La Motte – Pierneef, Millennium and Syrah with History
Historic wine estate of the Rupert family in Franschhoek
La Motte is a historic wine estate of the Rupert family in Franschhoek. The history of the land goes back to 1695, and the first vines were planted in 1752 by Gabriël du Toit. Today Pierneef and Millennium stand for the style of the house: elegant, structured wines with a sense of origin and Syrah as a speciality.
To buy La Motte wine is to discover Franschhoek in the bottle: from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay through Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon to the red blend Millennium.
La Famille Sauvignon Blanc
- La Motte Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Western Cape
- Sauvignon Blanc
- John Platter: 3.5 Sterne / 8 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€15.93* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Millennium
- La Motte Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Western Cape
- Merlot - blend
- John Platter: 4 Stars / 88 Points
Content: 0.75 Litre (€16.95* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc (aus organischem Anbau)
- La Motte Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Elim
- Sauvignon Blanc
- John Platter: 4.5 Sterne / 93 Punkte
- Tim Atkin 2025: 91 Punkte
- Veritas Awards 2025: Silber
- Winemagazine South Africa 2025: 93 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€22.53* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Syrah
- La Motte Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Shiraz/Syrah
- John Platter: 4 Sterne / 89 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€25.20* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Chardonnay Reserve Collection
- La Motte Wines
- white wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Chardonnay
- Winemagazine South Africa 2025: 94 Punkte
Content: 0.75 Litre (€22.27* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
Cabernet Sauvignon
- La Motte Wines
- red wine - dry
- South Africa - Franschhoek
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- 2022 Vintage - John Platter: 4 Stars
- 2021 Vintage - John Platter: 4 Stars
- 2021 Vintage - Tim Atkin 2024: 87 Points
Content: 0.75 Litre (€22.60* / 1 Litre)
Available, delivery time: 1-3 days
La Motte Wines
A Farm with More Than Three Hundred Years of History
In 1695 the land in the Franschhoek Valley was granted to Hans Hendrik Hattingh. In 1709 the Huguenot Pierre Joubert acquired it and named it after a village in Provence.[1] In 1752 Gabriël du Toit planted 4,000 vines and so established viticulture on the estate.[1]
The estate includes historic buildings, among them the manor house, the Jonkershuis, the old cellar and a water mill.[1] In 1970 Dr Anton Rupert bought the farm and, through restoration and replanting, turned it into a leading wine estate.[1]
The Rupert Family and the Team
Today La Motte belongs to Rupert's daughter Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg, and her husband Hein Koegelenberg is managing director.[2] It is one of the family's three wine estates, alongside L'Ormarins and the joint venture Rupert & Rothschild.[3]
Edmund Terblanche is winemaker and cellar master. He values restraint, well-integrated oak and ageing potential.[2]
Vineyards and Origins
Around 75 hectares of home vineyards lie in the Franschhoek Valley at 300 to 400 metres elevation, with a moderate Mediterranean climate.[2] Grown there are, among others, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.[2]
In addition, the estate buys grapes from seven regions, including Walker Bay, Elgin, Darling and Elim.[2] Elim supplies fruit for an elegant Syrah.[2]
Pierneef: Art on the Label
The Pierneef Collection is named after the landscape painter Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (1886 to 1957). His landscapes adorn every label of the range.[2] The Rupert family owns one of the country's most significant private Pierneef collections, part of which can be seen in the estate's museum.[2]
The Pierneef Syrah Viognier is co-fermented. In the 2007 vintage, nine percent of the blend was Viognier, which had first been held in the fridge for two weeks.[3] The range also includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.[2]
Millennium, Hanneli R and Other Wines
Millennium is the red blend in Bordeaux style. Hanneli R is a Rhône-style blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre and is regarded as the house's flagship.[2]
There is also the classic range of Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, a Cap Classique and, in some years, dessert wines.[2] For its environmental management, the estate holds ISO 14001 certification and is a WWF Conservation Champion.[2]
Vineyard facts
- Year of established:
- 1969
- Address:
- R45, Franschhoek, 7691
- Geo data address:
- -33.882123341678316, 19.07192349714323
- Acreage:
- 80 ha
- Our recommendation:
- La Motte La Famille Sauvignon Blanc
- Why you should visit:
- From classic wine tastings to creative food and wine pairings, La Motte offers memorable experiences centred around its award-winning wines
- L'Ami Family Brasserie showcases contemporary farm-to-table cuisine, local ingredients and open-fire cooking in a relaxed setting
- The Ateljee combines rotating art exhibitions, artisan craftsmanship and creative workshops in a truly inspiring space
- The estate's hiking trail through vineyards and natural surroundings makes La Motte one of the Franschhoek Valley's most rewarding destinations
- Phone:
- +27 (0)21 876 8000
- Vineyard website:
- https://www.la-motte.com/
Frequently Asked Questions about La Motte
What is La Motte known for?
For the Pierneef Collection, the red blend Millennium, Syrah and Hanneli R, in a historic setting in Franschhoek.
Who owns La Motte?
Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg, daughter of Dr Anton Rupert, who acquired the estate in 1970.
Where does the name La Motte come from?
Pierre Joubert named the estate in 1709 after a village in Provence.
Who is the winemaker?
Edmund Terblanche, winemaker and cellar master.
What does Pierneef on the labels mean?
The Pierneef Collection is named after the landscape painter Jacob Hendrik Pierneef, whose motifs adorn the labels.
What is Millennium?
A red blend in Bordeaux style, counted among the house's signature wines.
What is Hanneli R?
A Rhône-style blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, the house's flagship.
Where do the grapes come from?
From the estate's own vineyards in Franschhoek and from six further regions, including Walker Bay, Elgin, Darling and Elim.
Which dishes go with La Motte wines?
Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay with fish and poultry, Syrah and Millennium with lamb and beef.
Can La Motte be visited?
Yes, with wine tastings, brasserie, Ateljee and hiking trails.