A fruits of the vines experience to savour

THE La Motte wine estate in the Franschhoek Valley is preparing for a special harvest experience this year.

Visitors will be able to enjoy the unique harvest time traditions and practices on a guided tour presented by one of the estate’s wine ambassadors.

In the vineyard enjoy an introduction to the various varietals, harvest processes and the estate’s biologic farming practices. In the cellar, experience the handsorting of grapes, crush, pumpovers and other activities. End with a tasting of grape must (fermenting grape juice) from a fermentation tank.

Back in the the tasting room, sit down to a tasting of La Motte’s awardwinning collection of wines – five wines from the La Motte Collection as well as the two wines from the estate’s renowned Pierneef Collection.

As a special treat, enjoy harvestinspired nibbles from the farm kitchen.

Mosbolletjies, traditional South African sweet buns, are made from the yeast of partially fermented grape juice. Must is the raising agent and ensures a very light bake, and aniseed is traditionally added.

According to the famous author Laurens van der Post: “It was mosbeskuit which introduced us to the French fashion of breaking our fast with a Cape form of petit déjeuner: a cup of hot coffee and milk and a small plate of mosbeskuit usually brought to the bedside at daybreak.”

Also on the table will be must syrup, probably the first form of jam and claimed to be found in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun, 1400 BC. In essence, it is a reduction of sweet grape must or partially fermented grape juice.

Something seasonal: a stone fruit, grape must and nut tartlet with a savoury matured Cheddar pastry represents the Winelands tradition of using seasonal ingredients and combining sweet and savoury flavours.

Something Sweet: short biscuit with grapes and raisins, combining fresh grapes with the concentrated sweetness of raisins.

The Harvest Experience, which costs R120, takes about 90 minutes and will be available hourly from Tuesdays to Fridays between 10am and 3pm until March 29.

● Reservations are essential and can be made by phoning the La Motte Tasting Room at 021 876 8820 or e-mailing tasting@la-motte.co.za

FARM FRESH: Sink your teeth into harvest-inspired nibbles from the kitchen.