La Motte is one of three wine estates owned by the Rupert family. Hanneli’s brother, Johann Rupert, owns L’Ormarins, formerly owned by the younger brother, Anthonij, who tragically died in a car accident in 2001. Hanneli and Johann are in partnership with the De Rothschild family of France, producing wines on the Fredericksburg farm under the Rupert & Rothschild label.
In 1695, a piece of land in the Franschhoek Valley was granted to German immigrant, Hans Hendrik Hattingh. In 1709 the land was purchased by La Motte’s first French Huguenot owner Pierre Joubert. The name La Motte has its origin from a little village in Provence – La Motte d’Aigues. Viticulture on La Motte was established in 1752 with the planting of 4,000 vines by Huguenot descendant Gabriël du Toit.
In 1970 the farm was bought by Dr. Anton Rupert and a major development, restoration and conservation programme followed, which reinvented La Motte into a leading global wine producer and sought-after tourist destination. Vineyards have been progressively replanted with noble varieties, the latest viticultural practices have been introduced and a modern cellar has been built.
Today, La Motte Wine Estate is operated under the guidance of owner Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her husband Hein Koegelenberg, Chief Executive Officer of the estate.
La Motte's historic buildings
La Motte boasts four provincial monuments (previously known as national) – the Manor House (c1751), Jonkershuis (c1752), Historic Cellar (c1782) and the Water Mill (erected between 1752 and 1793). All the structures have been fully restored following the purchase of La Motte by Dr. Anton Rupert in 1970. The Water Mill, used for the production of stone-ground flour, is the only working water mill of its kind in the Franschhoek Valley.
Across the road a small, humble building, known as the Veepos (cattle post), dates back to the first half of the 18th century. The La Motte cemetery, reserved for burials of Franschhoek residents since the late 18th century, is a recently restored historic site on the estate.
Social responsibility
Uplifting and empowering the community
As much as there has been a dedication to producing top quality wine at La Motte since its acquisition by Dr. Rupert in 1970, the estate has also shown a distinct responsibility towards uplifting and empowering its people.
A member of the Ethical Trading Initiative
These values have been passed on to present-day owner Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her husband Hein Koegelenberg, Chief Executive Officer of the estate. Initiatives for development and self-sufficiency have been established and La Motte has become a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI).
Dennegeur
La Motte, in co-operation with other Rupert family farms, developed a modern village, Dennegeur, for its workers a short distance from La Motte in the town of Franschhoek.
La Motte has reiterated its commitment to improving the quality of life of employees. Facilities such as a health clinic managed by a resident nursing sister, a crèche for employees’ children and training facilities adhering to the principles of Specialised Education and Training in Agriculture (SETA) are available to all workers. Key to Dennegeur is the transfer of home ownership to farm workers.
In recognition of its human ethics and the working conditions of employees, La Motte was awarded accreditation by the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association (WIETA).
Sustainable Farming
Environmental management is a high priority at La Motte and is factored into the long-term strategy as well as daily running of the estate. Examples of environmental care include the protection of precious natural flora known as ‘fynbos’ on the adjoining Wemmershoek mountains and adherence to biologic principles in the production of grapes, flowers and ethereal oils.
La Motte was one of the first wine estates to be awarded the coveted ISO 14001 Environmental Management Certification.
The estate is a WWF Conservation Champion, complies with the international wine industry environmental sustainability criteria as per the Integrated Production of Wine Scheme (IPW) and is committed to biologic farming principles.
Certification and Initiatives
La Motte is committed to the principles and practices of excellence in wine production and environmental sustainability, as evidenced by a number of coveted accreditations and certifications.