There are many reasons why we love harvest time on La Motte. With all the activity, the farm is abuzz with an infectious energy, but this special season also celebrates our French Huguenot winemaking traditions and tastes that have become somewhat of a treasure over the years. As is the annual custom, we invite guests to join in the enthusiasm with an exciting, seasonal Harvest Experience.
The 2026 La Motte Harvest Experience shares the blessing of the harvest with an invitation into the vineyards and cellar and with a seat at the table!
What you can expect from the La Motte Harvest Experience
One of the estate’s enthusiastic and knowledgeable wine tasting ambassadors will guide you on this celebration of unique harvest traditions:
- In the vineyard – enjoy an introduction to the different varieties, harvest processes and the estate’s biologic farming practices. Spot the differences between the various varieties and taste the sweetness of the ripe berries.
- In the cellar – experience the hand-sorting of grapes, crush, pump-overs and other cellar activities, concluded with a tasting of grape must (fermenting grape juice) from a fermentation tank. (Cellar activity will depend on the specific day’s harvest action.)
- In the tasting room – enjoy a tasting of La Motte’s award-winning wines – four wines from the La Motte Reserve Collections. You can also enjoy the famous La Motte mosbolletjie as part of the tasting.
- At the table – relax on the tasting room veranda with a view of the estate gardens and enjoy a beautiful harvest-inspired small plate – with a glass of wine, of course! The harvest plate is available during the morning sessions and is an optional and additional part of the offering at R70. The inspiration of Chef Stephan Moolman from L’Ami Family Brasserie, the plate consists of fire-roasted grapes, Parma ham and “hangop kaas” (similar to Labneh), served with pickled red onions, fynbos vinegar and charred vine leaves. If you are in the mood for breakfast, why not join us for the harvest breakfast at the Bakery? Our popular French Toast is made with egg-dipped mosbolletjies, sweet ricotta, fresh fruit, berries and honey!
The Harvest Experience (R300 per person) includes the vineyard and cellar tour as well as wine tasting. (Harvest plate is optional and additional at R70). The Experience takes about 90 minutes and is available from Monday to Saturday at 10:00 and 15:00, starting from 22 January to the end of harvest, expected to be mid-March.
Before you leave…
La Motte’s renowned harvest-time mosbolletjies and ever so traditional mos rusks (dried mosbolletjies for your early morning coffee) are available from the La Motte Bakery for the duration of harvest. They sell like hot cakes, so to avoid disappointment, rather order yours in advance from Bonita: T +27 (0)21 876 8825 or E [email protected]
Harvest-inspired shopping is the ideal way to conclude a visit to La Motte, so pop into the Farm Shop, celebrating all that is lovely. Don’t miss the most charming soap on a rope by Rest Established, called Natrossie. Complementing La Motte’s Inheems selection of body products that share the scents and stories of the farm, it is an ideal way to enjoy harvest time as part of your beauty routine.
A newly introduced selection of traditional harvest flavours will also keep a smile on the face of anyone visiting the Spens. From must jam and butter for your mosbolletjies to the most versatile of ingredients, vino cotto!
To plan a whole day at La Motte, click here.
Also See: Pantry by Marble to open in Bassonia this January
Words and images provided by La Motte.
