There are many reasons why harvest time at La Motte is so lovable. The farm is abuzz with an infectious energy, but this special season also celebrates the farm’s French Huguenot winemaking traditions and tastes that became somewhat of a treasure over the years. As is the annual custom, guests are invited to join in the enthusiasm with an exciting, seasonal Harvest Experience.
The 2026 La Motte Harvest Experience shares the blessing of the harvest – in the vineyards, in the cellar and at the table! One of the estate’s enthusiastic, knowledgeable wine-tasting ambassadors will guide you in this celebration of unique harvest traditions:
In the vineyard – enjoy an introduction to the different grape varieties, harvest processes and the estate’s biologic farming practices. Spot the differences between the various cultivars and taste the sweetness of ripe berries.
In the cellar – experience the hand-sorting of grapes, crush, pump-overs and other activities, concluded with a tasting of grape must / fermenting grape juice from the tanks. (Cellar activity will depend on the harvest action on the day).
In the tasting room – a taste of La Motte’s award-winning wines, including four 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’s gardens and indulge in a beautiful harvest-inspired small plate (with a glass of wine of course!) An optional part of the offering, the harvest plate is available for an additional R70 per person – an 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.
At R300 per person, the Harvest Experience includes the vineyard and cellar tour as well as the wine tasting (harvest plate an optional extra at R70pp). The Experience takes about 90 minutes and is available from Monday to Saturday at 10:00 and 15:00 until the end of harvest, expected to be mid-March. Reservations are essential and can be made online: click here.
Before you leave… La Motte’s renowned harvest-time mosbolletjies and ever-so-traditional mos rusks (dried mosbolletjies with your early morning coffee) are available from the La Motte Bakery for the duration of harvest. They sell like hot cakes, so rather order yours in advance from Bonita: T +27 (0)21 876 8825 or E bakery@la-motte.co.za.
Harvest-inspired shopping at the Farm Shop is the ideal way to conclude a visit to La Motte. Don’t miss the most charming soap on a rope called Natrossie, by Rest Established, and complementing La Motte’s Inheems selection of body products, sharing the scents and stories of the farm and an ideal way to enjoy the 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! Or, to plan a whole day at La Motte, click here.
Article sponsored by La Motte