The coral joy of the Hanneli Rupert roses offers an abundant welcome to La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek each summer, preparing guests for a taste of things to come. This season, expect rose-inspired experiences — from curated wine tastings to boutique shopping — as well as an exceptional rose-themed art exhibition.
Step into the Rose
La Motte’s summer exhibition, “ROSE’D”, invites guests to step into the rose and admire both its grandeur and delicacy — its eternal, yet fleeting beauty, and everything that makes the season of the rose so enchanting. The exhibition showcases rose-inspired artworks by acclaimed artist Heike Taschner Jeske, featuring monoprints, charcoal drawings, watercolours and ceramic sculptures.
Artworks from an open call are also featured and available to purchase, while floral-inspired workshops run alongside the exhibition as part of the estate’s seasonal offering.
Sip and Savour
Expect a touch of rose in the Tasting Room with a special Vin de Joie Rosé and Turkish Delight pairing. Prefer red wine? The Viognier in La Motte’s renowned Pierneef Atelier brings elegant floral nuances to the wine — a must-try this season.
Aromas of rose continue onto the dessert menu at L’Ami Family Brasserie, while the Farm Shop and Spens present a curated selection of floral, garden and rose-inspired gifts, lifestyle pieces and treats. Even the La Motte Bakery’s popular patisserie display includes a new rose-themed creation.
Treat yourself to the exquisite rose entremet: chocolate sponge, strawberry mousse, sable disc, strawberry-and-rose confit and a glossy mirror glaze, all enveloped in delicate chocolate rose petals.
Explore and Enjoy
For lovers of wild flowers and nature experiences, the La Motte mountainside hiking trail offers the ideal chance to explore the estate’s fynbos-rich landscape and enjoy breathtaking Franschhoek Valley views. Choose a self-guided hike or book a guided experience to learn more about La Motte’s sustainability journey.
A Take-Home Scent and Story
The Inheems collection, a beautiful new range of bath and body products, is now available at the La Motte Farm Shop. Specially created for the estate, each item is inspired by the indigenous landscape of Franschhoek and intentionally crafted to reflect the scents and stories of La Motte’s natural surroundings — an invitation to bring home the estate’s serenity.
Q&A with Elzeri Pelser, Pastry Chef
What excites you about extending La Motte’s rose theme into the patisserie kitchen this summer? Roses are more than just flowers in our patisserie kitchen — they symbolise beauty, balance and intention. A rose reminds me that every creation should hold both strength and delicacy: the thorns represent discipline, structure and skill, while the petals embody elegance, passion and the fleeting perfection of a beautiful moment savoured. Just as a rose slowly opens to reveal its layers, a dessert unfolds through textures, flavours and emotions — each bite tells a story.
Seasonal Workshops & Festive Creativity
La Motte’s festive calendar brings a series of hands-on creative workshops to the estate this December, inviting guests to slow down, connect and make something meaningful. The Christmas Card Painting workshop with Tamzin from Moon and Brush (11 and 17 December, R650) offers a calming half-day escape into the world of watercolours. Participants will learn the basics of brushwork, colour mixing and loose, expressive florals before creating their own set of hand-painted Christmas cards to take home, complete with a starter kit for continued creativity.
For those who love adding a personal touch to their festive wrapping, the Christmas Gift Wrap Painting workshop with artist and designer Charlotte van Schalkwyk (12 and 18 December, R650) explores fynbos-inspired acrylic ink techniques in the relaxed setting of the La Motte Ateljee. Guests will experiment with surface-pattern design while creating bespoke, hand-painted gift wrap, and will also receive a curated goodie bag from Charlotte’s botanical stationery range. Both workshops require no prior drawing experience — simply arrive with curiosity and enjoy a mindful, seasonal escape.
A full calendar of December events is available via La Motte’s online schedule
Images: Dillon Kin, Supplied
