Explore Franschhoek Valley's serene beauty and Huguenot history, featuring world-class wines, gourmet dining, and breathtaking mountain views Read more
La Motte Winery Guide
EXPLORE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED SOUTH AFRICAN WINERIES
Last updated: April 10, 2024
Winery Overview
One of the Western Cape’s rising stars, La Motte, is everything a premium winery should be. For a start, La Motte boasts an enviable terroir, cultivating over 55 hectares of choice vineyards in the Franschhoek Ward. This appellation now competes with Stellenbosch for South Africa’s finest wine region title. Moreover, La Motte is fortunate to have a dangerously talented team behind its wines, led by cellar master Edmund Terblanche.
However, despite its modern face, La Motte is one of the region’s oldest farms, founded in the late 17th century. In 1695, a piece of land in the Franschhoek Valley was given to a German immigrant, Hans Hattingh, which was subsequently bought by the French Huguenot Pierre Joubert in 1709, who is believed to have named it after the village of his birth in Provence – La Motte d’Aigues. Viticulture on La Motte was established in 1752 by planting 4000 vines by Huguenot descendant Gabriël du Toit.
Yet for all La Motte’s historical pedigree, it’s still a (relatively) recent modern success story, having been purchased by the late Dr. Anton Rupert in the 20th century. Arriving at the estate for the first time in 1970, Anton saw the untapped potential of the farm’s terroir for producing fine wines and quickly set about harnessing that potential with his devoted wife’s help.
They soon instigated a major development, restoration, and conservation program, reinventing La Motte into a leading global wine producer and sought-after tourist destination. Vineyards were progressively replanted with noble varieties, employing the latest viticultural practices and building one of the Western Cape’s most impressive cellars.
Today, the farm is run by the dynamic duo Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her husband, Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of La Motte Wine Estate. Hanneli is a master of all trades, both the estate’s owner and one of South Africa’s leading mezzo-sopranos! Together, they make a formidable team, especially when they harness the talents of winemaker Edmund Terblanche. Their aim has always been to produce excellent (and affordable ) fine wines, and this splendid collection is certainly worth seeking out. Indeed, everything impresses, but for our money, Hanneli R is the jewel in the crown – a rich, structured wine of great finesse and breeding—a fitting testament to its remarkable owners’ talent, energy, passion, and drive.
Wines produced
-
2014 La Motte Methode Cap Classique
52% Pinot Noir, 48% Chardonnay. After whole-bunch pressing, the wine was fermented in stainless steel tanks and blended - Fifteen per cent of the base wine was from the 2013 vintage that was matured in barrels. It was then subject to a secondary fermentation in bottle and matured on its lees for 32 months before disgorgment. A sugar free sparkling wine, ideal as a summer aperitif. -
2012 Hanneli R
60% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 10% Petit Syrah.The wines are fermented separately in stainless steel tanks, before maturation in 300-litre oak barrels for 40 months. The prestige red of the property, suitable for extended cellaring. -
2013 La Motte Syrah
100% Syrah. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, before maturation in 300-litre oak barrels (30% new) for 14 months. Approachable on release, La Motte's Syrah will improve with bottle age. -
2013 La Motte Cabernet Sauvignon
100% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks - after fermentation, the wine is aged on its lees for between 20 and 30 days. The wine is then matured in 225-litre French oak barrels – 33% new, 33% second-fill and 34% third-fill – for 14 months. -
2016 La Motte Chardonnay
100% Chardonnay. After whole-bunch pressing, a portion of the wine is fermented in 300-litre French oak barrels - one third is fermented in stainless steel tanks, without malolactic fermentation. After fermentation the wine is then aged on its lees for period of eleven months, in 25% new French oak.
Winery Contact Details
La Motte
R45 Main Rd,Franschhoek, 7690,
South Africa
Email: [email protected]
Tel +(27) 21 876 8000
Fax +(27) 21 876 3446 Find out more
Facts & Figures
Appellation
WO Franschhoek
Founded
1970 (estate acquired by Rupert Family)
Area under Vine
58 Hectares
Age of vines
30 years+ Low yields
Oak barrel origin
French
Winemaker
Edmund Terblanche
Owner
Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg
Production
Approximately 1.5 million bottles per annum, depending on the vintage
Grape varietals
Syrah, Grenache, Petit Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Viognier, Pinot Noir
Grape Varieties Used by the Winery
-
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape varietal native to the Burgundy wine region in France and one of the most popular varieties worldwide.
Find out more -
Sauvignon Blanc
The sauvignon blanc grape varietal, originally from the Bordeaux region of France, is now one of the world's most loved white varieties.
Find out more -
Viognier
Viognier comes from the northern Rhône valley AOC of Condrieu and is where its most famous white wines are produced.
Find out more -
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc grape is a close relative of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and is the principal blending grape used in Bordeaux.
Find out more -
Cabernet Sauvignon
Discover the irresistible allure of Cabernet Sauvignon—a worldwide favorite with robust, dark-bodied flavor. Unleash your wine journey today!
Find out more -
Grenache
Discover grenache, a mediterranean grape that is dark-skinned red wine grape variety and an unlikely hero of a grape
Find out more -
Malbec
Delve into Malbec, a dark, small grape native to France, cherished for its thick skin and exceptional flavors. 🍇🍷
Find out more -
Merlot
Merlot is the most cultivated grape in Bordeaux and closely related to Cabernet Franc
Find out more -
Pinot Noir
Pinot noir is a light-bodied red wine varietal closely related to the Vitis vinifera grape and produces the most sought-after red wines in the world.
Find out more -
Syrah
Syrah is dark-skinned and perhaps the most underrated of the 'noble' red grape varieties.
Find out more
Winery Appellations
Author
Further Reading: Discover More Related Blog Content
More information
If you would like us to customize an exclusive luxury tour, contact us and let us know your travel plans. We offer luxury food and wine tours for private groups of a mininium two guests. In addition, all of our private, chauffeured tours are available year-round upon request.
