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G T I N S P I R A T I O N | Gaynor Walkey
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FOOD & WINE 40 GOING OFF THE GRID IN THE STELLENBOSCH WINELANDS 49 COOKING WITH OUR FAVOURITE GREENS 54 ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EDIBLE FLOWERS 70 HOW TO STYLE AND STOCK YOUR DRINKS TROLLEY 78 GREEN WINES: WHO’S THE GREENEST OF THEM ALL?
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ART & DÉCOR INSIDE CLAIRE BASLER’S BEAUTIFUL FRENCH CASTLE 20 NORWEGIAN COVER ARTIST LINN WOLD 22 INDOOR PLANTS: STYLE YOUR SPACE WITH GREENERY 24 WE VISIT A SURFER’S PARADISE IN OJAI CALIFORNIA 30 BATHROOM BEAUTIFUL: BRINGING THE OUTSIDE IN 64 AT HOME WITH ABIGAIL BISOGNO 16
TRAVEL & WELLNESS 12
NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS
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33 58 62
SIMPLE WAYS TO GREEN YOUR LIFESTYLE THE WORLD’S BEST TREE HOUSES WHERE TO DRINK WINE AND CONNECT WITH NATURE
REGULARS 04 06 10 14 18 29 56 53 68 72 74 76 84 80 88
ED’S LETTER WHAT’S IN OUR INBOX GT’S MOST WANTED GT STYLE TRENDS: FEEL GOOD FINDS ART & DESIGN GT GET THE LOOK TAKE A BITE HEALTHY & HAPPY REV RAP BOTTOMS UP WINE FAQ WHAT’S ON EDITOR’S CHOICE PANEL REPORTS THE LAST ROUND
49 ON THE
Cover
Sjana by Linn Wold, p.20
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E D L E T T E R | Kari’s Picks GT LOVES: Ulusaba Private Game Reserve—where you can connect with nature
The Nomad Backpack Bag, R1700 from Burgundy Collective
Naturally Nourished, R474 from Exclusive Books
Calibre de Cartier Diver Watch,, POA from Cartier
‘BECAUSE, NO MATTER WHAT TRENDS COME AND GO, GOING GREEN WILL NEVER GO OUT OF STYLE’ Minx Charcoal Camera Strap, R650 from Lens Love
YOU LOOK GOOD IN GREEN
In this, our annual Green Issue, you’ll find a few common threads running throughout our pages. Naturally we’ve shifted our focus to all things eco—which are not only good for the planet but good for the soul too. Full of feel-good finds, earthy delights and all-round green goodness, this issue is inspired by nature and taking time for the things that matter. Let’s begin in California. Here we visit a desert homestead in Ojai—a surfer’s paradise just east of Santa Barbara where, more than just a home, a hip young family creates their very own mini–boho universe. (p.24) ( From Cali to a French castle. We stop by Château de Beauvoir, where artist Claire Basler paints almost all her home’s walls with giant flowers. (p.16) Castles not quite your thing? Never mind, because we’re headed for the tree tops, Swiss Family Robertson style, to discover some of the world’s most beautiful tree houses. (p.58) Don’t have the green to get you there? Not to worry, we’ve listed some other (closer-to-home) spots where you can also connect with nature. Oh, and drink good wine while bonding with a duck or two. (p.62) From a couple of ducks to a cow that thinks she’s a horse, we’re on our way to Stellekaya in the Stellenbosch valley. On p.40 the lovely Dave and Jane Lello invite us into their off-the-grid home. Now, while most of us can’t go completely off the grid just yet, we’ve put together a list of easy ways to eco your home and live a thoughtful, sustainable lifestyle. (p.33) ( Here’s to living mindfully and meaningfully. Because, no matter what trends come and go, going green will never go out of style. All this and more and, as always, our valuable information on the latest and greatest wines.
Kari Collard Casa Marisca Chair, R14 500 from Isabelina Sky Di Gioia Eau de Parfum, R1526 from Red Square
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Henry & Harold Cushion R495 from Cushion, Owl in the Moss
R E A D E R S | What’s in Our Inbox THAT’S MY JAM Just a quick note to say how much I enjoy your magazine. Whenever I see a new issue out I purchase it without thinking twice. I always read it on the couch with some wine and usually something sweet—it’s my ‘me’ time. I loved the article on PAJAMAS AND JAM in your June issue. So much so, that a few friends and I decided to go one Saturday morning—and it was all you said it would be. I had a delicious breakfast, and then onto the cake table… With so many delicious options it was hard to choose but I opted for the chocolate cake which was 10/10. Looking forward to the next issue. —Lara, via email
What’s
IN LOVE WITH LAGOM For a while now I have been searching for a concept that I can live by, but also one that really defines me. On a rainy morning in Cape Town I picked up the July issue of Good Taste and when I got to the piece on LAGOM my heart skipped a beat. Here it was, the concept I have been searching for! I read the seven pages written by Hilary PrendiniToffoli over and over again. I even ordered a copy of Johannson’s book mentioned in the feature. I feel inspired to declutter, to reduce to the necessary, to buy sustainable products and to feed the concept of minimalism, fair share and contentment into every aspect of my life. I love everything that lagom focuses on and as I move into a new home, I am excited to make my small space reflect these principles. I’m so grateful to Good Taste for this piece. —Chloe Shain, Cape Town
Write to Us & WIN! Write to us on any topic raised in Good Taste and you could win 1 of 3 L’Occitane Almond Gift Sets worth R1680 each
THE PACK INCLUDES: Almond Milk Concentrate 200ml Almond Delicious Soap 50g Almond Supple Skin Oil 15ml Almond Shower Oil 250ml Almond Delicious Hands 30ml
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In Our L AG O M , the
INBOX
Nordic
GT LOVES: new Cemcrete’s finish screed floor r in Colour Hardene White, which y creates a naturall look mottled Lagom
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the rest contented than life. avians more the lagom Why are Scandin Simple. They live of the world? TOFFOLI PRENDINI BY HILARY
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GT LOVES : Bulthaup’s B1 simplici ty kitchen in White Matte Lacquer and Elbow Chairs by Carl Hansen & Søn
Bulthaup’s GT LOVES: y kitchen in B1 simplicit Lacquer White Matte by and Elbow ChairsSøn & Carl Hansen
Soft Edge Chair, Créma Design R7591 from R7591 from Soft Edge Chair, Créma Design
state of bliss. momentary “Hygge is a ays Oliver way of living,”s Lagom.. Lagom is a author of Living , happier on,LOVES GT Johanns steps :to a balanced Cemcre simple 250+ te’s new ble life. “Hygge It’s one isofa momen the tary state of screed Lagom floorsustaina your and more finish on living is life a way of living,”says bliss. in Colour Harden books says Johann world,” several new er the modern Oliver son, author “In of Living way. White, 250+ded with Nordic which are bombar simple steps to a balanceLagom.. creates a natural “we morepower, d, happier Johannson, ly excess,and beauty, sustainable mottled Lagom of life. It’s one several daily images newable look of unattain books money and Nordic way. equallyon living perfection, focuses on “In the modernyour life the insteadJohann fair world,” says goals. Lagom son, “we promote that s bombarded good, e are powerfu l message daily collectiv with theimages of excess, beauty, isation, perfectient.” power, share, rational contentm on, money and and goals. Lagom unattai ce acceptan instead focuses nable for you in your powerfu l should on equally What this means messages that e is that you te promote fair elimina rationa l, daily existenc share, essentia lisation , the collecti on the accepta to stop nce when ve good, concentrate and content know ous and What this“Enough is ment.” the superflu means for you in your English saying existenceg is the good—as in the daily Adoptin that you should feast.” concentrate as good as a on theincludes lifestyle essentia the avian how l, eliminate superfluous natured Scandinto not onlyknow —as dictate and trol, when to allowing lagom in the and self-con tionEnglish saying “Enoug stop asmoderaas h is a feast.” you practise goodsurroun d yourself with you Scandin Adopting the natured goodbut also what allowing lagom avian lifestyle in 1947includes coined in your home. is to term a dictate you practise not only how He wasn’t “Less is More” modera Rohe.tion but and Mies van der America n self-control, by Ludwig also what you surroun a German in your washome. ofyourself with one d Swedish. He regarded as he’s More” “Less architect, but is kind modernist by Ludwig of a Miesof is a term coined clarity in 1947 the pioneers extreme van in its der Rohe. Swedish He wasn’t ture which . He was lagom is all about. architec what a German Americ architectyt, isbut an he’s regarde and simplici and bones” “skin the pioneer d as one of the term s of a kind rated He used of modern al and incorpo architec tures,which building industriist for his s like its extreme and simplic elementin licated ity is what that clarity uncomp insisting lagom is all He used the glass, about. and plate term “skin steel and bones” for his buildin uncomplicatedgs, and incorporated steel and plate elements like industr ial glass, insistin 3-seater Erwin, g that Cool sofa, Talent from Grey, R15 899 sofacompany.com Erwin, 3-seater sofa, Talent Cool Grey, R15 899 from sofacompany.co m
Wonki Ware Bowl,Bowl, Ware R60Wonki from PoetryPoetry R60 from Milk Table Lamp, R3640 from Créma Design
Lamp, Milk Table R3640 from Créma Design
Colorado Vinyl, o Vinyl, Colorad from FINfloo r SA & FINfloo r SA from & Connecta-Floor Connecta-Floor
Potted Pink Crassula Ovata, R195 from Weylandts Crassula Ovata, Potted Pink ts R195 from Weyland
goodtas goodtas
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A CHRISTMAS GIFT WE REALLY, REALLY LIKE Thank you very much for the bottle of Clemengold Gin and my first subscription copy of Good Taste which arrived last week. I just love this magazine, I bought it many, many years ago when we lived in Durban. We then left to go back to the UK and only returned to the beautiful Cape about 2 years ago. A few weeks back I came across your new and improved magazine at Tokara. I soon subscribed and a few friends will be receiving subscriptions for as their Christmas present. Such an informative and interesting magazine, beats all the other "run of the mill" publications. —Christine Syme, via email
Fall for the mouth-watering scent of ALMOND, a delicate fruit with exceptional properties that melts into your skin. Discover a shower oil for satin-like softness, supple skin oil for a complexion that feels smoother and a hand cream that nourishes your hands. Gently exfoliate with the Almond soap and pair with the best-selling Almond Milk Concentrate for the best results. A delicious way to beautiful skin packed in an Almond collection.
We love WINE
festival
CapeGate hosts wineries and wine lovers again.
Decadent Cardamom and Strawberry Sago Pots by Elmarie Berry Good Food
Wine lovers should diarise Friday 25 August from 17h00-21h00 and Saturday 26 August 13h00-18h00 when the 6th “WE LOVE WINE AT CAPEGATE” festival kicks off with 24 wineries showing off their finest!
WIN! TWO LUCKY READERS CAN EACH WIN
TWO tickets to WE LOVE WINE at CapeGate and SIX bottles of Stellenbosch Hills Polkadraai Pinot Noir Sparkling Rose.
VISIT WWW.CAPEGATECENTRE.CO.ZA TO ENTER
“This wine event has become a mustdo for northern suburbs wine fans and we always aim to bring producers from all over South Africa’s winelands to our area,” says CapeGate Marketing Manager Amanda McCarthy. “It’s not just about tasting and buying wine directly from the producers, but the Cape Wine Academy will present their FREE educational wine theatre experiences throughout the 2 days. We also have brand new plans in place to assist kiddies charity, The Pebbles Project, to raise more money this year than ever before.” PARTICIPATING WINERIES: Badsberg, Bonfire Hill, Bonnievale, Deux Freres, Devonvale, Fryer’s Cove, Haut Espoir, Front Row, Imbuko, Kingna Distillery, MWS - Montagu Wine & Spirits, Overhex, Louisvale, Orange River, Perdeberg, Peter Bayly, Roger Clayton, Ruitersvlei, Stellenbosch Hills, The Fledge & Co, Triple Three Gin, Villiersdorp Cellar, Winkelshoek, Yonder Hill
ATHENA GETS AN A-PLUS The Ankole cow found primarily in east Africa has been used for centuries for its milk and meat. The bulls have massive horns which are usually just burnt—which is obviously harmful to the environment. ATHENA A decided to take these horns, and instead of burning them, transform them into beautiful pieces of jewellery. www.brandathenaa.co.za
Most
WANTED
GT LOVES: The Leaf Sideboard by Meyer von Wielligh from The Umthi Range. Umthi means tree in Xhosa, and the range is inspired by organic lines and the flow of tree branches. www.meyervonwielligh.co.za A sustainable denim lifestyle brand based in Cape Town, REAL + SIMPLE , is not only the brand name but the ethos behind everything they do. The company’s focus lies in producing superior denim products, ethically, in Cape Town, and by skilled craftsmen. Can you dig it? www.realandsimpledenim.com
‘We want to create a sustainable footprint and empower a local industry that knows how to make a great product’
A collection of things we just have to have
REAL GEMS Anna Rosholt’s latest jewellery collection, RHINO RANGE , was created with the intention of raising awareness and funds for anti-poaching efforts. 10 per cent of all sales from the collection are donated to the Black Mambas Anti Poaching Unit. This predominantly female unit was founded in 2013 and continues to expand and make a difference. www.annarosholt.com
SCENT STRAIGHT FROM NATURE L’OCCITANE’S policy is to use mostly
natural, traceable ingredients, keeping track of where they have been sourced from. Over 200 botanical ingredients go into its products, a quarter of which are certified organic.
WORTH KNOWING: Jota-Kena donates 10% of all profits to a nonprofit organisation called Hillsong Africa Foundation MINDFUL FASHION A combination of planet-friendly fabrics and hand-tailored garments has put JOTA-KENA firmly on the ‘slow fashion’ map. Co-founders and sisters, Tanith and Keziah Swinford, say their ethos is: comfortable, conscious, intentional. The local brand makes sure all their products are ethicallysourced and locally-made where possible. Their AW17 collection draws inspiration from the Ivy League lifestyle filled with white, chartreuse, burnt orange and tan, as well as forest green, navy and black. A style that’s reminiscent of the ’70s but with softer lines and more comfortable fits. www.jotakena.com
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1. Citrus Spice Handmade Soap, R35 from Antjies, 2. Rose & Geranium Toner, R199 from Sassui 3. Oils of Life Intensely Revitalising Gel Cream, R260 from The Body Shop 4. The Everyday Cream, R295 from Skin Creamery 5. Beard Conditioning Oil, R380 from Pearcy Nobleman 6. Facefood Day Cream, R120 from Back 2 Nature 7. Extra Ordinary Eye Gel, R490 from Ordinary 8. Cocoa Exfoliator, R285 from Esse 9. Wake Wonderful NightTime Facial, R690 from Ren 10. Overnight Hydrating Mask, R445 from Skoon
G t g r e e n l i v i n g | Natural Products
Naked Beauty A selection of beAuty products that are good for you—and good for the PlANet From being against animal testing and only using organic products, to empowering the underprivileged and using recycled packaging, we salute these beauty brands for making a difference 3.
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G T T R E N D S | Feel Good Finds
Yellow Gold Ornament Bracelet, R1 699 from Engelsrufer
Body Balm,, R280 and Body Treatment Oil, R420 from Wass
GT LOVES: Perch Light by Moooi For a list of national stockists contact Edge Interiors www.edgeinteriors.co.za
Kai Pod Chair, R12 995 from Weylandts
Feel-Good Finds The natural world is becoming a dominant design influence—with serene nature and inspired neutrals with touches of greens and grey
Love Her Wild, R383 from Exclusive Books
Portugieser Chronographe Rattrapante Watch, POA from IWC
Legend Bookcase, POA from Roche Bobois Keira Faux Suede Bonded Aviator Jacket, Jacket R5 450 from Diane Paris
Daisy by Marc Jacobs, R1 230 from Edgars
Gemini Ring, R490 from Black Betty
Espardenya Yellow Shoes, R800 from Espadril
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Ebba Chair in Dina Forest Green, R6 999 from sofacompany.com
a r t i s t p r o f i l e | Claire Basler
You live in an actual French castle, how did that come about? beauvoir castle is located in the central part of France, in a region called auvergne. my partner Pierre imhof and i share a passion for houses and we wanted a common project we could work on together. Pierre restores the castle and i paint in, on and around it. it’s a vast canvas that opens up on to nature.
Behind the Castle door Inside the lIfe and home of artist ClaIre Basler Claire Basler lives in a real life castle in central france. To Claire, Château de Beauvoir is more than just home—it’s a canvas for her larger-than-life paintings in amongst her indoor trees and grandiose floral arrangements…
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sPeaking oF nature, You’ve said it’s Your biggest insPiration… For me living with nature is a philosophical and artistic learning process. i find that nature, and being in nature, revitalises me physically and artistically. to me, nature is a source of freedom. i love to paint flowers because they are sensual and sensitive, and represent both strength and fragility. whether they are fresh or faded they’re always expressive and symbolise awe-inspiring beauty. and the trees You grow inside Your home? i need to always be in nature, even when i’m indoors. it really helps me to be in harmony with the external world. bringing branches and growing trees inside is my way of bringing life into my home. Your work intertwines with Your home. how’s that? it’s hard to explain, but my work and the house have naturally evolved together. the details in the house—the objects, the colours
THIRTY SeCondS with Claire
Claire and Pierre have three children (Mathilde, 35, Louis, 24, and Georges, 22), three cats Cassandra, Pimprenelle and Fredo, and a Labrador named Ziza
How did I discover art? My father taught me a lot about art and design at a young age. Growing up just outside of Paris, in Saint-Mandé, I was able to go into town and spend many, many absorbing hours walking around the Louvre. My mom’s best advice was… Be well-behaved, but I never managed to be. My words of wisdom are… Open your eyes to everything that surrounds you. My best skill (outside painting) is… Concentration and being able to focus. When people look at my paintings I want them to feel… That dreams can still come true. The best thing about my home… It is alive. My favourite wine is… From Bourgogne. I love Paris because… It is a beautiful city, very whimsical and very intellectually and culturally stimulating.
and the shapes—are all points of reference that give me both comfort and inspiration. Our home is an extension of my art. Tell us abOuT yOur beauTiful garden. i always loved the garden, whether it’s only green or covered with flowers. i like to think of it as a continuation of the house, like another room of greenery. i try to bring in some structure with colours but the area is so vast it’s a bit tricky—and it tends to grow wild in parts. HOw lOng dOes iT Take yOu TO creaTe One Of yOur painTings? it all depends. One painting can be finished in one day, 10 weeks or maybe even 10 years. for a mural or a whole room it takes me anything between two and five weeks. i need to be very focused with no interruptions. as you can imagine, painting a room is not the same as working on a canvas. wHaT’s yOur favOuriTe rOOm in yOur HOme? i’d have to say my bedroom. The high walls are painted with pine trees, umbels and little ponds of water. can we expecT yOu in sa? i have never been, but i would love to visit south africa. The landscapes and nature look so beautiful and are very different to home.
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Gt art and design
GT LOVES: Three Green Prints—Shades of Winter, Banana Leaf Crush and Flourish, all R99 from Superbalist.
margiE, You BEautY Did you know all of margiE JansEn’s textile and homeware materials are locallysourced and natural? Moreover, printing is done by hand using eco-friendly, waterbased pigment inks. Plus, all sewing is done through skills development and job creation initiatives. www.margiejansen.com
EmpowEring womEn
Creating high quality and hand-crafted products, mia mélangE uses the best local materials they can get their hands on. As a brand they focus on empowering women and creating opportunities for those less fortunate. Mia Mélange, we’re big, big fans. www.miamelange.com
ART And design BEAUTIFUL THINGS to buy, see and do
tag You’rE it Joining ForcEs
photographer: aiden Delport
South African sisters Kim and Natalie Ellis’ organic and ethically-inspired brand has been making waves since 2012. thE JoinErY’s designs aim to produce as much as possible by hand to limit the company’s carbon footprint by using hemp fabrics and organic cottons, where possible. On top of this, a majority of the garments are produced by female, fair trade sewing co-operatives in local townships. We want to join in too! www.thejoinery.co.za
Made out of bread tags, toast lights turn unwanted plastic tags into big, beautiful lights. Adriaan Swanepoel started collecting these as he always had an inkling he could turn them into something beautiful one day. After he made his first light, the reaction that followed from friends and family encouraged him to start producing the lights to sell. Toast Lights also supports Breadtags for Wheelchairs— which raises funds to purchase wheelchairs for the disabled. mail@thiswayup.co.za
whErE mountain & ocEan mEEt Rooted in Cape Town’s southern peninsula, sEaland aims to keep the environment front and centre alongside their inspired and functional designs. The start-up team combines a passion for business and a passion for the wondrous outdoors. sEaland produces duffle bags, tote bags, handbags, backpacks, wallets and sunglasses—all made from upcycled products and sustainable materials. www.sealandgear.com 1 8
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Linn’s
WORLD We catch up with our cover artist LINN WOLD
Sofia
TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOME TOWN? I live in a small town in Norway called Elverum—which is about an hour and a half from the capital, Oslo. It’s not like the typical Norway you’d expect to see. We don’t have fjords or the Northern Lights (at least not often), but we do have beautiful forests and wildlife.
Headdress
HOW DO YOU STAY INSPIRED? I’m definitely one of those people who needs inspiration from others to keep me going. I love to follow other artists as well as interior bloggers, designer brands, magazines and influencers. All of this inspiration together then creates images in my mind of what I want to do next. YOU SPENT TIME IN FLORENCE? I moved to Florence right after high school. My grandmother took me to Italy when I was young and I fell in love with the country immediately. After high school I wanted to study graphic design, but I needed to learn Italian first. So for the first year I studied the language and other subjects like art history and fashion. African Queen
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AND THEN WHAT HAPPENED? I then enrolled in graphic design at a university called NABA,
AND THE HARDEST? Working by yourself means no one can do the job for you. When I was pregnant I worked 12-18 hours every day, and finished my last orders the same day as giving birth. Luckily, there’s two of us working at the company now. DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE OF ART YOU’VE CREATED? I think my favourite piece is Headdress. She was kind of my ‘break through’ piece and is still one of the most popular works two years later. WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? If you asked me a few years ago I would tell you throwing a party or attending events. Now it’s all about travelling and spending time with my little family, drinking a glass of wine or, if we’re feeling crazy, going to a movie. How times have changed.
Oceana
‘What’s better than living off something you love to do and are passionate about’
HAVE YOU EVER VISITED SOUTH AFRICA? Not yet, but I would love to visit one day. I plan to see the whole world by the time I turn 70, so it’s definitely on the list. I’ve also just got a sales agent in South Africa, so hopefully we’ll see more and more of my work selling in SA shops. Linn lives with the love of her life, and together they have a daughter, Thale—and two feisty French bulldogs named Bella and Bobby Brown. To find out more about Linn and to order her works online, go to www.linnwold.no.
Beard Collective Monstera
but for some reason or another it didn’t quite work out the way I wanted it to. So I moved back to Oslo and continued my graphic design studies there. I recently returned to Italy, where my fiancé proposed. Florence will always have a very special place in my heart. It’s the most beautiful city in the world. TALK US THROUGH YOUR ARTISTIC PROCESS. I normally start with inspiration, collages and sketches in Photoshop. I have a ton of Pinterest boards and saved Instagram images that inspire me when starting a piece. I put things together, pull them apart to create the sketch as I picture it. The final process is drawn with a pen on a digital drawing board. ANY ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WANTING TO START THEIR OWN BRAND? Do it. It’s definitely hard and you won’t be able to separate your time at work and your time off. And you need to be patient, but it’s so worth it. What’s better than living off something you love to do and are passionate about? Not much. BEST PART OF YOUR LINE OF WORK? Creating new pieces and also seeing how my prints are noticed around the world. Like right now, being interviewed by a South African magazine!
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BREATHE EASY
Certain ‘power plants’ have the ability to REMOVE TOXINS IN THE AIR that come from general household goods such as detergents and solvents. While all indoor plants will purify the air to some degree through the natural process of photosynthesis, you can now take a deeper breath knowing these three common plants have been found to be scientifically more effective in cleaning the air we breathe: 1. Aloe Barbadensis or commonly known as Aloe Vera 2. Phalaenopsis or commonly known as Moth Orchid 3. Chlorophytum Comosum or commonly known as Spider Plant
HANGING
around
TIP: If your windows are South facing, meaning you get little direct sunlight, try planting African Violets, Rubber Tree, Cast Iron Aspidistra, English Ivy or Orchids.
I N DOO R OUR TOP ORGANIC P LANTS Style Your Space WITH GREENERY
GLASS HOUSES
Cape Town is now home to a tiny new store, ANGLES AND EARTH, which is dedicated solely to making terrariums. Each terrarium is made by owner, Denny Mo, who is passionate about creating beautiful geometric living landscapes. You can get your green fingers on his geometric glass containers and a terrarium-making kit or, if you’re not into DIY, you can buy one that has already been planted. Oh, and don’t forget to say hello to Danny’s dog, Cabbage, on your way out. www.anglesandearth.co.za
GT LOVES: The range of vertical gardens from Living Green Walls
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GT LOVES: Hanging Terrarium, R910 from Ngwenya Glass
WHAT TO PLANT ON YOUR LIVING WALL
GT LOVES: Turn your ordinary plant hanger into a decorative focal point in your home with WEYLANDTS’ macramé hanging planter in natural and grey cotton
KNOT YOUR AVERAGE Looking for something dreamy? Offering custom-made plant hangers in a variety of shapes and sizes, FABRICA is breathing new life into macramé. Available from www.fabrica.co.za.
LIVING GREEN WALLS are ever-changing, living art pieces that can be attached to both interior and exterior wall surfaces. Here are five plants that’ll have that wall bloomin’ in no time at all:
1. TREE PHILODENDRON: Grows well indoors and due to its lush, full nature it’s an ideal plant for vertical gardens. 2. SPINELESS BUTCHER’S BROOM: A beautiful evergreen perennial that provides a simple, soft finish and instant coverage for your living wall. 3. CAPE IVY: A climbing evergreen that is not only indigenous, but also adds a dramatic flare with its bright, glossy green leaves. 4. POTHOS: Well suited to low-light rooms, this plant is pretty and pretty easy to care for—making it a good fit for a garden wall. 5. KNYSNA FERN: Indigenous to SA, this is an easy-to-grow fern that thrives in full to partial shade. For more information visit www.livinggreenwalls.co.za.
G t d É c o r | Desert Homestead
California A surfer’s paradise in Ojai California Words by NiNa FreudeNberger PhotograPhy by brittaNy ambridg
I
t was this creative, outdoorsy, vagabond spirit that Channon and Bianca were after when, six years ago, they transitioned their second home in the hippie hideaway of Ojai into their primary one. “Moving was about getting back to the California I grew up in,” says Channon. But, in truth, it was also about giving his son, Marlon, a childhood similar to his own. Ojai is known for its roots-y surf community. Rincon, arguably one of the top five point breaks in the world, is thirty minutes away. So for Channon, it feels like Laguna in the eighties—“minus the flash . . . and the drugs.”
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G T D É C O R | Desert Homestead
What Channon and Bianca have created in Ojai, though, is not just a home; it’s more a mini-bohemian universe of sorts. They have a 1976 Airstream permanently parked in their front yard, which is part mad-scientist man cave (where Channon tinkers away on his latest interior design projects) and part guest quarters. There’s a teepee behind their mid-century ranch house. And then there’s the shop, In the Field, a lifestyle store the couple opened in 2014 that carries goods from local makers and friends, as well as treasures they’ve picked up on their travels.
‘It’s more a minibohemian universe of sorts’
Nina Freudenberger has put together a collection of surf abodes from around the world in Surf Shack. Get it from Exclusive Books for R598
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‘Life in this hippie utopia is a constant ebb and flow of creative crashers’
Life in this hippie utopia is a constant ebb and flow of creative crashers—friends, family, and strangers who become fast friends—which is exactly as Channon and Bianca always pictured it. “Most weekends, it’s like the cover of the Rolling Stones’ Beggars Banquet around here,” he jokes. “We’ve got three or four rigs parked in the front yard. We’ve got friends sleeping in the Airstream and teepee. Everyone’s got kids, so we’re barbecuing, camping out, and surfing. It’s like a madhouse; an amazing, wild, perfect madhouse.”
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G T G E T T H E L O O K | Desert Homestead Hedera Ivy, R500 from Opus Studio
Copper Pendant Round Light, R10 830 from Créma Design Handspun, handwoven all natural karakul ‘Pencil Patterns’ Rug, R6400 from Coral & Hive
Tonga Wall Basket, R295 from Weylandts
A SURFER’S
PARADISE
RECREATE THIS desert homestead’s chic style and natural warmth
Wooden Stools finished in beeswax & eucalyptus oil, from R2800 from Coral & Hive
GT LOVES: How Ferral Surfboards have been handshaped in Cape Town since 1985
Natural Rattan Tokyo Chair, R5995 from La Grange
Ivy Side Table, R1495 from Block & Chisel Surfboard from Ferral Surfboards
Bonaparte Secretary Desk, R19 995 from La Grange
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G T G R E E N I S S U E | Lux Up Your Bathroom St James Shower Head, POA from Victorian Bathrooms
BATHROOM BE AU TIFU L Bringing the OUTSIDE IN
Potted Tillandsia Plant,R325 from Weylandts
GT LOVES: The Legend Bath, from Italtile
GT LOVES: The clean lines and simplicity of Lavo Bathroom Concepts’ basin mixers, R6200 each
PLANT IT UP The easiest and probably most effective way to create an outdoor feel to your bathroom is to fill it with plants. Heck, create a forest. GT LOVES: Country Mushroom Swatch, from Plascon
When Nature Calls Opt for natural décor and finishes like wood and stone. This will help create a seamless flow from inside to outside.
Arenito Soap Dispenser, R325 from Weylandts
Bade Soap Dish, R139 from Country Road
Get this natural look from Geberit
Hout Bay Weathered, R69.99 from Tile Africa
Torino Ice Pebble Tile, POA from Italtile
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USE A NATURAL COLOUR PALETTE Neutral earthy colours will help to create a natural-looking environment. Earthy blues and greens will also complement.
Small T-Light Holder, R160 from Poetry Rattan Laundry Basket, R1495 from Weylandts
Wood & Metal Ladder, R1360 from Mavromac
G T C O M P E T I T I O N | Win a Trip to Mauritius
Enter and you could WIN A 5-NIGHT HOLIDAY for 2 in Mauritius courtesy of Heritage Le Telfair Wellness Golf and Spa Resort and The Holiday Factory
THE PRIZE • A 5-night holiday for 2 in Mauritius courtesy of Heritage Le Telfair Wellness Golf and Spa Resort and the Holiday Factory • Return flights for 2 people excluding airport taxes (approx. R3 900 per person) • Return resort transfers to and from airport • 5-Nights accommodation at 5* Deluxe Heritage Le Telfair Wellness Golf and Spa Resort for 2 people • Breakfast and dinner daily • Complimentary green fees (Includes 18 holes of golf per person per day)
TO ENTER
Go to www.goodtaste.co.za to answer a simple question and stand the chance to win!
TO BOOK THIS HOLIDAY 011 233 2300 or res@thetheholidayfactory.co.za
VISIT US AT
www.theholidayfactory.co.za https://www.facebook.com/TheHolidayFactory/#
HERITAGE LE-TELFAIR WELLNESS GOLF & SPA RESORT After extensive refurbishment Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Spa Resort is distinctive, simple and elegant. A member of the small luxury hotels of the world, Heritage Le Telfair reinvents the tropical island getaway, inviting guests to escape the ordinary in style. THE HOLIDAY FACTORY The Holiday Factory has a refreshingly different approach to travel; this difference is reflected in the way they source and package their holidays, how they operate and ultimately in the way they service their travel agent partners. They offer clients a choice of packaged holidays to a number of destinations.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This prize is subject to availability (valid in low and shoulder seasons only and excludes peak seasons and school holiday periods and public holidays). This prize is non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash. This prize excludes airport taxes and levies. All items & extras not listed in the prize will be for the prize winner’s own account. The prize is valid until 30 June 2018. This booking must be submitted to the contact below a minimum of 6 weeks prior to departure. Prize can only be claimed on presentation of the prize letter. Prize winners must hold valid passports.
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G t g r e e n l i v i n g | Ways to Green Your Life
Green
LifE
your
A few simple switches … and you’ve got a more sustAinAble home and lifestyle
Lifestyle image courtesy of H&M
What’s the use of a home if you haven’t got a planet to put it on? Embracing a greener lifestyle is something we all strive for, but knowing where and how to start can be a tad overwhelming. Here are 20-plus simple tips to help out. Whatever you do will make an impact.
GT LovEs: This tropical bed linen set from H&M 6 4
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G T G R E E N L I V I N G | Ways to Green Your Life
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Switch to green cleaners to reduce air pollution both indoors and out. This also acts to minimize exposure to both asthma and allergy triggers, as well as chemicals that can be harmful to our health. Try ECO DIVA’S range of household cleaners available from www.ecodiva.co.za.
GT LOVES: These all natural, karakul wool rugs from CORAL AND HIVE are handspun and handwoven on traditional wooden looms in Cape Town
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Consider sustainability when buying clothes. Does the company make use of certified organic or recycled materials? And are they made ethically? Research your favourite clothing brands to see what they’re doing to help the planet.
GT LOVES: This Mirabelle fabric range from U&G Fabrics. Our favourites: Tropical Leaves and Overfly
GT LOVES: De Gourney handpainted, customized wallpaper, from St Legar and Viney
DID YOU KNOW? Green is considered the most restful of all colours? Combining the refreshing quality of blue and the cheerfulness of yellow, green is suited for almost any room in the house. In the kitchen, green cools things down; in a family room or living room it encourages relaxation, but it also has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness
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Green also has a calming effect when used as a main colour for decorating; it is believed to relieve stress by helping you to relax
INDOOR PLANTS NOT ONLY ADD AN ELEMENT OF STYLE TO YOUR HOME, BUT DID YOU KNOW THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO HELPING YOU GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST? PLANTS SUCH AS LAVENDER AND JASMINE ARE SAID TO HELP YOU GET SOME SHUT EYE BY LOWERING YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE AND STRESS LEVELS. NATURAL SCENTS EMITTED BY LAVENDER AND JASMINE ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE RELAXING PROPERTIES WHICH SOOTHE YOU WHILE YOU COUNT SHEEP AND DECREASE RAPID EYE MOVEMENT WHILE YOU SNOOZE.
GT LOVES: This potted Trachycarpus, R2995 from Weylandts
GT LOVES: The Green Nirvana Sofa, R8925 from Sofaworx 3 4
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TIP: The more plants you have in your home, the better. Not only do they look great but extensive research shows that low levels of chemicals such as carbon monoxide and formaldehyde can be removed from indoor environments by plant leaves alone.
G t g r e e n l i v i n g | Ways to Green Your Life
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There are a number of things you can do to ensure your new home is built using environmentally-friendly products. Use reclaimed lumber, recycled plastic products, recycled glass or natural products such as bamboo, cork and linoleum, which are made of natural, renewable materials.
GT LOVeS: How Saint-Gobain provides solutions that make buildings more efficient in terms of their energy consumption; they manufacture and distribute building and high-performance sustainable materials.
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You’ll be surprised at how well natural foodstuffs can help keep your home green and clean. Things such as lemon, bicarb and vinegar are great non-toxic cleaning agents. Go to www.goodtaste.co.za for an easy non-toxic recipe to clean your kitchen.
Image courtesy The Jungalow Blog
Green Tip: Use dish cloths instead of paper towels
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G t g r e e n l i v i n g | Ways to Green Your Life
Buy LED globes—they cost a little more than Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) bulbs, but use less power for the same amount of light. An LED also provides 15 000 to 50 000 hours of illumination compared to a CFL’s 6000 hours. So you won’t have to change bulbs as frequently.
If you’re a wine lover you may be thinking of investing in a wine fridge. Before you buy, look for options that don’t just cool your wine but are also eco-friendly.
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GREEn LOVES: Love Milo’s range of glass containers
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GT LOVES: All Miele’s wine units boast indirect LED lighting. Compared with conventional lighting, LEDs are particularly energy saving, cool to the touch and have considerably longer service life
Adding A meat-free meal per week (for A fAmily of four) hAs A similAr impAct to driving A hybrid cAr. rAising livestock produces A lArge Amount of, ahem, green house gAses And so cutting bAck—even one night A week—cAn mAke A difference.
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8 When using your dishwasher, be sure to use the ‘half load’ function when the machine is not completely full, this saves both money and energy. Or maybe it’s time to buy a new one? Bocsh’s AquaStar dishwasher uses only 6.5 litres of water as opposed to the standard 22 litres of other dishwashers.
tip Do you waste a lot of food? Try growing your own, even if its just a pot of rosemary on your windowsill, and you might rethink the way you shop and eat. Try Slab of Seeds from Wellness Warehouse
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when grocery shopping, support locAl fArmers where possible. the distAnce trAvelled by fruit And vegetAbles imported into sA contributes to mAssive co2 emissions.
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One of the best ways to ‘eco’ your kitchen is to create a completely plastic-free space. Ditch things such as plastic water bottles and containers and go for glass instead. So, for things such as tomato sauce, mayonnaise, olive oil, peanut butter and orange juice, where possible choose the glass option over the plastic option.
lifestyle image courtesy of miele
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GT LOVES: Radiant’s lightshade made from sustainable birch plywood and bamboo. Radiant pendant, R3725 from Minima
G t g r e e n l i v i n g | Ways to Green Your Life
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GT LoveS: By making its decorative coatings lead-free, low-voC and eco-kind plascon has some of the best eco-friendly colour selections in SA
Remodelling your bathroom? Seek out tiles made from recycled materials for floors, baths, showers and countertops. Thanks to the popularity of recycling, colours and finishes are plentiful. Recycled glass tile is a particularly good choice for low emissions.
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If you’re thinking of repainting a room, be sure to choose a green (that’s planet-friendly green, not the colour) non toxic paint. With more and more brands jumping on the green bandwagon there are so many eco options to choose from.
Image courtesy of Plasscon, Photography: Micky Hoyle
GT LoveS: plascons eyecatching Teal colour palette
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Bath linens made from organic cotton are not only comfy and soft, but they require less pesticides to produce than regular cotton towels. Manufacturers that use the slightly more expensive organic cotton also tend to use natural dyes and softeners that are less toxic to the environment.
Green Tip: Switch to using a bamboo toothbrush instead of a plastic one
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DID YOU KNOW? Alongside being pretty darn beautiful, VERTICAL GARDENS also have environmental benefits. They clean the outside air of pollutants and dust, and your inside air by removing harmful toxins. Not sure what plants work best in a vertical garden? Turn to page 22 to find the best type of greenery for this arrangement
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Consider installing a low-flow shower head. A typical shower head will use anywhere between 19-30 litres of water per minute, while with the same amount of water pressure a low-flow head will bring that amount down to 9 litres or less. And there’s more good news, this is a very inexpensive upgrade, and installation is easy.
20 GT LOVES: Fez Wall Mount Basin Mixer (R12 650), Vieques Counter Basin (R33 000) & Vieques Freestanding Bath R126 300, all from LAVO Bathroom Concepts
Although heated towel rails are synonymous with bathing luxury, they are actually an energy-waterand cost-saving addition to the bathroom space. Towel rails double up as room heaters. Most towel rails are also made from stainless steel, one of the few materials that can claim to be 100 per cent recyclable, which means it can be completely melted down and made into another product without needing to add any virgin material.
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THAT OLD WASHING MACHINE COULD BE COSTING YOU AND THE ENVIRONMENT. LUCKILY NEW APPLIANCES ARE FAR MORE WATER- AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT THAN THEIR OLDER VERSIONS ARE. SAMSUNG’S ECO BUBBLE TECHNOLOGY WASHES LARGE LOADS AT LOW TEMPERATURES, SAVING UP TO 70 PER CENT ON ENERGY.
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We all know water is scarce, particularly now in the drought-stricken Cape. Save every drop you can by showering over a plastic bath or basin and keeping the water to flush your toilet, or to water your garden. Switch off any running taps while brushing your teeth, or washing your face, and flush the loo as seldom as possible—or by using the water saved from showering.
TIP: Open blinds or drapes to let in natural solar heat on cold days, then close them once the sun sets—it could reduce your heating bills by up to 10 per cent. You can also cut your cooling costs by up to 33 per cent in the summer by blocking out sunlight with exterior blinds, shutters or awnings. To keep rooms bright, paint or paper with light or reflective colours
GT LOVES: Taylor Blinds Thermowood® retractable stacking shutters, to let the sunshine in and merge indoor and outdoor living
Hanging potted Platyceruim, R320 from Weylandts, Heated Towel rail, POA from Bathroom Butler, Eco Buble Washing machine, POA from Samsung, Shower flow restrictor, POA from VictorianBathrooms.
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G T G R E E N L I V I N G | Ways to Green Your Life
GoinG off tHe
Grid
inside Stellekaya’s House on the Hill PhotograPhy by henrique Wilding
HealtHy & happy Healthy body, healthy mind
Stellekaya’s roof is fitted with a shiny row of Solar PV PanelS allowing the family to live completely without electricity
O
n top of the hill at Stellekaya wine estate in Stellenbosch you’ll find Dave and Jane lello’s French-inspired farmhouse. the couple built this home almost four years ago. they were wanting a home that was not just easy on the eye but, just as important, easy on the planet. they knew each other when they were youngsters but Dave and Jane’s love story only unfolded later on in life. It was having children at the same school that caused their paths to cross again. While watching their kids in the playground,
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Dave offered to buy Jane a drink. Jane accepted on condition that he also buy a drink for the seven friends standing with her. Seven plus drinks later, the conversation got around to where Jane invited Dave to run a marathon in Oudtshoorn with her the following weekend. Perhaps it was the post-run endorphins flying around in the car, but it was on this two-hour drive home that Dave told Jane he was going to marry her. and he did. Fast forward a few years, after spending a couple of summers in France,
the two decided a French country house would look rather nice at the top of their long dusty driveway. “there are certain nuances of French architecture that I had to understand before building the house,” says Dave. like many French homes, the pastel pink abode has four quadrants attached to a central area, along with three levels that house the basement, entrainment areas and four spacious upstairs bedrooms. Once you walk through the arched double doors of the home you can’t help but feel as though you’ve stepped
GT Green livinG
into a home in the middle of the French countryside, rather than one that sits on a slope of the Stellenbosch mountains. Lots of light fills the well-structured space— the couple opted to have no blinds or curtains in the entire downstairs area. The soft, earthy hues of the naked floors and walls are broken by bright artworks and signature furniture pieces dotted throughout. As you walk through the rooms, corners and coves come to life with pops of purples, pinks, greens and blues. You’ll find patterned sets of drawers, small sculptures, heavy-framed mirrors, and pictures frames filled with photos of family members and travels. “We wanted to keep the finishes as natural as possible,” says Dave. The walls are skimmed, sealed and remain unpainted. “Instead of importing fancy flooring, we chose to leave the floor naked and kept it screed. The walls are also insulated and each window is double glazed, keeping the house cool in summer and toasty during icy winter nights. Being solar powered meant we
| Off the Grid
couldn’t install air conditioning or heating so we built the house facing east-west and planted a row of trees just behind the terrace: this creates a natural and welcoming draft on hot days,” says Dave. Along with no aircon, Casa de Stellekaya’s roof is fitted with a shiny row of solar PV panels allowing the family to live completely without electricity from the grid. All the home’s hot water comes via an efficient heat pump; the water then runs through pipes under the flooring, allowing them to have earth-friendly underfloor heating without ‘regular’ underfloor heating. For extra toastiness they’ve also fitted most rooms of the house with focal point fireplaces. The two say they don’t conform and like to be a little different, which is evident in their interior decor. “I guess you could say our style is eclectic,” says Dave. “I don’t like new things, I prefer things that are authentic and have depth and realness. Things that have had a bit of wear and tear,” adds Jane.
The family shares their home with a Rottweiler named Joseph, a rescue named Bella and an African Grey called Coco Chanel
'All our plants are indigenous and propagated by Jane in our own nursery’
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GT Green livinG
Follow the stairs and you’ll find an open-planned library and study
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| Off the Grid
Each year the couple embarks on a different adventure. “One year we climbed Kilimanjaro. The following year I got back on a horse after a long break. On our adventures we collect things for our home that tell a story,” says Jane. One of the rooms filled with such items is the couple’s formal dinning room-lounge area. A Cornelius Bosch painting of poppies looks over the eclectic mix of finds of vases, candelabras, bowls, urns—each with a story. Upstairs you’ll find the open-plan library-study, main bedroom, guest bedroom and the two children’s bedrooms. Jane and Dave’s main bedroom is open-plan and flows into the bathroom, with only the toilet and walkin closet being separate. “We designed it this way because I wanted to be able to chat to Jane in the bath while I read my book in bed. After a busy day for both of us it’s a nice way to catch up, while each of us gets on with something.” The couple’s bedroom is understated with pale neutral tones and soft colours throughout. Jane’s beautiful, freestanding tub overlooks the vineyards and on the other side of the room is an inviting fireplace used to warm up the room during winter. You’ll often find Dave sitting here reading when he’s up early and doesn’t want to wake a sleeping
Jane. When asked about the artwork in their home Jane says they like to buy pieces from friends or items that seem as though they’ve been cared for by their creators. Sculptor and close friend Leonard Joubert has gifted the couple with artworks as well as taught both Dave and Jane how to sculpt. Both their ‘debut’ artworks are displayed on the shelves in the dining room area. The Lellos also live next door to renowned sculptor Dylan Lewis, famous for his larger-than-life bronze leopard sculptures at Leopard Creek. They have Lion’s Head by Lewis and he also recently gave the couple a beautiful drawing of a leopard. Just because. Jane’s favourite piece of art in the house? A painting done by French artist Claire Denarie-Soffietti that hangs in the study. “It looks just like my daughter when she was little,” says Jane. “Oh, and our Tom’s Drag smoking giraffe named Roxanne. We had our kitchen cabinet specially designed for her so that she has a spot to live,” says Dave. You’ll also find other signature Tom’s Drag pieces creating strong colour contrasts throughout the rest of the home. When Jane isn’t harvesting all her own plants and veggies in her nursery above the house, she’s cooking up some
sort of feast for her family and friends. “When it came to our kitchen we wanted something a little different. I didn’t want cabinets everywhere in the kitchen. A lot of French kitchens have loose furniture in them and I wanted a ‘loose furniture look’ against our exposed brick,” she says. The kitchen has a French oak finish with simple cement counters instead of marble or granite. Jane and Dave made sure all their kitchen appliances were chosen according to how much (or rather, how little) energy each would use. Along with their two children, Gabriella and Devon, the family shares the farm with a Rottweiler named Joseph, a rescue named Bella, an African Grey named Coco Chanel, a couple of horses and Janie, the five-year-old cow. Named after Jane, Janie was a gift from some of her friends after a wine-fuelled night where Jane proclaimed she hoped to own her own cow one day. A few days later a
baby cow arrived on the back of a bakkie. You’ll always find Janie grazing amongst the horses. “I don’t think she even knows what another cow looks like,” laughs Jane. Surrounding the paddocks are rows and rows of vineyards, which roll all the way down the hill. These vines are used to make Stellekaya’s delicious range of red wines. Stellekaya means ‘home of the stars’ and they name each wine after constellations, such as Orion and Cape Cross. What’s in a name? “We don’t look to the stars, but rather the stars look down on us for a good harvest—we’ve got to have the gods looking after us,” says Dave. Dave’s love for wine started when he worked in the IT department at Distell back in 1981; he eventually acquired his boutique wine farm in 2001, where the stars have been smiling down on them ever since.
Dave’s smoke-Free stove uses energyefficient fuel (recycled sawdust) and a fan to absorb the smoke the stove produces no smoke whatsoever
Janie the cow thinks she’s a horse
Dave’s smoke -Free stove enterprising Dave’s dream to go green doesn’t stop at creating an off-the-grid home or how he lives his life—he’s also done something about it. Dave has spent the last three years working on a smokefree stove for less fortunate people of south africa. Dave’s smoke-free stove won a Global Clean tech Innovation award in California last year and he’s since spent time putting it into production. “the government gives poor areas a minimal amount of free electricity. residents choose
to use their limited electricity for things such as lights, tvs, and not use it for cooking/heating. Instead they burn wood or charcoal to cook their food. as well as being a fire hazard, this creates unhealthy smoke within their homes, and creates a thick polluting smog in the neighbourhood. Using fuel pellets (made from waste sawdust) and a fan to improve the airflow, the energy efficient stove produces no smoke whatsoever, creating a greener product that’s better for its users and the environment,”says Dave. goodtaste.co.za
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S T O C K I S T | Where to find it
WHERE TO FIND IT A list of this issue’s stockists
ADIDAS www.adidas.co.za ANNA ROSHOLT JEWELLERY www.annarosholt.com ANGLES AND EARTH www.anglesandearth.co.za ANTJIES www.antjies.co.za ASPORTUGUESAS www.asportuguesas.shoes ATHENA JEWELLERY www.brandathenaa.com AUDI www.audi.co.za BACK 2 NATURE www.sa-back2nature.com BATHROOM BUTLER www.bathroombutler.com/za BIOSTILLA ORGANIC GIN www.biostilla.com BLACK BETTY www.blackbettydesign.com BMW www.bmw.co.za BLOCK & CHISEL www.blockandchisel.com BOSCH www.bosch.co.za BURGUNDY COLLECTIVE www.burgundycollective.com CARTIER www.en.cartier.com COUNTRY ROAD www.woolworths.co.za/ CountryRoad CORAL AND HIVE www.coralandhive.com CRÉMA DESIGN www.cremadesign.co.za DIANE PARIS www.diane-paris.com ECO DIVA www.ecodiva.co.za
EDGARS www.edgars.co.za EL JIMADOR www.eljimador.com ENGELSRUFER www.engelsrufer.co.za ESPADRIL www.espadril.co.za ESSE www.esseskincare.com/en-za EXCLUSIVE BOOKS www.exclusivebooks.co.za FABRICA www.fabrica.co.za/knot FERRAL SURFBOARDS www.ferral.co.za FORD MUSTANG www.ford.co.za GRANNY GOOSE www.grannygoose.com GEBERIT www.geberit.co.za GROHE www.grohe.co.za H&M www.hm.com/za IWC www.iwc.com ISABELINA www.isabelina.co.za ITALTILE www.italtile.co.za JOTAKENA www.jotakena.com KAMERS MARKET shop.kamersvol.com LA GRANGE lagrangeinteriors.co.za LENS LOVE www.lenslove.co.za LIVING GREEN WALLS www.livinggreenwalls.co.za
L’OCCITANE za.loccitane.com LOVE MILO www.lovemilo.com LAVO www.lavo.co.za MARGIE JANSEN www.margiejansen.com MAT AND MAY www.matandmay.co.za MAVROMAC www.mavromacandthe gatehouse.co.za MEYER VON WIELLIGH www.meyervonwielligh.co.za MIA MÉLANGE www.miamelange.com MIÉLE www.miele.co.za MINIMA www.minima.co.za MOOOI www.edgeinteriors.co.za NGWENYA GLASS www.ngwenyaglass.co.sz OPUS STUDIO www.opusstudio.co.za ORDINARY www.ordinaryskincare.co.za OWL IN THE MOSS www.owlinthemoss.co.za PERCY NOBLEMAN www.percynobleman.com PLASCON www.plascon.co.za POETRY www.poetrystores.co.za REN www.renskincare.com REAL AND SIMPLE www.realandsimple.com ROCHE BOBOIS www.rochebobois.com
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PHOTOGRAPHY: Taken during eye screenings in Nokhupila school, February 2016 and Modern Christian School, October 2016.
A brand that’s making a big difference
S
ensoriality lies at the very core of L’OCCITANE. It is for this reason that preventable blindness is close to the company’s heart, and why they’re so committed to this cause. In 2000, L’OCCITANE international launched the UNION FOR VISION 10by20 Programme. Inspired by the work of the L’OCCITANE Foundation in their continuous fight against avoidable blindness, L’OCCITANE South Africa launched a local partnership in October 2015. L’OCCITANE carried out two screenings in schools in township areas in Johannesburg (February and October 2016) to provide comprehensive eye care screening, treatment, spectacles, skills
FOR
UNION VISION
10 BY 20
transfer to teachers and referrals to children in need of eye care support worth R100 000. For 2017, L’OCCITANE South Africa and the L’OCCITANE Foundation got bigger signing a contract with Brien Holden Vision Institute engaging in financing Our Children’s Vision Project, based in KZN, worth almost R700 000. This project’s focus is to provide children in under-served communities with equal access to eye care regardless of gender and religion as well as children living with multiple disabilities. For more information go to za.loccitane.com/loccitane-cares
Did You Know? In 1997, L’OCCITANE decided to provide the main product information on its packaging in braille. This would not only make its products more accessible to the visually impaired, but also raise awareness among customers
G t g r e e n l i v i n g | Ways to Green your Life
TIP: For a vegan alternative, dress with extra virgin olive oil mixed with fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, a drizzle of honey, salt and pepper
Easy recipes with some of our favourite GrEEn FooDs Recipes by ilse van deR MeRwe www.thefoodfox.coM photos by tasha seccoMbe
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Green-On-Green Salad (Serves 4) GT LOVES: This green sauce is like a hybrid between guacamole and salsa verde. It works well served hot or cold, as a purée or as a dip, as a topping or as a base. Also try baking fish fillets topped with the sauce, or serve as a dip (topped with some olive oil) with toasted bread or crackers
1 small head gem lettuce leaves, rinsed 2 avocados, halved and peeled ½ English cucumber, shaved with a mandolin or vegetable peeler 1 cup frozen petit pois (peas), rinsed under hot water until they are just thawed a handful watercress, rinsed FOR THE DRESSING (Makes about 1 cup) :
100g blue cheese (Gorgonzola works well) ½ cup sour cream (or buttermilk) 45ml milk 30-45ml apple cider vinegar juice of 1 small lemon a handful of chopped chives salt & pepper, to taste 1. Mix together in a blender until smooth. Add a little more milk if the sauce is too thick. Arrange the salad ingredients on a platter, then top with some of the sauce, some salt and pepper. Serve the rest of the sauce on the side. Smashed Chicken with Magic Green Sauce Prep time: 30 min (Serves 4) FOR THE CHICKEN:
4 large chicken breasts olive oil salt & pepper 1. Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of baking paper or plastic wrap, then use a rolling pin or heavy, hard object to smash it to an even thickness of about 1cm. Remove from the paper/plastic, then drizzle with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. 2. Heat a griddle pan or non-stick pan over high heat. Fry the breasts in batches on both sides until just cooked. FOR THE MAGIC GREEN SAUCE:
200g baby spinach leaves (save a handful for garnish) a handful Italian parsley leaves (or basil, or coriander) 1 ripe avocado juice of 1 medium lemon (also *save the zest, finely grated) 30ml extra virgin olive oil salt & pepper
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1. Place all the ingredients in a food processor and process to a pulp. Set aside. 2. Place a dollop of green sauce on a plate/ platter, then top with the grilled chicken, sliced Bocconcini, saved spinach leaves, and saved lemon zest. Serve with fresh lemon wedges.
TIP: Choose a green dried tagliatelle pasta, or a fresh low carb noodle such as Woolworths’ carb clever cauliflower and spinach ‘noodles’
Pasta with Basil Pesto, Whole Grilled Feta, Rocket and Pistachios (Serves 2) 2-4 rounds Feta cheese olive oil, for drizzling 250g green spaghetti/linguini/tagliatelle (or wheat-free alternative noodles) 45ml basil pesto salt and pepper, to taste a handful wild rocket leaves (or micro rocket) about 1-2 tbsp shelled pistachios, roughly chopped 1. Pre-heat oven on grill (with maximum temperature). Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Place the Feta
rounds on the lined tray and drizzle with some olive oil. Grill for about 20 min until golden brown (leave the door slightly ajar while grilling). 2. In the meantime, cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain, transfer to a bowl and immediately stir through the pesto, adding a little more olive oil if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Serve hot with the freshly grilled Feta on top, as well as some rocket leaves and chopped pistachios.
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FOR THE PANNA COTTA: Prep time: 20 min
plus 3 hours fridge time 125ml milk 20ml (4 teaspoons) powdered gelatin 250ml fresh cream 400ml (1 can) coconut milk 150g caster sugar seeds of 1 vanilla pod 10-15ml matcha powder 1. Spray 6 or 8 ramekins with non-stick cooking spray. 2. Place the milk in a cup and add the gelatin. Stir and leave to sponge. 3. Heat the cream, coconut milk, sugar and vanilla seeds in a small saucepan, stirring often until the sugar is melted—about 5-10 min. 4. Scoop about 1/2 cup of the hot cream mixture into a small mixing bowl and add the matcha. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth, then return it to the cream mixture and stir until it is well mixed. Strain through a fine sieve, then pour into the ramekins. 5. Refrigerate for 3 hours, preferably overnight. 6. To turn out, dip the ramekins carefully into recently boiled water, taking care not to burn your fingertips or to get water into the ramekins. Use a small sharp knife and run the blade around the inside of the ramekin. Place upside down on a serving plate, then give it a shake. You’ll hear a shucking sound when the panna cotta is released. Use a clean, wet fingertip to neaten the sides, if necessary. Serve cold with sesame brittle (see below) and a fruit coulis or puréed fruit sauce (like kiwi, strawberry or mango) or sliced fresh fruit.
TIP: If you’re looking for a natural green colourant for desserts and baking, look no further than matcha. It’s a ground green tea with a deep tea flavour, suitable for both sweet and savoury delights. Matcha can be quite expensive (depending on the grade) but a little bit goes a long way and there is really no substitute for it
FOR THE BLACK SESAME BRITTLE: Prep time: 15
min plus cooling 125ml caster sugar about 30ml black sesame seeds 1. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper. 2. Place the sugar evenly in a thin layer in a non-stick pan and place over high heat. Watch carefully as the sides begin to melt after a few minutes, then tip the pan from side to side until all the sugar has melted. 3. Once the sugar has completely melted and it starts to turn golden brown, add the sesame seeds and tip the pan from side to side to coat them completely. Working quickly, tip it out on the lined baking tray and use a silicon spatula to spread it out as thin as you can (it will harden quickly, so do it as quickly as you can). Let it cool for at least 15 min. 4. When cool, break into shards and serve with the panna cotta. 5 2
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Matcha Coconut Panna Cotta with Black Sesame Brittle
A SMALL POT WITH A BIG DIFFERENCE In 2014 LUSH launched Charity Pot in South Africa, which now supports 11 small charities with over R200 000 per year. Who would have thought such a small pot could make such a big difference? www.lush.co.za
T hi s C h e e s e i s Nut s
GETTING SERIOUS ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY Adidas has recently unveiled a new Parley edition, which sees this design remodelled using PARLEY OCEAN PLASTIC™. Each pair reuses an average of 11 plastic bottles and recycled PET material, fusing functionality and style with a definitive purpose. You can grab a pair of these up-cycled kicks online at www.adidas.co.za.
Love cheese and yoghurt but dairy doesn’t quite agree with you? Helen Oxtoby of UTOPIA FOODS has a introduced a range of flavoured yogurts and cultured cashew nut cheeses all free of refined sugar, oils, preservatives and nasty preservatives. Her Brie-style cheese may even be better than the real thing. www.utopiafoods.co.za
HEALTHY & HAPPY Healthy body, healthy mind
SIMPLE TIPS TO EAT MORE MINDFULLY Here are some of our favourite ways to introduce MINDFULNESS TO MEALTIMES in the easiest
way possible:
1. EAT SLOWER: Take your time to savour and enjoy your food. You will be able to notice more easily when you are full, plus you can notice flavours you otherwise might have missed.
Did You Know?
2. KNOW YOUR FOOD: Gain a deeper appreciation for your food, from planting a veggie garden to baking your own bread, or visiting a local farmers market. Connect with the story behind what you eat.
Every time you enjoy a packet of PESTO PRINCESS soup you provide a meal to a
3. FOCUS ON FLAVOUR: Pay attention to the
hungry person. That’s because for each packet of soup sold one meal is donated to LADLES OF LOVE, a organisation that provides nourishing hot meals to hungry South Africans. We do love a brand that gives back. www.pesto.co.za/stocklists
details of your food. Savour each bite and notice what you are tasting—the spiciness of rocket, the sweetness of mango, or the tang of lemon.
G T I N S P I R A T I O N | Edible Flowers
Harvest edible f lowers in the morning. Unlike most of us, f lowers are freshest, firm and their colour pops the most at this time of day. Place them in water until you are ready to use them
FA L L I NG for
f lowers Everything you need to know about edible blooms
Flowers brighten up our gardens and homes, but they’ve also been known to add colour and flavour to meals too. Want to find out how to bring your blooms into the kitchen? Here’s what we’ve learnt about edible flowers
Rose Petal Jam
• Bring 3 cups of water to boil. Add 2 cups white sugar and 1 cup rose petals (trimmed and chopped) and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Lower the heat and simmer 20 minutes. • Increase the heat to a full boil and add 1 packet of powdered pectin. Boil hard for one minute. • Turn off the heat, add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and skim off any foam. Pour into sterilised, heatproof jelly jars and seal them tightly. Let cool. Flowers, like other fresh produce, are sprayed with pesticides and fertilisers, so make sure you find ones that have been grown safely
In the Kitchen with Blossoms
• Pretty up your dip dish by placing a gladiolus or hibiscus flower (with stamen and pistil removed) in a glass bowl and fill with your favourite dip. • Edible flowers in salads are simple to do, and will add a nice sprinkle of colour and taste. • Your next summer party will explode with colour if you freeze pansies or violas in ice cubes and add them to your drinks and cocktails. • Use in flavoured oils and vinaigrettes. Experiment with 4 sprigs of your flower of choice with 1 cup of vinegar for 3 to 6 weeks, until it has a flavour you are happy with. • Also good in jams and marinades. See recipe. • Lost on how to decorate a cake. Just sugar some violets or rose petals— simple, stylish, beautiful.
The white base of most petals, the stamens and the centre pistils are quite bitter. So rather discard these before adding blossoms to your food
Our Favourite Flower Flavours
NASTURTIUMS have a peppery flavour
similar to watercress and are great colour fillers for a salad. TIP: If you pickle their buds, they’re a great substitute for capers. BORAGE tastes like cucumber. VIOLETS and roses are on the sweeter side, so are great in salads or desserts. BEAN BLOSSOMS have a sweet, beany flavour. LAVENDER are beautiful when dried or sprinkled on cakes, in cocktails or even frozen in ice cubes. And the leaves substitute well for rosemary. YELLOW CALENDULAS are a more
affordable alternative to saffron, though not quite as pungent. MINIATURE PANSIES taste a bit like wintergreen. VIOLA come in many colours, in multiple sizes and markings. They’re pretty when topping cakes, in elderflower cordial popsicles or frozen in ice cubes.
Some f lowers are poisonous, so just because they look good don’t assume they’re edible. The same rules as mushroom foraging apply; consult a guide or a book to make sure the f lower is safe to eat
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TA K E A B I T E FOODIE NEWS and finds
NOSE-TO-TAIL EATING A European nose-to-tail inspired restaurant, LA TÊTE, in Bree Street is owned by brothers Giles and James. La Tête, meaning ‘head’ is a nod to the French and their mastery of sustainable eating— making use of everything from the nose to the tail. Chef Giles has been working in the kitchen of a Michelin-starred London restaurant, St John, under chef Fergus Henderson, a pioneer in the sustainable eating movement. Follow them on Instagram @la_tete_restaurant.
LOCAL ORGANIC
Markets To Visit
1. BRYANSTON ORGANIC AND NATURAL MARKET, JOHANNESBURG: Jozi’s original organic market has everything from farm-fresh fruits and vegetables to meats and other delicious local produce. 2. SATURDAY MORNING MARKET, GREYTON: If you ever find yourself in charming Greyton on a Saturday morning just follow the smell of freshly-baked bread. A true foodies’ paradise and a fun outing for the whole family. 3. KARKLOOF FARMERS MARKET, HOWICK: Located in the heart of the Midlands, here you can find organic produce from local farmers and small businesses providing the freshest seasonal fruits, vegetables, cheeses, yoghurt and flowers. 4. EARTH FAIR FOOD MARKET, CAPE TOWN: Dedicated to providing ethical food produce, this market is home to high quality products from free-range meats, sulphur-free dried fruit, flowers, olive oil—all in a relaxed family-friendly setting. 5. ORANJEZICHT CITY FARM MARKET, CAPE TOWN: A selling ground for local, small-scale organic fruit and veggie farmers—offering a cosy, farm-style atmosphere with hay bales, lots of seating and great views of the Mother City. 6. BOEREMARK MARKET, BLOEMFONTEIN: One of the oldest farmers markets in South Africa, this laid-back outdoor market is full of stalls selling organic food and fresh produce and handcrafted goods that will keep you coming back every week.
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BOWLED OVER
GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY
For Andrea Bemis, who owns and runs an organic farm with her husband outside of Portland, Oregon, dinners are inspired by what is grown in the soil and picked by hand. A follow up from her popular blog, in DISHING UP THE DIRT Andrea offers 100 authentic farm-to-table recipes, arranged by season in this real-life farmer’s cookbook. R512 from Exclusive Books
The team at LEAF REPUBLIC has developed a range of environmentallyfriendly packaging and serving-ware that’s completely sustainable and biodegradable. The bowls and plates are made entirely out of leaves that are sourced from a wild creeper plant found in Asia and South America. These are then stitched together by the leaves’ fibres, meaning no plastics, adhesives, chemicals or additives are used in the manufacturing process. Yip, it’s official, we’re in leaf.
G TG TG R TE R EAN V EL LI V| I N The G World’s | WaysBest to Green Tree Houses your Life
TAKE ME to the Tree Tops Carrie Hampton discovers six of the WORLD’S BEST TREE HOUSES
If you spent many a happy day hidden away in your tree house as a kid, or looked longingly at little Jimmy’s one next door—we feel you. Now, thanks to the increase in eco-tourism and the focus on creating buildings that work in harmony with nature, you can relive your Swiss Family Robinson fantasy and stay in a real-life tree house. Best of all, you’ll find them tucked away in some of the most beautiful locations around the world.
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GT LOVES: Seeing shooting stars while listening to night sounds of the African bush
1. Lion SandS, Kruger NatioNal ParK, Sa Lion Sands has two ultimate bush bedrooms in this family-owned reserve Bordering Kruger National Park. Kingston Treehouse, hidden by bushes and boulders with a drawbridge entrance, is Tarzan’s lair with a five-star makeover. Chalkley Treehouse, named after the current owner’s great grandfather who acquired the land in 1932, has its fourposter bed in full view of open savannah and wandering wildlife. The More family say their tree houses are for “hopeless romantics, adventurers and people in need of a digital detox”. As for Wi-Fi, they say, “You must be joking!” Out here it’s just a two-way radio for emergencies. Like a leopard coming for a visit, maybe? iNformatioN: Bordering Kruger National Park; 45 min drive to Skukuza or 1 hour to Hazyview. Email: mpt@more.co.za Website: www.lionsands.com
GT LOVES: Sleeping in and sipping on Kerala’s home-grown coffee
2. Serenetree ViLLa & tranquiLitree tree HouSe, Kerala, iNdia What brilliant names they’ve given to these two tree-top villas in this lush Indian coffee plantation. Along with other people staying at the homestead, you are warmly hosted as personal guests of the plantation director and his wife. Drink cocktails and dine on delectable Indian food with them. While the homestay has a house-party ambience, you can sneak away into your pukka tree house, but still have mod cons such as TV, DVD, mini fridge and tea/coffee facilities. iNformatioN: Tranquil Resort, Kuppamudi Coffee Estate, Kerala, India Email: tranquilresort@gmail.com Website: www.tranquilresort.com
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G T T R A V E L | The World’s Best Tree Houses
3. TREEHOTEL, HARADS, SWEDEN The high-flying treetop dreams of owners Kent and Britta became a reality in a tall pine forest in Lapland. Their cutting-edge TREE HOUSE PODS are in a style only Swedes can pull off. Inspired after hosting a crew for the Swedish film The Tree Lover, they now have seven extraordinary tree houses, which they describe as a UFO, a bird’s nest, a cabin, a mirror cube and a blue cone which changes colour to orange. Eat wild game pies cooked by your hosts, and mingle with other guests in the tree dining terrace eight metres up.
GT LOVES: The sci-fi designs perched in tall, thin trees
4. RHINO POST SLEEPOUT TREEHOUSE, KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SA Your afternoon game drive or guided walk from RHINO POST LODGE, through a private concession inside Kruger National Park, ends at a small waterhole overlooked by a multi-level tree house. Your accommodation for the night—a tent pitched on a wooden platform high amongst bushes and trees—gives you a bird’s eye view with full surround sound of whatever goes on in the African bush at night. INFORMATION: Inside Kruger National Park; 45 min drive from Skukuza Restcamp. Email: res@isibindi.co.za Website: www.rhinopost.co.za 6 0
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GT LOVES: Looking for spoor in the morning to see who was at the waterhole during the night. We found leopard, hyena and elephant prints
INFORMATION: About 100km from Luleå airport, 50km south of the Arctic Circle Email: booking@treehotel.se Website: www.treehotel.se/en
5. THe Woodman’S TreeHouSe, Dorset, UK With a hot tub and sauna, the beautifully-crafted, multi-level Woodman’S TreeHouSe, is a whole step up from the one your dad built. It does have one jungle-gym feature though; a steel slide that can deliver you to the ground in one brave leap. The wooden circular room with recessed king-size bed nook and a copper bath sitting smugly in front of a large picture window looking onto a magical Dorset woodland makes this an enchanting escape from reality. location: Yonder Hill, West Dorset, UK Email: enquiries@mallison.co.uk Website: www.mallinson.co.uk
GT LovES: How the natural materials help you connect with nature 6. SunriSe HouSe, Bali In Bali, they do tree houses differently. SunriSe HouSe is sustainably designed and hand-crafted entirely of bamboo with no windows and few walls—just some bamboo blinds for privacy. You enter on the third floor into an open lounge and kitchen, while three en-suite bedrooms are on the two floors below. Admire its heavenly position perched on the edge of the river valley, while cooling off in a plunge pool in the private garden. information: Sibang Gede, Bali—1 hour drive inland from the airport Email: reservations@greenvillagebali.com Website: www.greenvillagebali.com goodtaste.co.za
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G T W I N E L A N D S | Connecting with Nature
GET DOWN TO EARTH TAKE A DEEP BREATH of fresh air, and a large SIP OF WINE. CONNECT WITH NATURE at these wine estates that offer a PLETHORA OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES; from learning gardening techniques to HIKING TRAILS, RIVER CRUISES AND MORE
HIKING THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE Franschhoek wine farm, LA MOTTE, offers a scenic hiking trail in the mountainous area surrounding the estate. It’s a circular route, which starts at the farm’s tasting room and stretches over five kilometres, with the hiking trail section covering two kilometres. You can explore the trail from Monday to Saturday at your own steam, plus there’s a guided hike on Monday mornings, where a guide will share information on the flora and fauna of the Franschhoek valley. Make sure you allow plenty of time for a wine tasting after your walk, or indeed lunch in the award-winning restaurant. 021 876 8820 www.la-motte.com
WALKING THE TALK
Putting its money where its mouth is, SPIER has one of the greenest estates in the Cape, with an ethos that includes wildlife conservation, waste recycling as well as sustainable wine and food production programmes. Included in this is a host of walks you can do to see all this action; from tours on Segways to VoiceMap Walking Tours as well as the River Walk. Any of these activities will see you working up an appetite—and thirst. Luckily, Spier has a number of eateries, a brewery, as well as a wine tasting centre to satisfy your needs. 021 809 1100 www.spier.co.za
BY WHEEL OR BY HEEL
Only half of the total 120 hectares of land at WATERFORD ESTATE is under vineyard, the rest has been kept natural to preserve the fauna and flora on the estate. Discover green belts and wildlife corridors on a twohour guided walk along the Porcupine Trail; or embark on a Wine Drive Safari, which will see you exploring the slopes of the Helderberg. The drive wraps up in fine style with a wine tasting on a deck, with a view of the vineyards. 021 880 5300 www.waterfordestate.co.za
GT LOVES: Waterford’s wine tasting with a view
UP YOUR GAME
West Coast wine farm GROOTE POST is a joy to visit anytime of year, but especially so in spring when the wildflowers pop. Not just flora though, there’s plenty of fauna here too at any time of year. Hop on a game vehicle to take in their 2000-hectare game camp where you will be able to spot many types of buck species as well as ostrich, black wildebeest and quagga. The drive will continue up to the vineyards where you can enjoy the estate’s delicious wines, with a view of note—stretching all the way to Table Mountain. 022 492 2825 www.grootepost.co.za
BE ENCHANTED
NO NEED TO BE REINED IN HERE
PHOTOGRAPHY: Courtesy of Babylonstoren
There is so much to discover at BOSCHENDAL in Franschhoek—from trail running and hiking trails, to heritage walks and the beautiful gardens (rose and vegetable gardens among them). There’s a farm shop and deli selling the estate’s fresh produce, or you can enjoy it served up in The Werf Restaurant. But for something different, horse-lovers can enjoy outrides on the Boschendal trails and kids will love the pony rides offered in the Werf area. Those looking for romance can book a two-person cart, drawn by a Percheron draft horse, to slowly take in views of the beautiful grounds. 021 870 4211 www.boschendal.com
Home of famed wine, The Chocolate Block, among many other award-winning wines, BOEKENHOUTSKLOOF, tucked into a corner of the Franschhoek valley, has a magical secret. Criss-crossing the river there’s an 800-metre wooden path that meanders amongst the ‘enchanted forest’, punctuated by wooden sculptures of wolves created by Simon Max Bannister from the wooden pallets used to deliver wine bottles. Booking is essential. 021 876 3320 www.boekenhoutskloof.co.za
BE LED DOWN THE GARDEN PATH
Have a green thumb, or would like to cultivate one? Learn from the experts in one of the Cape’s most beautiful gardens, BABYLONSTOREN. This hotel-slash-wine estate holds regular gardening workshops—hosted by experts in collaboration with Babylonstoren’s gardening team— throughout the year with subjects reflecting the season. The workshops always begin with a walk through the famed gardens—and should rightly end with a well-deserved glass of wine. 021 863 3852 www.babylonstoren.com
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G t i n f l u e n c e r | Abigail bisogno
a life less
Ordinary photography by Christine le roux
After 35 years in the fashion industry, AbigAil bisogno now spends her time on various lAbours of love— with some exciting new adventures thrown in
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G T I N F L U E N C E R | Abigail Bisogno
A painting of the MOUNT NELSON and a Versace vase, which was a gift from her DAUGHTERS
B
orn in Paarl, Abigail spent most of her childhood running barefoot around the famous Fairview wine estate which is still owned by her family today. As far back as she can remember Abigail says she was always drawn to fashion. She says she owes this to her uncle—who would always take her to his shoe factory when she was a little girl. As soon as she left school, and with fashion flowing through her veins, Abigail attended the Cape Town School of Fashion. After completing her studies, she began her first job as a pattern-maker at Foschini, and ended up becoming managing director of the Foschini Division. After 35 years in retail fashion Abigail decided to step out of the corporate world and embark on a new adventure close to her heart. Together with her brother Charls Back (owner of Fairview) she bought Spice Route Destination in 2012. Since then she has been developing the Spice Route brand into a destination that tourists and locals can’t seem to get enough of. Located in Paarl, Spice Route Destination is a smorgasbord of delicious offerings such as food, wine, craft beer, artisanal ice cream, hand-made chocolates, cured meats, gin, décor and more. A few weeks ago Abigail invited us into her home, where we got to chat to her about her life, her loves and a couple of vintage Gucci cups.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOME? Our family home in Oranjezicht, Cape Town, is over 100 years old. The architect, a man by the name of Mr Dumstra, was very well-known in his time and responsible for the Standard Bank building in the CBD. The house’s design was inspired by Italian and North African architecture, although it looks more like an Italian villa. We haven’t changed much, as the house is a heritage site, and we had to stick to restrictions. The house has loads of character, which we didn’t want to change in any regard. So, because we couldn’t renovate much, we tried to make each space work, make it cosy and easily liveable. The house may look big from the outside but it actually offers warm, intimate spaces inside. It’s a soothing house. I’ve been unbelievably attached to it since we bought it 21 years ago, when my youngest daughter was seven months old. When the kids move out I don’t think we’ll ever move out to downscale. We’re so at home here.
HOW DO YOU ENJOY CITY LIVING? I’m not a suburbs girl. It’s always been a choice between the city or the farm, but nowhere in between. For us, living in the CBD is the best. We have mountain trails right outside our door, and Camps Bay and Clifton are just five minutes away. We mostly spend weeks in the city and weekends cooking and entertaining on the farm. When I am in Cape Town, I make sure I’m always trying new things—exploring new restaurants and places. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SPOT IN THE HOUSE? My bedroom and the upstairs study. This is where I go to think and do my own thing. I’m most productive when I’m up there. I love surrounding myself with people but I also thrive on being alone and having time to contemplate. It allows me to do my homework and catch up on the latest news and trends—which keep me going.
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Abigail’s daughters commissioned artist, Lucie de Moyencourt to secretly take a photo of their home and paint it. Lucie is one of Abigail’s favourite artists, and this is now one of her most precious pieces in the house
HOW WOulD yOu DesCribe yOur style? When it comes to fashion and décor i like to mix things up. i’m also very sentimental and attracted to objects that tell a story. i always tend to make old, valuable items ‘work’ in the chosen environment, mostly so i can hold onto them. my home is largely made up of hand-me-downs. Camilla Fraser is my interior designer and we work well together and share the same taste. she even puts up with all my nostalgic pieces. FasHiOn is ClOse tO yOur Heart. WHO is yOur biggest FasHiOn CrusH? i love gucci. i’m crazy about it. a while back my uncle gave me some silver cups, called ‘hunting cups’. i had them for years and years before a friend turned them over, only then to discover them being vintage gucci. it was my uncle who first got me into fashion during my childhood. i used to play in his factory when i was little—and this is where my love affair with fashion began.
GT LOVES: Ralph Lauren animal print wallpaper from St Leger and Viney
‘For us, living in the CBD is magnificent, with mountain views and trails right outside our door’
30 seconds WITH AbIgAIl WHO IS yOuR FAVOuRITE SA DESIGnER? Isabella, my daughter. I’m very proud of her clothing range. Some of her work was displayed at the latest SA Men’s Fashion Week. Amazing, right? SA ARTIST TO WATCH? At this point, I have a desire to own art by Kate Gottgens who is one of my favourites. She exhibits at SMAC Gallery. WHAT InSpIRES yOu? people. people keep me going. I consistently engage with interesting people and this is what ignites my inspiration. I also love to transform spaces. yOuR FAVOuRITE pLACE TO TRAVEL? Capri. I love the food, the wine, the culture, the atmosphere. And the fact that you can walk everywhere. yOuR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMEnT? Watching my daughters grow up. AnyTHInG ExCITInG In THE pIpELInE? I’m currently wrapping up work on my new business venture—call it a ‘mini’ Spice Route Destination—The yard, situated in Cape Town’s Waterfront Silo District. Watch this space. Follow @spiceroutepaarl
Q&A WITH cAmIllA frAser Over the years Camilla Fraser has helped abigail with the interior design of her homes and business ventures, such as spiCe rOute DestinatiOn. We caught up with Camilla where she shares some of her secrets: When it comes to keeping Abigail’s existing rooms fresh—what do you do? The majority of the time we re-upholster or paint the existing furniture. We also paint or wallpaper the rooms or just change the room’s layout. On occasion I have made a custom piece, such as the study’s threemetre long sofa. William Tough of Dexter’s does all my upholstery. How does Abigail’s home reflect her personality? Furniture pieces with sentimental value are always cherished, and this reflects her deep loyalty to her family and friends. However, she is also a risk-taker and a creative person, which comes out in the black walls and neon yellow hide rugs. Which design trends are you following at the moment? I am a tactile person and I easily fall in love with fabrics, baskets and ceramics. I want my spaces to look effortless. Who are your go-to suppliers for Abigail’s home? I used sT leger And VIney for the Ralph Lauren leopard wallpaper and the classic black and white mattress ticking on Abigail’s mother’s arm chair. I also love mAVromAc’s Easy Velvets which I used in chocolate for her study’s sofa. I use dexTer furnITure for all the upholstery throughout the house and I got her beautiful blue and white china and colourful storage baskets from PezulA InTerIors. cHAndler House and lucIe de moyencourT are great for art and soft furnishings such as the embroidered cushions on Abigail’s master bed. THe TrAdIng comPAny is wonderful for rattan trays, crockery, wooden boards and scatter cushions and we go to AucTIon Houses And VInTAge sTores for rugs and odd finds—like the quirky ceramic parrots in the study. WWW.cAmIllAfrAser.co.zA
‘I have brought up all my children in this home. We all have such busy lives, and it’s a place to get together and regroup’
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G t M o t o r i n g | Rev Rap
Price is still a factor in electric cars. The base i3 sells for R606 800, while the supercarstyled i8 sells for just over R2-million
Eco-Friendly Cars By StuArt JohnSton
The Leader in The eLecTric VehicLe MarkeT in Sa Just over two years after the launch of its famous ‘i’ brand in South Africa, BMW is way ahead in the electric vehicle (EV) and plug-in-hybrid car market in South Africa. Well over 400 BMW i models have been sold since March 2015 when the all-electric i3 city car and the plug-inhybrid i8, with super car styling, were introduced here. However, BMW says it needs more commitment from government in order to increase consumer confidence in electric vehicles locally. The company predicts that, on a global scale, electrified drive-trains are likely to account for between 15 and 25 per cent of its total sales by the year 2025. In this scenario, South Africa is way behind worldwide trends. In 2017 alone, BMW has a sales target of 100 000 electrified vehicles (a combination of fully electric cars like the i3 and plug-in-hybrids such as the i8 and
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other larger sedans with petrol-hybrid power plants). The i3 is the first volume-produced BMW driven purely by electric power. However, range between charges is still a factor in South Africa. The standard all-electric i3 can go for up to 130km without recharging, but with a rangeextender small-capacity petrol engine included as an option, this range extends to a possible 300km.
a Low-eMiSSionS choice in coMpacT SUVS By choosing the base 1,0-litre TFSi engine option in the high-style Audi Q2, ecoconscious motorists can bask in the fact that this car has a CO2 emissions rating of just 117 grams per kilometre. Yet power output for the little three-cylinder engine has been upped to 85kW, with 200Nm of torque. If you choose the manual six-speed
Volvo Cars has formed a partnership with Google to develop its next generation of infotainment systems and connectivity
model, you should get close to the claimed consumption figure of 5,1 litres/100km, as driving a manual model means you can ease the speed up through the gears on a light throttle. On the automatic model, increasing speed means planting your foot harder on the ‘loud pedal’. The Q2 is a highly sophisticated car, and a number of driver-assistance and safety systems are onboard to help you keep this little Audi and its occupants blemish-free. One of these is the ‘pre sense’ braking system which automatically applies full braking power if it senses a hazardous situation ahead of the car. Pricing for the Q2 starts at R434 500.
VOLVO GETS GOOGLE ON BOARD Volvo Cars has formed a partnership with Google to develop its next generation of infotainment systems and connectivity. Based on Google’s Android operating system, the new connectivity in Volvos will come on stream in models planned for launch within the next two years. Volvo says it will be able to offer hundreds of apps integrated within Volvo’s familiar user interface on the dashboard of its cars. The idea is to enable Volvo drivers to personalise their ‘connected driving experience’.
The sound of a burbling Yankee V8 engine is addictive, but unfortunately the price to be paid for V8 music is felt at the fuel pumps AN ELECTRIC MUSTANG? Ford’s iconic Mustang has built its appeal over half a century on the back of romping, stomping V8 performance in the good ol’ American tradition. The sound of a burbling Yankee V8 engine is addictive, but unfortunately the price to be paid for V8 music is felt at the fuel pumps. The term ‘gas-guzzling’ was coined with traditional V8 engines very much in mind.
However, that’s all set to change regarding the Mustang. Already you can order the pony-car with a more frugal 2,3-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. And now, as part of its five-year programme of ‘electrified vehicles’, Ford has revealed that a hybrid electric-petrol version of the Mustang will be built at its Flat Rock plant in Michigan, USA. The new hybrid Mustang, said to offer ‘V8 performance’, will go on sale in 2020.
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G T S T Y L I N G | Setting the Bar
SETTING THE BAR
Kit out your BAR CART with a range of essential quality SPIRITS VODKA: Crafted using Polish Dankowskie Rye and blended with water from its own local pristine source, Belvedere’s taste profile is distinctively soft with a subtle sweetness and smooth, clean finish.
TENNESSEE WHISKEY:
Charcoal mellowing is the process that differentiates a Tennessee whiskey from a Bourbon. Being charcoal mellowed twice, Gentleman Jack offers ultimate smoothness. BOURBON: Crafted in small
batches, Woodford Reserve is the only bourbon that’s triple distilled in copper pots, making it one of the most complex, fullbodied bourbons around. SCOTTISH WHISKY:
TIP: Whatever you do make sure your bar cart is on wheels. This way your mobile bar is free to move wherever it may be summoned. Pool party, anyone?
COGNAC: A harmonious blend of various eau-de-vies of
different origins and ages, Hennessy Very Special is the world’s most popular cognac. Intense character and fullbodied flavours, enjoy neat, on ice or with a mixer. GIN: In addition to the traditional juniper infusion, Hendrick’s uses Bulgarian rose and English cucumber to add an extra dimension of unique flavours to this stylish Scottish gin.
Glenmorangie is distilled in the tallest stills, which means that only the very lightest and purest vapours make it to the top, producing a much smoother, more elegant whisky.
For delicious cocktail recipes made with these spirits—and a step-by-step guide on how to stock and style your bar cart go to www. goodtaste.co.za
Photographed on location at The Stack, Cape Town. Photography by Lauren de Sousa, Styling by Alexandra Edwards. Two Tier Oval Mirrored Gold Bar Cart, R3995 and Light Resin R795 from Block & Chisel, Twisted Ball Small, R69 from Mr Price Home | D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6 | g o o dMonkey t a s t e . Gold c o . zLarge, a
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GREEN IS THE NEW BLACK, SORT OF From a wine estate of firsts, comes Warwick’s latest offering: THE FIRST LADY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017. With a flavour profile similar to the winery’s popular Sauvignon Blanc Professor Black, the wine has now been repositioned to fit into ‘The First Lady’ range of wines. “In other words—the same quality wine at a lower price,” says MD, Mike Ratcliffe. The First Lady’ Sauvignon Blanc 2017 retails at R80 per bottle.
Make Mine an Organic G&T Profumi D’Italia, importer of fine Italian products to our shores, has recently introduced BIOSTILLA ORGANIC MEDITERRANEAN GIN to the South African market. This
certified-organic premium gin is made in the style of a London Dry with a selection of Mediterranean botanicals. R350 from leading retailers. “In terms of flavour profile the BIOSTILLA ORGANIC GIN is entirely
unique. With all the botanicals sourced from the Italian Alps, it’s a real taste of South Tyrol,” SAYS GIULIANA ABRAHAMSE, MARKETING AND OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Green tea or black. Which is better for you?
BOTTOMS UP Wine, Beer & Drinks
Green Tea vs. Black Tea
What makes green tea green, and black tea black? And importantly, which one is more BENEFICIAL TO YOUR HEALTH ? Both green and black teas come from the leaves of the camellia sinensis tea bush. It’s simply the processing of the leaves that determines if the leaves end up green or black. To make green tea the leaves are heated through steaming or pan firing. This process halts oxidation, so the leaves retain their colour and delicate flavour. Black tea leaves, on the other hand, are allowed to oxidise before being dried. As a result, the leaves darken and develop a stronger flavour and aroma. Both styles of tea contain antioxidants, and in each case oxidation or non-oxidation gives the tea a different set of antioxidant compounds. So which one is better for you? The jury is still out on this matter. Better have a cup of each, just in case.
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G T W I N E | Bottoms Up
FLIP-POPS? First you pop a cork and then … you turn it into footwear. Kind of. ECOCHIC is a startup of Amorim Cork Ventures (the Amorim Group is the world’s largest natural cork producer and distributor) and the name of the game is to produce flip-flops made from cork. The collection, which is set to launch in 2018, is not only eco-friendly (that is, made from sustainable cork) but pretty good-looking too. A must for shoe-loving winos, what? More info: www.asportuguesas.shoes
Now you can taste your favourite song
Take Note Vegetarians
This may come as a shock to some, but many WINES AREN’T TECHNICALLY ‘VEGETARIAN’ OR ‘VEGAN’. This is thanks to a
winemaking technique known as fining. Winemakers add a product to wine to remove suspended solids so the end result is a clear wine. These fining agents range from things such as egg whites to isinglass (a fish by-product). Look for wines that use bentonite (a clay by-product) to filter wines, or wines that are unfined and unfiltered. The best way to know? Check with the producer.
TASTE YOUR FAVOURITE SONG The Squeeze Music juicer, produced by the JAPANESE COMPANY NOMURA , analyses music. It looks for sentiments such as happy, romantic, sad, and so on, and then these emotions are matched with different tastes such as sour, sweet, and bitter (creating both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks). Developer Akinori Goto says: “At a music festival, for example, you can enjoy the experience to have a drink blended according to a song while listening to it at the gig.” Sounds like it could also be used in place of the classic mixtape to get across your feelings.
NEED-TO-KNOWS
• White, rosé and sparkling wines are generally fined with isinglass. • Red wines commonly use egg whites or casein (a milk by-product) for fining and to remove bitter-tasting phenolics. • Do you drink them? No. Fining agents are removed before the wine is bottled.
Surf’s Up and So Is the Tequila
Tequila brand EL JIMADOR commissioned four South African craftsmen to create AGAVE WOOD SURFBOARDS produced from agave harvested in the Karoo. Jason Hayes of Hayes Craft and Robby MacDonald of Vudu Surf took part in the campaign. According to Robby: “It’s functional, not too soft or too hard and it is light enough to carve. The crafted boards have been kept as pure and as natural as possible, much like our favourite tequila.” While this may have been a once off for the campaign, we sure would love to see the use of this eco-friendly material tearing up waves in the future.
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G T I N S P I R A T I O N | Gaynor Walkey
Your Wine
FAQ S
IS THE CAPE WINE INDUSTRY
doing their bit to prevent pollution? Are sulphites harmful? Who first discovered how to make wine?
IN THESE ENVIRONMENTALLYCONSCIOUS TIMES is the Cape’s wine industry doing its bit to prevent pollution or use grey water? Almost all the Cape’s wine producers are extremely eco-conscious and aware of the need not only to save water, but to do everything they can to treat the planet kindly. Strict regulations govern the quality of all effluent water produced in winemaking. Water is used in winemaking for rinsing pipes, cleaning tanks and floors, rinsing equipment and washing bottles. In many cases high water temperature and pressure do most of the cleaning. Wash down of tanks after fermentation however requires a combination of acid rinse and alkaline stabilization. Floors and walls are usually sterilized with chemical products. In order to remove these pollutants many wine farms spray the effluent on fields of kikuyu grass, where the water is purified naturally. When natural methods are not completely effective, purification plants are installed at considerable cost. When so much effort and money is invested in cleaning up waste water you can rest assured that it is not regarded lightly.
WINE APPEARS IN MANY RELIGIOUS RITUALS AND MUST BE A VERY ANCIENT DRINK.
Who first discovered how to make wine? Wine is indeed an ancient beverage but it’s impossible to say who first discovered it. It probably occurred naturally long before humans ever tried drinking it. In its simplest form wine is the result of grape juice fermenting. It probably fermented in hollows in rocks, or in empty seashells or anywhere that grapes landed when the ripe berries fell from the vines. It just took a wise human to discover that it could be drunk, which resulted in happiness, and silly behaviour.
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MANY WINE LABELS INCLUDE THE WORDS: “CONTAINS SULPHITES”. Are these chemicals harmful and are there wines that do not contain sulphites? Some people claim the sulphur in wine causes headaches. Do sulphites cause headaches? Sulphites, usually in the form of sulphur dioxide, are used in the wine industry to prevent oxidation and ensure the wine stays fresh. Sulphites are also used in other branches of the food industry. It’s an interesting fact that red wine contains about one-tenth as much sulphur as dried fruit. For most people the consumption of sulphites is harmless. The American FDA estimates that only one per cent of the population react badly to them, and these are mostly people who suffer from asthma-related problems. The use of sulphur is a traditional way of sterilizing wine containers. The ancient Romans used to burn sulphur in their amphorae to cleanse them. Many people blame sulphur for their headaches, but there are also people who blame the bubbles in sparkling wine. In fact headaches are caused by too much alcohol, but not many people will admit to that. The amount of sulphites permitted in wine is strictly regulated all over the world, and is very small. In South Africa the permitted level of sulphites is among the lowest in the world. The rule is that the warning must appear on a label if the level of sulphur is more than 10 parts per million. That’s very little. It is important
GT LOVES: The selection of green wines available in SA. For some of our favourites turn to p.78
to remember that sulphites are also a natural by-product of the yeast during fermentation. So even if you do not add any additional sulphites, your wine will still contain sulphites. So stop worrying and start enjoying.
Do you have a WINE RELATED QUESTION? Write to editor@goodtaste.co.za
boT river sprinG weekend 1 - 3 september
Just like the rainbow-theme it has adopted this year, the people of the little village of boT river have lined up a host of activities, and fun, that showcase the best of the region. Celebrate the awakening of nature in all its forms at the annual Spring Weekend. R100 pp. www.botriverwines.com
Fnb JoburG arT Fair 7 - 10 september Showcasing work from South Africa and across the continent—from sculpture, painting, photography, prints and multimedia installations. Don’t miss seeing one of the much-anticipated featured artists, robin rhode, who has had major solo museum shows across the globe, from New York and Los Angeles, to London and Melbourne. R500 Opening Preview Party, R150 Per Day or R250 Weekend Passes. www.fnbjoburgartfair.co.za
‘Aegir is the Norse God of Brewing and an allpowerful sea giant who controls the ocean’
W H AT ’ S O N
Things to do in AUGUST & SEPTEMBER
The FransChhoek unCorked FesTival 16 - 17 september Sample newly-released wines and a handful of gems as you travel from Farm To Farm throughout the weekend. Ranging from live music, giant Jenga or Spanish-inspired entertainment, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone. R150 pp. www.franschhoekuncorked.co.za
sT peTersburG balleT 15 - 24 september Experience the magic of Tchaikovsky’s iconic ballets, with the criticallyacclaimed St Petersburg Ballet who will be performing two full-length favourites: the immortal love story of swan lake ; and the festive tale of The nuTCraCker. Both performances come alive with elaborate costumes and intricate sets at the Montecasino Teatro. R290-R690 pp. www.computicket.com
eikendal vineYards’ winTer piZZa & wine experienCe 1 August - 30 september
What better way to battle the cold Cape winter than to enjoy three thincrust mini pizzas prepared and paired with three of eikendal’s FinesT wines ? Take it up a notch and spend the night at the Eikendal Lodge for a real treat. R60 pp. www.eikendal.com.
The FinerY arTs FesTival 30 september - 1 october
Pretoria’s official arts festival is all about making the arTs accessible. Enjoy a range of local up-and-coming musicians, theatre productions and contemporary art, as well as a variety of food and deli products, wine tastings, artisanal coffee and craft distillery workshops. R150 pp. www.thefinery.co.za and www.kievitskroon.co.za GT LOVES: Local blues musician Geralk Clark
The Cape homemakers expo 31 August 3 september The 2017 Cape Homemakers Expo will celebrate this year’s theme ‘a TribuTe To Your home’ with an impressive range of products and professional services under one roof, at the CTICC. R80 pp. www.homemakersonline.co.za
pop-up lunChes wiTh GeorGe Jardine 27 August & 19 November Farms from the boTTlearY hills wine rouTe are teaming up with renowned South African chef and restauranteur George Jardine to bring guests a series of delicious threecourse Sunday lunches at Kaapzicht Wine Estate on 27 August and Mooiplaas on 19 November. Both of the feasts will be paired perfectly with a selection of wine from each estate. R550 pp. Email marketing@wineroute.co.za
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G T G R E E N W I N E S | Sustainability
1. AVONDALE ESTATE ANIMA CHENIN BLANC 2015 Anima is made from 100 per cent certified organic Chenin Blanc grapes. The emblem on the bottle is a modern rendition of the evolutionary phylogenetic tree: ‘The Tree of Life’. “It shows how all life-forms are interconnected through a complex set of relationships over deep time.” This sentiment is the foundation for Avondale’s philosophy of sustainable and natural viticulture. Not to mention, how delicious the wine is. There are flavours of winter melon, pineapple, lime with a full, textured palate and an unmistakable line of minerality.
SIPPING ON
Sustainability WHO’S THE GREENEST wine of them all?
S
A leads the world in wine production integrity. That’s according to Wines of South Africa (WOSA) who say the country introduced guidelines on sustainability as early as 1998, and that today the majority of our producers—over 95 per cent—stick to the guidelines. In just over a decade, nearly 144 000 hectares have been set aside as conservation land. Farms and cellars are independently audited and, when they pass, they can use the Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA) seal on their wines. The SWSA seal is an eco-friendly alliance between the Wine and Spirit Board, the Integrated Production of Wine scheme, the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative, and WOSA. Together these organisations are driving the South African wine industry’s commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly production. And we are proud of them.
Our TOP 5
SUSTAINABLE SIPPERS
to try 2. VILLIERA BRUT NATURAL 2010 A champion of eco-friendly farming, Villiera has not sprayed insecticides for over 13 years and uses a flock of 1000 Peking ducks for pest control instead. There is also a strong focus on water conservation and recycling as well as a greening project underway, which will see 1000s of indigenous trees being planted on the farm. Added to all this, the farm runs on solar power (outside of harvest time). See just how naturally good they are, with this delectable Brut Natural: whole bunches were pressed and allowed to go through both a natural primary fermentation as well as a natural malolactic fermentation. It’s a rich, creamy brut with a full-bodied toasty flavour on the palate.
3. KEN FORRESTER MERLOT RESERVE PAT’S GARDEN 2014 The folks at Ken Forrester are champions of sustainability: from practicing organic viticulture to making their own compost, as well as growing winter cover crops between the dormant vines. They also use ducks to control snails and insects in the vineyards. Though famed for their Chenin, they are no slouches in the red wine department. This Merlot (with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc) has luscious cherry and red fruit notes, with a smoky, minty undertone.
4. REYNEKE BIODYNAMIC SYRAH 2015 With a philosophy of ‘waste not, want not’ Reyneke re-uses, re-purposes or recycles whatever they’ve used in the running of their estate. They say: “Biodynamic agriculture comes from a time when there was a spiritual understanding of life in general and farming in particular.” You can get close to nature with their Biodynamic Syrah, an aromatic and perfumed wine with concentrated notes of raspberries, cherries and fynbos.
5. WILDEKRANS ESTATE PINOTAGE 2014 Wildekrans forms part of the Green Mountain Eco Route, a group of local Bot River wine farms committed to conservation, sustainability and upliftment. As members of the Biodiversity and Wine Initiative, the estate is committed to the conservation of birds and other wildlife that occur naturally on the farm. Show your commitment to sustainable sipping and give the Wildekrans Estate Pinotage a try. A medium-bodied wine with hints of prunes, wild cherries and some cinnamon and clove spice.
G t w i n e | Panel Reports
coming
ho m e
Two categories of wine that showcase the CAPE’S ENduRINg STRENgThS By IrIna von Holdt (CWM)
T
hese two styles of wine each have a venerable history. It’s rather like coming home to our very own warm comfortable place with family and old friends. That special place where we can be honest and speak out without worrying what others may think. We’re visiting our old pals after all, Chenin Blanc and red blends. In the case of Chenin—and it’s just fine to simply say Chenin because there is no confusing Chenin Noir or red, or pink or grey—the history goes right back to Jan van Riebeek who brought the grape to the Cape. While not as historic as Chenin, the famous Alto Rouge—a blended red—was first exported to England nearly a hundred years ago. So we’re looking at two Cape heavyweights.
Our Ol’ Pal Chenin If ever a wine qualifies as ‘an old pal’ this is it. Re-invented and revved up over the last five years or so, now to cult status, how does a broad cross-section of
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the latest wines stack up? Not too well, actually. There certainly are some super wines, but also a lot of very ordinary wines—far too many. Looking at the results of 80 wines, we see that only 35 are un-oaked which means the greater number are now wooded. This is a huge change from even two years ago when only about 10 to 15 per cent were oaked. So oak has been seen as the way to go. Clive’s criticism: “We need ripeness, tropical flavours, lots of lees, yes oak, but no new oak, please.” Claude joins in: “The wooded wines are far too oaky. Plain over-wooded.” “Or skinny and uninteresting. Why put a thin, low alcohol wine into oak, I ask you?” from Christine. “The guys are rushing to oak their wines,” says Irina. “But there’s little understanding or regard for poor old Chenin. She doesn’t have the build of Chardonnay and needs to be oaked with much more subtlety and intelligence. I agree with Clive, she can’t take a big whack of new oak.” Irina holds Chenin very close
to her heart, after all. Dave looks at it slightly differently. “For some years now we’ve been punting Chenin as our best white,” he says, “and the makers worked hard creating terrific wines, but now they are just slapping anything into bottle with no care.” “Yes, some are just climbing on the bandwagon with very little thought. The problem is that they’re being made to a formula, so they all taste the same. So many are so boring. Where’s the individuality?” asks Irina. So then we talk about the unwooded wines and some old criticisms come up again–– too much acid, watery wines but, curiously, more individuality. We see wines with a wide spectrum of alcohol levels: from 11.5 to nearly 14 per cent. This produces wine with a grassy, herbal flavour at the lighter end of the scale, to ripe, tropical-flavoured wines at the other end. Somewhere in the middle is a nice sweet spot with juicy, fruity wines, often with melon, peach and pear flavours, sometimes with dried herbs
and scrub. Chenin can be quite a little chameleon. This is where you’ll find party wines, fun wines and your ‘old pal’: juicy, loads of flavour and that enticing sweetsour tussle on your palate. But be wise and follow the panel’s recommendations or you may make a sorry mistake. READY FOR THE RED BLENDS? We’ve said it before and it remains true—this category is dominated by the trendy Rhône styles. It’s an area of intense interest to winemakers and they’re experimenting and tinkering and tweaking with great success, rather like they did with Chenin three years ago. So grab these while they’re hot. Invariably they’re based on Shiraz (always a good bet) with additions of Mourvèdre and Viognier—hence SMV— but also Grenache, and this year Cinsaut is making a re-appearance. Cinsaut is one of the allowable varieties in Châteauneuf du Pape and Côtes du Rhône, both famous Rhône appellations. We’ve had Cinsaut for years, but allowed it to decline. More’s the pity. Winnie sums up. “Shiraz is great to build a blend around,” she says. “It has meatiness and spice, but there must be a subtle balance because too much of any one variety can spoil the whole thing, rather like too much salt can spoil the whole dish.” Currently overshadowed by the Rhône styles is a whole bunch of very interesting and delicious wines. We see a broad spectrum of everyday quaffers, but quaffers with style and substance. Then also much more serious, intricatelywrought blends that are both intriguing and thought provoking. And there are wines for all tastes, as the panel shows. “A lot of innovation here, stuff I never thought would work, even one with some Pinot Noir,” says Clive, but then he would say that, wouldn’t he? He’s totally in love with Pinot and makes it, too. Margaret has favourites, too. “Interesting all round. I enjoyed most of them and the Shiraz keeps coming through so well.” Irina likes those with Pinotage. “It fleshes out the blend and gives it a generosity,” she says, “but must be used cleverly so it doesn’t take over. These were great.” Tinashe joins in with: “I like the Shiraz Cab blends; they are so well balanced.”
Clive agrees, pointing out that it is a very popular blend. The Australians lean on it heavily, he says, less so here, but then they don’t have Pinotage. Colin is thinking aloud. “Perhaps we shouldn’t know what’s in the blend (the varieties are listed on our tasting sheets) because if the blend isn’t good and I see Merlot is in it, then I always blame the Merlot.” But he does concede Merlot can work, sometimes. Irina finds it interesting how Cabernet seems always to take charge of a blend. It somehow can’t submerge or hide its identity. Is that why it’s King Cab, always in charge? But in blends with Shiraz and a dash of Pinotage that oft-austere regal frame is softened and given more flesh on the bones. We talk about the easy-drinking styles, a whole deep well of these. “Not award-winning stuff, but delicious. I hope they have prices to match,” says ever commercially-aware Colin. “Too much sugar,” grumbles Winnie. “But they’ll be popular,” smiles Clive. “Winter warmers, because that’s what they are, well rounded, sweetish, soft tannins and some interest. What more could you want?” asks Winnie. Here, too, Shiraz remains the star. Always the star.
Sauvignon Blanc
WINE-OF THE- MONTH CLUB: Alvi’s Drift Signature Sauvignon Blanc 2015 ALSO LIKED: Constantia Glen Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Reyneke Biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Almenkerk Sauvignon Blanc 2014, DeMorgenzon DMZ Sauvignon Blanc 2015 WINES LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: Almenkerk Lace Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Bon Courage The Gooseberry Bush Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Bouchard Finlayson Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Cogmanskloof Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Creation Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Dombeye Sauvignon Blanc 2015, First Sighting Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Glen Carlou Sauvignon Blanc 2014, L’Avenir “Far & Near” Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Meerkat Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Miss Molly Kitchen Thief 2015, Sumaridge Sauvignon Blanc 2015, The Freshman Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Villiera Bush Vine Sauvignon Blanc 2015, Virgin Earth Pepper Tree Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Shiraz
WINE-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB: Glenwood Grand Duc Syrah 2013 ALSO LIKED: Saxenburg SSS 2007, Aaldering Shiraz 2012, Journey’s End Shiraz 2011, Allée Bleue Shiraz 2013 WINES LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER:Anura Syrah LTD Release Shiraz 2009, Blue Crane Shiraz 2012, Cloof Shiraz / Viognier 2013, Compagnies Wijn Shiraz 2013, Durbanville Hills Rhinofields Shiraz 2011, Kevin Arnold Shiraz 2011, Koelfontein Shiraz 2010, La Couronne Shiraz 2013, Lyngrove Collection Shiraz 2014, Mount Sutherland Syrah 2011, Oude Dennboom Shiraz 2013, Riebeek Cellars Shiraz 2014, Robertson Wolfkloof Shiraz 2012, Rustenberg Stellenbosch Shiraz 2013, Winters Drift Shiraz 2012
Chardonnay
WINE-OF-THE MONTH CLUB: Stellenrust Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2014 ALSO LIKED: Journey’s End Destination Chardonnay 2014, Thelema Ed’s Reserve Chardonnay 2013, Zandvliet Hill Of Enon Chardonnay 2011, Ernst Gouws & Co Chardonnay 2015
W I N E TA S T E D B Y T H E J U D GIN G PA N E L
WINES LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: Aaldering Chardonnay 2015, Almenkerk Chardonnay 2014, Alvis Drift Signature Chardonnay 2015, Balance Winemaker’s Selection Chardonnay 2015, Blue Owl Chardonnay 2015, Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimasgat Ltd Edition Chardonnay 2014, Cloof Chardonnay 2015, Clos Malverne Chardonnay 2015, Clos Malverne Heron’s Nest Chardonnay 2015, Dombeya Chardonnay 2014, Excelsior Chardonnay 2015, Meerkat Unwooded Chardonnay 2015, Stellenrust Chardonnay 2015, Welbedacht Barrel fermented Chardonnay 2014, Zandvliet Estate Chardonnay 2015
Pinotage
Non-Bordeaux Blends
ALSO LIKED: Lanzerac Pinotage 2012, Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2013, Flagstone Truth Tree Pinotage 2014, Môreson The Widow Maker Pinotage, 2013.
ALSO LIKED: Compagnies Wijn Grenache Mourvedre 2014, Anwilka Petit Frere 2012, Deetlefs Familie Red 2011, Leopard’s Leap Family Collecion SMV 2012
WINES LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: Backsberg Pinotage 2014, Cloof Pinotage 2010, Deetlefs Stonecross Pinotage 2012, Doolhof Dark Lady Pinotage 2012, Doolhof Single Vineyard Pinotage 2013, Juno Pinotage 2014, McGregor Pinotage 2013, Painted Wolf ‘Guillermo’ Pinotage 2012, Painted Wolf The Den’ Pinotage 2013, Painted Wolf ‘The Den’ Pinotage 2014, Rhino Run Pinotage 2015, Simonsig Pinotage 2013, Stellekaya Pinotage 2011, Van Loveren African Java Pinotage 2015, Van Loveren Five’s Reserves Pinotage 2013
WINES LISTED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER: Beyerskloof Synergy 2013, Bonnievale Rigton Red 2013, Deetlefs Stonecross Merlot Pinotage 2013, Dornier Cocoa Hill Red 2013, Kanu GSM 2011, Koelenbosch Nineteen Fortyone 2012, Koelenhof Koelenberg 2012, L’Avenir Pinotage/Merlot (Far & Near) 2013, Meinert Synchronicity 2010, Montpellier Spyseniersberg 2011, Mr Perfect Shiraz / Mouvedre NV, Riebeek Cellars Shiraz/Cinsuat 2014, Vergenoegd Terrace Bay 2006, VergenoegdRunner Duck Red 2013, Withington Roan Ranger 2014
WINE-OF-THE MONTH CLUB: Bosman Pinotage 2013
WINE-OF-THE-MONTH CLUB: Bosman Erfenis 2012
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B E S T W I N E S | Our Panel’s Selection
DID YOU KNOW? We have 11 TOP wine experts who blind taste our wine, only to select the best for you
SA’S TOP wine picks
Our panel’s TOP PICKS this month and a listing of the club selections WHALEHAVEN CABERNET FRANC 2012 Deep red rose in colour with aromas of fruits of the forest and lavender. Intriguing flavours of dark plums, dried apricots and raisins. An exceptional Cabernet Franc which has a wellstructured finish. MAN BOSSTOK PINOTAGE 2015 This wine is ruby-garnet red with a hint of purple. Showing pleasing aromas of mocha chocolate and roasted coffee beans, followed by juicy flavours of red berries, nutmeg and vanilla spice on the palate. FLAGSTONE TREATY TREE RESERVE WHITE BLEND 2016 Intriguing, light lime green hue shot through with white gold. On the nose the wine jumps out of the glass with focused aromas of asparagus, fresh thyme, gooseberry and sweet melon. In the background, a hint of white pepper and nutmeg.
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WINENEWS
THIS MONTH'S SELECTIONS (TASTED OUT OF 20 WINES)
What’s New in Wine
Best Value Club • Berg En Dal Shiraz 2013 R88.99 • MAN Bosstok Pinotage 2015 R79.99 • Dunstone Merlot 2014 R79.99 • Mitre’s Edge NVME NV R99.99 • Dabar Sauvignon Blanc 2015 R82.99 • Stellenbosch Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2015 R85.99 • Flagstone Two Roads Chardonnay 2016 R82.99 • Sentinel Chenin Blanc/Sauvignon Blanc 2016 R89.00 • Zandvliet White Muscat 2017 R84.99 • Leopard’s Leap Look Out Semi Sweet 2017 R49.99 • Koelenhof Koelenktar Gewürztraminer 2016 R57.99
THE WORLD’S MOST SPIRITED MOUSERS In a game of cat and cocktail, author Brad Thomas Parsons profiles over 30 distillery cats and offers 15 cocktail recipes to be enjoyed while reading the ‘interviews’ accompanying each profile. DISTILLERY CATS delves into the historical role these spirited cats have played as organic pest control. Published by Penguin Random House.
David Biggs
Margaret Fundira
Winnie Bowman
Colin Collard
Claude Felbert
Wine-of-the-Month Club • Seven Springs Vineyards Syrah 2013 R149.95 • Cloof Lynchpin 2014 R139.99 • Lyngrove Platinum Pinotage 2015 R162.95 • Bonfire Hill Red 2015 R92.99 • Flagstone Treaty Tree Reserve White 2016 R102.95 • Muratie Laurens Campher White 2016 R109.00 • Rainbow’s End Chenin Blanc 2016 R89.99
PJ ‘Buks’ Nel
Christine Rudman
Gregory Mutambe
• Mount Vernon Chardonnay 2013 R99.99 • Zandvliet White Muscat 2017 R84.99 • Leopard’s Leap Look Out Semi Sweet 2017 R49.99 • Koelenhof Koelnektar Gewürztraminer 2016 R57.99 The Reserve Club • Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2013 R159.99 • La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 R189.99 • Whalehaven Cabernet Franc 2012 R172.00 • Idiom Barbera 2013 R259.00 • Vondeling Chardonnay 2015 R129.00 • Mulderbosch Faithful Hound White 2015 R172.50 The Platinum Club • Lanzerac Le General 2014 R529.99 • Blaauwklippen Reserve Merlot 2011 R433.99 • Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry Cabernet Sauvignion 2011 R419.99 • Rust en Vrede Estate 2014 R399.00 • Whalehaven Conservation Coast Chardonnay 2013 R429.99 • Spier The Mission 2015 R265.00
Clive Torr
Irina von Holdt
Tinashe Nyamudoka
For more information call us on 021 492 4210 or visit wineofthemonth.co.za
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G T W I N E | Editor’s Choice
Editor’s CHOICE A selection of this month’s favourite wines
Pair this recipe with our
Editor’s Choice
SEL EC T IONS
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2. Strandveld Syrah 2013
3. Painted Wolf Swartland Syrah 2013
This wine shows lifted aromas of stewed plums, cinnamon and blackberry with layers of sweet fruit and cloves. Drink now or cellar for up to 6 years. Serve with roast lamb or wild game dishes. Single bottle price R149.00
An opulent wine with white pepper, fynbos and spicy aromas and hints of toast, layered with intense black berry fruit and savoury notes. Drink between now and 2023. Enjoy with beef stews, game or beef steaks and strong cheeses. Single bottle price R169.00
A rich, harmonious fullbodied wine with juicy dark fruit, savoury smoked ham, all spice and aromatic wood aromas. Drink now but will improve up until 2020 and beyond. Enjoy with Cassoulet or a Beef Daube Provencal. Single bottle price R167.99
4. Benguela Cove Shiraz 2014
5. Oude Denneboom Black Harrier Shiraz 2014
6. Lourensford MCC Brut 2011
A seductive nose reflects beautiful and ripe fruit flavours, followed by some indigenous fynbos notes and hints of white pepper, cinnamon and cloves. Drink now. Enjoy with your favourite meat dishes. Single bottle price R165.00
Deep intense, lively red colour with complex berry and violet aromas. Soft, lush fruit on the mid-palate with a well-rounded aftertaste supported by a good tannin structure. Drink now. Pairs well with a variety of meaty dishes. Single bottle price R155.00
Yeasty flavours, baked bread, lemon cream, Granny Smith and pink lady apples on the nose and hints of citrus, pineapple and kiwi fruit on the palate. Drink now. This wine is a perfect aperitif for any occasion. Single bottle price R289.00
1. KWV
Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2015
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EASY WHITE WINE FONDUE 2 tbsp basil, fresh 2 cloves garlic ¼ cup cornstarch 350g Gouda cheese 120g Swiss cheese 1 tbsp cooking sherry 1 cup Chardonnay sea salt and black pepper 1. In a small saucepan, sauté the garlic over medium heat until translucent and fragrant. Add the white wine and stir to combine. 2. Add in the cornstarch, both cheeses, salt and pepper to taste, and cooking sherry. Use a whisk to stir and combine fully as the cheese melts. 3. Stir continuously to make sure you don’t burn the cheese. Stir in the basil. If the fondue is too thick, add a bit more wine. RECIPE SOURCE: WWW.THECOOKIEROOKIE.COM
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7. Arra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
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Prunes and blueberries follow through onto the palate. Marzipan, blackpepper, cloves, mulberry follow with a long creamy finish. Drink now and keep for another 3 years. Enjoy with duck or lamb dishes. Single bottle price R127.99
8. Andreas Shiraz 2013 The nose expresses nutmeg, crushed black pepper, with subtle aniseed, ripe mulberry and dark chocolate. Drink 6-8 years after vintage. Enjoy with steak, lamb shank, game or duck. Single bottle price R219.00
9. Benguela Cove Matilda’s Secret Sauvignon Blanc 2015
10. Org de Rac Lightly Wooded Chardonnay 2016
Notes of fresh Bramley apples and tropical fruit aromas of pineapple and granadilla, which carry through the palate. Drink now. Pairs well with seafood and creamy pasta dishes. Single bottle price R79.00
Aromas of tropical fruit are beautifully balanced by a subtle oak which follows through on the palate. Drink now or in the next two years. Serve with soups or an array of salads. Single bottle price R71.99
Mussels in white wine sauce 1 kilogram mussels, scrubbed 4 tbsp butter 3 green onions, finely sliced 3 garlic cloves, minced 8-10 sprigs of thyme 1 cup dry white wine 2 cups heavy cream ¹/³ cup fresh parsley, chopped salt and pepper to taste (add generously)
1. In a large pot (or dutch oven) heat the butter over medium heat until melted. 2. Increase heat to high, add green onions, garlic and thyme. Sauté for 1-2 mins. 3. Add mussels and cover. Steam for 6-8 minutes or until mussels have opened. 4. Pour in the cream, white wine, parsley, salt & pepper. Mix gently. 5. Slice the baguette and top with a little butter. Bake at the top of rack until bread is lightly browned.
Recipe souRce: WWW.laceandgRaceblog.com
11. Peter Falke PF Sauvignon Blanc 2017
12. Anura Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2014
Intense aromas of tropical and citrus fruits and followed by bursts of passion fruit and fresh cut lemon grass. Drink now. Enjoy with crayfish and a cucumber dill salad. Single bottle price R129.50
Layers of blackcurrants, red berry, mulberry and cherry flavours with hints of cedar and walnuts. Drink now or over the next 10 years. Pairs well with meaty dishes. Single bottle price R161.99
13. Rijk’s MCC Brut 2014
14. Rijk’s Reserve Pinotage 2013
Showcasing vibrant notes of Granny Smith apple, peach blossom and candied lemon peel. Drink now and keep for up to 5 years. Enjoy with wild mushroom risotto and capers. Single bottle price R239.00
Spicy red fruit aromas and blackberry are carried through onto a rich, creamy palate. Drink in the next 3-5 years, but has great ageing potential. Enjoy with pulled duck. Single bottle price R525.00
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19. Vondeling Chardonnay 2015
20. Dunstone Merlot 2015
Inviting nose of honeyed citrus and peach blossoms. Followed by fresh citrus, yellow flowers, honey, candied almonds and ginger spice flavours. Drink now or in the next five years. Serve with an aromatic curry. Single bottle price R129.00
Aromas of blackberries, cassis, ripe plums and gentle whiffs of cedar on the nose. The palate is layered with plush fruit and dark chocolate. Drink now or in the next 5 years. Pairs well with venison and oxtail stew. Single bottle price R79.99
21. Mulderbosch Faithful Hound White 2015
22. Muratie Laurens Campher White
Fragrant aromas of pears and quince, with a touch of caramelised pie crust. The palate displays silky textures Drink now. Enjoy with RedRoman and Asian greens. Single bottle price R172.50
Flavours of honeysuckle, lime marmalade and fresh almonds, all wrapped in creamy oak. Zippy acidity runs through the wine. Drink now or in the next five years. Enjoy with creamy chicken dishes. Single bottle price R109.00
15. Koelenhof Koelnektar Gewürztraminer 2016
16. Zandvliet White Muscat 2017
Aromas of lychee, Turkish delight and rose petals. The lychee and Turkish delight follow through on the palate with a slight spicy undertone. Drink now. Serve with Cape Malay curry. Single bottle price R330.96
Intense flavours of Muscat, peach, orange peel and rose pastels with hints of spice. The flavours follow through onto a smooth palate with a long lingering aftertaste. Drink now or keep till 2020. Serve with crème brûlée. Single bottle price R84.99
17. Waverley Hills Shiraz 2012
18. La Cave Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Violets and sweet aromas are rounded off by red pepper and oaky notes. Subtle aromas of Cape fynbos and rosemary also come through. Drink now. Enjoy with a gourmet burger and thick-cut wedges. Single bottle price R99.99
This wine is packed with blackberry, cassis and nutty notes, leading to a long complex finish. Drink now or leave to age until 2024. Enjoy with braised beef short rib and garlic chicken wings. Single bottle price R189.99
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Join our Olive Oil Club today and receive the best local olive oils and olive oil products from around South Africa. You can choose how often you would like to receive them and they’ll be delivered to your door. Call 021 492 4210 Visit our website www.wineofthemonth.co.za
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A selection of highlyrated wines to try. Order them by calling the Wine Club on 021 492 4210
Discover our award winning Wines
Wi n e s a n d Vi n e y a rd s Award winning wines Five star winelands accommodation Conference, weddings and function facilities 40 minutes from Cape Town Airport
Lyngrove Platinum Pinotage
Lyngrove Platinum Shiraz
Lyngrove Platinum Latitude
Lyngrove Chardonnay Reserve
Centrally located for wineland tours
W W W. LYNGROVE . CO. Z A 021 880 1221 • wine@lyngrove.co.za
N o t f o r S a le t o P e r s o n s U n d e r t h e Ag e o f 1 8 .
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www.withington.co.za | Tel: 022 492 3971
‘It could also mean the producer is a dedicated bunny-hugger who cries real tears when he steps on a cockroach’
BEWARE of Labels
Labels and politicians have a great deal in common
T
he old Latin warning, “Caveat Emptor” can be translated in modern terms as “Beware of Labels”. In just a few words a label can provide an accurate description of the product— or it can be designed to say precisely nothing about the product, or even to mean exactly the opposite to what it says. In this respect labels and politicians have a great deal in common. A friend who worked for an advertising agency was asked to design a label for a brand of marmalade about to be launched in a supermarket chain and was told to include the words: “No added sugar,” because, as everyone knows, sugar is the big bogeyman of the food world right now. She decided to go one better and changed the wording to “Sugar Free”. The company selling the marmalade was furious. “We could be in deep trouble if we said it was sugar free,” they said. “It is actually packed with sugar. The factory that makes the stuff uses the regular amount of sugar. The point of the label is that we package it in fancy bottles without adding any more sugar. So we can honestly say we didn’t add any, see?” So the “No Added Sugar” label remained. In the world of food and drink the scope for misleading labels is endless. Buyers like to feel they are doing their bit
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to save the planet so terms such as “biodegradable”, “organic”, “sustainable” and “free range” are bandied about with carefree abandon. No, let me rephrase that. They are bandied about with very, very careful abandon. A label that says “planet friendly” might mean simply that the producer wakes up every morning, leans out of his bedroom window and shouts: “Hello, my friend the Earth.” See? He’s being planetfriendly.
‘A label that says “planet friendly” might mean simply that the producer wakes up every morning, leans out of his bedroom window and shouts: “Hello, my friend the Earth”’ It could also mean the producer is a dedicated bunny-hugger who cries real tears when he steps on a cockroach. It’s hard to tell. In the poultry business the regulations stating what “free-range” means can be interpreted in many ways. We like to imagine happy, smiling chickens wandering over grassy pastures clucking quietly and laying dozens of their delicious nut-brown eggs in little strawlined boxes. In reality it could simply mean they have access to “an area open
to the sky” for a certain number of hours every day. In some American states farmers may label their eggs as free-range if the laying cages are a few centimeters wider than normal batteries. “Open to the sky” could also could mean simply that there’s a skylight in the roof of the barn. When it comes to “organic” wine, there are also several interpretations. Wine farmers are actually far more planet-friendly than many other branches of agriculture, but sometimes there’s so much paper work involved in becoming certified that it’s easier simply to go ahead with sustainable and planetfriendly practices and not bother about adding labels. One of the attractions of the Cape winelands is that many of the wineries are open to the public and visits to wine farms are a serious tourist feature. For those of us who really care about saving our precious planet, this offers an ideal opportunity to find out for ourselves exactly how planet-friendly our favourite wine really is. While you’re tasting the wine, ask the questions. Do they run free-range grapes? Are the wines not tested on animals? Is no cruelty involved in the crushing process? Great! If it ticks all those boxes, it’s probably planet-friendly. Drink up with a clear conscience. It’s far more fun than reading a label.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Courtesy images from Babylonstoren www.babylonstoren.com
BY DAVID BIGGS
SHARE SOMETHING
WORTHWHILE AVAILABLE FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON. IN LEADING STORES FROM OCTOBER 2017.
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY. NOT FOR SALE TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.