Contents lifestyle with a difference volume one
Lifestyle is a bi-annual magazine from Mulpha International Bhd., published with the primary objective of keeping all Mulpha privileged guests abreast with the latest Lifestyle issues and the Group’s upcoming developments. Copies of Lifestyle can be obtained from the Mulpha International Bhd. office. For enquiries, please call (603) 7957 2233 or (603) 7955 1344 or contact Santi Octavia at santi@mulpha.com.my
CHAIRMAN Lee Seng Huang CEO Chung Tze Hien EDITOR Faridah Hanim EDITORIAL BOARD Santi Octavia Mulpha, Malaysia Koh Boon Teng Mulpha Land, Malaysia Sally Morgan Mulpha, Australia & Hayman Sue Thomson Sanctuary Cove, Australia
CONTACTS Mulpha International Bhd. Faridah Hanim (603) 7957 2233
Mulpha Australia Limited Sally Morgan (612) 9268 5000
Leisure Farm Resort (Sales & Marketing) Tan Po Reen (Johor) Peter Lim (Singapore) (607) 556 3003 (602) 6254 8280 Mulpha Sanctuary Cove (Development) Pty. Ltd. Sue Thomson (617) 5577 6500 Hayman Great Barrier Reef Shane Green (612) 8272 7005 RESERVATIONS & GENERAL ENQUIRIES Hayman Great Barrier Reef (617) 5577 6500 InterContinental Sydney
(612) 9253 9000
Karen Evans Bimbadgen Estate, Australia
Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove (617) 5530 1234 Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley
(612) 4998 4600
Karen Edwards Norwest Land, Australia
Indochine Park Tower
(848) 930 4009
Peter Lewis The Hotel School Sydney, Australia Erin Millar Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, Australia Fred Matti InterContinental Sydney, Australia
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PRINTING Label Plus Sdn. Bhd. DISTRIBUTION Mulpha’s Lifestyle magazine is a free publication showcasing the quality of life with a controlled circulation of 2,000 copies, offered to an exclusive database through selected distribution channels. • Mulpha Group of hotels -InterContinental Sydney -Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove -Hayman Great Barrier Reef • Residents of Leisure Farm Resort & Residences, Johor • Lifestyle brand owners • Professionals
Mulpha International Bhd. is a diversified conglomerate and a component stock of the Bursa Malaysia Composite Index since 1983 and listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad. Its shareholder’s fund is in excess of RM 2.7 billion. The Group’s focus is on property development and investment, infrastructure and civil construction with operations and investment in Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Over the years, Mulpha has leveraged on its expertise abroad to become Malaysia’s largest real estate investor and developer in Australia, owning world-class assets that include Sanctuary Cove and Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove in Queensland, InterContinental Sydney, Norwest Business Park Sydney, The Hotel School Sydney, Bimbadgen Estate in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley and the world-renowned and award-winning Hayman Great Barrier Reef.
after hours
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Top Tastes
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Red Hot Chilli Pepper
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Waterfront Living
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Battle Cry
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The Record Speaks for Itself
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Bags to Brag
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Reaching New Heights with New Look
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Market Made
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Vino Tete-a-Tete
high life
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Our New Style is Just the Beginning
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Welcome to Luxury that is Exclusively Yours
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The Hotel School Sydney
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A Slice of Paradise Around Every Corner
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S.E.E.D.S Eco Homes at Bayou Creek
2012
sojourn Top Tastes
Ensconced between iconic heritage buildings, and is in itself a historic building, InterContinental Sydney has long had a reputation as one of the city’s most established properties. Just moments from the Sydney Opera House and surrounded by the elegance of waterside living, InterContinental Sydney undoubtedly encourages artistic engagement and participation while enhancing the hotel’s reputation as a place with a lively spirit.
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It is towards this end that the hotel’s much acclaimed restaurant, Café Opera, was reinvented. A bold redesign, a new Frenchinspired menu and a theatrical buffet concept mark its transformation, unveiled recently as the fresh face of hotel dining in Australia’s largest city.
Top Tastes InterContinental Sydney’s original restaurant has been reinvented as the fresh face of hotel dining.
It’s not hard to imagine why Sydney’s food scene is one of the most recognisable. With a dramatic harbour at its doorstep and a spirit of joie de vivre that practically hangs in the air, it’s hard not to get inspired or creatively engaged. For one property, Sydney’s unique atmosphere has become an inspiration for creative works to engage the palate, sight and the olfactory senses.
freshness. The buffet’s daily changing menu features cuisines from France, Italy, Spain and Asia throughout the week. On weekend evenings, guests can tuck into a dazzling array of fresh seafood. Expect an overflow of oysters, crayfish, crab, prawns, sashimi, sushi and even hot seafood dishes such as paella. Clearly, this spread will leave guests with very little to be desired. Indeed, the restaurant’s ever-popular buffet has been recreated to reflect Sydney’s growing market culture. It takes advantage of the diversity of fresh produce immediately available within Greater Sydney, as well as providing access to extraordinary foods sourced from around the world.
Amid an ambience dressed in creams and blues, Café Opera takes pride of place on the first floor of InterContinental Sydney. Alfresco tables in the hotel’s sandstone arcades allow guests to enjoy live music echoing from the ground floor. It is here that the flair and fervour of Sydney’s cuisine takes place. Most apparent in Café Opera’s new design is in the way InterContinental Sydney’s executive head chef Tamas Pamer and executive sous chef Julien Pouteau, the creative forces behind the new restaurant, have brought the kitchen to the dining room. Live cooking stations, tastings and other interactions offer diners more than just a taste of Sydney’s best produce, providing a spirited and engaging experience diners will not soon easily forget. Diners can watch chefs work around food stations preparing meals while a large, central buffet constantly impresses with seasonal
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space. Entrées include goat’s cheese tart with caramelised hazelnuts, a witlof and radish salad while mains feature robust dishes such as chargrilled lamb loin, celeriac purée, broad beans and orange gremolata.
In redeveloping Café Opera, InterContinental Sydney’s team also worked with local designer Thomas Bucich. Bucich was instrumental in creating the open kitchen concept and its interactive atmosphere. The result also provides Café Opera a series of rich, colourful, bold and exciting spaces, with careful consideration given to both à la carte and buffet dining experiences. The tableau of design elements – from the overscaled fivemetre-long camelback sofa, antique mirrors and European pâtisserie down to the marketstyle chalkboard buffet labels – immediately communicate a departure from traditional hotel dining.
For all the drama and colour, Café Opera still provides an intimate dining experience. Spaces include the main dining floor, two private dining rooms and an alfresco dining court within InterContinental Sydney’s historic 1851 sandstone arcades.
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Waterfront Living
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menu, and the creative and interactive dining
“With the new Café Opera, we’ve created something we hope will attract visitors in its own right. The spaces and menus are exciting, and the interactive concept really points back to Sydney’s love of food and appreciation of great produce and creative flair in the kitchen.”
WATERFRONT LIVING
Tristania reveals one of Sanctuary Cove’s most prestigious residential enclaves to date.
For more information, visit www.sydney.intercontinental.com
“With the new Café Opera, we’ve created something we hope will attract visitors in its own right. The spaces and menus are exciting, and the interactive concept really points back to Sydney’s love of food and appreciation of great produce and creative flair in the kitchen,” Tamas said. Pamer and Pouteau’s experience in Michelin Star restaurants across Europe is also apparent in both the French-inspired à la carte
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Waterfront Living
When it comes to serenity, having a waterfront property can give you a world of endless offerings. The quiet of the morning might find you with a cup of coffee or tea at hand, comfortably nestled in a chair lakeside, listening to the birds and the calming hum of nature while the sun rises over the water. Afternoons can be spent fishing or out on a boat while evenings can be enjoyed with a barbeque as you watch twilight settles in over the water. And by the time the moon rises and the stars appear over the lake, you will find yourself ready to melt into a peaceful slumber rocked by the lullaby of the crickets. Now with that kind of an environment, who’d want to pass up living by the waters? Without a doubt, a waterfront community offers a great opportunity to infuse your life with both. And if it’s a property with gated facilities and resort-like ambience you’re after, then look no further than to Sanctuary Cove. This celebrated Queensland gated community recently launched its modern House & Land packages, adding a sumptuous choice to its already diverse residential collection. Tristania is one of Sanctuary Cove’s most prestigious residential enclaves. You will love the privacy and security that comes with living in the stunning Tristania precinct at Sanctuary Cove; just a few minutes’ drive or boat cruise from exceptional recreational facilities and fine dining options.
Investors have a choice of two design homes: Edgecliff and Delmar, both of which are equally stunning in providing exceptional lakefront living. Although each is distinctively different, Edgecliff and Delmar combines luxurious fittings, custom design and correct product selection to provide homes with an atmosphere designed for today’s living. 06
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Waterfront Living
Edgecliff presents architecturally designed homes by renowned Gold Coast designer Jared Poole. This two-storey level home is the epitome of how location and nature can work together to enhance the residents’ lifestyle. Inside, residents can look forward to living rooms and bedrooms that are strategically placed to work with the rising and setting of the sun. The views from within the home draw you to the pool which enjoys yearround sunrise. Measuring 370 sqm, Edgecliff also boasts other premium features such as three ensuited bedrooms, a master suite overlooking the breathtaking waters, a media room, and two outdoor areas to enjoy balmy evenings. The custom detailing within this home also extends into the large kitchen with tailor-made cabinetry for all the necessary equipment and distinctive European appliances including a Smeg oven, dishwasher and microwave, and clothes dryer by Fisher & Paykel. Delmar, also designed by Jared Poole, are single level homes produced to specifications which take full advantage of its natural surroundings. Its open plan design captures the cool breezes of the water during summer.
In the winter, a strategically placed courtyard welcomes the warmth of the winter sunrise, perfect for those who love breakfast alfresco, and ready to entertain. The open design of the living areas allows them to flow through to outside spaces seamlessly and create a sense of relaxation. Measuring 320 sqm, Delmar homes also consist of three ensuited bedrooms, a media room, two outdoor areas to enjoy the ultimate in lakeside living, and a kitchen outfitted with European appliances by Smeg and Fisher & Paykel. Natural stones
complement the level of finish expressed within the home. Since its launch, Tristania has been described as the ultimate in Sanctuary Cove living. Its unique north-east aspect over the Schotia Island precinct offers spectacular vistas over the wide waterways with a distinctive sense of privacy and tranquility. In fact, the best way to describe the property is that it’s like a five-star resort, as residents can enjoy
two championship golf courses, four harbours, 15 restaurants and harbourside cafes, fashion boutiques and specialties overlooking a tranquil 293-berth marina. So, whether you have a penchant for golfing, boating, dining, shopping, fitness, therapies or just relaxing – Sanctuary Cove, and indeed Tristania, is made for days like these.
Sanctuary Cove’s premium facilities including
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The Record Speaks for Itself
THE RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF For over a decade, one single large-scale property development in the Malaysian state of Johor, known as Leisure Farm Resort Residences, has garnered six awards from the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), including three country-specific ones from the Malaysia Property Awards. This development, owned by Mulpha International Berhad, covers a vast open 1,765 acres of green rolling hills, and within it is a 36-hole golf course over 360 acres, a 50-acre Equestrian Club and miles of canal garden waterways. The latest success in Mulpha’s array of accolades is the RM132 million Bayou Water
Village which bagged the Malaysia Property Award 2011 in the residential low-rise category.
quality and reputation that Leisure Farm has achieved,” says its executive chairman, Mr. Lee Seng Huang.
This award-winning project inside the development, in the heart of Johor’s Iskandar Malaysia economic corridor and only 15 minutes’ drive away from Singapore, is now home to a vibrant international community of 36 nationalities. It is a close-knit community that values the environment and appreciates one another living with each other within an idyllic sanctuary where nature is preserved and relationships are fostered.
Lee heads a diversified conglomerate that involves property development and investment, infrastructure and civil construction with operations and investments in Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia.
Bayou Water Village’s most distinctive feature is the innovative way the developer has transformed a storm drain into a community asset and marketing feature, and creating a unique waterfront canal living lifestyle. Double gated and guarded, Bayou Water Village has 213 units, of which five are water chalets, 46 semi-detached water villas, 162 water front and hill-view courtyards homes, with 20 pocket parks and a community clubhouse island pool.
Leisure Farm Resort’s master plan for its development concept of Mind, Body and Soul was judged the winner of the FIABCI MPA 2005 in the master plan category. In 2006, it was a finalist at the international FIABCI Prix d’Excellence 2006.
It has established itself as a resort retreat along a natural canal waterway garden environment with a great degree of community attachment and care. Pioneering in lifestyle waterfront community, Mulpha has successfully transformed the unsightly into a sight to behold; storm drain easements of the initial master plan were successfully converted into scenic and sustainable canal garden waterways.
The design of Bayou Water Village takes after the Marang Resort and Safari, an environmental sustainable resort village development comprising 100 detached wooden chalets including restaurant, conference hall and other ancillary facilities situated on 65 acres of mangrove swamp in the state of Terengganu.
Choosing a low density rating of only 10 units per acre instead of the approved allowable density of 22 units per acre, Bayou Water Village has allotted more space for greenery. Another award-winning project in Leisure Farm Resort is the Pinggiran Bayou Village Homes. It bagged the FIABCI Malaysia MPA 2007 award in the best residential (low rise) category. A year later, the same project succeeded to win the FIABCI Prix d’ Excellence 2008 award in the best residential category at the annual competition of world best projects.
The sixth award was in 2005 when Leisure Farm’s Bale Equestrian & Country Club was awarded the FIABCI Prix d’Excellence in the Special Project category.
Getting it right on the outset requires much research on design, architecture and marketing strategy. Independent marketing research was conducted during the concept initiation process to identify the demographic, target market group and product types. Leisure Farm Resort has undertaken the approach to focus on a niche eco-chic business model that differentiates itself from other competitors within its neighbour, Iskandar Malaysia and Singapore. Bayou Water Village is a safe and secure environment for children and families with modern supporting conveniences, an eco-
chic lifestyle oriented product and a getaway weekend retreat. Bayou Water Village has raised the benchmark as a sustainable development for regional developers to follow and adopt. It was used as a case study by local university students from two local universities. It has created an eco-balanced sustainable environment with cultivated bio-diversity that both residents and local community appreciate, cherish and value. Residents have developed a strong sense of environmental stewardship and in several instances even taken initiatives to help manage and enforce Bayou Water Village’s maintenance house rules to protect their ecobalanced habitat. By KY Pung (Asian Wall Street Journal)
Because of the uniqueness of the project, Mulpha had enjoyed brisk sales even during its initial launch in 2006 despite it being situated within a green field location in Johor without direct highway access. “Mulpha will continue to build on our brand momentum in the local property industry as we apply our experiences gained from other world class, award-winning developments from abroad. The latest Fiabci Malaysia Award for Bayou Water Village reaffirms the
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Reaching New Heights with New Look
Reaching New Heights with New Look The popular Bimbadgen unveils a new look branding across all its working areas. What does this spell? Why – a brighter future for the winery and vineyard, of course, and more exciting things for its customers! We take a look at what’s new with Bimbadgen.
When it comes to Australia’s finest in wine, the Hunter Valley never misses a mention. Not surprising why, what with its role as the country’s premier wine growing district and home to many award-winning wineries and vineyards. On top of a hill at the heart of the Hunter Valley lies one of its most striking residents, Bimbadgen. Formerly known as Bimbadgen Estate, the winery has recently undergone a new look, giving customers and visitors so
much to look forward to. With its business being so multi-faceted, think of this exercise as a way to introduce Bimbadgen as an overall brand, whereby the promise of quality and excellence spans across all its working areas. Says General Manager of Bimbadgen, Rebecca Poynter, of the new look: “We felt that ‘Estate’ no longer accurately represented a growing business with very diverse interests. We also wanted to create a ‘hero’ image that would be more representative of the greater Bimbadgen business that communicated the
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Reaching New Heights with New Look
brand’s credibility and authenticity. Thus, we incorporated the tower, which is highly visible from several parts of the Hunter Valley and is associated with the property by many people.”
per bottle. While it may not seem like a lot at first mention, this actually equates to approximately 42,000kg of glass saved per annum!
What Poynter is referring to is the bell tower at Bimbadgen, which is somewhat of a landmark in the Hunter Valley region. Through its new logo, this bell tower is used as a unifying symbol for Bimbadgen. And why not, as one look at the image and Bimbadgen springs to mind.
And what’s the point of a new look if new things aren’t introduced, right? Which is why Bimbadgen – with its recently appointed Senior Winemaker Sarah Crowe – has come up with new additions to the Bimbadgen wine
But it is not just a new look that Bimbadgen is sporting; it’s a new philosophy the winery has undertaken as well. Under this new direction, Bimbadgen is taking a strong stance on environmental sustainability, doing its part to help with environmental sustainability. An interesting Bimbadgen initiative? Using a new glass bottle that is 28 percent lighter than previous bottles, saving up to 140g
range. With Crowe’s impressive experience (the winemaker was named the Hunter Valley’s Rising Star of the Year in 2009), you can certainly expect only great things from Bimbadgen. Such as its two new ranges – the Bimbadgen Sparkling range and the Bimbadgen Regions range. The former consists of the popular Sparkling Semillon and the new release Sparkling Rose, which is a fun twist on the classic varieties and styles. Meanwhile, the
Bimbadgen Regions range of wine features a diverse selection chosen from regions known or identified for their superior quality and expression of flavour. Customers will certainly have more to look forward to when they visit Bimbadgen next. And let’s not forget the winery’s award-winning restaurant, Esca Bimbadgen. Dedicated to the art of food and wine-matching, Esca Bimbadgen presents modern Australian cuisine, carefully prepared with fresh local and homegrown produce. To coincide with this new look for Bimbadgen, Esca has just released its Spring menu, which will feature incredible gastronomic delights. And of course, paired with the best of not only Bimbadgen’s wines but also from around the region. What a dining experience! Our recommendation? Esca’s Tasting Plates, which is available in Red and White wine options. Offering three tastes from the Esca Menu,
these tasting plates are presented with a taste of the matching Bimbadgen wine. Perfect as an introduction to the food and wine-matching process. To complete the new experience is, of course, the exciting line-up at this year’s ‘A Day on the Green’ concert series. Bimbadgen plays host to this renowned concert series each year from October to March, whereby its large outdoor amphitheatre is the perfect location for it. In store for music lovers is American rock legend Meatloaf on October 8th, 2011, and jazz rock legends Steely Dan and Steve Winwood on October 22nd, 2011.
presentation, but about offering a genuinely consistent and premium experience that is delivered by people who live and breathe the brand values,” says Poynter. Well, here’s a toast to you then, Bimbadgen!
With its new look, Bimbadgen is definitely taking its business to amazing heights. “This is not only about its
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Vino Tete-a-Tete
So what is a typical day in the life of a winemaker? It depends on the time of year. If it’s harvest time, it will start either unloading fruit for processing or in the vineyard sampling to decide when to harvest. Once the grapes arrive we try to begin processing as soon as possible. I personally like to control the process by driving the forklift and tipping the bins of fruit myself. They are generally long days and the more efficient we are in the morning, the easier it is to get home after only working 12 hours. There is lots of tasting of the juice as it flows out of the grape press to decide how much “free-run” to take before cutting to another “pressings” tank. At the same time all of the other juice in the winery is fermenting away, we check it twice daily and I taste each and every tank at least once a day. Analysis needs to be checked and additions need to be made to the tanks. Lastly, there is a lot to clean up before heading home to get some well deserved rest before doing it again the next day. It is the most exciting time of the year in the winery with lots of action and anticipation of what the wines will be like.
Share your most unforgettable experience(s) as a winemaker. Travelling to the Rhone Valley in France to work harvest for a month in 2008. Hunter Valley Shiraz has long been likened to Rhone Valley Shiraz. I have spent many hours pouring over world wine books in an attempt to understand the Rhone Valley and its vineyards. I spent much time sampling the grapes for testing. I would claw my way up the vineyard’s steep hills collecting my 200 berry sample before falling back down the hill trying not to lose the precious berries. It finally all clicked into place, as well as the fun of trying to communicate with the old cellar staff who spoke little English to match my poor French.
Since when did you start becoming a winemaker? Where were you before joining Bimbadgen? How long have you been with Bimbadgen? I first arrived in the Hunter Valley in 2001 to prune grape vines at Brokenwood Wines. I wandered into the winery for a few months to help out and became obsessed. Starting University via correspondence in 2002, I knew I didn’t want to do anything else with my life. I became their Assistant Winemaker in 2004 until leaving in 2009. I left to build a 300 tonne winery for a young company also in the Hunter Valley before starting at Bimbadgen in September 2010.
How would you describe the market for Bimbadgen’s wines? We have a very strong and loyal wine club that has been steadily increasing over the years. We cater to a broad range of consumers by targeting different quality and price pointed wines. Beginning with the entry level Bimbadgen Ridge range of wines – a blend of classic varieties to produce an easy drinking wine range, next tier is the Hunter Valley Bimbadgen Estate range and the Bimbadgen Regions range that recognises varieties not suited to the Hunter Valley, and then our Icon series of Bimbadgen Signature wines – high quality wines of Hunter Valley classic varieties.
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Vino Tete-a-Tete
How do you come in acquiring/figuring new flavours for wine? Any specific techniques used? There are a few winemaking tools that can manipulate the flavours already present. It can start from the choice of harvest time, leaving fruit longer in the vineyard will change the flavour profile and final alcohol content. The choice of harvest technique can be important if you hand harvest or machine harvest. For example, hand harvesting Chardonnay can allow you to whole bunch press, thus attaining finer juice quality. With red wine you can add whole bunches to the ferment to encourage high fruit aromatics and structure from the stalk tannins. The choice of yeast strain or use of indigenous yeast can influence the aromatics in the wine and the speed of fermentation. If you are using oak barrels, the choice of cooperage, forest, toasting levels are all important in imparting structure and flavour. Leaving a wine on its yeast lees will encourage a creamy mouth-feel. Even the temperature you store your wine at during maturation will have an impact. So, there are a few tricks!
What is your winemaking philosophy? That is, what are you trying to achieve with your wines? I always try to make the best wine possible with what I have to work with and use all of the tools available to me to do it. I believe I owe that to the consumer who often is buying a wine on good faith. The focus is always the vineyard for me. If we can get that right, the winemaking is easy. Mostly, I am trying to understand the terrior and get an expression of the vineyard site in the glass. It will be a combination of the location, soil, climate, vineyard management, variety and clone.
What is the most difficult aspect of making wine? Can you tell us a little bit about the winemaking process and its technique? Trying to predict the weather, especially around harvest time. Don’t get me started on the process, we could be here a while... In its most basic form, it is a very natural process. Sugars present in the grape berry are fermented by yeast into alcohol. It is the technique of each winemaker that is different and which can create interest and impart quality.
What do you consider as one of Bimbadgen’s best vintages and why? What about your personal varietal preference and why?
What are the biggest challenges you have ever encountered as a winemaker in Bimbadgen?
Of the wines I’ve been able to taste, I’d have to say 2006. This was a classic Hunter Valley vintage where both whites and reds are great wines. Unfortunately, we have just sold out of the 2006 Palmers Lane Shiraz which was delicious.
The most recent harvest was a very challenging growing season. We had record rainfall in November and disease pressure early. I had to choose between spraying a fungicide or potentially losing the whole crop. I chose to spray. The weather cleared up, the disease went away early and the wines look fantastic.
My favourite wines to make are the two prominent varieties in the Hunter Valley. The Semillon is a unique wine style not produced anywhere else in the world. The key is to get good flavours in the vineyard. It is considered a neutral grape variety and the purity of the fruit is what makes it great. There is very little winemaking intervention with Hunter Valley Semillon.
What are the immediate challenges to the winemaking and vineyard industry and how will Bimbadgen continue to address it successfully?
The Shiraz produced here is also iconic. Perfumed and elegant, a medium bodied wine with a fine tannin structure. It is the perfect food wine, versatile and enjoyable with so many dishes.
There is an over-supply of Australian wine, making tough competition both domestically and internationally. We have divested our vineyard holdings and are managing our production size on a vintage-by-vintage basis so that we are moving through stock and keeping it fresh for our consumers. We will continue to manage this closely for the foreseeable future.
What do you like best about your job? What is the one aspect of your job that might surprise people? The best thing is the dynamic nature of it. No two vintages will ever be identical and you are constantly being challenged. Each growing season is different and you are always trying new things to improve the quality. Once you bottle a wine, it continues to evolve and mature and change. Some wines once poured evolve amazingly in the glass in front of you. The reality is that hygiene is very important in a winery to ensure quality. We spend an amazing amount of time cleaning and preparing to do an operation that takes comparatively very little time, and then we clean up again. You could say a winemaker is a glorified cleaner!
For people who want to know more about winemaking, what do you recommend? Taste, taste and taste! If you can find a book which clicks with you then you can learn a huge amount or utilise the internet when tasting a wine for more information – tasting notes for each Bimbadgen wine is available on our website www.bimbadgen.com.au. Enrolling in a wine appreciation class is also a great idea.
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WELCOME TO LUXURY THAT IS EXCLUSIVELY YOURS.
Welcome to a world of personal luxury at Club InterContinental, InterContinental Sydney’s exclusive lounge boasting the best panoramic views across Sydney Harbour, the Opera House and the Royal Botanic Gardens. Enjoy twilight drinks and canapÊs whilst relaxing within or watching the sunset from our outdoor wrap around terrace. With high speed internet access, dining options and personalised concierge services, the lounge offers a private retreat for conducting business or simply relaxing. For Club InterContinental guest room packages, please call or visit our website.
Do you liv e an InterContinental life?
S.E.E.D.S Eco Homes at Bayou Creek Canal Front Bungalow & Semi-D
Open for Registration 07-556 3003 www.leisurefarm.com.my
aft er hours
Red Hot Chilli Pepper
After less than a year in the market, the A1 has already won numerous awards, including the ‘Auto Trophy’ from Auto Zeitung, the ‘Golden Steering Wheel’ from Auto Bild and Bild am Sonntag and the ‘Car of the Year Award’ from What Car?. It was also voted as one of the ‘Best Cars of 2011’ by the readers of Auto Motor Und Sport. The A1 also received the top five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash test.
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The design with the encircling shoulder line is cutting-edge and integrates the Audi A1 into the large model family. The front-end with the dominating single-frame grille, the side
line with the distinctive roof arch, the coupelike C-pillars and the large wheel arches are among its defining style elements while the hood and the rear hatch wrap around the body. Audi offers the xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running light strips and LED tail lights. The tail lights are already threedimensionally styled in the base model and are unmistakable, day or night. High- and ultra high-strength steels comprise two-thirds of the compact model’s body. The strongest of these are the hot-shaped steels, which draw their extremely high tensile strength from a dramatic temperature increase
during the shaping process. Hot-shaped steels are used primarily within the passenger cell. They provide the basis for the precise, sporty handling, the good comfort, the quiet interior, the excellent passive safety and the low base weight. The interior of the Audi A1 is spacious, bright and airy. The instrument panel bears hints of an airplane wing; its four round air vents are reminiscent of jet engines. The clean, clear controls are every bit a classic Audi design of superior workmanship with many lovingly designed details underscoring the premium character of the A1.
Red Hot Chilli Pepper A small car built with big car technology.
Audi has successfully entered a new vehicle class. The compact A1 unites all of the strengths of the brand – a progressive design, uncompromising quality and groundbreaking efficiency – in a space measuring 3.95 metres in length.
The instrument panel bears hints of an airplane wing; its four round air vents are reminiscent of jet engines. 26
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Red Hot Chilli Pepper
The dual-clutch transmission shifts extremely quickly, comfortably and with no perceptible interruption to the flow of power.
The vehicle sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and features a particularly sporty setup. The Audi A1 1.4 TFSI engine with 90kW (122 hp), offered in Brunei, is available with the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. The dual-clutch transmission shifts extremely quickly, comfortably and with no perceptible interruption to the flow of power. It can be operated as an automatic or manual, with paddles on the steering wheel available as an option. Thanks to its high efficiency and the intelligent control system, the S tronic also helps to reduce fuel consumption. Whether in the city, on an interurban road or on the expressway – the small compact is always great fun to drive thanks to its sporty setup, the favourable weight distribution and the direct-ratio steering. The vehicle sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds and features a particularly sporty setup. The ESP stabilisation programme with electronic limited slip differential, which comes standard on all models, makes the handling even more
precise while also enhancing driving safety. It minimises under steer at the cornering limit by means of slight braking, which also improves traction. Innovative materials and modern colours emphasise the youthful character of the Audi A1. Whether colour-coordinated air vents, LED interior lights or seat covers in expressive colours – customisation is the key. The equipment programme offers countless opportunities for matching the A1 to the driver’s own personal style. There are even a variety of paint finishes from which to choose for the roof arch. Customers can also order many features after the initial sale to follow a trend or a whim. Six packages will be available: Audi exclusive line, Media style package, Lifestyle kit union square, S line sports package, Competition kit and even a Wasabi green package. The
available infotainment and multimedia systems for the Audi A1 come directly from the full-size class. The top of the line is MMI navigation plus, a media centre that sets new standards in the compact segment. It borrows closely from the system used in Audi’s A8 flagship, including the monitor that folds out from the instrument panel and the control unit, which uses MMI logic. The connectivity package, which is based on the concert radio, includes a navigation preparation kit that allows the customer to later install a map-based navigation system – that, too, is a new idea. The optional 465 watt Bose surround sound system with 14 speakers is just one example of the additional high-end complementary features available. Convenient Bluetooth and wired interfaces are available for cellular phones and external players such as the iPod.
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He began a fitness revolution in Australia that is now ranked globally as one of the year’s hottest fitness trends. Known simply as Chief Brabon, the founder and global master trainer of ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ speaks on the world’s longest running and most successful military inspired outdoor fitness programme.
aft er hours Battle Cry
For those still in the dark about fitness bootcamp, how best would you describe it? ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ is a military inspired outdoor group personal training programme that utilises discipline as its primary source of motivation. It has been scientifically designed to achieve serious results seriously fast no matter what your current fitness level, in a positive and social environment.
You mentioned the first ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ on military base was a result of enquiries from army spouse who wanted a similar military-style training to keep fit. Would you say this was the turning point for you to begin a fitness bootcamp for the public? Up until then, I hadn’t really thought too much about training civvies (civilians). When I started training the army spouses, I simply trained them the same way I trained my fellow soldiers. I used the same exercises, activities and discipline, and they loved it. That was when I realised that there was a real market for military inspired training.
Have you ever wondered why no one ever thought of the bootcamp idea earlier? I knew of a few bootcamps in the US run by former Special Forces soldiers, but it seemed as though very few soldiers at the time had the background in fitness training to combine their military experience with the science of strength and conditioning.
Your signature call is ‘Hooyah’. What does that mean really? ‘Hooyah’ is a battle cry used by the US Navy SEALs to build solidarity and strength. It is also used as an answer in the affirmative, meaning Heard, Understood & Acknowledged. I adopted the cry for ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ after training with friends in the Navy SEALs. The loved the energy it created.
It has been scientifically designed to achieve serious results seriously fast no matter what your current fitness level, in a positive and social environment. 30
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need is 2m x 2m space and a minimum of 20 minutes of high intensity training three days a week to improve.
Are bootcamps for everyone? If so, what are the things to look for when ‘shopping’ for a progamme? There are two main types of ‘Bootcamps’: Military Inspired Training and General Outdoor Training. Obviously ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ is a military inspired programme. This sort of programme focuses on high intensity training, but that doesn’t mean you need to already be fit to attend. The programme was designed to start off at a lower intensity and gradually build.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about bootcamps in general? That the instructors yell, scream and belittle the Recruits. ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ is all about empowering individuals, not breaking them down. Our goal is to push Recruits beyond the excuses to achieve the goals that up until now have been just beyond their grasp.
sense of accomplishment and self-belief.
It’s easy to feel depressed when you realise you’re not as fit as you think you are. But are the fitness challenges designed in such a way that you cannot beat the system? No matter what your fitness or motivation level, ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ is going to be a challenge. Ultimately, if your training was easy, then you will plateau. This programme has been designed to keep you guessing, physically and mentally, so that you continue to improve.
How different are you from other bootcamps? Unlike the majority of programmes out there calling themselves ‘bootcamp’, ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ is based on cutting-edge strength and conditioning concepts used by the world’s most elite Special Forces, Special Operations and SWAT teams. All programming is created by leading military fitness specialists, not just civilians who have watched a lot of movies like GI Jane. As a result, no other programme can match the level of results our Recruits achieve.
When looking for a military inspired bootcamp, you should ensure that the programme’s designers or master trainers have real military experience to ensure that the programme focuses on results, rather than just ‘playing soldier’.
This week, I got a big hug from one of my Recruits who lost over 18kgs in just 8 weeks. He is now the lightest he’s been in almost 20 years.
ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ is the largest fitness bootcamp in Australia, and you’ve already got a Malaysian (known as CHIEF’s ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP) and US franchise. Where else are you looking to expand? We currently have License applications from a number of countries in Asia including Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Thailand. We also have applications from Egypt, the UK, the US, Canada, Chile and South Africa. Over the next 12 months, we plan to expand into at least to half a dozen new countries, if not more.
Looking back, what would you say surprised you most about ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™’s success? A recent USA survey described bootcamp as the top 2011 fitness trend. Why do you think this has so much appeal? I think bootcamps appeal to people for a number of reasons:
Discipline. Be honest, if we were disciplined enough ourselves, we’d all already be fit. What do you say to people who have never left the couch and struggling to include a fitness regimen into their routine?
Camaraderie. Sharing the experience and the achievements with a group of fellow Recruits provides you with a lot of support and encouragement.
There is no excuse not to take care of yourself. Ultimately, all you
Results. Ultimately, bootcamps should make you work hard. Anything worth having should take a little hard work.
When I first started bootcamp, most people said that it wouldn’t work because people just don’t like being told what to do. What I have now found is the opposite is true. People want to be told how to achieve their goals. They want to be pushed beyond the point that they would normally quit, and they want to simply put their trust in you and simply do what they are told.
You’ve helped so many people transform. What do you want to see change in your life? My goal over the next six months is to find more time for me and my family by trusting in the fantastic team I have around me to keep ORIGINAL BOOTCAMP™ at the top of its game.
What aspect of bootcamp do you most love? Passing mandatory fitness tests aside, what values do you look for in your bootcamp instructors? We look for positive, energetic and inspiring individuals who believe in leading by example. All of our Instructors must hold recognised qualifications in strength and conditioning, sports science or fitness instruction. They must then undergo the intensive Military Fitness Instructor Certification.
What do you hope your ‘recruits’ take with them from every session? What should they take away from it? I personally design each session to not only provide the best workout possible, but also to help Recruits to connect, support and motivate each other. When Recruits finish each session they should feel a real
I love seeing just how surprised people are at what they can achieve.
All programming is created by leading military fitness specialists, not just civilians who have watched a lot of movies like GI Jane. 32
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aft er hours Bags to Brag
Unbeknownst to many, the world of fashion is run almost like a covert CIA operation in Afghanistan. Full of propaganda and subliminal messages, fashion has perfected the idea of subjugation to a ‘T’ where the US Government has failed. So it came as no surprise – unless you’ve been hibernating in the far corners of the Arctic – when Bottega Venetta’s creative director, Tomas Maier, debunked the entire idea of the coveted bag in an interview with The New Yorker. “You make a bag, you put all the components in it that you think could work, you send it out to a couple of celebrities, you get the paparazzi to shoot just when they walk out of their house,” Maier was quoted as saying. “You sell that to the cheap tabloids, and you say in a magazine that there’s a waiting list. And you run an ad campaign at the same time. I don’t believe that’s how you make something that’s lasting – that becomes iconic as a design.” The birth of the It Bag really, is nothing more than an exercise in product placement, clever marketing and celebrity endorsement. The Sex
The ‘It’, the ‘Must Have’ – you’ve desired after them all but, are they really worth breaking the bank?
and the City television series may have made Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo household names, but it also benefited Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Christian Louboutin and an endless list of other handbag brands that have appeared on the arms of either Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha or Miranda as objects of desire. In one episode where art clearly imitates life, Samantha was shown desperately wanting an Hermes Birkin bag who’s wait list – both on the show and in real life – can be up to two years and costs well over US$5,000. Her backhanded scheme backfired, but for the women around the world (unless you’re Victoria Beckham, who owns almost every style ever made – a reported 100 pieces!), it only drove home the hard reality of the dream designer bag. Whether it’s the Birkin, the Fendi Spy, YSL Muse, Louis Vuitton Speedy, Chanel 2.55 bag, Prada Gauffre or Alexander McQueen Novak, women will never be short of choice when it comes to bags – considered the ultimate accessory. You can be dressed in your oldest pair of sweats and torn jeans, but with the right handbag in arm, you look like a million dollars. The question is – which bag?
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Many luxury brands turned to the ideals of craftsmanship and exclusivity in maintaining business resilience.
Product placement and celebrity endorsement aside, many fashion houses play the emotive card when it comes to marketing what’s desirable. During the financial meltdown of 2008, when luxury brands were equally hard hit, many luxury brands turned to the ideals of craftsmanship and exclusivity in maintaining business resilience; the same notion that propels them to market a bag as desirable. Hermes lets known that every of its Birkin bag is hand sewn with alligator skin farmed from its own alligator breeding farms in Australia. Louis Vuitton focused on its history and heritage, simultaneously launching a series of captivating advertising campaigns that sold on aspirations. The house of Goyard, established in 1853, a full year before Louis Vuitton, is perhaps the best example of an unknown brand (except to the discerning few who has their ears practically super-glued to the fashion floor) that came back from the leftfield. It has only one fully-owned boutique in Paris, refuses to roll out any seasonal collection – “we do not have specifically Spring/Summer collection because our collection are timeless” – and spends nothing on advertising. But in 2006, based on public records, the company had one of the highest operating margins among
runaways, the Cabat makes an appearance unchanged every year, except for a tweak in leather treatment or change of colour. But, it carries a US$6,000 price tag; US$80,000 for a special-order croc model produced in limited quantities. Only 500 are made a year, and only one person works on a bag as no two persons could provide the same leather tension on the weave. And of course, that creates the all-too-familiar waiting list. Tom Ford perhaps summed it best when he says, “By not doing the It Bag, you do the It Bag”. Open debates, anyone?
Certainly limited edition styles and vintage designs also are invaluable investments. The 1996 Louis Vuitton Centenaire Monogramme, the 2003 Louis Vuitton limited and numbered production of Takashi Murakami and Marc Jacobs multicolour Eye Love You bag, and any Louis Vuitton produced between 2001 to 2004 will have its value appreciated due to their rarity. One auction house even went on to declare that some of the pieces have not even seen its full value yet. Chanel is another brand to watch out for its vintage handbags while Gucci fans should know that the Italian luxury brand recently teamed up with Christie’s auction house to appraise vintage Gucci luggage and handbags to give the brand a lead on its competitors.
luxury-goods brands at 29 percent. Goyard refuses to disclose its financial earnings. The bags themselves could easily be described as simple: Chevron stripes handdrawn over waterproof cotton/linen/hemp material with resin finish. What makes the bag sought after is its personalised option – customers can ask for totes, trunks, travel accessories, initials and whatever else they want; for a fee. Stripes cost US$155 a pop; monograms US$95. For all the moolah spent on a designer bag, some do make good investments. Leading the pack yet again is the Hermes Birkin and Crocodile Kelly. Because of its timeless style, exclusivity – such as the diamonds-encrusted Himalaya Birkin – and the all-too-familiar waiting list, the two iconic Hermes handbags will remain forever relevant.
Then there is the question of the other bags: the Coaches and the Furlas – are these too, investment-worthy designer bags? One fashion observer succinctly wrote how Coach and Furla are Asia’s It Bags. For Furla, its huge following perhaps is a spillover from the recent financial crisis. The Bologna-based company benefited much from customers that traded down from higher-end brands to Furla’s considerably-affordable range of bags.
Coach on the other hand began its debut into fashion as ‘entry-level’ luxury. It costs half of a Louis Vuitton or a Gucci, and with the company’s recent move to the budget handbag sector, such as with the introduction of the Budget Poppy Collection, the bags are embraced with renewed fervour. It also lowered the company’s average handbag price by 10 percent during the economic downturn. Coach’s business is so strong in Asia that the company will have direct control of its Singapore and Malaysia retail business from July 2011 onwards. Like the law of physics, the argument on the It Bag has also given rise to the birth of the anti-It Bag. The paradox of the anti-It Bag trend is that by creating one, it also makes mainstream the trend for anti-fervour. Bottega Venetta’s Maier gets credit for embracing discretion when the world is still hyped on multiple logos and visible brands. His Cabat bag is non-descript: There are no logos, no hardware and no adornments. On the
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lif e s t y le
Market Made
Market Made When in Melbourne, sometimes the best shopping is outside the malls.
The scope and diversity of Melbourne’s markets is a testament to the shopper-friendly weather and the city’s innate refinement for fine taste. No other place can one discover the colour and creativity Melburnians display with pride than with an exploration of the city’s markets. In fact, Melbourne’s markets are an integral mix that has helped to define the city’s unique character. Come the weekends, you will find locals and visitors alike trawling their way through one of the myriad of markets and soaking up the atmosphere.
The most well known of these markets is the Queen Victoria Market that’s been running since 1878. In fact, if you have time only to visit one market, make this the one. Spread across seven hectares, the market is home to around 1,000 traders. Queen Vic, as it’s affectionately known locally, is also aptly named, not just because it’s the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere, but
for what it represents. At this market, you’ll find flavours and produce of the world, sold by people from all walks of life, background and nationalities that have made Melbourne their home. The Queen Victoria Market is best headed early on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays for fresh meat, seafood, produce and gourmet goods
that make up the heart of the market. The other part of the market is dedicated to stalls selling a variety of specialty goods including clothing, leather goods, handicrafts, jewellery and fabrics. Sundays are the most popular day for this latter type of shopping. You’ll also get a different vibe to the market when you visit on a Sunday. The hustle and bustle of the weekday is replaced with a more relaxed and leisurely atmosphere, perfect for a family outing. The Queen Street side of the market turns into a pedestrian mall with tables and chairs arranged into an outdoor cafe. There are also children’s rides and other activities to while the time away. Almost as old as Queen Victoria Market and equally popular with the locals is the South Melbourne Market. Opened in 1867, the market has grown in size and reputation and is regarded today as
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one of Melbourne’s best fresh produce markets. Some of the stallholders are third generation marketers, adding a friendly atmosphere to the market with their broad knowledge in goods and camaraderie with the locals. The South Melbourne Market is essentially divided into three sections: Fresh foods, non-consumables (clothes, kitchen supplies, etc) and eateries. The fruits and vegetables here are better quality and cheaper than the supermarkets, and there’s even organic produce if you’re interested in that. Rita’s Coffee & Nuts is a great stop for dried fruits and other delectables such as Turkish Delight and gourmet coffee. The deli is a bountiful of pleasures with a range of cheeses to choose from. They
even have bagels where you can make your own sandwich. The Esplanade Market in St Kilda, happening every Sunday at 10am, is great to browse for original gifts, handmade crafts or just for treating yourself to beautiful finds. The market is a gem of a showcase of art and crafts by local artisans. There are handmade jewellery, prints, paintings, bags, brooches, fashion accessories, wood crafts and souvenirs. What makes the visit interesting is that the market looks out over Port Phillip Bay and is just a short stroll away from many great cafes and eateries on Fitzroy Street and Acland Street, making this a great weekend outing.
Many of the works on display are high quality originals, and with more than 400 contributing artists and designers taking part throughout the year. Art lovers will find the bohemian and eclectic Rose Street Artists Market more up their alley. It opens every Saturday and is inspired by similar markets in New York and London that provides emerging artists and designers a platform to reach out to a wider audience. Buyers benefit by buying from the artists direct, avoiding hefty commissions, while the artists can sell their creations directly to the public. Each week, up to 70 artists and designers set up stalls at a former junkyard on the backstreets of Fitzroy, an easy walking distance from Melbourne’s CBD.
On offer are the best in Melbourne designs and ideas, with crafts ranging from the quirky to the inventive. Many of the works on display are high quality originals, and with more than 400 contributing artists and designers taking part throughout the year, it’s a great excuse to return for future visits just to check on what’s new. Notable finds include funky one-offs such as homeware made from fabrics printed in Melbourne, wallets made from recycled car upholstery, and old dominoes and Scrabble pieces reborn as necklaces or cufflinks. The market also has live entertainment and a gourmet cafe for
you to take a breather from shopping and browsing. For many Melburnians, going to the markets is part of life. And there are a staggering number of markets in the city to choose from. With each one interesting, unique and different, they nevertheless reflect the excitement of Melbourne life and culture. You’ll never find a better place to pass the time and soak the local culture than at the markets. Just make sure you bring an extra suitcase.
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