A Celebration of Partnership & Place
There are moments when wine moves beyond the glass. When the story of a vintage, the soil, the hands that tended it, and the intention behind every decision becomes part of the meal itself, something profound shifts at the table. This was the spirit of New Wines, New Moments, an afternoon that gathered the Cape Town wine community to taste the latest releases from JAN Wines, alongside our partners at La Motte and Zevenwacht. What emerged was a portrait of a region that refuses to make wine any other way than intentionally.
About Our Partners
JAN Wines were developed in close collaboration with the winemakers at Zevenwacht and La Motte, with a single belief: that the relationship between food and wine is unquestioningly symbiotic. Each wine is crafted with deliberate intention, designed to pair with food the way a chef brings precision to every plate.
Zevenwacht, situated on the Polkadraai Hills in Stellenbosch for over 300 years, is guided by the philosophy that quality begins in the vineyard. Under the leadership of cellarmaster Hagen Viljoen, the estate balances traditional winemaking wisdom with modern viticultural technique. The Polkadraai area is approximately 2 degrees cooler than central Stellenbosch, with decomposed granite soil that creates the conditions for wines of remarkable elegance and complexity. Beyond the vineyard, Zevenwacht is committed to historic and environmental conservation of the surrounding landscape and indigenous environment.
La Motte, established in 1695, carries over 330 years of history in the Franschhoek Valley. Under the leadership of cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche, the estate balances traditional winemaking wisdom with modern technique while preserving four provincial heritage monuments. With nearly two decades at La Motte, Edmund has shaped the estate’s approach to biologically sustainable winemaking, where environmentally sound methods take priority without compromising the wine. The estate’s commitment to excellence extends to every aspect of production, from the soil upwards, and to the people who make it possible.
The Wines We Tasted
JAN White 2026 (Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Semillon, Roussanne)
This is the wine that defines our philosophy: a Mediterranean inspired blend that refuses to be simple. Developed in partnership with Hagen Viljoen, it captures brightness and fruit expression with good acidity. On the nose, nectarine, apricot, and tangerine give way to white pear and subtle oak spice. This is the kind of layering that invites you to pause between sips. The palate is where its complexity reveals itself most fully. You’ll find restrained texture, vibrant acidity, and a finish that lingers long enough to make you think about what you want to eat next. This wine is delicious with full flavoured grilled fish, sumptuous crayfish and avocado salad, or creamy chicken dishes. More than anything, this is a wine for the table.
JAN Rosé 2026 (Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault, Shiraz)
A salmon pink wine with jasmine, melon, citrus and Turkish delight on the nose, followed by notes of grapefruit and nectarine. The palate is rounded, with subtle mineral tones and a bright orange zest finish, with fresh stone fruit lingering on the finish. The wine was conceived around the Mediterranean culture of rosé: long lunches, shared plates and relaxed entertaining, making it particularly suited to food.
JAN Red 2024 (Shiraz, Mourvèdre, Grenache)
Dark red fruit on the nose with notes of cranberry, pomegranate, and blackberry that opens to lavender and white pepper. Developed in partnership with cellarmaster Hagen Viljoen, the blend brings together Syrah and Grenache for fruit forward notes, while the Mourvèdre contributes broodier, savoury complexity. The palate has plush red fruit, underpinned by subtle hints of vanilla oak and a savoury finish. This wine pairs beautifully with a hearty stew featuring root vegetables or a roasted leg of venison served with a dark cherry sauce.
Zevenwacht Z Collection Blanc de Blancs 2023 (100% Chardonnay, Maiden Vintage)
This sparkling wine captures everything the Polkadraai Hills can offer. Fresh green apples, zesty citrus, white flowers, and stone fruit greet you on the nose, accompanied by subtle creamy brioche undertones that whisper of time spent on the lees. The palate, moreover, is clean, elegant, and mineral driven. With its lingering, refreshing snap, you’ll find yourself reaching for the next sip and the next oyster. This wine pairs beautifully with delicate seafood, raw fish, and salty or lightly creamy appetisers. Notably, its high acidity and chalky minerality cut through butter and cream with precision.
Zevenwacht Z Collection Chardonnay 2025 (100% Chardonnay)
Mineral driven and marked by beautiful purity and precision, this Chardonnay showcases aromas of almond paste, green apple, and ripe stone fruit layered with subtle notes of lemon zest and flint. The palate is finely textured and linear, supported by vibrant, taut acidity and a distinct mineral character that carries through to a long, clean finish. This is a fantastic partner to seafood, particularly dishes where good acidity cuts through buttery sauces. Consider pairing it with lemon butter prawns or crayfish on the grill.
La Motte Reserve Collection Heritage 2024 (Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc)
A structured and elegant red wine, this Heritage bottling expresses an impressive combination of ripe black fruit and savoury complexity. Generous blackberry aromas are layered with fresh bell pepper, pencil shavings, cedar wood, and a delicate hint of violet. The full bodied and firmly structured palate balances juicy black fruit with savoury notes of graphite and earthy tobacco. The Cabernet Franc contributes subtle herbal nuances and freshness, while fine grained tannins lead to a long, dry finish marked by gentle spice and lingering fruit. This wine pairs beautifully with rich, slow cooked dishes and earthy flavours. Consider serving it with slow braised beef short ribs brushed with garlic and thyme, roasted duck breast with a berry reduction, venison loin with juniper berries, or roasted vegetables seasoned with rosemary.
La Motte Reserve Collection Syrah 2024 (Franschhoek, Elim and Stellenbosch)
The spicy and perfumed character of cool climate Elim Syrah is complemented by the creamy texture and red fruit profile from Franschhoek. The result is a wine with distinctive varietal aromas and a well balanced palate. Petit Syrah from Franschhoek contributes colour and intensity, while a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch adds depth and structure to the finish. Medium bodied and harmonious, this wine works beautifully with rich, flavourful dishes, grilled foods, and game dishes, particularly those incorporating stewed fruit and sweet aromatic spice components. It pairs exceptionally well with peppercorn crusted steaks and barbecued meat in a sticky, sweet marinade. Moreover, the wine’s abundant fruit latches onto the sweetness in jellies, chutneys, and berry sauces with remarkable balance.
Bring It Home
Most of what was tasted is available through JAN Online, La Motte and Zevenwacht. The La Motte Reserve Collection Heritage 2024 is ready for orders and will be released in two weeks.
Serve With Intention
Enhance the experience with our bespoke JAN wine glasses, designed to frame the wine’s complexity and character with every pour.
Shop the full selection:
La Motte Reserve Syrah 2024 and Heritage Bordeaux blend
Zevenwacht Z Collection Blanc de Blancs 2023 and Chardonnay 2025
Because great wine isn’t meant to be remembered. It’s meant to be shared.
For more information about JAN Wines, click here. To learn more about our partners, visit La Motte and Zevenwacht.