The title is inspired by the 17th-century Spanish play by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, which reflects on the line between reality and illusion, exploring a perplexing question: where does reality end and the imagined begin? The suggestion is that life can feel fleeting and theatrical, as if we are moving through something we do not fully understand. But perhaps a dream is not distant or philosophical. Perhaps it is something closer to us: a fond memory, a feeling of nostalgia, a long-awaited holiday, a personal ambition, or a special moment to celebrate and share.
Showcased over the Cape Winelands summer and festive season, Life is a Dream takes place at a time when ordinary life briefly pauses. It is a season of travel and return, of long days, shared tables, family gatherings and encounters with familiar and unfamiliar faces and landscapes. Experiences are lived intensely but fleetingly, becoming memories almost as they happen. The artists in Life is a Dream explore this space between experience and recollection and therefore invite visitors not to step outside of everyday life, but to notice its fleetingness more closely. During a season so often devoted to being together, celebrating and remembering, the exhibition asks us to consider how quickly the present becomes the past, and how the places, people, objects and sensations that surround us continue to live within what we remember and imagine.
This negotiation between treasuring memories and embracing change, also finds particular resonance at La Motte. Rooted in a history extending over three centuries, the estate is itself in a period of reimagination, one in which heritage is not understood as something fixed in the past, but as something that can be experienced, interpreted and transformed in the present. Within this context, Life is a Dream considers transformation not as an abandonment of what came before, but as part of its continuation. Memories are reconstructed, traditions are reinterpreted, materials change state and familiar things acquire unfamiliar forms.
Perhaps this is also what makes the art exhibition particularly relevant for La Motte, a space shaped by wine, landscape and hospitality. Wine, too, begins with place and season and is transformed through material processes, time and human intervention. Eventually, it enters another kind of life altogether: around tables, between people, attached to celebrations, journeys and memories. This summer, the idea of Life is a Dream will therefore be applied wider than the creative space of the Ateljee but will become a reality through a host of beautifully and thoughtfully curated moments and offerings.
The dream is in the making
A passion for the arts and how it is interpreted in various disciplines has been part of the La Motte experience since it was acquired by Dr Rupert in 1970. Over the years the way in which this passion was shared with guests at the estate has evolved and since the introduction of La Motte Reimagined in late 2024, this dedication to the arts has become much more interactive and focused on supporting local artists, artisans and producers.
The La Motte Ateljee is the home of the estate's visual art element and for Life is a Dream, it hosts an exceptional collection of works in the main studio while the annex showcases a number of works selected from an Open Call that invited artists to explore the space between remembering and imagination. The exhibition also extends to an interactive creative space from where a series of workshops will be presented.
Making is of course at the heart of any artistic process. Inspiration, talent, creativity and skill combine to make something extraordinary. This is true in the creation of art itself, but also in the art of winemaking, the culinary arts as well as the creation of artisanal produce and products.
Life is a Dream inspiration will therefore be found in other offerings on the estate, bridging the gap between the distance of the dream and the experience of every day. Guests to La Motte are invited to enjoy "the dream that is in the making" in more than the artistic processes of the Ateljee, but also in the estate's wines, artisanal baking, locally produced farm shop gifts and lifestyle elements as well as the culinary inspiration on the restaurant menus.
Experience Life is a Dream at La Motte this summer:
Art as dream and reality at the Ateljee
Life is a Dream art exhibition opens on 15 November 2026 and will run until the end of February 2027.
Tuesday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00.
Art workshops
The exhibition is accompanied by an exciting series of art workshops. Click on the workshop below for more information and to make a reservation.
16 December - Watercolour with MAAK Studio
17 December - Strung Necklace Beading
18 December - Wreath Making
19 December - Wreath Making
16 January - Dreamscapes in Cyan on paper with Cleo Obermeyer
6 February - Dreamscapes in Cyan on fabric with Cleo Obermeyer
Pierneef Wine & Art Experience
Pierneef's cloud formations, often depicted in expansive African skies, capturing the unique space, texture and light of our landscapes, surely have a dreamlike quality. Explore the estate’s heritage collection of Pierneef art in a special Pierneef Wine & Art experience in the La Motte Manor house, concluding with a tasting of the duo of Pierneef wines.
Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00.
Book now
Thoughtful gifting & entertaining from Farm Shop
Life is a Dream inspired choices complement the shop's acclaimed local offering and acknowledge the idea that for many, the dream is in the making of beautiful, quality items. Find exceptional items to set a beautiful and dreamy festive table or to treat lifestyle curators to treasured gifts. From candlesticks by WIDD design to a beautiful selection of dinner candles that will bring festivity to seasonal tables and charm to quiet moments. Tableware in festive shades of white and burgundy promise to create an inviting table for loved ones to come together.
Monday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00
Festive indulgences from the Spens
What is the ultimate, dreamy festive dessert? A cloud-like Pavlova of course! For a summer Christmas, especially, pillowy Pavlova filled with decadent cream and seasonal cherries from local farmers in the Ceres Valley brings an immense sense of joy to the table. Make sure to enjoy the celebrations with a Pavlova dessert kit that includes all you need to make a showstopper sweet treat with zero effort! Marvelous meringue bases from the La Motte pastry kitchen, seasonal fresh cherries and cherry compote come with instructions to assemble – you can just add whipped cream. The Pavlova kits will be available from the Spens from late-November.
Monday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00
Summer sipping La Motte wines
What could be dreamier than the charm of an infinite stream of bubbles in a beautiful glass of Cap Classique, the slow swirl of a velvety Chardonnay or the romantic blush of a glass of Vin de Joie Rosé? A special Life is a Dream tasting in the La Motte Tasting Room introduces guests to this delightful trio of wines, tasted from the ultimate Riedel stemware made to enhance each wine to its full beauty. R180 per person.
Monday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00
Also diarise the highlight of the Franschhoek Valley's annual social calendar - the Franschhoek Bubbly Festival and join us for a dreamy experience of our Reserve Cap Classique.
The popular La Motte Harvest Experience will start with the 2027 Harvest, expected to kick off during late January and will continue for the duration of harvest as a literal experience of the dream is in the making. More news to follow soon!
Seasonal bakes from the Bakery
An exquisite seasonal treat and most innovative gift idea, the La Motte Bakery's popular star-shaped Panettone-style festive bread, the L'Etoile will be available as a beautifully packaged gift for the festive season. It also makes for the most sophisticated dessert when served with a delicate glass of La Motte Cap Classique. R480. Order seven days in advance from Bonita at the La Motte Bakery. Email bakery@la-motte.co.za
As soon as harvest time arrives, the true art of making comes to fruition as mosbolletjie season arrives. South Africa's first Bread Sommelier and La Motte's head baker, Ricardo Slawers will once again charm guests with these amazing seasonal breads which were also the inspiration for his Bread Sommelier thesis.
Monday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00
Coming together at L'Ami Family Brasserie
Culinary arts are in the making in the L'Ami Kitchen seven days of the week: from selecting the perfect partners on the plate to presenting technique and skill in the most delicious of ways - while also suggesting dreamlike food and wine combinations!
Don't miss the Strawberry and Burrata Salad with the estate's award-winning olive oil, barrel-aged balsamic and mint for a summery combination or go for the prettiest plate of heirloom tomatoes, radish, peaches, fig leaf oil, “Hangop” cheese and Parma ham. Also stay for Chef Stephan Moolman's play on the Pavlova, with the restaurant's berries and meringue dessert - a true summer garden on your plate with summer berries, rose meringue, a Vin de Joie reduction, soft cream and rose petals.
Monday to Sunday, 09:00 - 17:00
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JAN Franschhoek
The ultimate dreamlike food and wine experience in the Franschhoek Valley's most picturesque lavender fields, JAN Franschhoek Season V creates another opportunity for guests to enjoy a true sense of occasion.
Wednesday to Saturday for dinner. Sunday for lunch.
Make a reservation
Classical Music Concerts
Does visiting a picturesque wine estate, sipping on a beautiful glass of wine and enjoying an exceptional programme of classical music sound like a dream come true? La Motte's summer programme includes a wonderful combination of local and international artists for a varied offering alongside the estate's acclaimed hospitality.
Learn more & book now
Join the dream wherever you are
While guests to the estate are invited to share in the Life is a Dream inspiration from 15 November to the end of February, La Motte will be taking the dream experience to WineX Johannesburg at the end of October and to KAMERSMakers Sandton from 24 to 29 November.
Join the La Motte Database to stay up to date with new offerings and events and keep an eye out for Life is a Dream activations, participations and giveaways on La Motte's Facebook and Instagram pages.