renate Engelbrecht
Spier will also be launching a Rooftop Bar soon, perfect for tapas-style appetisers and sundowners.
Segway tours
A Segway tour through the vineyards will teach you more about Spier’s regenerative farming practices against the backdrop of the spectacular Helderberg mountains. Explore the farm from the unique vantage point of a battery-powered Segway and extend the journey with a Signature Wine Tasting.
Cape Herbal Bath House
Soon, Spier’s new spa will be home to a Cape Herbal Bath House. The beautifully designed space will blend natural textures and soothing tones, perfect for a restorative experience and for slowing down.
Other slow travel destinations in the Winelands
Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren in Franschhoek boasts an array of activities to be explored, which makes it yet another slow travel destination to consider when planning your next trip to the winelands. Apart from the general wine tastings, a stay at the farm hotel, dining experiences at Babel or The Bakery and farm shop experiences, their spa and the ever-changing gardens are remarkable.
Soetmelksvlei is where the true magic happens, though. The interactive farmyard is set in the late 19th century, allowing guests to step back in time. It resembles the time before rampant industrialisation, when the world moved at a slower pace, making it the perfect experience for those mindful about how they travel. Soetmelksvlei honours the legacy of artistry and guests can interact with master craftspeople as they go about their farm chores.
At Babylonstoren, you need to give yourself ample time to truly submerge yourself in the offering.
The garden at Babylonstoren, Franschhoek. Photo: Babylonstoren
Boschendal
Boschendal Estate in Groot Drakenstein, Franschhoek, brings with it not only a rich history, but also numerous indoor and outdoor experiences. Taste their award-winning wines at two idyllic spots – the Werf and the Cellar Door – or experience the farm and the beautiful Franschhoek Valley on horseback. There are also biking, hiking and running trails to explore, as well as farm tours.
Further to this, Boschendal’s Manor House allows art lovers to experience the finest South African art through ever-changing exhibitions and there is even a tree house and kids’ play area for the little ones. The wine farm also offers seasonal picnics.
Gardens at Boschendal Estate, Franschhoek. Photo: Boschendal