Franschhoek · Franschhoek
La Motte
Rupert-family estate with Pierneef art museum, hiking trails and the Pierneef Collection Shiraz.
About La Motte
A polished Rupert-family estate on the outskirts of Franschhoek village, with a Cape Dutch tasting room, Pierneef art museum, historic hiking trails and a rightly celebrated Pierneef Shiraz.
La Motte is the most cultured cellar-door experience in Franschhoek — quiet, gracious, immaculately maintained, and paired with a genuinely worthwhile art museum and a network of forest and vineyard trails. It's an easy walk from Franschhoek village.
History
Owned by the Rupert family since 1970 and led by Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg. The estate has invested heavily in heritage — the Pierneef Museum displays original works by South Africa's most celebrated landscape painter — and in sustainable viticulture.
The wine experience
Seated tastings in the tasting room, or standing flights at the bar. The Pierneef Collection horizontal (all four varieties) is the standout. Cellar tours and museum visits are included.
- Standard tasting
- Pierneef horizontal
- Cellar tour
Signature wines
- Pierneef Collection Shiraz Viognier
- Pierneef Collection Sauvignon Blanc
- La Motte Millennium (red blend)
- Hanneli R (Rhône-style blend)
Food on the estate
Pierneef à La Motte (fine-dining lunch and dinner) and a farm shop bakery.
Pros and cons
An honest read from a driver who's been to every farm on this list.
Pros
- Pierneef art museum is a genuine cultural highlight, not a gimmick
- Beautiful hiking trails through the estate — rare on the wine route
- Restaurant is consistently excellent
- Very quiet even on peak summer days
- Sustainable/biodynamic farming credentials
Cons
- Formal atmosphere — not ideal for large boisterous groups
- Restaurant is expensive
- Not much for kids beyond the trails
- Museum takes an hour on its own — build extra time in
Best for
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers about visiting La Motte.
How much does a wine tasting at La Motte cost?+
Tastings at La Motte start from R130 per person. Options include Standard tasting, Pierneef horizontal, Cellar tour. Prices are typically waived or discounted with a bottle purchase — confirm current rates directly with the estate as they change seasonally.
What are La Motte's opening hours?+
La Motte is open Mon–Sun 09:00–17:00. Tastings are pre-booked and the last tasting slot usually closes 60–90 minutes before the estate does, so arrive with time to spare.
How far is La Motte from Cape Town and Stellenbosch?+
La Motte is roughly 65 minutes by car from central Cape Town and about 30 minutes from Stellenbosch town, traffic depending. The estate is at R45 Main Road, Franschhoek.
Do I need to book in advance at La Motte?+
Yes — like most Franschhoek estates, La Motte works on pre-booked tastings, especially on weekends and in peak season (November–April). Walk-ins are sometimes possible mid-week but never guaranteed.
Is there food available at La Motte?+
Pierneef à La Motte (fine-dining lunch and dinner) and a farm shop bakery.
Can Stellenbosch Shuttles drive me to La Motte?+
Yes. We run private, all-inclusive day tours to La Motte and the wider Franschhoek winelands from Cape Town, Stellenbosch and the Winelands hotels. One flat rate covers the vehicle, driver, fuel and tolls — you taste freely, we drive safely. Request a quote for your dates and group size.
More wine farms in Franschhoek
Boschendal Wine Estate
The most complete winelands day out — vineyards, restaurants, farm shop, cottages and the famous picnic.
Babylonstoren
A 3.5-hectare formal garden, farm-to-table restaurants and Cape Dutch cottages that redefined the winelands.
Haute Cabrière
Cellar carved into the mountainside and the Pierre Jourdan Cap Classique that pioneered Cape bubbly.
Visiting La Motte? We'll drive.
One flat all-day rate — driver, fuel, tolls and cellar-door bottle collection included.