A new art exhibition is coming to the Cape Winelands this summer, with La Motte Wine Estate in Franschhoek preparing to open Life is a Dream at its Ateljee on 15 November 2026. Running until the end of February 2027, the exhibition brings together a collection of contemporary artworks that consider the relationship between reality, imagination and memory.

Inspired by the 17th-century Spanish play Life is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, the exhibition considers where reality ends and imagination begins. Rather than approaching the idea of dreaming as something distant or abstract, the participating artists look at familiar experiences, including nostalgia, treasured memories, personal ambitions and moments worth celebrating.

The timing is particularly fitting. The exhibition runs through the Cape Winelands’ busy summer and festive season, when travel, family gatherings and time spent outdoors often create memories that linger long after the holidays have ended.

Art, heritage and a changing estate

La Motte’s relationship with the arts has been part of the estate’s identity since it was acquired by Dr Rupert in 1970. The Ateljee serves as its dedicated visual arts space, providing a platform for exhibitions and creative projects.

For Life is a Dream, the main studio will house a curated collection of artworks, while the annex will feature selected pieces submitted through an open call. Artists were invited to interpret the relationship between remembering and imagination, adding a wider range of perspectives to the exhibition.

Visitors will also be able to engage with an interactive creative space, where a series of workshops will take place.

The exhibition also connects with the estate’s history, which spans more than three centuries. La Motte is currently reimagining aspects of its heritage, approaching the past as something that can continue to evolve through contemporary experiences and creative interpretation.

More to experience at La Motte this summer

The theme of Life is a Dream extends beyond the Ateljee, with the estate bringing the idea into its food, wine, artisanal products and hospitality offerings.

Visitors can browse the Spens, where locally produced gifts and seasonal treats are available, or stop at the La Motte Bakery for its festive specialities. The bakery’s star-shaped L’Etoile, a Panettone-style festive bread, will be available as a gift during the festive season. Priced at R480, it can also be served as a dessert alongside a glass of La Motte Cap Classique. Orders must be placed seven days in advance by emailing [email protected].

The estate’s Spens will also offer Pavlova dessert kits from late November. Each kit includes meringue bases made by the La Motte pastry kitchen, fresh seasonal cherries sourced from farmers in the Ceres Valley and cherry compote. Visitors simply need to add whipped cream and assemble the dessert.

Wine lovers can book the special Life is a Dream tasting at the La Motte Tasting Room. The experience features three wines: Cap Classique, Chardonnay and Vin de Joie Rosé, served in Riedel glassware. The tasting costs R180 per person.

The estate’s culinary offering includes L’Ami Family Brasserie, where the summer menu features dishes such as strawberry and burrata salad with estate olive oil, barrel-aged balsamic and mint, as well as heirloom tomatoes with radish, peaches, fig leaf oil, Hangop cheese and Parma ham.

For something more elaborate, JAN Franschhoek returns for its fifth season in the estate’s lavender fields, offering a food and wine experience on Wednesday to Saturday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes.

Plan your visit

Life is a Dream opens at the La Motte Ateljee on 15 November 2026 and runs until the end of February 2027.

The exhibition features works by Annette Faul, Bronwyn Lace, Cynthia Gwyneth Edwards, Driaan Claassen, Georgia Munnik, Ingrid Uys, Jana Visser, Kevin Collins, Lyndi Sales, Michelle Czarnecki, Nindya Buctowar, Sahlah Davids, Sitaara Stodel, Songezo Zantsi and Xanthe Scout.

The Ateljee is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:00 to 17:00. Other estate offerings, including the Spens, Tasting Room and L’Ami Family Brasserie, have their own operating hours, so visitors should check the relevant details before travelling.

La Motte is situated in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, making the exhibition an opportunity to include a little art and culture in a summer visit to the valley.

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