La Motte, the overall South Africa winner in both 2012 and 2013, could not be considered as the overall winner again as the competition's rules do not allow more than two consecutive wins.
"Although, we would have loved to be in the running for overall winner again, we are very proud that our focused efforts with making sustainability a part of the tourism experience has again impressed judges," says La Motte CEO Hein Koegelenberg. "We are passionate about conservation and sustainability but also about Wine Tourism in general and enjoy sharing our passions with guests - whether it is the sustainability offering, food and wine, art and culture or architecture and landscape."
An impressive list of accreditations and accolades in the field of sustainability (which includes SGS certification for organic farming and Champion status in the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative) confirms La Motte's commitment to the highest conservation and biodiversity standards and the tourism offering serves as an introduction to these principles. Guests are for example invited to join a guided Organic Walk introducing them to the biological farming practices in the vineyards, fynbos and vegetable gardens and a tasting of La Motte's organically grown Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc, or to explore some of La Motte's greatest assets - the abundant bird life, a protea garden, organic vineyards, a wealth of flora, resident mammals and reptiles as well as the breathtaking vistas of the Franschhoek Valley - on a Hiking Trail along the Wemmershoek mountain on the estate.
The 2014 Best of Wine Tourism competition also acknowledged La Motte for its tourism offering in the fields of Art and Culture (second place), Architecture and Landscape (third place) and Innovative Wine Tourism (third place).
Sharing its assets and passions with guests is a priority at La Motte and with a varied offering from wine and food experiences, art exhibitions, classical music concerts and an array of talks, tastings and themed evenings, the La Motte Experience both entertains and educates and makes it a wonderful day out in the beautiful Franschhoek Valley.