Trio of Joy
Celebrating life’s pleasures at JAN Franschhoek
Something beautiful happens when people gather around a table to share food, wine and their stories. And when that magic happens amongst strangers, creating moments of joy together, it makes it all that more special. Veepos – the quaint cottage that is home to the long table where we gather, family style, to celebrate and share at JAN Franschhoek – has stood her ground in the middle of La Motte Wine Estate’s lavender fields in the Franschhoek Valley for more than a century.
It is impossible to spend time in Veepos without surrendering to nostalgia. This beautiful old farmhouse that was once home to the farm’s cattle herder is testament to La Motte Wine Estate’s commitment to preserving and honouring the past. She offers a rare glimpse into life in the valley in the early 19th century, with her thick stone walls that reach all the way up to the ceiling, her alcove fireplace, and her immense blue gum ceiling beams. All of this makes Veepos, once again, the perfect home for the second season of Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen’s unique pop-up concept that celebrates his love of South African cuisine paired with La Motte’s award-winning wines to underscore the mood and memories.
“Revisiting the past has always been an enormous inspiration to me,” says Jan Hendrik. “Absorbing a space, marinating in its richness, and surrendering to nostalgia always fills me with fresh ideas – new menus, new stories, new ventures – hopes and dreams tugging at my sleeves, urging me to help bring them to life.”
Transforming familiar flavours
At JAN Franschhoek guests are welcomed with a joyful trio of bites –Trout Vetkoek, Goat’s Cheesecake and Pumpkin Tart – that celebrate the simple pleasures of some of this beautiful country and valley’s most-loved flavours, reminiscent of family gatherings and slower times. Taking joy in the small things and nurturing little pockets of pleasure makes for a life well lived, which is why diners start the JAN Franschhoek experience with a glass of La Motte Vin de Joie Rosé – it is made to celebrate life’s everyday joys and pairs perfectly with the flavour bursts that mark the start of the JAN Franschhoek culinary experience.
Each of these three light and gently balanced creations is inspired by the surrounding mountains and valleys and celebrate its bounty by using local ingredients. The Trout Vetkoek pays homage to the trout-filled streams that tumble into the valley – these mini vetkoek are filled with fynbos hollandaise and trout mousse topped with trout roe. The inspiration for the Goat’s Cheesecake is the budding lavender fields that surround Veepos, sprigs of which are used to flavour the creamy cheesecake along with locally produced fig preserve and lashings of lemon zest. The pumpkin tart undergoes a flavour transformation – the pumpkin is held in a rosette created with saffron-laced pancake batter. In each dish the flavours play perfectly together and are elevated with the delicate complexities of La Motte Vin de Joie Rosé.
And so, the foundations for an exceptional and joyful food and wine experience are laid down, setting the tone for the rest of the meal by breaking down barriers and bringing people together – emphasising the common ties that bind us.
A ROSÉ TO SPARK JOY
La Motte Vin de Joie Rosé captures the essence of joy and the beauty of the surrounding Franschhoek countryside in every sip. The delicate complexity of this special rosé, with its well-defined notes of nectarine, melon, rose petal and Turkish delight, makes it the perfect match for the delicate flavours of our trout vetkoek, saffron-scented pumpkin tart and the creamy zestiness of the goat’s cheesecake. La Motte Vin de Joie Rosé is specially created to celebrate life’s everyday joys, just like our JAN Franschhoek experience, which is why bringing them together makes for a perfect union.
