Harvesting a Legacy
A look at La Motte’s 2024 Harvest
The sweltering start to February’s summer heat has forced grapes in the Winelands to ask for an early harvest. All the while, the smell of mosbolletjies flood the air around La Motte’s bakery and beyond – a harvest tradition, of course. Having been lured onto the estate by the captivating scent, guests are welcomed to engage in the harvest rituals that have been seen on the farm for decades.
Harvest Rituals
Time-honoured rituals are seamlessly intertwined with global avant-garde techniques. The sensory experience led by La Motte’s tasting ambassadors introduces guests to the La Motte vineyards and cellar. Rare and privileged experiences are tasting fermented grape juice from the fermentation tanks and identifying different varieties in the vineyard. After strolling through sun-kissed vineyards and sampling juice from the tanks, a well-deserved rest awaits in the tasting room, where a selection of La Motte’s finest is ready for further sampling – alongside their famed La Motte Mosbolletjies.
A Season of Abundance
While last year’s deluge brought momentary turmoil, the spirit of the vines prevailed. The lingering effects of a long winter provided the perfect prelude to a season of abundance, allowing the vines ample time to rest and rejuvenate. With the arrival of February’s warmth, the ripening process accelerated, heralding a harvest season characterised by brevity and intensity. The current harvest promises to be larger than that of last year, with a wealth of healthy grapes for Cellarmaster Edmund Terblanche and his team to spoil us with wines true to the vintage.
A Toast to Excellence
As the final grapes are gathered and the wines begin their journey from barrel to bottle, the team at La Motte looks ahead with anticipation and pride. The 2024 vintage is poised to captivate palates and hearts alike, a testament to the enduring legacy of this storied estate. So, as the harvest season continues, we raise our glasses to La Motte and the promise of yet another vintage to remember. Here’s to the elegance, resilience, and promise of the 2024 vintage.
