THERE’S something very welcoming, familiar and comforting in the smell of freshly baked bread and this is at the heart of the offering at the Artisanal Bakery & Garden Café that has just opened on La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek.
Sharing some of their fondest memories of growing-up and living on the farm, La Motte’s owner, Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her family invite guests to enjoy the historic werf and its profound sense of home, sharing in the delight of simple pleasures such as freshly brewed coffee and artisan bakes, just out of the oven.
The menu is seasonal and begins with simple and original choices such as the classic Croissant 1837, harvest-time mosbolletjies and a cultured slice of bread with farm butter and raw honey. As an invitation to enjoy the splendour of an early morning on the farm, beautiful breakfast options range from granola, cinnamon oats and mieliepap to everything with eggs, including a special La Motte take on the popular Eggs Benedict. Open sandwiches with hearty toppings, a lovely array of summer salads and lunchtime options such as a plankie steak complete the savoury selection. Inspired by South African favourites and executed with the delicate touch of pastry chef Marisa Botes, the delicious choice of patisserie and sweet treats include lemon meringue tart, melktert and ystervarkies, to name but a few.
The Artisanal Bakery & Garden Café is hosted in the estate’s Jonkershuis, built in 1752. Combining nostalgia with new, the elegant Cape Dutch building has been extended with modern glass and steel to offer both inside and outside seating. Opening into the calm of shaded gardens, scattered with charming over-sized wooden acorns, young and old are invited to explore the gardens with their ancient oaks, stretched lawns, tranquil pond and farm-yard inspired playground for young ones.
Other than enjoying the serene gardens or a relaxed meal, guests can buy bread and patisserie to take home, browse a skilfully curated selection of lifestyle items and gifts or opt for a wine tasting experience in the historic cellar next door.
The La Motte Artisanal Bakery and Garden Café is open Wednesdays to Sundays, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch and a variety of tempting treats. Hours are 8am to 4pm; the kitchen closes at 3pm, but guests are welcome to enjoy afternoon drinks until 4pm. Also keep an eye out for curated bread and wine tastings and experiences to be announced soon.
Information & Reservations
- Email bakery@la-motte.co.za
- Call +27 (0)21 876 8825