While sun and surf is a definite attraction, visiting the #Winelands of the Cape is very popular among tourists and this sector greatly contributes to the overall Tourism turnover of the Western Cape. The #Winelands are about much more than wine though – to quote Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, “The wine industry is actually about tourism” – and most wine estates now offer some kind of added attraction, from award-winning restaurants to hiking-trails, art galleries, shopping, an array of accommodation options and special events. As the Great Wine Capitals of the World’s South African winner for Best of Wine Tourism two years in a row (2012 and 2013), La Motte Wine Estate’s tourism offering not only offers visitors a choice of activities of an internationally acknowledged standard, but it does so with elegance, style and warm hospitality. Wine Tasting With a host of Estate offerings, La Motte’s focus is firmly on wine and guests are welcomed to an elegant wine tasting room with a choice of options – from a formal seated tasting to a more informal option on couches while enjoying an unimpeded view of the working cellar as well as the maturation cellar.A selection of Wine Tasting options is available: Taste 8 award-winning La Motte wines presented by a well-informed wine ambassador. Cost: R30 for the 8 wines which is waivered on any wine purchased. Vinoteque Wine Tasting Join us for a guided tasting of a selection of older vintages. Reservations are essential. R200 per person. Shiraz Comparative Tasting Join us for a comparative tasting of different Shiraz wines and Shiraz blends. Reservations are essential. Cost: R200 per person. Food & Wine Tasting Presented from a private Tasting Room, a well-informed and enthusiastic Wine Ambassador guides guests on a pairing of five La Motte wines with five tastings of Pierneef à La Motte’s cuisine created by Chef Chris Erasmus. And, although the little tasters in the Food and Wine Tastings are beautifully presented as examples of haute cuisine, they represent flavours and tastes we experience every day and will guide guests towards more reliable future food and wine selections. Food and Wine Tastings can be enjoyed from Wednesdays to Fridays at 11:00. Reservations are essential. Cost: R120 Tasting Room Details Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 17:00. Closed on Sundays and Christian Religious holidays. For reservations and enquiries: T +27 (0)21 876 8820 E tasting@la-motte.co.za Reservations are essential for groups for the Vintage Wine Tasting, Comparative Shiraz Tasting and Food and Wine Tastings. Pierneef à La Motte restaurant The elegant Pierneef à La Motte Restaurant offers a food-and-wine experience of note – from informal al fresco lunches to fine dining dinners, a Chef’s Table, an open kitchen to see the chefs at work and wine suggestion from an extensive wine list. Menus change seasonally, with different menus for lunch and dinner, a menu with specialties of the day and options for children. Altogether, a delightful, interactive food and wine experience in a beautiful Cape Winelands garden setting. Cape Winelands Cuisine The cuisine offering is traditional Cape Winelands Cuisine with a modern interpretation. The unique food styles and diverse flavours have been inspired by centuries in cooking, spiced by influences from all over the world, forming the precious ingredients of the restaurant’s delectable culinary experience. Chef’s Table In an exclusive, intimate area, the Pierneef à La Motte Chef’s Table has been arranged. It offers a fine-dine menu in line with guests’ personal preferences and a harmoniously complementing wine selection. Winelands Tea The Winelands Tea is served in the restaurant and on the stoep or in the garden and guests are able to choose from a selection of the finest teas of the world. Following the custom of the old Cape, where the man of the house often served some sweet wine (called a soet sopie), guests will have the option to order a glass of sweet wine or La Motte sparkling wine with their tea, while avid coffee drinkers will be allowed a steaming cup of La Motte’s house blend or even homemade fruit cordial on a hot summer’s day. The confectionery is inspired by Cape Winelands traditions and guests can expect an enticing offering of delicate trout-filled pancakes, chocolate truffles in traditional flavours such as milk tart, charming macaroons and an assortment of delectable cakes. The Winelands Tea is served from Tuesdays to Sundays, 09:00 – 17:00 Cost: R125 per person (Sweet wine and Sparkling wine can be ordered at an additional R20 per glass) Pierneef à La Motte restaurant details Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 – 17:00 for Lunch and Winelands Tea, Thursday to Saturday for Dinner, Saturdays and Sundays for Breakfast, Closed on Mondays and Christian religious holidays. For reservations and enquiries: T +27 (0)21 876 8800 E pierneef@la-motte.co.za La Motte Museum Museum – Offering visitors a cultural experience offered by a fully-fledged museum is an occurrence seldom found on a wine estate. The largest room in the museum is dedicated to the art of one of South Africa’s greatest masters, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, displaying his private collection with works representing his life’s work. Museum tours are conducted by a full-time curator who is well informed about the history of La Motte and the Franschhoek region, museum tours present visitors with a warm cultural and educational experience, showing and explaining attractions in the museum. Displays depict aspects of cultural historic value such as aspects of the Rupert family and the history of Franschhoek and La Motte and its architecture. A rotating exhibition of modern art – currently the tapestries and ceramics of Frenchman, Jean Lurçat is on display as a special contribution towards the cultural exchange programme, Plaisir de France, between France and South Africa. Historic Water Mill The La Motte Museum is also the departure point of a guided educational tour highlighting La Motte’s Cape Dutch buildings, its French Huguenot heritage and other points of interest such as a historic water mill in operation. The walk is concluded with a bread tasting of the breads baked from the flour milled in the historic water mill and baked in the farm kitchen. Historic Walks take place on Wednesday mornings at 10:00. Reservations are essential. Cost: R50 per person. Museum Details Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 – 17:00. Closed on Mondays and Christian religious holidays. For reservations and enquiries: T +27 (0)21 876 8850 E museum@la-motte.co.za Classical Music Concerts Inspired by La Motte owner Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg who is a leading South African mezzo-soprano, music is an important ingredient of the estate’s tourist offering. Classical music concerts are presented monthly in the historic cellar, where a varied selection of music is performed by renowned local as well as international artists. A special attraction is a Steinway piano dating from World War II, used during concerts. The first two concerts of 2013 are: 26 January, 2013 – “The last Rose of Summer” Internationally renowned German tenor Christoph Gentz acclaimed for his lieder recitals at the Alte Oper Frankfurt, London’s Wigmore Hall and the Amsterdam Concertgebouw joins forces with bariton Reiner Schneider-Waterberg of Namibia for this performance at La Motte. Both were members of the world-famous King’s College Choir in Cambridge. Since then, they have been performing regularly with Cornelia Hermann, winner of the 1996 International Bach Competition, as accompanist. During their performance at La Motte, they will be presenting a programme of songs about harvest-time and the change of seasons. Specially selected="true"="true"="true"="true"="true"="true" adaptations of folk-songs by Benjamin Britten, whose birth 100 years ago is commemorated, will be performed together with songs by Brahms. 16 February, 2013 – Stefan Temmingh (recorder) and Axel Wolf (lute) Stefan Temmingh is part of the young generation of world-class recorder players busy changing all perceptions of the instrument drastically. Born in Cape Town in 1978, he now lives in Munich. As an Early Music specialist he plays with his baroque ensemble at renowned festivals and in a series of concerts throughout Europe. His second CD “The Gentleman’s Flute” was immediately nominated for the International Classical Music Awards 2011. The lute virtuoso Axel Wolf will accompany him on this, his first, South African concert tour. Concert Details: Venue: La Motte Historical Cellar Concert start at 19:00 Admission is R170 per person Reservations are essential and can be made by phoning Angela on +27 (0)21 876 8000 or by e-mail at concerts@la-motte.co.za Talks on Aspects of History, Culture and Art The La Motte Museum hosts a series of talks covering aspects of history, culture and art. A scheduled programme for 2013 will be published shortly. Talk Details: Venue: La Motte Museum Talk starts at 19:00 Admission is R50 per person for the talk or R170 for the talk and a special Cape Winelands inspired meal at Pierneef à La Motte restaurant afterwards. Reservations are essential and can be made by phoning Ingrid on +27 (0)21 876 8850 or by e-mail at museum@la-motte.co.za La Motte Hiking Route With a view to creating public awareness of nature and affording its visitors the opportunity of exploring the beauty of its mountain, La Motte has created a hiking trail along the foothills behind the estate. Nature lovers can now get really close to some of La Motte’s greatest treasures – the abundant bird-life, a protea garden, a wealth of indigenous flora and, occasionally, a gaze of surprise from a member of the fauna population. To crown it all, of course, are the breath-taking vistas of the Franschhoek Valley. Altogether, the route stretches over five kilometres, while the hiking trail section itself is two kilometres long. Time required is approximately two hours when walking and three hours when strolling. The latter is strongly recommended, because that’s how you absorb all the beauty to the full. Hiking Route Details: Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday from 09:00 – 17:00 (last hike departs at 14:00). Closed on Sundays and Christian Religious holidays. For reservations and enquiries T +27 (0)21 876 8820 E tasting@la-motte.co.za Reservations are essential Cost R50 per person which includes a bottle of water and a detailed hiking route map Organic Walk Does farming organically make a real difference? Guests interested in organic and sustainable farming practices can book for a guided walk which will take them through organically grown vineyards, via indigenous and protea gardens and to the organic vegetable and herb gardens. A well-informed guide shares the details of organic and sustainable farming, its challenges and benefits to the environment, natural fauna and flora as well as the result of organic practices on the quality of fresh produce. The Walk ends with a tasting of La Motte’s organically grown Sauvignon Blanc. Organic Walk Details: Opening Hours: Tuesdays at 10:00. Closed on Christian Religious holidays. For reservations and enquiries: T +27 (0)21 876 8820 E tasting@la-motte.co.za Reservations are essential Cost R50 per person La Motte Farm Shop As part of a relaxing La Motte Experience, visitors can browse through the quaint La Motte Farm Shop with its fascinating selection of practical gifts, art products, decadent confectionery and farm-baked breads as well as many more take-home reminders of the Estate. Farm Shop Details: Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 – 17:00. Closed on Mondays and Christian Religious holidays. For reservations and enquiries: T +27 (0)21 876 8840 E farmshop@la-motte.co.za