Issue 3. 2013
Grapevine
Contents Page 04 Features 18 W ine
& Dine
25 Social
& Community
40 Stable
Talk
52 Landscaping
08
& Nature
58 Safety
& Security
60 Estate
Rules
62 Frequently
Asked Questions
64 Telephone
Director y
44
PUBLISHER: Phoenix Creative Communication for the Val de Vie HOA www.phoenixcreative.co.za EDITOR: Jaime-Lee van Sittert ADVERTISING SALES: Jaime-Lee van Sittert jaime@phoenixcreative.co.za (021) 422 4445 / 0721711979 Nokuthula Ngwane ACCOUNTS MANAGER: Louise Martin Louise@phoenixcreative.co.za DESIGN & LAYOUT: Louise Martin Kurt Levendal HOA EDITOR: CarlĂŠ Geldenhuys FRONT COVER: Karen Winter The Grapevine magazine focuses on the Val De Vie Estate. It is mailed on behalf of the homeowners association to residents and landowners. It is published in collaboration with several freelance companies and does not necessarily portray the opinions of these companies. Please send inquiries to grapevine@valdevie.co.za. 1
ER T
AD V
Grapevine Communication
Chairman’s Desk From the
Dear Homeowner, We realise we could probably never communicate
a long term, holistic landscaping plan for the river
Planning on these initiatives has progressed
enough, but our communication should be
front and we are glad to see that the farm is being
well and we will communicate the results in due
effective and accurate. Up until now, we have
aesthetically integrated with the rest of the Estate.
course.
such as our website, the quarterly Val de Vie
Both farm owners agreed to a servitude right of
During August we experienced unusual heavy
Magazine, the quarterly Val de Vie Grapevine
way for the homeowners going to and from the
rainfall in a short period of time and according to
Publication, weekly emails to residents, four
pre-school, in between the two farms and down to
the weather bureau, 52mm of rain was recorded
question and answer sessions and formal letters
the river. This provides a third access path to the
in Paarl during a 24 hour period and this created 1
from time to time. To assist us administratively,
river. The HOA has paved this road and it will be
in 20 flood conditions. We experienced moderate
and to communicate in a more customer-
opened for homeowners by the end of September
damage to three points on the electric fence but
friendly manner, we are installing an interactive
to use for walking, jogging, cycling and horse
no damage to the thermal cameras. All thermal
homeowner’s portal, which will contain online
riding.
cameras continued to function properly and there
relied on traditional methods of communication,
access to levy and water accounts, interest polls,
was no disruption in our security monitoring. We
the Estate calendar and many other easy friendly
China made their first investment in the South
would not have expected the storm water system
functionalities.
African wine industry when the Developer sold the
to cope with such amounts of water, but we have
Val de Vie wine cellar, historic manor house and
nevertheless identified a few areas where we will
We are extremely proud to announce that Val
25 hectares of vineyards to Perfect Wines of South
enlarge the drainage pipes. This will be done in
de Vie was once again named as the Best
Africa. Read more about this exciting venture in
summer, and will open up the system to handle
Development at the annual International Property
the Wine and Dine section on page 19.
more water.
of Development of Multiple Units and Leisure
The continuous maintenance, expansion and
The incredible extent of building activity on
Development. This is the second consecutive
development of our infrastructure (e.g. roads,
the Estate, positive reports and feedback from
year that Val de Vie received the award for the
water networks, sewerage system and building)
homeowners and potential buyers, promising
Best Development in the category of Multiple Unit
are of utmost importance to ensure that the
new developments and joint ventures, and
Developments.
immaculate standard and quality of the Estate’s
internationally acclaimed property prizes are only
infrastructure is upheld and expanded.
a few of the reasons that we are so optimistic and
Awards for 2013. This relates to the categories
The increased interest and demand for properties
excited about the future of the Estate.
on the Estate is a positive result of the successful
The infrastructure sub-committee meets monthly
management of Val de Vie as a world class Estate.
and oversees and monitors the work of the
We know that the success of this Estate is
To date, a total number of 229 homes have been
maintenance teams. The committee identified
dependent on the enthusiasm and harmonious
completed and approximately 84 projects are
three strategic goals for the year to come:
co-operation of all homeowners and other
currently under construction on the Estate. A
1. Alternative green energy resources must be
stakeholders. No marketing effort can beat the
number of large 1200m2 homes are planned for
employed on a large scale to reduce electricity
collective voice of positive homeowners. The
the near future. This will increase the property
costs. Research with solar contractors and
trustee and management’s efforts should therefore
negotiations with Drakenstein are in progress.
continuously support higher levels of trust in the
values of all of the homes on the Estate and will contribute to the luxurious feel and superior quality of building works, which the Estate is known for.
2. A comprehensive water management plan will be implemented. This will hopefully result
administration and create a greater joy of living here.
in the Estate saving enough irrigation water to We are pleased to see that the owners of Valentia
re-direct an allocation of our irrigation water to
Blessings,
Farm are developing and landscaping the 25
homeowners for private garden use.
Morne Bosch
hectare land, which remained undeveloped until they bought it in 2012. They are now implementing
3. A fibre optic internet solution for each residential home is planned.
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Grapevine Features
OO
Val de Vie
live il
This winter, Val de Vie produced a top quality, extra virgin olive oil from the first harvest of our very own olive trees. The word quickly spread and our delicious olive oil was on everyone’s lips. We even received requests from people outside of the Estate to purchase their own bottle, but we decided it should remain exclusive to Val de Vie. A total of four cultivars from the Estate were used to produce the olive oil, namely: Frantoio, Leccino, Manzanilla and Mission. The olive oil was extracted by House of Olives via the cold extraction method and was bottled and labelled on Val de Vie Estate. After doing some research on the health benefits of olive oil, I was proud to realise Val de Vie ticked all the right boxes when considering the definition of a top quality product. Each bottle contains pure olive oil obtained directly from the olives and therefore has a richer taste. The opaque bottle is also significant, allowing less light and heat to destroy the vitamin E content of the oil. We are extremely excited and optimistic to see what our next harvest will produce!
Interesting Olive facts: 1. The oldest olive trees in the world are between 2000 and 3000 years old. 2. Green and purple olives do not represent different types of olives, all olives start out green and then turn purple as they ripen. 3. One litre of olive oil is produced from pressing 5 - 8 kilograms of olives. 4. Olives are considered fruit so olive oil is therefore technically fruit juice. 5. Olive oil is high in mono-unsaturated fat, which helps lower a person’s cholesterol levels when used in moderation.
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Grapevine Features
A ngling C lub Val de Vie
One of the many important resources at Val de Vie are our lakes, which form the main backbone of the irrigation system and offer homeowners the opportunity to fish within the boundaries of the Estate, on a catch and release basis. An angling club has now been established under the auspices of Val de Vie resident Pieter van der Merwe. The main objective of the club is to bring together all residents interested in fishing and, at the same time, establish a support group which will assist in maintaining this asset. The first meeting was held and many enthusiastic residents showed interest. A strategy for implementation has been compiled and the Estate is sure to benefit. The first objective of the angling club will be to establish the present condition of our dams and the corrective actions that need to be taken. We then need to establish the current stock of fish in the dams. It will be interesting to log all catches and thereby achieve an accurate data base. Stock can then be adjusted accordingly. We are currently awaiting the re-stock of Lake Moritz with Grass Carp to control the infestation of unwanted weeds. These are sterile fish introduced under license from Water Affairs and are sure to resolve the problems we have in this particular lake. Please contact Pieter van der Merwe if you have any queries or if you would like to assist in this endeavour. pieter@afriqa.co.za
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Grapevine Events and Media
A nemi &ZeÁ n Val de Vie Full Coordination hosted the beautiful Wedding of Anemi and Zeán in March. Attended by 200 guests, it was a wonderful celebration and we are so excited to share some lovely photos of their special day. The ceremony took place in the Franschhoek NG Kerk and afterwards the guests made their way to Val de Vie for pre-dinner drinks and canapés on the terrace overlooking the polo fields. They were entertained by the jazzy tunes of the talented Werner Denner. The reception soon followed in the ballroom, which boasted spectacular décor design. The use of soft flower arrangements in shades of white and green, as well as elegant elements of glass and crystal made for a magical ambience. Celebrations began with starters, speeches and a mouthwatering main course. After the couple opened the dance floor, guests were treated to a scrumptious dessert station and wedding cake made by talented Kanya Hunt. Val de Vie Full Coordination would like to thank each service professional for their part in making the couple’s day so special. What an amazing couple and celebration. We are honoured to have been part of your wedding day!
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Grapevine Events and Media
P ink Polo B lack B erry
Glam up and get ready to look gorgeous in your “Shoes and Shades�; the official dress code of the annual BlackBerry Pink Polo! Val de Vie Estate is hosting the fourth BlackBerry Pink Polo on Saturday the 26th of October 2013. This chic event is held in aid of Reach for Recovery, a programme that offers support to breast cancer patients and their families. Coordinated and owned by Val de Vie Events and Edith Unlimited, BlackBerry Pink Polo has become an increasingly popular event on the South African social calendar. BlackBerry has been the headline sponsor of Pink Polo since the launch of the event, helping to raise awareness about breast cancer. This year Pink Polo is introducing two new ticket offerings, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the beauty of Val de Vie and support a worthy cause.
10
at
Val de Vie Estate
Grapevine Events and Media Pink Polo Market - R50 per person Indulge in delectable goods on sale at the Pink Polo Market, accompanied by the exciting polo match and the sounds of some of the best local musicians.
Pink Polo Drive In - R1 500 (one car with 5 guests) Discover the polo tradition of tailgating. Park your car next to the polo field and be pampered by your own personal butler for the day. With unrivalled views of the polo action, you and your guests will be able to bring in your own sumptuous designer picnic or go shopping at the Pink Polo Market. Due to liquor license laws, alcoholic beverages must be purchased from the facilities located on site.
Pink Polo Pavilion - R380 per person This is the ticket we all know and love. Offering general access to the Polo Pavilion, it includes a high tea, an arrival drink, fun activities such as celebrity wooden horse challenges, best dressed competitions, lucky draws, a fashion show, pop-up stores, a gift bag and much more. Homeowners will be receiving a discounted rate at R350 per ticket should they purchase ten or more. Please contact events@valdevie.co.za to reserve your tickets or for more information.
Ticket details: http://www.valdevie.co.za/events/calendar.html
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Grapevine Events and Media
NataniËl’s visit to
Val de Vie Estate
We were thrilled to host Nataniël at the Val de Vie Estate this August. As one of South Africa’s favorite entertainers, Nataniël held two unforgettable shows which were packed with laughter, fun and plenty of smiles. The evening show included ample singing and storytelling in true Nataniël fashion. Guests enjoyed a glass of wine and delicious canapés before entering the ballroom, where they relished the experience with Nataniël. The following morning’s show started with bubbly and breakfast for the guests, followed by Nataniël’s Leefstyl Show. He offered a variety of tips, ideas and inspiration about decor, colour and food, as well as insight into the history of dining and etiquette.
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Grapevine Events and Media
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Grapevine Events and Media
Brandy Fridays We have found a great way to beat the winter
Visitors took advantage of the Polo Club
blues with Brandy Fridays at Val de Vie, a
Restaurant’s fantastic ‘two courses for the price
unique opportunity to enjoy live music and
of one’ special and to top it off, a selection of
exceptional brandy at the Polo Club Restaurant.
delicious, designer cocktails were on offer such
Brandy Fridays were held every Friday from the
as Klipdrift Gold Coffee and Van Ryn’s Decadent
16th of August to the 20th of September. The
Hot Chocolate.
events, coordinated by Val de Vie Events and sponsored by Fine Brandy by Design, boasted
Visit the Val de Vie Estate Facebook page to
a collection of premium brandies, that include
view some recipes for these incredible cocktails
Oude Meester Demant, Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old
and keep an eye on the Val de Vie Calendar to
Distillers Reserve, Klipdrift Gold, Flight of the
avoid missing out on exciting, upcoming events.
Fish Eagle and Collison’s White Gold. www.valdevie.co.za. The talented Gerald Clark kept guests entertained in August and Jason Reolon dazzled the stage at the beginning of September.
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Grapevine Events and Media
17
Grapevine Wine & Dine
Wine lending B
As you know, Val de Vie Wines offer something
Firstly, we tasted the various cultivars and scored
very few Estates do. We give our homeowners
each of them according to colour, nose and
the unique opportunity to blend their very own
flavour. The highest scoring wine then became
wine from our fantastic cultivars in the cellar. It
the base of the blend, after which we used the
was a great privilege to host Clifford and Myrna
other cultivars as “filler” wines. “Filler” wines
van der Venter, Dr. Ernest Messina and his wife
are used to add another dimension to where the
Sally together with celebrity Chef Reuben Riffel.
other cultivars lack. This is a basic principle of
This interesting event took place in the winery,
blending. The blenders were astounded when
where we tasted the various cultivars, which are
we used the lowest scoring component to lift the
also used in crafting the wonderful Val de Vie
profile of the wine.
wines that you enjoy.
What we discovered from the tasting is that lesser known varieties definitely have a place in South Africa, with the Mourvèdre and the Cinsaut scoring the highest. Chef Reuben Riffel was so impressed by the blending that we are looking into bottling these single varietals, making them more accessible to the general public. I would like to thank Mr and Mrs Van Der Venter for a fantastic, red-stained-mouth Friday morning. Definitely one I will not forget any time soon! Harold Versfeld
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Grapevine Wine & Dine
Chinese
Investment
During June 2013, China made their first investment in the South African wine industry, when the Developer sold the Val de Vie wine cellar, historic manor house and 25 hectares of vineyards to Perfect Wines of South Africa. Perfect Wines is a joint venture that was formed in 2011 between prominent Franschhoek wine farm owner, Hein Koegelenberg of Leopard’s Leap and Perfect China in Yangzhou. The L’Huguenot brand was born from this joint venture and has already been responsible for the export of 2.8 million bottles of wine to China in 2011 and 2012; amounting to about 25% of the total annual South African wine exports to China. This will have a positive effect on job creation in the Winelands, effectively positioning Val de Vie as a central role player. This will also bring large contingents of possible property buyers to the Estate. These developments boost the international stature and reach of the Val de Vie brand, and we have already received global exposure on media channels such as CCTV and CNBC, as well as in all major newspapers in South Africa. The joint venture will also expand the maturation cellar and there are plans to build a complete Huguenot Museum at the Old Manor house, reflecting the L’Huguenot brand and the Val de Vie Estate with its French heritage dating back to 1783. Val de Vie Wines will continue to produce its premium Rhône-style wines, which have seen tremendous growth in the past three years and Ryk Neethling shall continue to act as brand ambassador for the Estate wines. The Val de Vie wine tasting room and sales shall continue to operate from the wine bar area in the Polo Club Restaurant and we invite every resident to treat your guests to a wine tasting and lovely meal.
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POLO CLUB RESTAURANT
STARTERS
SALADS
Eldatil Bacon R49 Bread Salad R45 Croutons, Tomato, Cucumber, Feta and Herb Salad Dressing Recommended wine: Polo Club Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Pitted Dates Wrapped in Crispy Bacon with a Creamy Danish Blue Cheese sauce. Recommended wine: Val de Vie Shiraz 2008
Peri-Peri Chicken Livers
R62
Prawn and Avocado CrĂŞpe
R62
Crumbed Peri-Peri Chicken Livers topped with Parmesan Shavings Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Spicy Prawn and Avocado CrĂŞpe with a Harrissa Chilli Sauce Recommended wine: Val de Vie Ryk Neethling 2010
Soup if the Day R46
Beetroot Salad R54
Roasted Beetroot, Butternut, Marinated Feta and Red Wine Dressing. Recommended wine: Polo Club Cabernet Franc 2011
Calamari Salad R74
Cajun Deep-Fried Calamari Tubes on a Green Salad Bed, Tossed in Dijon Vinaigrette. Recommended wine: Polo Club Chenin Blanc 2012
MAINS
Pumpkin Risotto (V) R82
Enquire by your waiter
Pumpkin, Feta, Tomato and Garlic with Rich Creamed Arborio Rice Recommended wine: Polo Club Craftsman 2008
LIGHT MEALS Pork Tortilla Wrap R68
Crispy Pork Belly and Pineapple and Feta Tortilla Wrap served with Chips Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Smoked Chicken Tramezzini
Smoked Chicken and Avocado Trammezini with Chips or a Salad Recommended wine: Polo Club Chenin Blanc 2012
R69
Snack Platter R79
Chicken Wings, Vegetable Springrolls, Fish Fingers, Crumbed Mushrooms, Chips, Humus and Sweet Chilli Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Beef Burger R75
Juicy Beef with Caramelized Onions, Emmanthaler Cheese, Chips and Mustard Mayonnaise Recommended wine: Val de Vie Ryk Neethling 2010
Chicken Wontons R47
Spicy Chicken and Mushroom Wontons served with Soy-Ginger Dipping sauce Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Chicken Kiev R122
Chicken Breast Fillet, Stuffed Cabernet Franc with Garlic Butter and Herbs 2010 Served with Parmesan Risotto, Vegetables and Mushroom Sauce Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Thai Chicken Curry R110
Creamy Coconut Curry served with Jasmine rice, Chutney and a Poppadum Recommended wine: Polo Club Cabernet Franc 2011
White Wine Linefish R110
Tender Fish Fillet Baked in Foil with Onion, Tomato and Thyme served a baked potato and Vegetables Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Lamb Tagine R145
Tender Lamb and Chick peas stewed in a Mild Curry sauce Served with Minted Couscous and Yoghurt Recommended wine: Val de Vie 1783 - 2007
Beef Wellington R150
250g Beef fillet and Mushroom Duxelle Baked in Puff Pastry Served with Braised Carrots, Green Beans and Potato Puree Recommended wine: Val de Vie Shiraz 2008
POLO CLUB RESTAURANT
SIDES
KIDS
Shoestring Fries R21 SautĂŠed Seasonal Vegetables R21 Leafy Greek Salad R21
Toasted Cheese and Tomato sandwich
R22
Bambino (Small Margarita)
R42
Deep Fried Chicken Goujons and Fries Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
R35
PASTA Butternut Pasta R59
R20
Roasted Butternut, Garlic, and Spaghetti Tossed in Olive Oil with Parmesan Shavings Recommended wine: Polo Club Chenin Blanc 2012
DESSERTS
Beef Napolitano R74
Belgium Chocolate Springrolls and Vanilla Ice Cream R45
Beef, Penne Pasta, Napolitano with Chili and Peppers Recommended wine: Val de Vie Shiraz 2008
Chicken and Bacon Pasta Chicken, Bacon in a Creamy Blue Cheese sauce Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Brandy and Coke Malva Pudding with Vanilla Custard R45 R69
Cake Selection R40 Enquire with Waitron
Restaurant Operating hours. PIZZA
Monday : Closed
Margarita R59 Favorita R92
Tuesday : 10:00 - 16:002 0 1 0
Cabernet Franc
Bacon, Feta and Avocado Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Wednesday : 10:00 - 22:00
Chicken, Avocado, Caramelised Onions, Mushrooms Recommended wine: Polo Club Chenin Blanc 2012
Friday : 10:00 - 22:00
Gallino R89
Mexicana R82 Mince, Garlic, Onion, Chillies and Peppers Recommended wine: Val de Vie Chenin Blanc 2012
Four Seasons R82
Olives, Mushrooms, Feta and Peppers Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Tutto-Carne R120 Salami, Bacon, Ham and Chicken Recommended wine: Val de Vie GVC 2008
Parma R120
Rocket, Avocado, Parma Ham and Balsamic Cream Recommended wine: Polo Club Craftsman 2008
Thursday : 10:00 - 16:00
Saturday : 10:00 - 22:00 Sunday : 10:00 - 16:00 Sunday Buffet R 150p/p The Polo Club restaurant now offers a Sunday Buffet. Menu varies every week but always offers a Meat, Chicken and Fish option. Accompanied with a range of side dishes, salads and soup. A separate kiddies menu is also available.
Grapevine Wine and Dine
CELLAR DOOR PRICE LIST (All wines subject to availability, VAT inclusive)
WINE CLUB
Become a member of the Val de Vie Wine Club and earn 10% loyalty points with Legacy Lifestyle on all wines and restaurant purchases. Points are redeemable on your next purchase at Val de Vie Wines OR at the Polo Club Restaurant (1 point per R10.00 spent. 1 point equals R1.00) with Exclusive Gold membership to the Legacy Lifestyle programme. Membership also includes free delivery of wine orders to all major centres in South Africa for orders in multiples of 12 bottles and requires no membership or joining fees. Members receive a monthly Val de Vie Wines Newsletter and information about special offers and invitations to exclusive Wine Club evenings and special events. To remain an active wine club member, a minimum of 24 bottles of wine need to be purchased per year. If you would like to register as a member, please ask a waiter for assistance or visit the Wine page on www.valdevie.co.za. We look forward to welcoming you as a member.
POLO CLUB
Price/Bottle
Polo Club Filly Rose 2012 Peaches, Apricots, Strawberries and cream on the nose. Tart fruits and bubblegum on the palate. Soft yet crisp acid, together with an alcohol of only 10.5%, makes this an ideal summer wine.
R 45.00
Polo Club Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Green fig, cut gras and peppers compliment the tropical flavours of gooseberry, melon and passion fruit. Crisp, yet balanced acid carries and finishes this full bodied wine.
R 65.00
Polo Club Chenin Blanc 2012 Ripe sweet melon and guava entices the nose. Crisp acid, minerality and rounded mouthfeel adds another dimension to this well crafted wine.
R 65.00
Polo Club Craftsman 2008 34% Mourvèdre, 25% Shiraz, 15% Grenache Noir, 13% Carignan, 13% Cinsaut A burst of red fruit: red berries, strawberries and cherries with nuances of well integrated oak.
R 70.00
Polo Club Cabernet Franc 2011 Blackcurrants, red currants and spice fill the glass. Delicate flavours of red fruits and fynbos.
R 90.00
VAL DE VIE Val de Vie GVC 2008 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Viognier, 20% Clairette Blanche Turkish delight, Citrus Zest and Wildflowers fill the glass. Fresh and zippy acidity compliments the oak, not overpowering the subtle fruit flavours. Platter **** star | Silver - IWSC
R 135.00
Val de Vie Ryk Neethling 2010 56% Shiraz, 20% Mourvedre, 13% Carignan, 7% Grenache, 4% Cinsaut Black currant, red fruit and spice fill the glass. Hints of vanilla and oak flavours. Well-rounded mouth feel with subtle wood influence. A medium to full-bodied wine that finishes well on the back palate.
R 135.00
Val de Vie Shiraz 2008 Violet flower, nuances of sweet caramel and white chocolate aromas define the diversity of a truly exceptional cultivar. These are complemented by dark fruit aromas. Platter **** star | Silver (Best in class) - IWSC
R 155.00
Val de Vie 1783 - 2007 50% Mourvèdre, 20% Shiraz, 15% Grenache Noir, 10% Carignan, 5% Cinsaut Wine has a deep and rich colour. On the nose you get dark fruits, perfume and warm spices. Elegance and tannins combine to give a full, yet not overpowering mouth feel, with bursts of ripe fruit and balanced oak. Acidity carries the through the whole pallet, and gives a long and lingering finish Platter **** 1/2 star | Gold - IWSC
R 250.00
Val de Vie 2006 60% Mourvèdre, 20% Shiraz, 7% Carignan, 7% Grenache Noir, 6% Cinsaut Deeply garnet coloured. Fresh, big sweet cassis berry with some floral nuances, and mulberry and plumy fruit flavours, rich and aromatic on new oak. The palate is lush, soft and silky. Platter ****1/2 star
R 495.00
BARISTA Pinotage 2009 A burst of intense rich coffee and chocolate aromas with ripe nuances of mulberry, plum &Maraschino cherries.
address Val De Vie Estate Polo Pavilion R301 Paarl 7620
22
post PO BOX 6223 Paarl 7646
tel +27 (0) 21 863 6100
www.valdevie.co.za
fax +27 (0) 21 863 2741
R 60.00
e-mail wine@valdevie.co.za
Grapevine Wine and Dine
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The Filly’s
S E I L L I F
... comprise of a group of like-minded women whose main objective is to make a difference in communities that need it the most in our beautiful country.We provide humanitarian services and create awareness in support of our various charities. We are a non-profit association and arrange and manage various annual charity events to raise money to assist with our many community projects.
E H T
We are also on Facebook so please “like” our page to receive updated information regarding our charity’s, sponsors and events.
Calling f or next proj shoeboxes for ou r ect Please de . liver to H 2 VdV bef ore 8 No 00 at v ’13.
Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended our Solar Solutions sponsored Madhatters High Tea held on Saturday, 31st August at the Polo Club. Your support was incredible in every respect. The donations of clothes, shoes, books, toys, food parcels and linen will bring hope to so many people in our Valley and the many donations and positive interest in our recently launched “Light of Love Project” was truly overwhelming. Wow! Thank you from all of us at The Filly’s and the people whose lives you have touched by supporting this wonderful event. Our “Light of Love Project” is a 2 month long plan aimed at providing 745 pupils at Amstelhof Primary School in Paarl each with a gift wrapped shoebox containing much needed items. Should you wish to become involved by sponsoring boxes or donating funds towards this project, please refer to our editorial information below on the school, their urgent needs and the project. SAVE THE DATE for the 3rd Annual Vegas Nights Fund Raiser: Friday, the 9th May 2014 Dress the Decade : Sensational Issue 1 Grapevine 45 60’s - Think Modern Monochromania, Glamorous and Sexy to Flirty, Fun and Fiesty.
Grapevine Social & Community
Light ove
L Project
of
Tea,
They have one set of clothes for every sports team
shoebox wrapped in gift paper for each child at
which was held in August, was an outstanding
and these are changed from team to team on the
the school. The contents of the box will be similar
success and on behalf of everyone who received
day. They have very old, damaged and broken
to that of other projects that run at this time of
donations of toys, clothing, food parcels, linen,
sports equipment, with a mere 5 rugby balls
the year. We understand that it’s a challenge to
shoes and many other items, a huge thank you for
between them.
source and secure 750 boxes in two months,
Our
Solar
Solutions
sponsored
High
but we believe in your support and know that it is
their support and generosity. Over and above the donations, the High Tea was wonderful in every
These children don’t know the stories of Snow
achievable.
regard and we once again thank Solar Solutions
White or other childhood characters as most of the
for partnering with us and sponsoring the event.
children’s parents are drug addicts or alcoholics.
Should you wish to become involved in this
Many have never had a book read to them outside
project, please email us at:
The High Tea event was held in aid of Amstelhof
of school. Whilst the school has prepared a space
lightofloveproject@fillys.co.za
Primary School and we took the opportunity to
for a library, they don’t have books to fill it with.
number of boxes you would like to sponsor
briefly introduce the school to the guests.
This is the first year the Department of Education
and prepare, where-after the specific details
have supplied them with text books, but these
of contents, age and gender for the boxes will
The school has 745 learners from Gr.R – Gr.7
children don’t have bags or cases in which to
be outlined. The cost per box must be limited to
and is surrounded by a squatter camp, where
carry them.
R150.00 please.
65% of the parents are unemployed. For many of
The list of needs is endless, so we have created a
If you would prefer to donate funds for us to
the pupils, the only meal they receive is one from
list of short-term goals to help make an immediate
prepare the boxes on your behalf, please send
Amstelhof School, which is prepared by volunteers
difference to their lives.
an EFT to “The Fillys Club”, Standard Bank, Paarl
to
indicate
the
the majority of the learners reside. Approximately
Mall, Account # 374 722 870 and send your Proof
from the community. However, the school is in need of funds to pay the weekly wages of the
o Create a proper library with books and DVD’s
of Payment to the above mail address. Thank you
baker, without whom the bakery cannot function.
o Sustain their kitchen and develop skills of the
in advance for your support.
Whilst
o Supply sporting gear and equipment
volunteers and bakers Claude
Headmaster
of
de
Jager,
the
passionate
32
years,
endeavours
to
o Provide school bags to each learner
provide the children with holistic education and encourages participation in cultural, academic,
Should you have skills and/or the time and are
extramural and sport activities, it is a challenge in
able to assist with any of the needs indicated, or
every aspect. With no schools in the area against
have suggestions or ideas to improve the school,
whom to play competitively, he needs to transport
please contact The Filly’s on:
them to other schools in Paarl and this is where the
events@fillys.co.za to become involved.
challenges start – from petrol money and sporting
In addition to this, we launched our very exciting
equipment, to clothes and shoes for the teams.
“Light of Love Project” that aims to provide a
25
Financed Financed
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Grapevine Social & Community
Going Green ‘Going Green’ – what does it mean? Everybody
care products that use plant-based ingredients,
is talking about it. We thought we would explore
means that you do not absorb harmful
what this term means and how you too can be
petrochemicals and eliminate the occurrence
flaunting the colour Green!
of pesticides being used in the farming and growing process. Making certain products
Going
social
utilises a lot of energy and by choosing goods
phenomenon describing individuals who use
green
is
defined
as
‘The
that are made from green materials, you
their consumer voice to increase sustainability
will help protect our forests and waterways.
and decrease their impact on the environment.’
Clean power, generated through wind and
There are many ways to wear this green badge
solar energy, reduces the demand for energy
of honour. Solar powered lights, solar panels,
polluting sources, such as coal. Choosing to
photovoltaic panels, clocks, chargers and
walk, ride a bicycle or use public transport to
torches are just a few. Then of course you have
get to your destination not only keeps you fit
an entire range of environmentally friendly
but also reduces your carbon footprint. Recycle
building materials, cleaning products, clothes,
everything and help to reduce our landfill sites.
candles, coasters, cell phone accessories,
If we all put more thought into the choices that
folders, handbags, gift boxes, paper, memory
we make every day, we can soon see how one
sticks, mouse pads, paperclips, pencil cases,
person’s actions can truly make a difference.
photo frames…the list goes on and on. There really is no excuse for you not to make small
Financed Solar Solutions’ focus is on solar
changes in your life to affect a massive change
panels used solely for the purpose of heating
in our world.
water. Not only are we giving back to the environment but we are also giving back to
What possible effect would your changes have,
our community. For all clients who mention
you may ask? There are many. By choosing to
the Filly’s Charity Organisation, we will donate
support the local economy, greenhouse gas
R500 to the Filly’s. Let us help you take that
emissions that are required for transport are
next step into the future of free hot water and
significantly reduced. Using green personal
‘warm you up to savings’.
27
Horse Riding Lessons at Val de Vie Estate
Claudia Carboni is an Internationally Federated Certified horse, adult and child trainer in all areas of competitive dressage, riding and training. Claudia lives at Val de Vie and offers the following lessons: ½ hour riding experience for small children – R130.00
50min Riding Lesson (all levels) – R250.00
50 min Competitive Dressage for intermediate
(mornings only or for appointments)
(own horse – R 200.00)
riders – R 350.00 Starting special: Pay for 9 lessons, receive 10.
Contact Claudia on 076 777 1138 or on horse@barbablu.org
28
Kinder Ark
Grapevine Social & Community
What an exciting term we have had at the Kinder Ark! We have been blessed with two new princesses! Jessica’s baby Roché arrived first and then the big surprise came with our lovely Tannie Madri having a baby girl! Ameli was born on Friday the 16th of August 2013. Our school is not only an inviting place for all of our children, but also for feathered friends. Eagle Encounters visited us and we met with owls, a hawk and a very large White Cross Eagle. Since then, two Hamerkop birds have moved into the tree outside of our window and
this has been a very interesting and exciting experience. We have been closely watching them build their nest and we really can’t wait to see what they are going to do next. School at Val de Vie is full of positive vibes and unexpected surprises, and we are so excited to write about it! So with our envelope in one hand and a stamp in the other, we all walked down to the Sport and Leisure Centre to post our letters to mom and dad. Apart from all of these activities, we are filled with joy about our upcoming concert and we can’t wait to get dressed up for the big occasion!
29
Grapevine Social & Community
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Grapevine Social & Community
L i B ella
P hotography
Lisa Bouwer 072 825 8791
Thank you Lisa for providing us with great kid’s images in issue 2 and 3.
E P
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Grapevine Social & Community
Photo Competition
A big thank you to all of the residents who shared their photos with us. Congratulations to Sue Botha for her picture that was taken during the school holidays. This picture perfectly portrays the beauty and serenity of our incredible Estate. The winner of the photo competition will receive a bottle of Polo Club Wine. Winners are to collect their wine from the Sports and Leisure Centre. Mail your photos and captions to: carle.geldenhuys@valdevie.co.za.
32
THE PERSIAN CARPET
EVERY INDUSTRY HAS A LEADER.
N IA
CLEANING & REPAIRING • SALES
S R E
CUSTOMIZE CARPETS • FRAMING & ARTWORK
P
Tell: 021 880 2335 • Fax: 021 876 2072 • email: clive.thespecialist6@gmail.com • web: www.thepersiancarpet.co.za
Chubi
Union Jack Flag
Mori Bokhara
Persian Qashqai
AD V
HP-Persian.indd 1
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Stellenbosch Square, Shop 5, R44 Stellenbosch, 7900 • 6 The Village Centre, Huguenot Street, Franschoek, 7690
Hamadan
Patchwork
2013/09/16 2:27 PM
AD V
ER T
Grapevine Social & Community
Grapevine Sport & Leisure
Why
teach your
child to swim
THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES: Best friends Cameron van der Burgh and Giulio Zorzi of South Africa celebrate after the 50m breaststroke final of
the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona, Spain.
THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES: Best friends Cameron van der Burgh and Giulio Zorzi of S outh Africa celebrate after the 50m breaststroke final of the World Swimming Championships at the Sant Jordi arena in Barcelona, Spain.
Why teach your child to swim.
Safety.
Safety. An unfortunate statistic shows that drowning is the second highest cause of death
An unfortunate statistic shows that drowning is the second highest cause
unintentional in children from the age of one to fourteen. For your child's safety how involving to swim, in injuries a controlled environment with professionals, who
of death involving unintentional injuries in children from the age of one to
guarantee the child educated the best apossible attends swimming classes is at abeing young age and learns the bin asics of surviving fall into a pool. method.
and to alleviate the possibility of a water related injury, one should make sure that their child
fourteen. For your child’s safety and to alleviate the possibility of a water related injury, one should make sure that your child attends swimming
Physical Development. Swimming is a great activity that aids in improving the motor skills of children. Coordination of arms and legs that is required when swimming, is the perfect way to
Personally. help a child develop their awareness of movement. An active child, who participates in physical
from dancing to football, will be more coordinated than a child with limited physical inactivities, all, I believe that teaching your child how to swim is a life exercise.
classes at a young age and learns the basics of surviving a fall into a
All
pool.
experience that they will always remember. The first time they swim will be
changing
Fitness. Teaching children about the importance of fitness early in life is incredibly important. In
a time when many and children in the should western world are overweight due to less physical activity, it is a fond memory you want to share that wonderful experience essential to educate them that keeping fit is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. Swimming is the
Physical Development.
with perfect them. I of myself never the family friend who form exercise to ihave ncrease fitness levels, forgotten as it is one of the best cclose ardio vascular exercises
Swimming is a great activity that aids in improving the motor skills of
taught me the wonders of swimming!
children. Coordination of arms and legs that is required when swimming, is the perfect way to help a child develop their awareness of movement. An active child, who participates in physical activities, from dancing
one can do.
Social Opportunities. Enrolling your child in swimming lessons is a great way to teach them
how to interact in a social environment. Most swimming classes are taught in groups, so this provides an opportunity for children to interact with each other and participate in organised group source:http://www.cherryvalleyswimclub.com activities, which will require them to function as a team. In addition it provides opportunities to make new friends.
to football, will be more coordinated than a child with limited physical
Confidence. One method that helps children improve their confidence is allowing them the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Swimming is one of these skills that can help instill a sense of confidence. Once a child starts to see improvements in their swimming abilities, they will begin to feel positive about their accomplishments and will gain even more confidence.
exercise.
Age. There are a variety of different swimming programs available for parents and children, which
Fitness.
cater for infants as young as six months old, to toddlers and older children. Children are never too young to be taught how to swim, in a controlled environment with professionals, who guarantee the child is being educated in the best possible method.
Teaching children about the importance of fitness early in life is incredibly important. In a time when many children in the western world
Personally. All in all, I believe that teaching your child how to swim is a life changing experience that they will always remember. The first time they swim will be a fond memory and you should want to share that wonderful experience with them. I myself have never forgotten the close family friend who taught me the wonders of swimming! source:http://www.cherryvalleyswimclub.com
are overweight due to less physical activity, it is essential to educate them that keeping fit is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. Swimming is the perfect form of exercise to increase fitness levels, as it is one of the best cardio vascular exercises one can do.
Social Opportunities. Enrolling your child in swimming lessons is a great way to teach them how to interact in a social environment. Most swimming classes are taught in groups, so this provides an opportunity for children to interact with each other and participate in organised group activities, which will require them to function as a team. In addition it provides opportunities to make new friends. Confidence. One method that helps children improve their confidence is allowing them the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Swimming is one of these skills that can help instill a sense of confidence. Once a child starts to see improvements in their swimming abilities, they will begin to feel positive about their accomplishments and will gain even more confidence. Age. There are a variety of different swimming programs available for parents and children, which cater for infants as young as six months old, to toddlers and older children. Children are never too young to be taught
35
Grapevine Sport & Leisure
G ym Vitality We are happy to announce that the gym will have the Discovery Vitality system available in October. This will provide the advantageous opportunity for Discovery Vitality members to log gym sessions in order to earn points and get discounts on Discovery medical aid. Happy training!
36
Grapevine Sport & Leisure
Resident
Chrisjan
Well done to Chrisjan Coetzee who competed in the 2013 junior and under 23 Canoe /Kayak Sprint World Championships in Welland, Ontario, Canada. He came in 5th place in the Under 23 K1 200m B-Final and achieved an overall 14th place in the competition.
37
Grapevine Sport & Leisure
CyclingNews Moolman Welgemoed is clearly using his bike
Moolman’s wife Elmare is also a keen cyclist,
and passion to the best of his abilities! His
below is an image of the couple on a tandem
forte is road cycling but he has managed to
bike at the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay cycling tour.
get a few MTB titles under his belt, including the famous Die Burger MTB race in 2010.
Well done Moolman, we are very proud of you!
His results for the last cycling season are as
Be sure to see Moolman in action at the Val de
follows:
Vie Cycling Race which will take place on the 24th of November 2013.
26 August 2012: UCI Masters World Champs Pietermaritzburg (13th place) (Austria 2010 – 5th) 21-23 September 2012: MTB -Dr Evil Mountain Bike 3 day stage race Knysna (1st place) January – May 2013: Sub-vets League (2nd place) 24 March 2013: W.P. Road Champs Vets (1st place) 19 April 2013: S.A. Road Champs Vets (2nd place)
38
Grapevine Sport & Leisure
Africon Rooftiles cc Tel: 021 845 7476 | Email: africon@mweb.co.za www.africonroof.com
Africon Rooftiles cc is your one stop roofing solution. Roof Trusses | Roof Tiles Roof Sheeting | Fibre Cement Products.
We specialise in exposed roof trusses.
Grapevine
Stable Talk
And they’re off! As we swim into the next few months, we will be needing water wings for the polo ponies and players! It has been a very wet and muddy winter and the weather has definitely provided its challenges, but we bought all of Kaap Agri’s gumboots and survived! We have handled more than enough smelly and wet horse blankets to write home about, but hey, we love it, and it’s much better than hubby’s wet socks! I am pleased to announce that our ponies are marching away and we are all starting to get fit again for what promises to be a very exciting season ahead! As we ease into September and hope for some decent sunshine, we have only a few weeks left before we kick off the 2014 polo season! Val de Vie’s Polo Club will open the season with our first set of club chukkas on the 5th of October, the first Saturday of the month. We open up our season of tournaments with the very prestigious Blackberry Pink Polo Tournament, which will be held on the 26th of October, so ladies get your legs tanned, your dresses out and get ready for some fun in the sun! Whilst you were all paddling away here, I was up in Kimberley competing with two of my mares in the annual Kimberley Diamond Showjumping Event. After a very long and tiring 14 hour journey, we arrived safely in the freezing and dusty town. It was a super 3 day show and my girls were fantastic, each bringing home their well deserved rosettes! We would like to welcome the Cleary, Ebbersten, Lewis and MacPhail families joining us with their horses next month, we are so happy to have them and their steeds join our yard. I would like to introduce Janna Strehlau who has joined our Equestrian Team here at Val de Vie and George and I look forward to all working together. Janna is experienced in many equestrian fields including dressage, jumping, eventing, nutrition, saddle fitting and natural horsemanship. We have a full club of polo members and this is bound to be a season of good fun and games! Here’s to the ponies, cheers cheers cheers!!! Kelly and the Team.
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Grapevine Stable Talk
41
HONESTY | INTEGRITY | PASSION
|
We are growing...meet the new member of our team Peter Rademeyer. Peter comes with over 25 years of experience in the real estate industry, as well as Honesty, Integrity and Passion!
HOW CAN WE HE BE OF SERVICE TO YOU? Peter Rademeyer cell: 083 447 1223 email: peter.rademeyer@valdevie.co.za Sports & Leisure Centre, Val de Vie Estate T: 021 863 6101 42 www.valdevie.co.za
e: property@valdevie.co.za
Grapevine Aesthetics Gallery
Aesthetics
Gallery Windows: (NEW)
“4.3.12 All windows shall have as a minimum, one of the following: Raised plaster surround, decorative moulded plaster lintol or a decorative moulded plaster cill on the external face. Such detail is to be shown in sufficient point on any submission. (rule)”
Doors: “4.3.4 Large doors and windows, which are divided by frames into panels of approximately 900mm in width, in the accepted vertical format, will be permitted, where screened or recessed a minimum of 1500mm behind the outer line of a pergola, veranda or other accepted device. (rule)”
Wrought iron balconies and trelliswork “4.5.3 The guidelines strongly encourage the extensive use of wrought iron balcony railings and trelliswork. Owners are allowed to substitute any length of trelliswork in excess of 6m (garage width), on the street facing façade, for either the shutters or the pergola requirement. (rule)”
4.3.12
DK WINDOCOVERS
4.5.3
CURTAINS UPHOLSTERY Tel: 021-811-6932 info@dkwindocovers.co.za www.dkwindocovers.co.za
4.3.4
44
Grapevine Aesthetics Gallery
Cladding “4.2.3 Drypack stonework (natural stone matching that is used in the gatehouse columns only.) No stonework tiles or cast concrete cladding will be permitted. (rule)”
External Lights “4.9.1 All external lights mounted on the street facing elevation or ahead of this line shall be of the carriage type units in the colour black or dark grey. (rule)”
Balustrades and Wrought Iron Work “4.5.1 All external balustrades are to be of a steel type with the elements (except support posts) having a maximum width of 10mm in any one direction and to be composed of primarily curvilinear elements typical of decorative wrought iron work. All balustrades to be black or a dark grey unless prior approval is obtained from the Home Owners Association for use of an alternate colour. (rule)”
4.2.3
4.9.1
4.5.1 4.3.4
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Grapevine Aesthetics Gallery Shutters “4.3.8 Shutters, which are strongly encouraged, must be operational and are preferably side hung. (rule)” “4.3.10 It is mandatory that operational shutters be fitted to all street facing windows on the ground floor. Approved shutters are fully framed with horizontal angled louvre elements, any other type is to be separately submitted for approval. (rule)”
Air-cons and Pool Pumps “5.15 Mechanical equipment and plant such as air-conditioners (and grilles), ducts, pool pumps, etc. must be designed into the buildings and/or adequately enclosed or screened off from view. (rule)”
5.15
4.3.8
C&H Airconditioning Install - Service - Repair of Aircons
46
GET 1 SERVICEFREE FOR EVERY 5 AIRCONS’ SERVICES BOOKED COLD & HOT AIRCONDITIONING Install - Service - Repair of Aircons C&H TEL: 021 872 0621 / FAX: 021 872 1878 Airconditioning
ER T
AD V
Grapevine Aesthetics Gallery Pergolas “4.8.1 A pergola element is mandatory in front of the garage or an equal length of pergola provided elsewhere on the street facing façade. (rule)”
Front Doors “4.3.5 Front doors, where visible from the street, shall be solid doors. Glassed entrance doors will be permitted where a wrought iron screen or gate is fixed or installed between the door and the street. (rule)”
4.8.1
4.3.5
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K
just add water
ALProd shower doors half page.pdf 1 2012/07/09 02:24:32 PM
42 2 Wellington Road Durbanville alprod.riaan@gmail / alprod.info@gmail.com 021 979 5898 / 083 592 7834 / 086 665 6070
www.alprodshowerdoors.co.za .
48
Grapevine Aesthetics Gallery Mouldings “4.7.1 The colour palette and the style of the estate encourage the use of plaster moulding to create relief on the facades. The use of corbelling and banding below eaves and along the line of the window head and cill height is strongly encouraged. Window surrounds will also be permitted. (guideline)”
Driveways “3.3.2 Driveway materials are to be a combination of Smartstone (or similar) concrete cobble (charcoal or grey colour) clay brick pavers, or exposed aggregate concrete surface beds (colour to be brown.)”
3.3.2
4.7.1
Stone Wash Y2-D2-2
Ivory Ridge Y3-D2-2
Samovar
Ivory Parchment
Y4-E2-1
Y3-D2-3
Houri
Arniston White
Y4-E2-2
240 - 1
Evasive White
Arniston White
Y4-E2-3
25% UT 230 - 1
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12
9
8
7
1
2
3 50
11
10
Villages represented by numerals 1 - 12 statistics: 11 September 2013 SHOC’s: 84 OCCUPATIONS: 229
5 6 4
51
Grapevine Landscaping & Nature
some of the seeds that were not destroyed in the rottin green, but is also saving money. small amount of soil gets mixed into the compost and t Composting on Val de Vie compost can be termed weed free. The stables generate roughly 6 cubic meters of stable waist on a daily basis, consisting of the wo Val de Vie recognises the importance of keeping it green and has requested Servest to convert all stable with some hgorse manure and urine. is mainly wdork ry mit aterial and will therefore be combined material from ardens into compost and Tshis ubsequently back into that area. As a result, the HOA isw with t he r otting p rocess. D uring t he s ummer, w e p ut s prinklers o n i n o rder t o k eep t he compos green, but is also saving money. process o f d ecomposition. A d igger l oader i s u sed f rom t ime t o t ime t o t urn t he h eaps o ver. This the t op a nd g ets t he f resher m aterial t o t he b ottom w here t he h eat b uild-‐up i s m ore i ntense, wh The stables generate roughly 6 cubic meters of stable waist on a daily basis, consisting of the wood shavi some of thhe seeds that aw ere not Tdhis estroyed in dtry he mraterial otting apnd rocess o germinate. In the pwrocess o with some orse manure nd urine. is mainly will ttherefore be combined ith gree with the rotting porocess. During the into summer, we put sprinklers on in oarder to ikn eep the compost heaps small amount f soil gets mixed the compost and therefore ssists making it suitable for m process of dcecomposition. igger loader compost an be termed Aw deed free. is used from time to time to turn the heaps over. This moves t the top and gets the fresher material to the bottom where the heat build-‐up is more intense, while at the some of the seeds that were not destroyed in the rotting process to germinate. In the process of turning small amount of soil gets mixed into the compost and therefore assists in making it suitable for top dress These pictures give some indication of the change compost can be termed weed free. bottom where the heat build-up is more intense, These pictures give some indication of the change in th while at the same time allowing some of the
Servest
Newsletter
Composting on Val de Vie Val de Vie recognises the importance of keeping it green and has requested Servest to convert all stable waste and green material from gardens
seeds that were not destroyed in the rotting
into compost and subsequently work it back into
process to germinate. In the process of turning
the Estate gardens. As a result, the HOA is not
the material over, a small amount of soil gets
only keeping it green, but is also saving money.
mixed into the compost and therefore assists in
making it suitable for top dressing, although our
compost can be termed weed free.
The stables generate roughly 6 cubic meters
These pictures give some indication of the change in the material as it transforms into compost.
of stable waste on a daily basis, consisting of the wood shavings horses sleep on, with some
These pictures give some indication of the change
horse manure and urine. This is mainly dry
pictures some indication of the change in the material as it transforms into compost. inThese the material asgitive transforms into compost.
material and will therefore be combined with
green material to help with the rotting process. During the summer, we put sprinklers on in
order to keep the compost heaps moist and to help the process of decomposition. A digger loader is used from time to time to turn the heaps over. This moves the rotten material to the top and gets the fresher material to the
IN LINE WITH
AESTHETIC
GUIDELINES FOR VAL DE VIE
Please make sure your Smartstone is Smartstone. Smartstone supplied all the paving at the estate during the development phase. If the developers believed in Smartstone’s quality then it should be still your first choice for paving.
52
Tell: 021 873 5482
www.smartstone.co.za
Grapevine Landscaping & Nature
Food Garden Top 10 tips to start a food garden
The best time to start a food garden is when you are ready to do it. That
kraal manure, bonemeal and 2:3:2 into the soil to a depth of 30cm. Other
could be now, which is ideal because it is the start of the growing season.
soil preparation methods include the no-till method, trenching and building
But, because food gardening is a year-round occupation you can start at any
raised beds.
time. There’s even work to be done in winter, like planning for spring. 1. Know why Jot down why you want to grow vegetables and discuss it with your family. Knowing what you want helps with future planning for instance, do you want to go organic? 2. Start small That’s the advice from all seasoned food gardeners. Rather grow into your garden. As your confidence and ability increases you can tackle more crops, expand the space and aim for sustainability. 3. Find the right space Veggies and herbs like at least six hours of sun. In order of preference, a north-facing space is best, followed by west- and then east-facing. Southfacing is the least ideal. But even if the available space is not ideal, look for creative ways to make it work. 4. Keep it simple The layout of the beds should be designed for ease of working. Whatever the shape of your beds, they should be accessible from all sides and ideally they should be 1m wide or less. An east-west configuration allows for the best sun exposure on all of the beds. Pathways should be 30cm wide, otherwise space is wasted. 5. Build up the soil Vegetables like fertile, well-drained soil. The more effort you put into the preparation, the more success you will have. Dig compost, well-rotted
53
Grapevine Landscaping & Nature 6. Start with easy, seasonal vegetables Choose vegetables the family likes to eat. Start with 3-5 easy-to-grow vegetables according to the season and climate of your area. Easy summer crops are beans, beetroot, Swiss chard, sweet corn, herbs, sweet peppers, summer squash and tomatoes. 7. Follow seed packet instructions Before sowing, read the instructions on the seed packet. It is your best guide for sowing depth and spacing, when to transplant and basic care. 8. Spread the harvest Plant a few seeds of each variety every 2-4 weeks to ensure an on-going harvest throughout the season. Sow leafy vegetables at two-weekly intervals, legumes about three weeks apart, root vegetables about four weeks apart and fruiting vegetables 6-12 weeks apart. 9. Water and feed regularly Water your vegetables more frequently in hot, dry weather. Fertilise vegetables according to variety. Root and bulb vegetables need phosphates (2:3:2 or Vita Grow), leafy vegetables need nitrogen and potassium (6:3:4 or Vita Veg), and fruiting vegetables need nitrogen (2:3:2 or Vita Grow) when planting and potassium (3:1:5 or Vita Fruit and Flower) before flowering. 10. Keep a record Record as much as possible especially the lessons learnt. This makes next year’s planning easier and prevents you from making the same mistakes. Source: http://www.thegardener.co.za/kb/article.php?id=734
54
Gardens
“Outgrowing the rest!”
Garden Landscaping, Maintenance, Design and Installation of Irrigation Complete gardens from R60,000. T&C’s apply
Attie van der Merwe
Cell: 072 438 0306 e-mail: office@vippro.co.za Preferred landscaper for: Markar Construction | Build A Way Constuction, C3 Manhatten & SW Construction
VIP Gardens was established in 1998. We aim to deliver only the best standard in workmanship while believing that excellent communication with the client at all times, is the key to successful completion of any garden project and contract. We are one of a few SALI accredited landscapers on Val de Vie Polo Estate and install landscapes to a high standard and code of ethics. We have our own retail and wholesale nursery that has an estimate of 200 different plant species and a variety of rustic metal garden décor.
HP-VIPGardens.indd 1
2013/09/20 3:51 PM
Grapevine Landscaping & Nature
Bird Feature
MALACHITE KINGFISHER
It’s finally spring! In the next few weeks the sun
Even on a bad hair day the Malachite still looks
will be shining and the joy of being outdoors and
beautiful. Malachite birds are quiet Kingfishers
birding will surely return. In this issue we’re taking
who sit on tree stumps along the banks of a river.
a look at the MALACHITE KINGFISHER and the
They have regular, favoured perches where they
PIED KINGFISHER.
sit patiently before swooping down swiftly to catch their food. They eat tadpoles, insects, frogs
56
Let’s start with the brilliant, bright metallic,
and fish. In the Cape, between 3 and 6 eggs are
coloured MALACHITE KINGFISHER. This is a
laid between August and February. The nest, if
small Kingfisher species of only about 13cm
previously used, is littered with fish scales and
in length. A very endearing feature is the crest
bones. The incubation period is 14 to 16 days.
on its black and blue feathers, which has the
It is no wonder that this beautiful Kingfisher is
most spectacular and amazing look when wet.
known as the Jewel of the African waters.
Grapevine Landscaping & Nature
When we think of Kingfishers that hover, we picture the very distinct black and white PIED KINGFISHER. They hover far more than any of the other Kingfisher species and are extremely agile in the air. Their ability to hover means they don’t always need any trees or a particular habitat when fishing. Their diet consists of fish, insects, frogs, tadpoles and molluscs. The PIED KINGFISHER, is substantially bigger than the Malachite and is a stout bodied short legged bird, with a formidable black bill. The male PIED KINGFISHER has two full breast bands, whilst the female has only one. There is a little crest of feathers on its head, which it raises when it is perched. These PIED KINGFISHERS are quite vocal and frequently call, both in flight and when they are perched in a tree. These Kingfishers nest in sandbanks where they excavate a tunnel. This is around 1.2 metres in length and leads to a 20 to 30cm chamber, where the nest is made. This tunnel takes around 26 days to excavate and this is done by kicking the sand out with the feet and working the area with its beak. 4 to 5 eggs are laid and take about 18 days to incubate. PIED KINGFISHERs are cooperative breeders which means that the breeding pair will have outside assistance in caring for the young. Chicks stay in the nest for 24 to 29 days, learning to hunt by day 38 to 43. They are only fully independent between 1 to 2 months. Happy birding and being outdoors and don’t forget the sunscreen.
PIED KINGFISHER
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Grapevine Safety & Security
Criminal Background Checks
Sadly, we live in a society where criminals prey
for sure whether a person will have the motive
upon our sense of humanity and trust, which
or opportunity to commit a crime in the future, a
we sometimes give out too freely or take for
person’s past behaviour is often a reliable risk
granted.
indicator.
Due to the above and considering the possible
Background checks are often requested by
risks involved to residents, staff and the Estate,
employers on job candidates for employment
Val De Vie has purchased software that is able
screening, especially on candidates seeking
to conduct criminal background checks. This
a position that requires security or a position of
service will be implemented and will start if all
trust, such as in a school, hospital, as a caregiver,
goes according to plan from November this
financial institution, government and secure
year. All contractors who apply for and are
residential Estates. These checks are used by
enrolled on the security access system will also
employers as a means of objectively evaluating a
undergo a criminal background check. Access
candidate’s qualifications, character and fitness,
to the Estate will only be approved once a
as well as to identify potential hiring risks for
clear criminal background check is received or
safety and security reasons.
given. There is a nominal fee to conduct the criminal But why have criminal background checks
background check. If there are any queries or
done? The reason for a criminal background
requirements regarding these services, please
check is inevitably to answer one question: Will
contact the security manager.
this candidate be a safety/security risk to my organisation, family etc? While no one can tell
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Grapevine Estate Rules
R ules Highlighted Rule 10:
Rule 15:
All residential domestics, butlers, gardeners,
Dogs are not allowed on the Equestrian
live-in labourers and nannies need to be
Facilities under any circumstances. No golf
enrolled on the security database and are
or any other sport may be practised on the
required to wear a Val de Vie identification
Equestrian Facilities and no person apart from
card at all times whilst on the Estate. If an
authorised staff or horse owners may enter
individual is unable to present their Val de Vie
here.
identification card at any time, a penalty of R100.00 will be imposed.
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Grapevine Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs
What are the HOA office hours and where are
remote. Remotes can be ordered and paid for
What types of fish have been established in
they situated?
at the HOA reception.
the dams and is fishing allowed?
Val de Vie Sport and Leisure Centre
Grass Carp, Kurper and Bass have been
Office Hours:
How and when do I obtain my post box key?
stocked in our dams and fishing is only allowed
Monday to Thursday 07H30 – 16H30
The post box key can only be obtained after
on a catch-and-release base. Please respect
Fridays 07H30 – 16H00
the deed of transfer, during office hours at the
these resources.
Closed on weekends and public holidays.
HOA reception.
When are levy payments due and how does the
What is my Val de Vie postal address?
The HOA Picnic area is located on the banks
extra levy affect me?
Name and Surname…(your SG number) Val de
of the Berg River on the Northern side of the
1st of the month in advance. When you buy a
Vie Estate, Paarl, Kliprug Minor Road, 7646
Estate.
phase you have a four month grace period
How often is postage sorted?
Access to the River Frontage and Picnic Area
from date of transfer to do your planning
Postage is retrieved from town and sorted
is controlled and only possible to residents
and to start building before the extra levy is
daily. You will receive a notification slip in your
via pre-programmed remote controls (same
applicable. When building starts you then have
box for parcels that are too big for the box.
remote as for inner lane booms). Access is
an additional 11 month period to complete the
These letters/parcels need to be signed for
only possible via 3 gates - Southern Gate, Gate
project in which the extra levy will again not be
and collected during office hours at the HOA
at Picnic Area and Northern Gate. Access is
applicable.
reception.
limited to non-motorised transport during day-
How do I update my personal information with
How do I apply for a dustbin?
the HOA?
It is the homeowner’s responsibility to apply
Who can I contact for electrical or plumbing
Please send an email to hoa@valdevie.co.za.
for a dustbin once Drakenstein occupation
assistance?
Picnic Area and access to River Frontage
plot from 1 September 2012 in the extra levy
light hours only.
is issued, use SG number as reference and
Plumber: MD Loodgieters,
How and when can I do my security gate
phone Drakenstein Municipality at
021 8724617 / 082 453 8867
enrolment?
021 807 4715.
Electrician: Steven Jones,
New HOA Members:
021 872 8711/082 802 7219
Gate enrolment can only be done after the
When is refuse removal?
Drains: The Drain Surgeon,
deed of transfer, in office hours and at the HOA
Our refuse removal is done weekly by
021 855 3035/073 228 4278
reception, proof of identification is required.
Drakenstein Municipality. We form part of their
New Tenants:
‘purple zone’. For collection days, please refer
Enrolment can only be done on completion
to their schedule at www.drakenstein.gov.za
of a tenant enrolment form, available at HOA reception. Copies of identification documents
Does Val de Vie have a recycling unit?
and
homeowners can make use of the paper and
rental
agreements
must
accompany
completed forms.
glass banks at the Maintenance Centre. There
Workers:
is a free municipal door-to-door recycling
All domestics, gardeners, au pairs, butlers,
service on the Estate. Each week on the same
etc. need to be enrolled with necessary
day as your refuse removal, your recyclable
identification documents. Valid work permits
material will be collected. All you need to do
are mandatory for foreign workers.
is get your ‘dry’ recyclable waste into the free
Taxi services
clear bag you are provided with. Then place it
Contact Mr Driver on 078 927 9674 for taxi
next to or on top of your refuse bin ready for
services between Paarl and Val de Vie for your
collection.
domestic workers. How many pets are allowed? How and when can I obtain a remote for the
Each unit is limited to two
inner lane booms/river frontage gates?
domestic animals posing no danger, noise or
Remotes are only available to residents at
odours may be kept. All domestic animals shall
R110 per remote. Land owners that are in
at all times bear a tag which shall reflect the
the planning phase may request the building
name, telephone number and SG number of
control office to motivate an application for a
their homeowner.
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animals.
Only
winelandgas@telkomsa.net mdobie@telkomsa.net
Certifi Insta ed Gas LP Ga llations & s Sup plies
ER T
Tel: 021 868 3977 Cell: 082 323 2410
Gas Cages
Single Gas Cages
AD V
Double Gas Cages
48 kg
19 kg
48 kg
19 kg
Wood Boxes
We con duct se r vices applian on all g ces an as d certifi for insu cations rance p urpose s.
Grapevine Telephone Directory
Val De Vie
Telephone Directory
HOA ENQUIRIES 021 863 6128 hoa@valdevie.co.za
RESCUE EMERGENCY 10177 ER EMERGENCY RESPONSE 084 124
POLO 021 863 6169 polo@valdevie.co.za
PAARL HOSPITAL 021 860 2500
SALES OFFICE 021 863 6101 property@valdevie.co.za
MEDI CLINIC PAARL 021 807 8000
WINES 021 863 6100 wines@valdevie.co.za
WATER / ELECTRICITY 021 807 2557 DRAKENSTEIN MUNICIPALITY / GENERAL 021 807 4500
POLO CLUB RESTAURANT 021 863 6174 restaurant@valdevie.co.za
TRAFFIC DEPARTMENT 021 872 4755
BUILDING DEPARTMENT 021 863 6127 building@valdevie.co.za
ANIMAL HOSPITAL WELLINGTON 021 873 1196
RYK NEETHLING SWIM SCHOOL 082 379 1111 valdevie@learntoswim.co.za
VETENARIAN DR DEON VAN TONDER 083 631 4603
SECURITY 021 863 6110 072 900 3954
PAARL LIBRARY 021 807 4871 / 4742
HEALTHCLUB 021 863 6136 healthclub@valdevie.co.za EVENTS & MARKETING 021 863 6191 events@valdevie.co.za OTHER SAPS – PAARL 021 807 4000
PAARL TOURISM 021 872 4842 FRANSCHOEK TOURISM 021 876 3603 POISON/ SNAKE BITE INFORMATION 021 689 5227 021 931 6129 POST OFFICE 57 LADY GREY STR PAARL 021 872 5337
SAP FLYING SQUAD 10111 FIRE BRIGADE 021 872 2323 FLYING SQUAD 10111 AMBULANCE PAARL 10177 021 872 1970
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RUDOLPH RABIE Unit 2, La Rue Des Roses No. 2 Main Road PO Box 485 Franschhoek, 7690
Tel: +27 21 876 2920 Fax: +27 21 876 4317 Mobile: 082 797 8701 Email: goneroaming@mweb.co.za
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