Prestige 92

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92

FA S H I O N | DESIGN | J EW E L L E RY | T R AV E L | BU S I N E S S | P RO PE RT Y LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR S • BREITLING TO EXTREMES HAND CRAFTED WINE AND GIN • LUXURY IN THE WINELANDS • FASHION WITH DIANE ISSUE 92 – 1/2017

AFRICA’S PREMIER LUXURY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

NOBLE BY BIRTHRIGHT. FEROCIOUS BY BLOODLINE.

OPENCO/6194/E

THE FIRST EVER BMW M760Li xDRIVE.

Model M760Li

Max Output 448/5500 - 6500

Max Torque (Nm/rpm) 800/1550 - 5000

Consumption (I/100km) 12.8

CO2 Emissions (g/km) 294

Sheer Driving Pleasure

PRESTIGE

CONTENTS

14.

Upfront Ed’s Letter – Page 8

Inside High Time – Three Bell & Ross timepieces that signify performance and aviation to the extreme – Page 10 High Time – Breitling releases a range for extremes out of the eye of a Hurricane – Page 14 la Panthère and l’Envol de Cartier transformed in limited editions - La Panthère and L’Envol de Cartier, two iconic Cartier fragrances, make a fleeting appearance in two limited-edition bottles – Page 17 Ups and downs – It is said that history repeats itself but in the realm of business, how important is historical data in determining strategy for the future?

– Page 20 Wild at Heart – One man’s dream has seen the upfiltment of the people of Magaliesburg and a unique Gauteng attraction in Ukuphila – Page 24 Bag It – Prada’s Tote Bags have for years represented the pinnacle of the genre – always elegant while being practical and a subtle fashion accessory. The new Paradigme Tote Bag is no exception – Page 30 Oh, Diane – The Diane story began in Paris 2010, when model and entrepreneur Diana Tadjuideen decided to follow her dream and passion to create a prêt-a-porter fashion collection – Page 32

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Getting Away from it all

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Rwanda Rising – Rwanda has become a role model for progress and development in Africa, rated the cleanest, greenest, safest country on the continent – Page 38 Humble Hospitality – In luxury’s world there is always a quid pro quo of how few can afford what so many will never experience and Cape Town shows this anomaly off to the world more so than any other city – Page 44 On the Trot – Out of the myriad offerings available to visitors between Somerset West and Stellenbosch, Cavalli is proving to be a must visit destination as it combines traditional wine-based attractions with an alternative approach – Page 50

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PRESTIGE

CONTENTS

Food and Wine

84.

66.

Time in a Bottle – Chris Buchanan attends an innovative champagne tasting with Moët & Chandon’s Chef de Cave Benoit Gouez – Page 56 French Connection – Chris Buchanan has lunch and a wine tasting at Glenelly and the fruits of their labour in expanding the lifestyle offering at the estate culminate in a perfect melding of cultures – Page 60 One with the Soil - At Vilafonté Wines the terms craft and artisan are fundamental to a unique approach in the competitive world of winemaking – Page 66 Gin Joint – Simone Musgrave uses the Africa spice route as inspiration behind her two small batch gins – Page 72 The Land of the Rising Dram – Whisky, big in Japan. Japan, big in whisky. Patrick Leclezio separates his mizuwaris from his oyuwaris – Page 76 The Gin List – What to try before the summer fades. Patrick Leclezio explores six of the best – Page 80

Getting Around

Final Say From the Publisher – Page 112

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24.

32.

Ice Ice Baby – A full custom 68m superyach, M/Y “Day’s", is part of the all new explorer vessel range from ICE yacht – Page 84 S Marks the Spot – There are few things as exciting as a new Lamborghini, and when it’s the big-daddy V12, there’s even more cause for excitement – Page 92 Desert Wind – Vivien Natasen drives the latest offerings from Maserati in the Emirates for a breath of fresh air – Page 98 Top Down – A Topless SUV, what next??

Carly Bailey Natasen drives the new Range Rover Evoque Convertible – Page 104

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MEET THE CHAIRMAN

REFURNISH YOUR OFFICE AT OUR KRAMERVILLE SHOWROOM OR WWW.GGHOME.CO.ZA 16 DESMOND RD

• KRAMERVILLE • SANDTON • TEL: O11 444 5744

PRESTIGE

UPFRONT

Publisher Vivien Natasen +27 11 484 2833

ED'S

Editor Chris Buchanan chris@prestigemag.co.za Deputy publisher/brand ambassador Carly Bailey Natasen carly@prestigemag.co.za

BACK TO BASICS

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he concepts of craft and artisanal have strong ties to the concept of luxury in the sense of customer expectation and the many stories that accompany luxury goods and services.

It can be expected that the stitching on the leather upholstery of a high-end vehicle is done by hand, in fact much of the essence of luxury is that it’s handcrafted and artisanal by nature, be it a timepiece, a leather handbag, a piece of furniture, a bespoke travel experience or a premium wine and spirit.

Luxury is not something that happens by chance or coincidence. It is born out of design and planning and the end product is only achieved through great attention to detail and uncompromising standards applied to the manufacture and creation of the luxury item or service. There’s also the question of rarity and exclusivity that drives the demand for luxury because if everybody’s got one, the appeal of having one decreases – in economics it’s called the law of diminishing marginal utility.

In this issue of PRESTIGE we talk to the Chef de Cave at Moët & Chandon about innovation and an artisanal approach to making champagne. His philosophy is while producing a product on an industrial scale – M&C produces close to 30 million bottles annually – it is still possible to add sensitivity to the technical expertise in an understanding that their champagne is not simply a recipe but a constant changing and evolving process that is as innovative as it is traditional and is as sensitive as it is industrial.

The partners at Vilafonté Wines also believe that producing a wine of

Layout and Art Direction Daniel Jonathan info@danieljonathan.co.za Advertising Sales Carly Bailey Natasen carly@prestigemag.co.za

exceptional quality combines a scientific approach together with artisanal methods of handling the grapes and winemaking without an elaborate infrastructure that costs a fortune. Very little, if any of the process is mechanised and the approach is meticulous, from growing the wine to packaging each bottle.

Simone Musgrave applies the same parameters to her Musgrave Gin through a story and ingredients that speak of Africa and a distillation process that requires a fine touch and judgement by the craftsman without a mechanised or computerised process to determine the outcome.

Moët & Chandon’s, Vilafonté’s and Musgrave’s products speak for themselves in terms of quality and excellence despite their dichotomy in terms of volume and market share. The M&C Impérial has as rich a heritage as anything out of the region while its limited release MCIII is a specialist champagne with innovation at its core. Musgrave is a premium product within a sea of juniper spirit and sets itself apart with unique botanicals and packaging. And Vilafonté with its Series C and Series M blends trades in a space of rarity and investment on a base of superior product that is nurtured through its production process.

All you see within these pages is based on the notion that luxury comes at a price and that price is determined, not on a whim or a bucket load of likes on Instagram or Facebook, but on a striving for excellence in a world of mediocrity and an enigma behind the processes and stories these brands have to tell.

CHRIS

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Operations and Circulation Eugene Reuben eugene.reuben@neoafrica.com Digital Marc Rudman marc.rudman@neoafrica.com Contributors Juan Migual Beco, Renate Engelbrecht, Keri Harvey, Patrick Leclezio Printing Paarl Media Kwazulu Natal Subscriptions: To subscribe please go to www.prestigemag.co.za click on the Subscribe tab and submit the form. An invoice with banking details will be sent to you. Your first issue of Prestige will be despatched as soon as payment is made. Costs: 6 Issues = R600 per annum excl VAT, other countries are subject to a postage surcharge and will be calculated accordingly.

Single copies of Prestige can be purchased for a nominal fee of R89.00.

PUBLISHED BY Neo Publishing (Pty) Ltd Tel +27 11 484 2833. Fax +27 11 484 2899 All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher or any of its clients.

Information has been included in good faith and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information and reports in this magazine, the publisher does not accept any responsibility, whatsoever, for any errors or omissions, or for any effects resulting therefrom. No part of this publication may be used, or reproduced in any form, without the written permission of the publisher. All copyright for material apearing in this magazine belongs to Neo Publishing and/or the individual contributors. © 2014

high time

PRESTIGE

JEWELLERY & WATCHES

THREE BELL & ROSS TIMEPIECES THAT SIGNIFY

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PERFORMANCE AND AVIATION TO THE EXTREME.

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BR03 AEROGT The BR 03 AeroGT watch duo is directly inspired by the AeroGT concept car. Admittedly, the automotive and watchmaking industries share a lot of similarities. Both domains are concerned with motors and performance as well as time and precision. They both function using gears, escapements, screws and cams. There is also a very old tradition of making watches for car drivers, mainly chronographs intended for professional track drivers. It therefore seemed only natural to combine the two with the AeroGT concept car and the BR 03 AeroGT watches.

A direct expression of the AeroGT concept car, this very contemporarylooking chronograph watch is the archetypal driver’s watch. Its mechanism is devoted to measuring short time intervals. The skeletonized dial features metal hourmarkers.

The two chronograph counters on a grey-tinted crystal display the hours and half hours. Meanwhile the large hand at the center of the dial shows the seconds. The whole is completed by a tachymeter scale. This watch function is used in particular to calculate the speed of a car. To ensure continued good visibility, even when driving at night in a downpour, the hour-markers and hands are coated with photo luminescent material. Also to improve legibility, the hands of the chronograph are redcultured. The aluminum start pushbutton is also painted red to encourage action. A date function can be found at 3 o’clock.

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JEWELLERY & WATCHES

horlogerie finishes. Inspired by 21st century fighter planes whose futuristic cockpits are made from fine, high-tech materials to optimise their structure, the BR-X1 is truly unique: a high-tech watch which is both powerful and pioneering.

In one word: contemporary. The BR-X1 is to luxury watch¬making what fifthgeneration fighter planes are to aviation: a guar¬antee of ultimate performance.

To protect it from the ravages of time and any possible impacts, a “bumper” in high-tech ceramic and rubber surrounds the square case of the BR-X1. High-tech ceramic, a material also borrowed from aeronautic and space industry, is used to design parts that are subject to very high temperatures, acid attack, corrosion and erosion, such as heat shields or the noses of space rockets. Almost as tough as a diamond, the high-tech ceramic

developed by Bell & Ross can be dyed in the mass, is hard-wearing, nondeformable and lighter than steel. Its innovative rocker push buttons are used to activate the chrono¬graph functions; these push buttons are also made from high-tech ceramic with ergonomically designed rubber inserts, in order to op¬timise their grip and stability. A rubber button grip insert is also built into the case at 9 o’clock to activate the chronograph functions, even when wearing gloves. The case is equipped with functional non-indexed screws. The sap¬phire glass has an antireflective coating to ensure resistance and optimal legibility. The pioneering, multi-material design (Carbone forgé®, titanium, ce¬ramic, rubber) of the BR-X1 Carbone Forgé® results in a lightweight, strong and ergonomic piece.

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BR X1 Nearly ten years ago, Bell & Ross launched the BR 01, a distinctive, high-performance watch directly inspired by on-board flight instru¬ments. It has become an iconic watch thanks to its square shape, its round dial with perfect legibility, its broad dimensions and the ef¬ficiency of its functional design. Since then, the BR 01 has continued to evolve without losing its original identity. A tribute to the Bell X-1, the first American experimental plane with a rocket engine to break the sound barrier (Mach 1, 1224 km/h) in 1947, in 2014 Bell & Ross pushed the boundaries of innovation even further by launching its fifth-generation watch. Its name? The BR-X1. Its special features?

A high-end chronograph with a resolutely sporty design and sophisticated haute

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reliability and water-resistance. Taking its design inspiration from stealth bombers, the BR 03 Phantom is subtle, yet never totally invisible...

With the BR 03 Phantom, Bell & Ross offers discreet readability without sacrificing its technical and professional requirements. A totally black watch and dial perfectly readable at night thanks to a photoluminescent coating specially developed by Bell & Ross.

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BR 03 The BR 03 Instrument in 42mm diameter is a real alternative to the BR 01 Instrument XL, 46mm tailormade tool. A true replica of an aircraft cockpit instrument, professional by its very nature, the BR 03 is first and foremost a utilitarian watch specially created for aircraft pilots. Designed for professionals seeking tools with total reliability, it satisfies four basic principles: readability, functionality,

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JEWELLERY & WATCHES

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PRESTIGE

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in-FLIGHT

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AVENGER HURRICANE The Avenger Hurricane takes off in a new version in which the ultra-light, ultra-sturdy case in Breitlight® – a world-first – is teamed with a yellow or black dial and high-performance Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01. A chronograph built for extremes.

Launched late in 2016, the Avenger Hurricane truly lives up to its nickname as “the superlativecharged Breitling” by its 50 mm diameter and by its rugged construction with protective reinforcements for the push pieces and the crown.

Its case is made of Breitlight®, an exclusive hightech material 3.3 times lighter than titanium and 5.8 lighter than steel yet significantly harder.

The Avenger Hurricane squadron now welcomes a new member. This exceptional model retains the 50 mm XXL diameter. However, the major new element lies in the fact that Manufacture Caliber B12 with its 24-hour military-style display is replaced by Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01 indicating the time in a more conventional 12-hour mode – yet with the same precision and superior reliability guaranteed by the chronometer certificate delivered by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute).

On this instrument for professionals, the lightly streaked black colour of the case made of Breitlight® – and water-resistant to 100 m (330 ft) – is teamed with a technical and powerful yellow or black dial punctuated by aviation-inspired white stencil-type numerals. The presence of luminescent hands and numerals, along with a thick sapphire crystal glare proofed on both sides, guarantees maximum legibility in every circumstance. The unidirectional rotating bezel is equipped with four rider tabs serving to memorise times. Like all Avenger models, the push pieces and crown are fitted with a non-slip grip ensuring optimal handling, even with gloves.

The exclusive strap combines comfort and sturdiness, with a rubber inner lining and sides and an exterior made of anthracite high-resistance Military textile fibre.

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PRESTIGE

JEWELLERY & WATCHES

NAVITIMER 01 With its steel case framing a black and brown dial enhanced by gold-toned hands, the new Navitimer 01 (46 mm) Limited Edition proves that whatever the materials and colours, a watchmaking classic remains just what its name implies.

Aviation has never been merely about technology. Aircraft have always been designed to be as beautiful as they possibly can be. Aerodynamic fuselages are also visually pleasing, and the world of aviation continues to exude a powerful aura of prestige.

High-performance and elegant: such is the spirit of the new Navitimer 01 (46 mm) Limited Edition chronograph, a reinterpretation of the favourite watch among aeronautical enthusiasts since 1952. This 1,000-piece steel limited series is distinguished by its exclusive black dial bearing hollowed brown counters and framed by an inner bezel in the same shade. This original aesthetic is enhanced by gold-toned hands and logo, along with a red

chronograph sweep-seconds hand. The legibility of the various indications is accentuated by the highly sophisticated dial production process involving the “par épargne” technique on a solid silver base.

Although exuding a natural sense of refinement, this limited edition never loses sight of its nature as an instrument for professionals – as confirmed by its famous circular aviation slide rule and the Manufacture Breitling Caliber 01, chronometercertified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), a token of superior precision and reliability. This high-performance self-winding chronograph ‘engine’, entirely developed and produced in the Breitling workshops, is visible through a transparent sapphire crystal caseback.

Complementing its technical and elegant appearance, the new Navitimer 01 (46 mm) Limited Edition is available with a steel bracelet, a crocodile leather or leather strap, or fitted with a rubber Navitimer strap featuring an aircraft tire-tread profile.

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la Panthère and l’Envol de Cartier

TRANSFORMED IN LIMITED EDITIONS

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PRESTIGE

LIFESTYLE

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a Panthère and L’Envol de Cartier, two iconic Cartier fragrances, make a fleeting appearance in two limited-edition bottles. This inspired metamorphosis captures the spirit of the scents, tastefully pairing fragrance and material.

Here the panther crouches in long grass that gleams gold in the light. A beacon of animal magnetism, her graphic carved-glass head is a sophisticated metaphor for the untameable creature.

Meanwhile, Cartier takes men’s fragrance L’Envol de Cartier to lofty new heights with a mirrored glass finish which culminates with a guilloché motif.

Veiled in a soft silvery sheen, the bottle is transformed and appears to effortlessly soar through the skies.

In exhilarating glimpses of adventure, these two expertly crafted vials reflect the scents within: the feline, floral accord of La Panthère and the airy, woody accord of L’Envol de Cartier.

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O&M CAPE TOWN 93041/E

#big_time?

#about_time?

Audi Q2 #untaggable Some things are impossible to tag.

Is it #citycar? #countrycar? or #coupĂŠ?

It’s all of that, and more. Audi Q2 is #untaggable.

Please visit your nearest Audi Dealership for more.

Audi Vorsprung durch Technik

PRESTIGE

BUSINESS

ups and

downs IT IS SAID THAT HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF BUT IN THE

REALM OF BUSINESS HOW IMPORTANT IS HISTORICAL DATA IN DETERMINING STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE? CHRIS BUCHANAN SPEAKS TO DR JOHN DEMARTINI ABOUT THE PITFALLS OF BEING HISTORICALLY

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DEPENDENT.

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he essence says Dr Demartini is whether you’re looking at the long haul or relying on sentiment, and that the day-today fluctuations because of events or sentiment are likely to hurt you in the long run. True value exists when you know what the mean is, or know what the intrinsic value of the investment is over time through cycles or fluctuations in the market.

He says there are cycles that form part of specific sectors and the general market as a whole, which are normally driven by interest rate decisions, particularly in the development and construction sectors. “The eight year cycles and 75 year cycles are pretty easy to pick as long as the industry is a viable industry.” He cites the Chinese economic crisis of two years ago as a disruptor to the cyclical effect and then the recent US election as a further disruptor, postponing the raising of interest rates and creating a longer oscillation.

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What we need to understand he says is that it’s banking driven and collates with the debt cycles outlined by Bridgewater’s Ray Dalio.

What Dalio tries to do is simplify the economy looking at the factors that create growth. Productivity is one of the factors but borrowing, or debt, is the largest of the influences and this works in natural cycles. When interest rates are low, borrowing is cheaper so more debt is created which increases spending, which drives the economy.

Under high interest rates borrowing decreases, as does spending, resulting in lower growth. But debt relies on two factors, the borrower’s ability to pay it back through their income and the collateral they are able to put down to guarantee that debt. The crash of 2008 was a direct result of insufficient collateral or income to cover the overindebtedness of the borrowers.

Dr Demartini believes that looking at the past gives you an indication of the cyclical nature of the economy but you also need to look at the present to understand the current status and whether there is an imminent correction, as was the case in an overtraded credit market of 2008. But he’s not that fond of speculating what might happen in a cycle, instead he likes to examine the intrinsic value of a company and see whether it has investment value, determined if the value is below the mean.

He thinks it’s time to accumulate cash because interest rates are on an upward cycle which will in turn reduce borrowing and may even create distress with current borrowers, presenting investments that will trade below

PRESTIGE

BUSINESS

He thinks it’s time to accumulate cash because interest rates are on an upward cycle which will in turn reduce borrowing and may even create distress with current borrowers, presenting investments that will trade below their intrinsic value. their intrinsic value. Similar to what many cash flush investors did after the crash, pick up distressed assets that borrowers were forced to get rid of because they could no longer afford the debt.

“I’ve got about 70 different parameters I look at before I buy a company (stock) says Dr Demartini, that let me know what the company’s doing basically. I’d much rather follow that than just the cycle trends.” Some investments he believes can live

outside of their own performance and value criteria like commodities. He says if he were buying commodities, he would want to know who the buyer of the commodity is and then look at their cycles. A case in point is the Chinese and Indian slowdowns that have put pressure and steel and copper prices through decreasing demand.

Technical analysis by using charts to predict future value is, as far as he’s concerned, a pseudo science. He said he watched forex traders following

technical analysis which amounted to gambling on a day-to-day basis, not looking at intrinsic value or cycles within currencies. Financial television programmes and websites spend a lot of time talking to technical analysts who take to the charts to predict short term gains or losses within the stock market which Dr Demarini says also amount to speculation and gambling, a bit like snake oil pedlars out of the old west with nothing of value to sell but smoke and mirrors.

For Dr Demartini it’s all about intrinsic value and where you are in the cycle. Get those two right and that will put you in a good position to make a financial or investment decision, whether you’re buying stocks or the CEO of a corporation looking to sustain the company on a growth path over the long term.

Founder of the Demartini Institute, International best-selling author, educator and consultant

www.dr.demartini.com

Presented by Dr John Demartini: Human Behavioural Specialist, Educator, Author and Business Consultant

WORKSHOP

MASTER PLANNING FOR LIFE 3 Days Defining Your Extraordinary Life

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frederic@neoaegir.co.za | john@neoaegir.co.za +27 (0)72 244 1982 +27 (0)72 683 2660 Shop 35, Seaside Village Shopping Centre, Cormorant Road, Big Bay, Cape Town, 7441 Authorised Dealer

PRESTIGE

PROPERTY

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at heart 25 YEARS AGO, WITHIN THE MAANHAARRAND, MAGALIESBURG, HEKPOORT TRIANGLE, THERE EXISTED MOSTLY SMALL HOLDINGS THAT WERE RAMSHACKLE, OCCUPIED BY PEOPLE WHO LIVED CLOSE TO THE POVERTY LINE AND A NEAR SUBSISTENCE WAY OF LIFE. ONE MAN’S DREAM HAS SEEN THE UPFILTMENT OF THE REGION’S PEOPLE AND A UNIQUE GAUTENG ATTRACTION. PRESTIGE: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY

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iuseppe Plumari, CEO of Steyn City Properties began purchasing properties, taking down the fences and rehabilitating the land back to the bushveld that had been there from the beginning. 4000 Hectares later and the Plumari Private Game Reserve incorporating Askari game Lodge, is realising another of the entrepreneur’s dreams in Ukuphila – a development presenting 75 luxury homes in three camps within the reserve.

When Giuseppe was creating the reserve he would bring his family out to the property on weekends and short breaks to get away from the city, only a little more than an hour’s drive away and he’s been able to create and share a space where families can take time out from the bustle of Johannesburg and experience the glory of nature together.

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PROPERTY

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We love the fact that children will learn about nature here; hopefully, we will play a role in nurturing a passion for conservation amongst the next generation of South Africans.

The establishment of Ukuphila, a development presenting 75 luxury homes in three well- appointed camps, has brought that dream to fruition.

“This is a first,” says Giuseppe, noting that the 4 000ha reserve is one of the only Big Five game farms in Gauteng.

What’s more, at only an hour’s drive from Johannesburg, Ukuphila is easily accessible, even for those who can snatch only a day away – holidaymakers would have to drive for at least three hours to experience a game viewing

destination offering an experience of the same quality. “What makes this place truly special, however, is the fact that most Big Five reserves in the area don’t allow children. In contrast, Ukuphila is all about family. We love the fact that children will learn about nature here; hopefully, we will play a role in nurturing a passion for conservation amongst the next generation of South Africans.”

He says that careful thought has been given to the planning and

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it’s also particularly well suited for the climate.

The homes have been positioned to ensure prime views and privacy, and may be configured to suit each homeowner’s specific taste. Thus, although architectural guidelines are in place to protect the integrity of the estate and the environment, certain elements may be adjusted; homeowners may select their own colour schemes, for example, and may specify the number of rooms.

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takes inspiration from the Transvaal farmhouses of old, which have been reinterpreted in a more contemporary manner. He says that Ukuphila’s homes aren’t drastically different from the charming old houses in surrounding towns like Hekpoort – think thick stone walls, corrugated iron roofs and wraparound stoeps, but the use of modern materials, like exposed timber trusses and rough-hewn wooden beams, freshens the look. The design is not only ideal for the environment;

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construction of the new private bush camps at the game reserve, so that it has minimal impact on the land.

This pertains to the aesthetic of the homes, too: DBM Architects, who were charged with creating a look and feel for the homes, have applied their ample experience in lodge design to come up with an organic, earthy style which sits softly on the soil.

DBM Architects’ Wynand du Plessis explains that the design

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PROPERTY

The homes – which measure up to 360m² on erven of up to 1 125m² - are designed around a central entertainment hub with open plan kitchen, dining room, lounge and bar. The hub opens out onto a wide veranda which is literally part of the bush, thanks to the absence of fences and gates. Again, homeowners can customise this space with the addition of a fire pit or infinity pool.

The bedroom pods, separated from each other by courtyards, lead off the entertainment hub. Each boasts its own separate entrance, outdoor shower, en-suite bathroom and wooden deck. The modular design of the hubs is a special feature, making it possible to isolate part of the home – perhaps to be used by different families holidaying

together, or maybe to be rented out to other holidaymakers, creating a passive income stream for homeowners.

The homes are found in three groups of 25, in small nodes especially chosen for their sweeping views. The sites – Kudu Creek, Thorntree Hill and Magaliesview – have their own singular character and atmosphere, since the sheer size and diversity of the Plumari Private Game Reserve means that it is possible to experience many different types of vegetation and scenery during one game drive.

A world class equestrian centre is planned, while Poplar Country Village – another future attraction – will feature a microbrewery and artisanal food market. A breeding programme, established for such rare

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species as golden wildebeest, adds an extra dimension to an already special destination Guests will be able to enjoy the four-star facilities of the luxurious Askari Game Lodge, located on site.

These include a restaurant, pool and spa facility and, for those who have to mix pleasure with business, a fully equipped conference centre.

The property also has its own chapel, making it ideal for weddings. Another highlight is the Plumari Museum, with exhibits tracking the history of the area, from the earliest inhabitants of the Magaliesberg to the brave Voortrekker boers who established the first farms in the region. “This place has always been a haven for my family, and we are looking forward to sharing its peace and the wonders of nature with others who love the bush as we do,� says Giuseppe.

The sheer size and diversity of the Plumari Private Game Reserve means that it is possible to experience many different types of vegetation and scenery during one game drive.

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bagit FASHION

PRADA’S TOTE BAGS HAVE FOR YEARS REPRESENTED THE PINNACLE OF THE GENRE – ALWAYS ELEGANT WHILE BEING PRACTICAL AND A SUBTLE FASHION ACCESSORY. THE NEW PARADIGME TOTE BAG IS NO EXCEPTION.

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rada’s new Paradigme bag owes its name to its incredible versatility, a feature that will allow a range of original future versions to be created, each one showcasing a particular material, manufacturing technique or trend.

The first variant, made of Saffiano leather and available from Spring 2017, features a contrasting two-tone Greek fret geometric pattern on both the upper side of the bag and the strap.

The strap is a distinguishing feature of the model, with metal rings for attaching Prada charms and tricks or any other everyday object.

The name holder attached to the handle has miniature detailing in contrasting colours recalling the Greek fret pattern.

The raw edge design, which reveals the ribbing of the leather, gives the bag a sporty and modern look. The two different sizes offer both volume and functionality.

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oh, diana

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THE DIANE STORY BEGAN IN PARIS 2010, WHEN MODEL AND ENTREPRENEUR DIANA TADJUIDEEN DECIDED TO FOLLOW HER DREAM AND PASSION TO CREATE A PRÊT-A-PORTER FASHION COLLECTION INSPIRED BY AND DESIGNED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL WOMAN WHO SEEKS STROKES OF PARISIAN SOPHISTICATION IN HER WARDROBE.

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ach Diane seasonal collection is created around Diana’s timeless elegance and natural French flair that is the result of her imagination brought to life. Born in Paris to her Polish mother and Togolese father, she became an international model at the age of sixteen.

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Her travels have carried her far and wide and finally, to the shores of South Africa. By seamlessly merging her unique sense of Parisian femininity and timeless glamour she was able to introduce and establish the Diane Brand into the South African fashion scene. Her touch is evident in every detail of the brand with her vision being to enable each of her clients to experience the feeling of chic sophistication whenever they step into one of her garments.

Fabric selection is essential to the design process and much deliberation goes into ensuring that the finest cloth and materials are selected from various top houses around Paris.

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Every time you wear one of her creations you enter a realm of carefree spirits and wonder, invoking the goddess within you.

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Diane embodies versatility as well as opulence as the brand incorporates on-trend garments that express Diana’s individuality as she favours pieces that essentially combine classic style principles with contemporary silhouettes that can be worn from day to night. Diane is a sophisticated line that incorporates a modern aesthetic that is a celebration of femininity.

Diana believes in cultivating a personal connection with her clients and followers, offering an exceptional fashion experience. Every time you wear one of her creations you enter a realm of carefree spirits and wonder, invoking the goddess within you.

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rwanda RISING

IT’S A TINY COUNTRY TUCKED AWAY IN CENTRAL AFRICA, BUT WITH A BIG STORY TO TELL. WITHOUT FANFARE, RWANDA HAS BECOME A ROLE MODEL FOR PROGRESS AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA. RATED THE CLEANEST, GREENEST, SAFEST COUNTRY ON THE CONTINENT, RWANDA IS ALSO HOME TO ENDANGERED WILDLIFE, RARE PRIMATES AND TANGLED RAINFOREST. by: keri harvey pictures: keri harvey and supplied

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t’s an ethereal, primeval experience walking a forest trail in Nyungwe. Tall, tangled trees stretch skywards reaching for light in Africa’s biggest mountain rainforest, while miniature ferns carpet the forest floor and mosses and spindly mushrooms cling to tree bark. There’s the sound of rushing water from the river down below and cicadas, bees and stereophonic birdsong provide background music to this enchanted forest. Even so, stillness pervades and you can hear a single leaf fall.

There’s no obvious clue that a quarter of the world’s primate species - including chimps - along with 1 086 different species of trees and shrubs and 140 different orchids live here in Nyungwe, and new species are being discovered all the time. “Nyungwe is also now believed to be the furthest source of the Nile,” says guide Alex Kagaba, as he walks slowly ahead on the ribboning Igishigishi forest trail, “and about 70% of Rwanda’s water is from here too.”

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are monitored too – possibly all firsts in Africa. Add to the list that there are no slums or shacks in Rwanda, plastic is banned and only paper packets are used, the justice system works and corruption levels are negligible, and there is virtually no crime. Then as you drive through the countryside, it is a massive food garden of vegetables and fruit, rice, coffee and tea. The 12 million Rwandans are fed from the land and there is no need to import food. “The president’s heart is with the country,” adds Alex, “so the people’s hearts are too.” The evidence is all there to be seen.

We overnight at magnificent Nyungwe Forest Lodge, built wedged between the rain forest and vast tea plantations. Views are deep green in all directions and forest sounds lull you to sleep in decadent, spacious suites. Throwing open the curtains in the morning, the enchanted rainforest is at the edge of your private veranda and it all seems too genteel to be in Africa. Today we’re heading for Lake Kivu in the west of Rwanda. Since the country is landlocked, Lake Kivu is the waterworld and beach offering, with

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monkey, his pitch black body and white ruff giving him a dapper tuxedoed look.

There are so many unusual primates here that hikers can be entertained all the way with sideshows. No big surprise that visitor numbers are soaring, having increased from 150 tourists a year two decades ago, to about 10 000 now. But that’s the trend throughout Rwanda, with unique tourist attractions and superb accommodation options throughout – not forgetting world-class roads and infrastructure, cell phone connectivity throughout the country and wi-fi in all the main centres. It’s all so unexpected, and yet not when you are there and see the friendly efficiency with which the country runs.

Alex explains that one morning in 2005, President Kagame woke up and decided that Rwanda needed to clean up its act. “So he asked for businesses to close for the morning on a certain day.

In just four hours the whole country was cleaned by the people, along with the president, and all the litter was recycled.

There are now monthly maintenance clean ups and Rwanda remains squeaky clean and litter free. Recycling is big, every Rwandan plants 30 trees a year to reforest the country, only clean hydro electricity is used along with solar – old cars are not permitted, exhaust emissions

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Since the country is landlocked, Lake Kivu is the waterworld and beach offering, with a year-round balmy climate.

a year-round balmy climate. Resorts on the lake offer languid relaxation in luxury accommodation, island style.

Punctuated with untouched islands, verdant and lush, Lake Kivu is a completely different face of Rwanda.

Traditional fisherman in meticulously handcrafted wooden boats ply the waters for tiny capenta fish, and jovial local markets dot the lake shores, selling fresh produce and rainbows of fabric.

This is also where locals catch up with the latest news and gossip, while doing their weekly grocery shopping – and we in turn are jolted back to Africa in all its vibrance and colour. “It’s quite different here,” smiles Alex, “and the people are a little more reserved. Maybe it’s the heat and humidity, so they have a little less energy.”

Travelling through Rwanda by road is extraordinary. The entire country is carpeted in the patchwork green of vegetable gardens. They run up and over mountain tops and roll out all the way to the front door of homesteads. Valleys are swathes of rice and everything is being meticulously tended. Rwandans all have access to land, work cooperatively and so nobody goes hungry. We are en route to the Virungas, where endangered Mountain Gorillas live, and the cool and misty climate is welcome since it’s high altitude. We arrive able to see only the bases of the volcano chain; their flat peaks shrouded in mist.

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Uganda. Today the silverback is on an ego trip, beating his chest and trying to look as imposing as possible. We keep a safe distance, savour the experience, and an hour later head back down the mountain to waiting hot chocolate and a steaming shower. Clean and warm again, we reflect on this bucket list wildlife encounter. At most it’s life changing, at least thought provoking. Later Alex explains that “many people become very emotional when

encountering the Mountain Gorillas.

Maybe because they share so much of our DNA. Some people cry and some even propose marriage on the mountain.”

That is the effect of seeing these rare primates.

Rwanda is truly tiny, just 150km north to south and 250km east to west as the crow flies, but getting around takes time. The country is known as Africa’s Switzerland for its verdant mountainous

terrain. Being mostly high altitude means year round cooler weather than other Central African countries, and a very low risk of malaria. Today we’re heading east to Akagera National Park, which is part of the Rift Valley, low lying and steamy hot. It’s also Rwanda’s latest wildlife conservation success story.

Rift Valley lakes form the spine of Akagera and prolific wildlife live all along the lake edges. Journeys of Maasai giraffe, herds of Defassa waterbuck, topi, buffalo, zebra, eland, impala and more are spotted driving into Akagera.

It’s an Edenic park made more so because poaching has been eradicated.

Communities work with conservation officials to protect wildlife because they understand the benefits of conservation – which makes it all authentic and sustainable too. Another win-win achievement for the country.

Driving the length of the park is mesmerising. Being encircled by curious Maasai giraffe will always be a wildlife highlight, overnighting in no-footprint Karenge Bush Camp overlooking the African savannah made for an unforgettable experience that’s authentic and evocatively old world safari, enjoying a decadent sunrise breakfast on the banks of Lake Ihema at Ruzizi Camp in the south of the park was completely enchanting.

From hopelessness and devastation 20 years ago, to a role model of progress, an icon of wildlife conservation success and clean, green practises, Rwanda is leading Africa on many levels of positive development. Its harsh history seems to have instilled a tenacity and graciousness in the people, who have a can-do attitude that is always accompanied by a smile.

Just go there and see how Africa has gone right.

Travel advice:

Akagera National Park – www. ruzizilodge.com; www.akagera.org Nyungwe Forest Lodge – http://www.newmarkhotels.com/ accommodation/lodges/nyungweforest-lodge/ PRESTIGE: IN THE LAP OF LUXURY

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Fine accommodation:

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Getting there: Rwandair has daily flights between Johannesburg and Kigali. www.holidayaviation.co.za; www.rwandair.com Visas: on arrival for South African passport holders Useful websites: choose a reputable land operator for arrangements as independent travel is not advised.

See: www.primatesafaris.info

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HOSPITALITY

IN LUXURY’S WORLD THERE IS ALWAYS A QUID PRO QUO OF HOW FEW CAN AFFORD WHAT SO MANY WILL NEVER EXPERIENCE AND CAPE TOWN SHOWS THIS ANOMALY OFF TO THE WORLD MORE SO THAN ANY OTHER CITY. by: Renate Engelbrecht pictures: Supplied

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n the seat next to me sits a woman in a pink dated dress and a matching Sunday hat. She looks nervous, as if it’s her first time flying. Flying to Cape Town often feels like second nature to me, but her hands, rumpled with age, are tense. After landing, she stays seated while everyone else reaches and pulls across to get their belongings. She stares out in front of her, as if nothing is scarier than to get off the plane. I pick up my leather bag, touch up my lip gloss and hop off like I do it every other day and then it hits me: Luxury living is a privilege and knowing that keeps us humble.

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In the afternoon, guests enjoy some leisure time down at the pool, available to all three properties’ guests, while others relax at the Sanctuary Spa. This knowledge is something that the Newmark group seems to appreciate.

Put a five-star hotel between the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Town Stadium and you get faced with two of life’s most unfair, yet spectacular opposites: The high life versus the cruel hand of reality.

Guests stepping out of Mercedes Benzes into five-star hotels versus the homeless, side-stepping the notorious Cape Doctor, hiding under second-hand, dirt stained blankets. Staying at the Queen Victoria Hotel, one of Newmark Hotels, Reserves and Lodges’ five-star properties in Cape Town, reminds you of your blessings without evoking uncomfortable or embarrassed emotions. Newmark fortuitously inspires you to revisit and relearn the art of humility, with luxurious and elite properties that still manage to stay humble through their service offerings and locations.

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of Table Mountain, asking if I know its height. He relishes these drives from the airport, sharing interesting facts about the ever-enchanting Cape Town with his passengers.

South Africa is a country where you need to get out of your comfort zone to experience its diversity. Getting out of your comfort zone does, however, not have to be unsafe, but flying first class and ordering-in won’t teach you the language or introduce you to other cultures. You need to stay amidst the locals, eat their food, drink their wine and learn their language if you really want to experience and understand their culture, heritage and hospitality. Beneath the politics and protests, South Africa is a humble nation with backbone and Cape Town is its ambassador, exhibiting much of it in one city.

Newmark has succeeded in strategically positioning and managing its Cape Town properties for tourists to experience it all, still providing luxury stays. They have been part of the developments in and around the V&A Waterfront since 1990, which is when the Victoria and Alfred Hotel opened its gutsy doors as the waterfront’s first hotel, praying for success. Uncertain of the odds, but keen for a taste of adventure, the hotel took up the challenge and graciously overcame her fears with no

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lack of poise, adding some historic flair to the evolving V&A Waterfront. Today the Waterfront is Africa’s top tourist attraction, which simultaneously operates as a working harbour. It is a unique selling point for Newmark’s Victoria and Alfred Hotel, based in the Alfred Basin, as well as its sister properties: the Queen Victoria Hotel and Dock House Boutique Hotel. It boasts the ideal setting for both curious travellers and hardworking sailors, with Table Mountain posing as the perfect backdrop.

From my window at the Queen Victoria Hotel, I see the Cape Wheel spinning round and round, its cubicle windows twinkling in the late afternoon sun. At the top, 40 metres high, you almost feel invisible overlooking three Newmark properties, the V&A Waterfront and the Atlantic Ocean. With these hotels situated right in the middle of one of the Cape Town Big 7, The V&A Waterfront, Newmark boasts endless Cape Town adventures. Like the so-called Rainbow Nation, these hotels differ in

many ways, yet harbour a feeling of family and belonging. The combination of personalised luxury and perfect location has allowed Newmark to succeed in merging Cape Town’s city vibes and the ever awake V&A Waterfront with a dash of class, creating a feel of gentle, yet imperial simplicity.

The rapid growth of the V&A Waterfront’s initial hotel, the Victoria and Alfred Hotel, lead to the opening of the two additional sister properties: Queen Victoria Hotel and the Dock

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You need to stay amidst the locals, eat their food, drink their wine and learn their language if you really want to experience and understand their culture, heritage and hospitality.

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and Table Mountain - the perfect setting for a luxurious stay, cocktail parties or corporate meetings.

The romantic and intimate Dock House Boutique Hotel’s warm hallways and original wooden floors give you that warm, fuzzy feeling. It is like stepping back into a time less hurried. The lazy atmosphere down at the pool makes you forget about the everlasting activities around the corner and offers a tranquil hide-away amidst Cape Town’s hustle and bustle. In the afternoon, guests enjoy some leisure time down at the pool, available to all three properties’ guests, while others relax at the Sanctuary Spa.

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House Boutique Hotel. The latter is a grade one heritage building with original architectural significance. All three these establishments stand proud in knowing that they had an integral part in the waterfront’s development.

The Queen Victoria Hotel is humbly hidden away between the Portswood Hotel and the V&A Waterfront. It is the epitome of luxury and prestige, with marble stairs and splashes of royal colours. The rooms are well equipped and simplistic with views across its sister property, Dock House, the Sanctuary Spa and the V&A Waterfront. Its presidential suite overlooks the harbour

A true South African experience should always include some local cuisine. The Queen Victoria Hotel’s Dash Restaurant offers exquisite fine dining experiences, with a young, upcoming chef at the steer.

Breakfasts at the Victoria and Alfred Hotel’s Ginja Restaurant, overlooking the Alfred Basin, adds a whole new meaning to dining at the harbour. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a dolphin that lost its way. Concluding the day with a typical South African Dock House braai, commenced with hors d’oeuvres and sparkling wine, makes you realize that we are all equal when it comes to our fondness of a good old South African braai.

The Victoria and Alfred Hotel’s modest start has been guiding the hotel trio’s actions, constantly reminding the team of humbleness, humility and equality. Its management is of meaning that, having employees who do not necessarily come from hospitality backgrounds, helps them to approach things differently, adding a diverse and fresh dynamic to the way they cater to their guests.

Newmark is a paragon of luxury, but it’s also an example of humble appreciation of the pleasures of life.

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OUT OF THE MYRIAD OFFERINGS AVAILABLE TO VISITORS BETWEEN SOMERSET WEST AND STELLENBOSCH, ONE IS PROVING TO BE A MUST VISIT DESTINATION AS IT COMBINES TRADITIONAL WINE-BASED ATTRACTIONS WITH AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH THAT IS REFRESHING BUT KEEPS THE IDENTITY OF THE INDUSTRY IN THE CAPE. CHRIS BUCHANAN SPENT AN EVENING AT CAVALLI WINE ESTATE.

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avalli’s gate guard looked very confused when I told him I was visiting to meet representatives of the estate and spend the night. He assured me there was no accommodation, which was true and the only element missing from this gem in the winelands, but I would be staying as a guest of the owners, in their home on the property, overlooking paddocks, the calming waters of a private lake and the majesty of the Helderberg as a back drop.

The first impression of Cavalli as you sweep left up the hill toward the main building is a combination of horses and wine. Stables are surrounded by manicured paddocks and arenas where American Saddlebred horses roam and these in turn are side-by-side with vineyards intertwined in landscaped gardens that flank the road and lead you up to the estate.

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The main building is designed to settle into the landscape and is unobtrusive as you approach, considering it houses over 3000m2 on two levels and this is the ethos of the architectural paradigm adopted by Lauren Smith and Bouwer Architects in seamlessly combining gardens with structure through vertical greenery and a façade of stone. You enter into the reception and restaurant space, which is vast but not cavernous and hardly notice the open kitchen as you’re drawn toward the terrace and the aspect over the main dam and vineyards.

Sunset with a bottle of Cavalli’s White Knight Chenin Blanc was sublime as the water lapped around my feet and the horses were lead into their stables.

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Below is the basement area designed with opaque glass elements to allow natural light to dominate and here you’ll find the tasting facilities, a contemporary art gallery and boutique with private dining rooms and if owner Jerome Smith is in a good mood a glimpse of his impressive whisky and sporting memorabilia collection. Art, sculpture and architecture are the hallmarks of the structure and restaurant furnishings are rich, natural materials with contemporary fittings that lend warmth to the 100 seater space.

Sunset with a bottle of Cavalli’s White Knight Chenin Blanc was sublime as the water lapped around my feet and the horses were led into their stables and the thought of the perfect lifestyle came to mind because this is the essence of the estate – to be a lifestyle destination of food, wine, art, horses within carefully planned and sustainable surroundings.

Word must have got out that Calum Anderson was the new chef so the restaurant was full but didn’t seem packed, the space absorbing conversation and allowing the atmosphere to prevail.

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My hoist for the evening was sommelier Farai Magwada who paired the perfect wines, not only Cavalli estate wines, with a menu that Callum calls “everyday cuisine” and is sophisticated and complex without being ostentatious.

Its’ approachable food which uses local natural and available ingredients and I would recommend the risotto with fresh mint and the pistachio sponge honeycomb to end off.

I strolled through the vineyards and between the paddocks after dinner and realised that the overall experience was a near perfect one in terms of the winelands as a lifestyle destination with the exception I mentioned earlier of accommodation on the estate. The entire package sits perfectly in the region without being a traditional wine estate experience and incorporating a contemporary approach through its progressive architecture and attitude toward food and wine.

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The awards Cavalli has managed to secure also speak of the alternative in an industry that exudes tradition. Great Wine Capitals in Bilbao, Spain, awarded Cavalli the Best of Wine Tourism award, Cavalli Restaurant has a Four Star Green Building Certificate from the Green Building Council of South Africa and has won the Most Stylish Restaurant at the Mecerdes Benz Eat Out Awards. And Cavalli’s Warlord Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend has won the People’s Choice Award for the best wine label.

A visit to the winelands would be unfulfilled if you drove past Cavalli on the R44 without stopping to pay them a visit.

Everything within the estate will surprise you and will beg the question – why has nobody done this before?

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time IN A BOTTLE THE PROSPECT OF A TASTING OF MOËT & CHANDON’S GROUND BREAKING CHAMPAGNE, MCIII, TO BE CONDUCTED BY THE CHEF DE CAVE, BENOIT GOUEZ, WAS AN OPPORTUNITY YOU DON’T CONFRONT TOO REGULARLY. AND THE TASTING TURNED OUT TO BE AS INNOVATIVE AS THIS NEW PRODUCT OUT OF THE MOËT & CHANDON CELLARS. by: Chris buchanan

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enoit Gouez has been Chef de Cave at Moët & Chandon since 2005 but has spent 25 years travelling the wine world, working in wineries and promoting the M&C brand.

His roots are far away from wine in Brittany and Normandy and he discovered his gift while studying sciences at the college of agronomy in Montpellier which specialises in viniculture. Here he would develop a sense of balance between science and sensitivity and says, “to make a good wine consistently you need to have technical skills but if you rely on technical skill alone, you will make good wine but not great wine. So you need to develop sensitivity and instinct”.

It might seem counter intuitive to use the terms ‘craftsmanship’ and ‘artisanal’ when talking about Moët & Chandon as a large scale, international brand but these are the exact values he promotes in the winemaking process. He says to do the same thing because it’s been done that way for many years is not being artisanal or traditional, it’s simply applying a recipe without considering that things are changing around you. For Benoit, the winemaking process at M&C is not a rigid one but is flexible and able to adapt.

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As you are aware, when you’re at a restaurant or on Business Class you’ll be asked if you care for a glass of champagne. Benoit believes the diversity of champagne is still to be discovered because what does the waitron mean by the term? Is it white, Rosé, vintage, nonvintage, blanc de blanc, blanc de noir, brut or demi-sec? He says when it comes to innovation and producing something new you have two options – either you see existing things in a different way, like the MCIII, or you go in a new direction with a new taste profile. “Innovation is not against tradition. Today’s innovation is tomorrow’s tradition”.

Back to the tasting of MCIII but before we do so we must understand what constitutes this champagne. M&C calls it a “multi-vintage champagne from vintage wines matured in essential ageing environments – metal (stainless streel vats), wood (oak casks) and glass (glass bottles).

They call steel the first stratum which is still base wines of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (50/50), one year old, with structure, richness and compelling

fruitiness. Wood is the second stratum containing blended grand vintages of still wines with a refined patina and captivating palate. The third stratum is glass, consisting of grand vintage champagnes, five to ten years old with their vitality and eminent maturity. The first release of MCIII is labelled 001.14 – the 001 references the first cuvée and the 14 references the disgorgement date.

Our first tasting was of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir base wines from the stainless steel vats, evaluating the individual characteristics of the varietals and then blending them together to mirror the first stratum. We then tasted the blended still wines from wood and got an idea of grand vintage wine before it’s bottled. Stage three was tasting the vintage champagnes from the bottle and gaining a comparison between the still and effervescent wines. Finally, we took all three and blended our own blends together in roughly 1/3 split to achieve the thinking behind MCIII. We then compared our own blends to a tasting of MCIII, completing the circle and understanding the profile of the wine.

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Innovation is not against tradition.

Today’s innovation is tomorrow’s tradition.

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There’s a perfect balance of acidity and fruitiness and a rich warm afterglow of dried fruit and spices.

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Moët & Chandon, in taking what Benoit says was in the cellar all the time but never combined as a sum of its parts, has created a champagne that expresses subtle increases in fruitiness, minerality, and complexity, yet allows none to dominate but rather to compliment each other. There’s a perfect balance of acidity and fruitiness and a rich warm afterglow of dried fruit and spices.

Bearing in mind the ageing of each stratum together with the twelve or so years it spends in the bottle, this concept has been kept under wraps for some time, waiting for the right circumstance from a technical, marketing and strategic perspective. What then sits in the cellar waiting to be revealed in further development at the Maison?

Benoit says it’s not a question of bringing a new product to market every year for the sake of it. Sometimes it’s driven by marketing, as with the Moët Ice Impérial Rosé, where they identified a need for a champagne to be accompanied with ice, or it’s driven by the winemakers, who Benoit says always like to have an ace up their sleeve. Ultimately it’s collaboration between the two divisions to make sure the wine and the market are ready for the new release.

After all, says Benoit, champagne is not a product you just consume, there is a social and cultural side to wine and when you open a bottle of champagne, you taste and smell the spirit of the region.

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Moët & Chandon MCIII is available in limited quantities and only at very select retailers.

As a personal service to Prestige readers you can contact Xolani Mancotywa: Xolani@rgbc.co.za directly to discuss your purchasing requirements.

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CONNECTION CHRIS BUCHANAN HAS LUNCH AND A WINE TASTING AT GLENELLY AND THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOUR IN EXPANDING THE LIFESTYLE OFFERING AT THE ESTATE CULMINATE IN A PERFECT MELDING OF CULTURES.

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have visited Glenelly Wine Estate twice and have never had the fortune of meeting founder May de Lencquesaing – on my first visit she had just left for Europe and on my recent visit had injured her foot the day before and was laid up. I say this because May is over 90 and will soon leave the decisions to her descendants as she takes more of a back seat in the daily affairs of the estate.

To have the energy and commitment she shows at her age is something of which I can only dream and it’s that energy that inspired a new direction at the estate which has taken some 18 months to become a reality.

The de Lencquesaing family member I would meet is May’s grandson Arthur who, together with his cousin Nicoas Bureau, is re-positioning the estate as a winelands destination with more than just a wine cellar, tasting room and some fine wines to put on show.

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Glenelly winemaker Luke O’Cuinneagain had a hand in the design of the existing gravity feed cellar and tasting facilities straddling the hillside with views up the vineyard on the lower slopes of the Simonsberg. On the lower floor was an exhibition of May’s glass collection and the vault where vintages are stored to age and gain value. It was time to utilise the space more efficiently and in May’s words, “wines are made to pair with food, so introducing a culinary experience at Glenelly was the logical next step on our journey”.

They found Chef Christophe Dehosse who is French and has plied his trade in the winelands for many years. Together they formulated a menu that would communicate the estate’s mantra of “A South African wine with a French touch” and use local and Mediterranean influences and ingredients to create French bistro food as a combination of rustic and haute cuisine. Karoo lamb shoulder sits beside ratatouille and a black olive and rosemary jus, duck breast is accompanied by glazed baby onion and homemade tagliolini, and fynbos honey and rooibos tea add their local flavour to ice cream and canelé.

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The Vine Bistro occupies the ground floor of the cellar building with indoor and outdoor dining above which is now the wine tasting room and its vistas over the vines. May’s collection of glass creations has been re-curated on the bottom level and is worth scrutiny if only to see Salvador Dali’s Daum Crystal sculpture.

Glenelly’s wines have always thrived off the influences of Bordeaux – May de Lencquesaing gained her reputation running Chateau Pinchon after inheriting part of the estate from her late father and Luke spent many harvests in the French vineyards. The three tiers in the offerings remain – the Glass Collection, the renamed Estate Reserve and the pinnacle blend the Lady May. Labelling has been redesigned to more openly communicate each wine tier’s philosophy, glass sculptures on the Glass Collection and the terroir on the Estate Reserve held together by the image of a French Madame riding an African rhino side-saddle. Re-branding of the Lady May is imminent.

The French influence in Glenelly is part of its DNA rather than a trumped up marketing ploy but it has never lost sight of its roots in the shadow of the Simonsberg. The past 13 years have seen the two wine cultures merge to create a portfolio that represents both with aplomb. The expansion of the estate has further cemented that relationship and the results are pure savoir faire.

May’s collection of glass creations has been re-curated on the bottom level and is worth scrutiny if only to see Salvador Dali’s Daum Crystal sculpture.

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WITH THE SOIL THE WORDS ARTISANAL AND CRAFT ARE BECOMING CLICHÉD IN PRODUCT MARKETING, COMMUNICATING EXCLUSIVITY BUT RARELY LIVING UP TO EXPECTATION. NOT SO AT VILAFONTÉ WINES WHERE THESE TERMS ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO A UNIQUE APPROACH IN THE COMPETITIVE WORLD OF WINEMAKING. CHRIS BUCHANAN PAID THEM A VISIT.

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challenge was recently set by Mike Ratcliffe, managing partner at Vilafonté Wines – name a winery or estate in South Africa that only produces one premium wine. I couldn’t think of one but my knowledge of this industry is limited and we settled on the answer that there were two wineries that were close with two wines, Hamilton Russell and Vilafonté. The problem is economy of scale whereby the craftsmanship and attention to detail needed for a pinnacle wine can only be done on the back of a range of affordable wines produced profitably for a wide market.

A visit to the wineries of these pinnacle wines will inevitably take you through rows of vineyards on the approach to an architectural statement, housing the tasting and hospitality areas with its gravity feed cellar, Top 20 restaurant and verdant gardens. You’ll be given the story of special reserve blocks and particular barrel and bottle ageing techniques that differentiate the pinnacle from the affordable and there’ll be the inevitable reference to the historic significance of the property. No criticism, just the same economy of scale at work, and the stories that our wine heritage has to tell that add to the intrigue and mystery of a magnificent industry. This pinnacle wine story tells of luxury at the core and an artistic process in creating excellence – no frills, just craft within a team of great people who get their hands dirty.

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In 1990 Californians Zelma Long and Dr Phil Freese came to South Africa and saw the ideal conditions within which to make world class wines. Zelma is internationally renowned for her winemaking skills out of California’s Napa valley, notably with the Robert Mondavi Winery and Phil, also with Robert Mondavi but including Opus One, and his extensive scientific work in how vine physiology is used in perfecting wine. “We don’t grow grapes”, says Phil, “We grow wine”.

The pair saw in the Cape winelands old soils, perfect weather combinations and a diversity of terroir that had them wondering why we were so far away

from producing to the best of our ability.

“We didn’t choose South Africa, South Africa chose us”, Zelma tells me and the terroir they found on the slopes of the Simonsberg is ideally suited to the four varieties in the Vilafonté Bordeaux style blends, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec – the two Cs dominating the Series C blend and the Ms the Series M blend. The soil on the terroir is of the oldest recorded types on the planet, perfect for fruit concentration and which would unlock, not only the potential of the vines, but the identity of the winery.

Phil and winegrower Edward Pietersen look after the 17 small

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blocks of wine on the property using advanced techniques to understand the health of the vines and to keep them in an ideal physiological state for pinnacle wine production. The day I paid Vilafonté a visit, Edward was standing over a brand new apparatus which looked more suited to a physics laboratory than a vineyard and he had a huge grin on his face as though he’d just opened his ultimate gift from under the Christmas tree. It’s a tool for viticultural analysis, called a pressure bomb, that Phil had a hand in developing and that measures the work of the vine in getting moisture through the plant to the top of the leaf, adding science to the hand craft of making wine, and Edward would be the only grower in the region to have one.

Vilafonté’s winery is located in a small industrial holding outside Stellenbosch and is of Zelma’s design and state of the art in terms of its function as an environment in which to make wine. Two climate controlled rooms for base wines and for blended wines, flank the central hall, its perimeters lined with fermentation and storage tanks and a vast floor area to allow for working on the wine. No dark

“The winery works on the principle of a fingerprint on every grape”, says Mike, “we’re not billionaires, we’re artists”.

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“We don’t grow grapes”, says Phil, “We grow wine”.

cellar with vast stacks of barrels and musty odours from moisture seeping through sandstone walls.

The grapes are gently put into tanks and all movement of both fruit and wine is done with gravity courtesy of a forklift vehicle and purpose designed steel palettes that hold barrels and bottles and are stackable in the storage rooms. When the barrels of base wine are needed for blending or to be worked on, or when blended wines come down for bottling, they’re brought into the central hall and placed on ground level, barrel high. Mike says this allows the winemaker to work standing up, without having to worry about falling off a ladder and able to concentrate on their craft.

“The winery works on the principle of a fingerprint on every grape”, says Mike, “we’re not billionaires, we’re artists”.

We tasted Cabernet Sauvignon out of the barrel while it was on the floor after an intensive week of blending by the team and then a Series C out of the barrel that would be bottled this year and that Zelma cautioned not to be too

critical of, but I’m no connoisseur and it tasted magnificent to me – such is the way of the artist when the canvas is not quite ready for the public eye.

Sales and marketing of the two specialist Bordeaux blends are in Mike’s hands through a membership and an annual allocation but it’s in the presentation and packaging that the art and craft are manifested. Each bottle is hand packed in a tamper proof wrapping and presented in a handmade wooden case that is both rustic and sophisticated with a dampened lid and subtle branded imagery, completing the Vilafonté ethos of a crafted product through minimalism and consistency in creation and presentation. As for the name, Mike says the three of them carried around for weeks a list of possible names for the winery, contemplating which would suit the story, until his wife Pip, asked why not use the name of the ancient soil that had been under their noses all the time – vilafontes – and voila, the circle was complete!

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But for me, what makes this story true to its artistry is the preservation of its heritage. Unsold inventory is rarely good for a balance sheet but in the world of pinnacle wine, it’s a big asset for Vilafonté though a strategic withholding from the market to preserve and increase value. For Zelma, Phil and Mike it’s important that the vintages are given time to age and reach full potential, available to market for many years after their making, so a percentage each year is held back, preserving it for future wine lovers, but most important, adding and realising investment value in a sought after luxury wine. After all, Wine Enthusiast calls Vilafonté “One of the top 100 wines in the world” and therein lies the value which can only come through putting that “fingerprint on every grape”.

Membership enquiries and newsletter subscription:

www.vilafonte.com

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THERE’S A LOT OF HOME GROWN GIN POPPING UP IN RESPONSE TO THE RESURGENCE OF THIS “MOTHER’S RUIN” AS A TIPPLE OF CHOICE, PARTICULARLY ITS ABILITY TO MIX WITH BOTH SWEET AND SAVOURY COMFORTABLY. CHRIS BUCHANAN SPOKE TO ‘GIN-PRENEUR’ SIMONE MUSGRAVE.

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he craft movement in the world of booze reared its head at the turn of the century, following on the efforts from the likes of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) in the UK, which was formed as protest against corporate breweries purchasing local pubs and replacing the locally brewed ale taps with their high volume product, considered sterile, untraditional and one dimensional by the purists.

The essence of craft is small batch, hand-made product, often unconventional and experimental within the considered and sometimes regulated standards by which a category, say gin, is judged. There is an EU regulation (No: 110/2008) that defines gin and is particularly strict on London Gin as to how it measures up, but defines the broad category of Gin as a free-for-all as long as it has a minimum 37.5% ABV and is predominantly juniper in taste.

Distilled Gin, the category we talk about here, must be redistilled agricultural ethanol, usually cane in this case, of 96% ABV and infused or flavoured with natural botanicals.

Gin, like beer, is fairly quick and easy to make and has seen an uprising in the last five years out of the UK, rapidly spreading to countries like our own. Simone Musgrave was there when the uprising started, tracking trends and innovation in food and beverage products across the world for Foodcorp. The movement had started in South Africa, our fynbos being the ideal accompanying botanical to juniper, and Lucy Beard and Leigh Lisk were at the forefront with their Hope on Hopkins distillery in the industrial zone of Salt River, working with Roger Jorgensen on developing new innovation in local gin that wasn’t fynbos dependent.

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Simone’s grandfather’s travels to Africa from his home in Plymouth in the UK after WWII set the story for a gin that would embrace the whole continent, tracking the adventure of the spice route and using this as the botanical inspiration for juniper’s accompaniment. A total of 11 botanicals, including African ginger, grains of paradise and cardamom are the essence of Original Musgrave 11 and it’s the perfect disruptor away from the South African tradition of local botanicals.

There’s no maturation in the world of gin so when the product emerges from Mildred the faithful still (all gin stills are women by tradition), it rests for a week and is then hand bottled in sophisticated sculpted bottles and packed into rich packaging that communicates the art and craft. But while it’s fairly quick and easy, it’s a complicated and refined process and requires a honed sense of when to cut the heads and tails from the middle run to get your best tasting spirit. Simone

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Simone produces Musgrave in the Hope on Hopkins distillery and says Lucy is a natural at ‘the cut’.

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produces Musgrave in the Hope on Hopkins distillery and says Lucy is a natural at ‘the cut’ and gets the best out of the botanicals both for the Musgrave 11 and Simone’s new brainchild, Musgrave Pink Gin 12 which adds rose hip and an infusion of rose water for perfume and flavour. Patrick Leclezio on page 80 takes us through a tasting of Musgrave Pink.

Simone’s FMCG background and entrepreneurial spirit tell her that innovation is the key to staying relevant in any market so there’s a lot of opportunity she’s exploring in the gin space. The current business has grown from 1 000 bottles to 15 000 in a little under two years and Simone says she’s “applied big brand thinking into the small business environment”.

Musgrave is a gin that seeks to diversify and innovate in a burgeoning market of small batch, hand crafted luxury product, at the same time telling a story that personifies all the traditions we associate with gin, and brings them to life when you take your first sip.

Pink Cucumber Cooler

Gin, like beer, is fairly quick and easy to make and has seen an uprising in the last five years out of the UK, rapidly spreading to countries like our own.

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Tots Musgrave Pink 2 Cucumber Ribbons Rose Petals Ice Cintron Cranberry Premium Energy Drink Pour the Musgrave Pink into a glass with plenty of ice. Add the Cintron Cranberry and cucumber ribbons. Garnish with rose petals.

Basil Smash • • • • • •

Tots Musgrave 11 2 Handful Basil 1 Tot fresh lemon juice 20 ml Monins Cherry Plum Syrup A dash of Absinthe Ice Place basil and lemon juice into a cocktail shaker.

Gently muddle the lemon and basil “smashing” the ingredients. Add the Monins syrup, gin and dash of Absinthe and strain into a glass with plenty of ice.

Garnish with basil leaves and a slice of lemon.

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DRAM THE LAND OF THE RISING

WHISKY, BIG IN JAPAN. JAPAN, BIG IN WHISKY. PATRICK LECLEZIO SEPARATES HIS MIZUWARIS FROM HIS OYUWARIS.

pictures: marc rudman at whiskybrother

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hisky geeks have been on it for a while, but now it’s starting to explode in the mainstream. Japanese, if you can get it, is the hottest thing in whisky. It’s been coming for some time. Bill Murray memorably introduced most of us to it in 2003’s Lost in Translation: “For good times, make it Suntory time”.

Since then Suntory and Nikka, both the company and brand names of the two leading players, and their flagship single malts, Yamazaki and Yoichi, have rapidly established themselves in our collective consciousness, with the smaller marques following in their wakes.

Demand has grown to fever pitch, but with South Africa low on the list of supply priorities, the stuff is thin on the ground. I wanted to know more and try more before writing this piece, so I sought out the country’s leading Japanese whisky distributor Hector McBeth, to tap into his voluminous knowledge of the subject…and to sneak a few drams from his private stock.

Stranger in a strange land. Five words that sum up the origins of Japanese whisky.

A Japanese man living and studying in Scotland in the early twentieth century and a Scottish tradition taking root in Japan shortly thereafter. These are the two intertwined threads, epitomising the unifying magic of whisky, that precipitated this industry. Its watershed moment though came much later, in 2008, when Yoichi’s 20YO and the Suntory Hibiki were awarded the titles of world’s best single malt and world’s best blended whisky respectively by Whisky Magazine, one of the most credible of whisky authorities. A deluge of awards have followed.

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Where other territories have made their mark with radical departures, the Japanese have made small tweaks, focusing on execution of the details.

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The face behind the liquid and its success, is somewhat inscrutable. In fact Japanese whisky is a study in contrasts.

On the one hand the model and the basic techniques, and hence the flavours, are derived from Scotch. I had always held out that the one tangibly identifiable feature distinguishing its whisky from others was the use of Japanese oak (mizunara), inserting the incense notes that are identifiable in some of its expressions. Hector disavowed me of the notion, confirming that the proportion of these casks in any vatting or blend is minimal. It’s a nice story, and it’s sometimes apparent (in Yamazaki in particular), but on the whole it’s not significant.

There just isn’t enough of the stuff.

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product that’s available for vatting and blending. This is a traditional convention, profoundly fixed in the Japanese ethic of company loyalty. The result is a set of institutions that can appear deeply conservative, unimaginative and cut-offyour-nose-to-spite-your-face inhibiting.

Then there’s the other hand, the contrast. Paradoxically the same issues that have constrained Japanese whisky seem also to have driven it forward.

Starved of variety, Japanese distilleries began producing it for themselves.

A Scotch distillery will typically only produce one type of new make. In Japan individual distilleries began experimenting with different barleys, different malting methods, different yeasts, different stills, and different distillation methods to produce a wide variety of different single malts. Bamboo charcoal filtration has been introduced. High quality single malt has been made in a Coffey still. Necessity as they say is the mother of invention.

The rigid parameters of their setup - the adoption of the Scotch paradigm, the cultural issues - seem to have stimulated. rather than restrained innovation producing spectacular results.

The real impacts remain implicit rather than explicit. It’s difficult to point out visible, significant distinguishing features. Where other territories have made their mark with radical departures, the Japanese have made small tweaks, focusing on execution of the details. Their work with yeast is supposedly industry leading, to the point, Hector tells me, that they legally register their strains.

My take-out is that they have taken vatting and blending to greater levels of dedication than anyone else.

Ireland and North America have their own very distinct styles. Scotch is bound by provenance. Japan is all about using their human resources to make the most of their limited physical resources – in whisky as in everything else really.

This is particularly evident in blended

Oyuwaris: Whisky with hot water, a custom that was borrowed from the drinking of sochu (the indigenous Japanese spirit).

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Mizuwari: Whisky with water and ice, served in a tall glass and stirred 13 and a half times.

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malts. A neglected sector elsewhere the Japanese have embraced it, recognising and exploiting the extra dimension that it offers. I’ve often maintained that blended malts have all the intrinsic advantages of single malts, and then some: they go beyond by providing the blender with an extensive palette of varying liquid, resulting in vatted potential that is undeniably superior (at least theoretically). The Nikka portfolio in SA is a case in point: Nikka Pure Malts Red and Black, and the Taketsuru Pure Malt, along with Nikka from the Barrel, a high malt blend, being the most prevalent.

The industry has gone about things its own way, assiduously keeping the faith.

What it lacks in macro it has doubled in micro creativity, as growing legions of fans can bear witness. If you’d like to count yourself in that number, then get over to either Kyoto Gardens and Bascule Bar in Cape Town, or WhiskyBrother in Joburg, South Africa’s most assured purveyors of Japanese whisky. May the dram be with you.

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WHAT TO TRY BEFORE THE SUMMER FADES. PATRICK LECLEZIO EXPLORES SIX OF THE BEST.

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veryone’s making gin these days. The world has rediscovered a taste for it, and in an era of educated consumption, this burgeoning appetite has provoked a plethora of options, ranging from the old and established (and their more recent offshoots), to a raft of new entrants that are both industrial and craft in scale. Unlike brown spirits gin doesn’t need to be matured (although some are), so the barriers to entry are relatively low, and accordingly they are being vaulted in droves. This is an exciting unfolding of events – there’s never been more variety than there is at present. Ten years ago a local aficionado would have been scratching around amongst a handful of products, today you can board a ride on a virtually endless gin adventure. But being swamped by an embarrassment of riches brings its own problems - what to choose? It’s a first world problem I grant you, but let me nonetheless help out with some first class solutions.

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that has been evolved to a state of military precision over many years, with any kinks that it may have had progressively chiselled away. It’s expensive, but keep in mind that it goes a lot further than its lowerbottling-strength compatriots. The label says “for almost 200 years the navy never left port without it”. I’m hardly going to be setting off any cannons, but it’s a sentiment that I can take to heart, for the sheer drinking pleasure of it.

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leads out a complex, tight spectrum of flavours onto a settled palate: juniper and pepper, hemmed in by a barky, earthy woodiness, and strong herbal cologne. It may be a touch less dry than your typical London Dry Gin, but this is unequivocally masculine stuff nonetheless, projecting a tethered depth of power and an incredible balance. There are no wild lurches or veering detours here - nothing is out of place, and nothing is arbitrary.

You get the sense that this is liquid

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PLYMOUTH GIN If any gin can claim a legendary aura, then Plymouth is it. Bottled at 57% ABV, the so-called “navy strength”, because that’s the proofing level at which alcohol ignites gunpowder, this is a big gin in every sense. It has longstanding ties to the British Navy, and it even has its own geographical indication – Plymouth Gin is (somewhat bizarrely) both a brand, and a protected regional name (like Champagne). The bold nose

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MUSGRAVE PINK Simone Musgrave’s eponymous gin now has a stablemate that despite not being an incendiary is setting the local craft scene alight. It’s not a pink gin in the conventional sense, but it’s pink in colour and in intention. This new variant adds rosehip to the signature botanicals and is further infused with rose water, resulting in a flavour that’s dominated by rich floral notes, with the spiciness and the muskiness of the original still evident, but receded into the background. The common theme amongst new wave gins (in South Africa specifically but elsewhere too) is the demotion of juniper, with this one being a case in point. This may not be traditional, and it may even flout regulations (the EU set for gin dictating that the predominant flavour must be juniper), but I for one like it (and I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one). It represents an intrepid expansion in gin territory, giving us new and more varied landscapes to explore and vistas to enjoy. The Musgrave Pink iteration is probably a gin that’ll appeal more to women than men, but regardless of your sex, it’s striking and distinctive, and it’s stirring things up, so it should be on your radar.

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There are no wild lurches or veering detours here nothing is out of place, and nothing is arbitrary.

WILDERER Wilderer has a reputation for creating delightful smallbatch liquid, grappas, eau de vie’s and the like. It’s a name that’s become synonymous with craftsmanship in the little liquor niche that it occupies. The chaps have most recently turned their hands to gin, their first foray into a big, popular category of spirits, with predictably impressive results. A menthol nose and a peppery palate poke out above a dense herbaceous canopy, with tendrils of liquorice injecting a fleeting sweetness. This gin is a flavour window into an olde worlde apothecary, or so I imagine it: vaguely medicinal, herby aromas dancing one with the other, leading, following, then rotating, throwing off your perspective.

There’s a lot going on here - it’s entrancingly interesting, and demanding of your attention. You’ll spend a lot of time with this gin without getting bored.

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BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Despite all of the recent activity the benchmark in gin remains the London Dry style: large in juniper, dry - as the name suggests, and often tangy, with well-integrated, fully distilled botanicals, and in Bombay it has a beautifully representative ambassador. This is the ideal everyday gin – premium of quality but affordable, complex in flavour but not challenging, tiring or polarising, and soft, versatile, and accessible but also full flavoured and interesting. The sight of that electric blue bottle behind my bar gives me a certain sense of inner peace - I’d feel off-kilter without it. Bombay Sapphire is a gem indeed.

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INVERROCHE The Verdant and Amber have long been two of my favourite gins. In these drinks the Inverroche crew at Stilbaai has forged some sort of an alignment of the stars, I kid you not.

The former evokes dried flowers, the latter a balance between boiled sweets (a lollipop nose) and bitter-ish tannins.

But this crude attempt at describing their superbly cohesive flavours leaves much to be desired; the finely wrought combinations of fynbos ingredients, both distilled and infused, defy facile interpretations. Gin is a versatile drink, but let’s be honest - any pretender lives and dies on its rendition of a GnT, and to a lesser extent a martini.

Some gins fight with the tonic, others are overwhelmed. These two, I want to say serendipitously but that would be disrespectful, are the perfect complements, enhancing the tonic whilst maintaining the integrity of their characters. I happened to try them in martini recently for the first time – less dry, and atypical, but mouth wateringly delicious. No one-trick-pony these. It’s very simple: if you’re South African and you claim to like gin, then you’re doing yourself a gross disservice if you haven’t drunk from the Inverroche well.

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CCN YACHTING (CERRI CANTIERI NAVALI), IN COOPERATION WITH THE TURKISH SHIPYARD AES YACHT HAS UNVEILED THEIR LATEST SOLD PROJECT M/Y “DAY’S” – A FULL CUSTOM 68M SUPERYACHT AND PART OF THE ALL NEW EXPLORER VESSEL RANGE, FROM ICE YACHTS.

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he delivery of this unit is expected in the first half of 2018 and the yacht is currently under construction at AES YACHT shipyard. CCN tachts is a part of CCN Investment Holdings www.ccnholding. com. CCN Yachts decided to build M/Y “Day’s”, 68m, as the first unit of ICE Yachts which ranges between 65 and 75m, in collaboration with AES yacht shipyard www.aesyacht.com.

The joint venture is working together with the internationally awarded Italian design studio, Hot Lab Yacht & Design for the interior and exterior design in order to create a brand new project for a private client. The Turkish company Endaze Marine Engineering has been named for the naval architecture of the vessel.

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Two large tenders are present in the lower deck garage, while a helipad is located forward on the bridge deck.

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The project management from the client’s side is carried out by Mr. Jacques Potgieter and Mr. Iain Flockhart. With their extensive sea going and operational management experience in the industry, their input is vital to ensure that the vessel is being built to an acceptable “industry standards” and that it would be functional, safe and cost effective to operate and maintain. This was made easy by them being involved in the preliminary stages of the project more than six months before any steel was cut.

CCN yachts and the client, appointed Burgess the as central agency for brokerage. Burgess is responsible for the marketing and the sale of the project M/Y “Day’s” and future projects which include another, soon to be unveiled, explorer yacht of a size between 70 and 75m.

Ali Onur Yavuz - Group President at CCN Investment Holdings comments on the future plans of CCN Yacht: “CCN Yachts has taken its first step on the path to become one of the leading yacht construction and operation companies of Turkey in 2015, with the experienced acquired by CCN Holding in different fields. It has started its projects without compromising from the route of CCN Holding based on quality and trust understanding.”

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M/Y “DAYS” 68M AT A GLANCE • Impressive internal volume of more than 1,800 GRT • 2.70m average internal height over 2.5 decks • The garage hosts a 9m custom tender and an 8m tender • Huge beach club • Helipad located on the foredeck

•G reat attention has been paid to the owner's privacy, with private access to sky-lounge and the business meeting room • The owner will use the yacht both for leisure and business • International suppliers have been selected as partners for this new range

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Part of ICE Yachts Explorer vessels allnew range, M/Y “Days” accommodates 12 guests including owners. The owner’s area occupies the entire upper deck and is characterised by a spacious cabin forward.

The apartment like feel, is created by the use of large continuous full height windows all around, two large walk in wardrobes, two generous en-suite bathrooms, a gym and a massage room present.

The guest area is on the main deck with three big VIP cabins, one guest cabin with single beds and an additional supernumerary cabin. All guest cabins are equipped with en-suite bathrooms and a walk in closet.

Generous crew accommodation is provided for up to 18 crew in the lower deck, plus Captain’s cabin on the bridge deck. The yacht comprises five decks and the total length is 68m, while the

beam is 13m. The internal volume is very impressive, at more than 1,800 GRT. The interior spaces are characterized by a minimalistic design with an elegant and warm feeling due to the use of refined materials where the natural light is the main element.

Two large tenders are present in the lower deck garage, while a helipad is located forward on the bridge deck.

The beach club with shower and head is on the lower deck and a large pool welcomes you at the entrance of the main deck.

The yard and yacht designer gave particular attention to the owner's privacy developing a very private and direct access to the sky-lounge business meeting room from the exterior tender arrival position. The owner will use the yacht both for leisure and business and the layout has this as prime consideration.

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Vehicle specifications may vary for the South African market.

Thrill instructor.

The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 63 CoupĂŠ S. Visit www.everyterrain.co.za

A Daimler Brand

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MARKS THE SPOT THERE ARE FEW THINGS AS EXCITING AS A NEW LAMBORGHINI, AND WHEN IT’S THE BIGDADDY V12, THERE’S EVEN MORE CAUSE FOR EXCITEMENT. by: Juan Miguel Beco W W W. P R E ST I G E M AG .C O. Z A

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f you’ve ever wondered who did it, wonder no more, it was Lamborghini. The upstart tractor manufacturer from Sant’Agata is responsible for inventing the supercar category. It did so by creating the jaw-dropping Miura, which was presented to the world in 1965. Not only was the Miura, and still is, a looker of note, but it was revolutionary thanks to its mid-engined, two-seat layout. By placing the engine in a mid-mount position Lamborghini created the template for sports and supercars that endures to this very day. This top of the range model boasted a 257 kW V12 engine mounted behind the cabin and would inadvertently lay the foundation for all a long line of successful top-dog Lambos to follow.

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family of V12 models is the Aventador, incidentally the very first V12 model conceived and built since Audi assumed ownership of Lamborghini. Aventador made its debut over five years ago, and earlier this year the Italian auto firm released a heavily revised version dubbed the Aventador S. The letter S is borrowed from successful second generation versions of the Miura, Countach and other V12 models of the past.

In the first half of its production life Aventador sales numbered approximately 5 500. In comparison over the entire course of its lifecycle just 4 400 Murcielagos were sold. To say that the latest V12 range-leader has been a sales success is an understatement.

Incidentally, Lamborghini enjoyed a

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Miura was followed by the radically styled Countach in 1974. So named for a Piedmontese expletive supposedly uttered

by Nuccio Bertone when he first clapped eyes on the Marcello Gandini-designed masterpiece. Countach is the car that cemented Lamborghini’s status among millions of car lovers the world over.

Despite few actually seeing a Countach in the metal, and even fewer actually driving one, it was the model that helped create the aspirational brand that Lamborghini is today.

More recently we’ve seen the Diablo which debuted in 1990; a car that lived up to its evil name with tricky on-thelimit handling characteristics and peaky power delivery. Diablo paved the way for Murcielago in 2001. The latest in the

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The letter S is borrowed from successful second generation versions of the Miura, Countach and other V12 models of the past.

record sales year in 2016, which resulted in turnover exceeding 900 million Euros.

“This is the next generation Aventador as well as the expression of new technological and performance milestones in super sports car development,” says Automobili Lamborghini Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Domenicali.

“The Aventador S is visionary design, cutting-edge technology and driving dynamics in pure harmony, and elevates the concept of super sportscars to a new level.”

Inspiration for the stylistic revisions came from the world of aircraft and venomous snakes, so says the head of Lamborghini’s Centro Stile, Mitja Borkert.

A more aggressive nose boasts a longer front splitter that redirects airflow for

better aerodynamic efficiency, improved brake cooling fore and aft, as well as increased cooling to the side-mounted radiators. A pair of air intakes high up on the engine cover is reminiscent of those found on the Countach S and at the rear is a larger more pronounced diffuser, which can be optioned in carbon-fibre, sited just below three exhausts outlets.

More aerodynamic tweaks under the car as well as at the rear have resulted in significantly enhanced aerodynamic performance. Front downforce has been improved by more than 130 percent over the outgoing Aventador LP700-4. When the active wing is in its optimum position the overall efficiency at high downforce is improved by over 50 percent, and in low drag by more than 400 percent compared to the previous model.

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is quoted as “over 350 km/h”, though Lamborghini won’t say how much over.

Bigger news on the mechanical front is the adoption of a new, active rear wheel steering system. At low speeds, rear wheels face in opposite direction to the front wheels, thereby virtually reducing the wheelbase. With less steering wheel angle required, the Lamborghini Aventador S is more agile with a reduced turning radius, ensuring higher performance in tighter radius curves and making it easy to live with in daily commuting and at low speeds.

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The Aventador S’s naturally aspirated twelve cylinder, 6,5 litre engine boasts an additional 30 kW over its predecessor, up to a maximum 544 kW (more than double that of the original Miura) with 690 N.m of torque at 5 500 r/min.

To achieve the power increase, both variable valve timing and variable intake systems have been optimised in order to obtain a fatter, more usable torque curve. Maximum engine speed has also been raised from 8 350 to 8 500 r/min.

Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is reached in a lightning 2,9 seconds. Top speed

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My sources inside Lamborghini hinted that the baby Bull may soon also benefit from some of the changes seen on the Aventador, which should help redress the balance somewhat. mechanical systems in play, along with new tyres developed by Pirelli especially for this car, one can really take the Aventador S by the scruff of the neck. In some instances it feels even more agile and displays more athleticism than its sibling the V10 Huracan, which is no mean feat considering the comparative size of the two cars. My sources inside Lamborghini hinted that the baby Bull may soon also benefit from some of the changes seen on the Aventador, which should help redress the balance somewhat.

As it stands the Aventador S is the most dynamic, agile and high-tech series production Lamborghini currently on sale. In some regards it even outperforms the hardcore Super Veloce (SV) version.

With an ultra-high performance Huracan Performante and Urus SUV on the cards for 2017, it seems as though the Italian automaker will be looking forward to another successful year.

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Conversely at higher speeds both front and rear wheels share the same steering angle virtually extending the wheelbase, providing increased stability.

The changes are quite noticeable, too. On the launch event in Spain Lamborghini brought along an LP700 Aventador for us to compare to the S version. At low speeds the changes are immediately evident. Less steering input is required from the driver to manoeuvre the car is tight confines. As readers of Prestige we are sure that some of you have been turned away from using your supercar on occasion for fear of being caught in a situation that left you having to embarrasingly manoeuvre in small areas or narrow streets.

On the open road the rear wheel steering system works seamlessly with the active damping system and stability control programme to allow, even novice drivers, to enjoy the pleasures of driving the V12 Bull with verve through twisting tarmac. Despite Aventador casting quite a sizeable footprint, with the new

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VIVIEN NATASEN DRIVES THE LATEST OFFERINGS FROM MASERATI IN THE EMIRATES FOR A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

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any manufacturers have started to wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to responsiveness to market needs and perceptions. In fact, the older brands have received a serious jolt in keeping up with the trends of supercars melded with everyday practicality. Two decades ago, the mainstream supercar brands would have balked at the concept of sports utility vehicles (SUVs). Now it’s a case of do or die.

Maserati is one of the last to get out of the starting blocks with their SUV, oddly labelled the Levante. We were privileged to be invited to experience the new Levante, as well as the refreshed Quattroporte, out in Dubai.

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Back to the appearance, the Levante looks every bit the part of the SUV with strong lines that we have become used to from the brand, starting at the aggressive front grille, with the trident being the prominent centre piece. The angular lines also accentuate the muscular shape that the designers were attempting to achieve, an unmistakably Maserati shape. Many critics have stated that the overall profile, especially from the side view is too close to Porsche, however, there are only so many permutations for a vehicle that could easily become a box with wheels, so I actually think it’s acceptable that Maserati learns from the experience of its competitors and takes on what works. The real magnitude of the vehicle can actually be identified from the 21 inch wheels lost in the

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I love Dubai, it makes no sense to be the bustling metropolis that it is, born out of black gold into a trade zone. But they take everything they do to another level, just because they can. Our stay was at the legendary Armani hotel at the Burj Khalifa. The hotel rooms are typically Armani with contemporary dark wood with smooth uncluttered dĂŠcor.

We were introduced to the hero of the day the next morning. The Levante appears reasonably squat in appearance despite its dimensions being close to the Porsche Cayenne. Its stance actually feels like a lower centre of gravity and this does come through in the drive with less pitching and rolling than expected.

The vehicle’s adaptive height also helps to dramatically reduce this phenomenon for different speeds and terrains.

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With good looks, decent performance and a slight premium over its competitors it is bound to be a winner.

arches. On other vehicles these would normally show up as a bit ungainly, yet they appear small on the Levante.

Left hand drive markets have already been spoilt by the petrol engines - the V6 and the torquey V8. However, righthand markets have to contend with only the diesel for now. As with most diesels, the concern would be turbo lag, however, in the sportier modes, this is minimised greatly – still there, but not enough to deter you too far from this vehicle. In the economy modes though, one has to adjust driving style to the nature of the engine as it sometimes does feel like an eternity for the message to transmit from the foot pedal to the powertrain.

The interior is generally uncluttered with well-placed controls. The facia is

dominated by a centre console with sharp lines and a menacing touch-screen display. I must say, Maserati has finally raised its game on the technology and features front.

The new systems are intuitive and packed with standard and optional safety equipment such as lane keeping, active cruise control, impending impact detection etc. The interior finishes are unmistakably Italian, almost art in itself. There is also an Ermenegildo Zegna silk seat option.

In fact the permutation of options is like a Sudoku puzzle and it is probably best to sit with a sales consultant to configure your vehicle, but that just enhances the buying experience.

Off road, the Levante’s new allwheel drive came into its own. It

is remarkably intuitive around the terrain. The Maserati team was brave enough to let us loose on the dunes with the vehicle and I was genuinely surprised that the electronic wizardry is capable of adjusting to such heavy terrain. On my particular test vehicle, we had forgotten to lower the tyre pressures sufficiently yet there were no real instances where the vehicle seemed to struggle through the dunes.

My overall conclusions around the Levante is that it is a worthy effort by Maserati as their first foray into the SUV market. With good looks, decent performance and a slight premium over its competitors (Maserati is targeting some exclusivity) it is bound to be a winner.

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The next day we ventured out of the Armani hotel reception to be welcomed by a fleet of the face-lifted Maserati Quattroportes. Again the refresh has been more evolutionary on the outside with visible updates on the bumpers, grille and aesthetics. On the inside, the vehicle has been significantly modernised with similar controls and interfaces to the Ghibli and Levante models along with the safety features and options to match. Somehow, the quality of the materials feels vastly improved over the old vehicle as well, although this may be more from the visual aesthetics than anything else.

I was fortunate enough to be allocated the GTS model with its 3.8 litre V8 with its throaty exhaust note, seemingly heavier steering and better feedback. We were given an option to head out to Jabal Jais, the official highest point in Dubai at 1925m above sea level. With open roads once one clears the streets of Dubai the GTS is a breeze to drive and one has to ensure that one keeps an eye on the speedometer for fear of getting an instant selfie with the numerous speed monitoring cameras. However, once off the highways into the mountain passes the GTS came into its own, with sufficient torque and grunt when needed. Although technically the engine and drivetrain have remained unchanged, the new software has improved the performance substantially.

To me it seems that Maserati has finally shed its orphan cousin status from Ferrari and is establishing its own DNA and lineage. It is not far away from their own engines for supercar contenders such as the eagerly awaited Alfieri and Grand Coupe and Grand Cabriolets to come. I personally cannot wait to see the changes and new models to come!

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I must say, Maserati has finally raised its game on the technology and features front.

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TOP down A TOPLESS SUV, WHAT NEXT?? CARLY BAILEY NATASEN DRIVES THE NEW RANGE ROVER EVOQUE CONVERTIBLE.

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ith South Africans loving the outdoors and loving the wild even more, it was bound to happen. We love our SUVs and we love our convertibles with the great climate in Africa. The solution was inevitable in that someone would dare to build a convertible crossover – a vehicle that combines the beloved SUV’s ease and high seating with the joy of convertible open-top driving.

The concept of an SUV convertible is quite a strange concept initially.

When you step back and give it some thought however, you would ask yourself why haven’t we thought of it sooner. I suppose a primitive version of this would be the old Jeeps we used to use on the beach, where you manually have to remove the roof. Sexy and cool for any beach babe.

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The Evoque convertible’s immense capability matches its spirit of adventure to experience the outdoors in a true sun on your head style.

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I love the concept of being able to navigate the city, and still have the SUV characteristics of being high up with significant ground clearance, yet be able to take the roof down. Personally, having a convertible in town can be intimidating for a lot of ladies for safety reasons. Sitting in a low-slung sports car at a traffic light with all the street vendors hanging about your vehicle, can be stressful and invasive. Being in an elevated vehicle makes you feel more secure. I drive convertibles regularly and this is usually my biggest bugbear, however, in the Evoque convertible, none of these anxieties materialised and I was extremely comfortable with the bulk of the vehicle with high shoulders making me confident to climb every curb yet have the roof down.

This new concept really turns heads though. It’s nothing short of pure sexiness. This concept was already introduced five years ago and took a really long time to bring to market. Was it worth the wait? Most certainly as it is so different to a normal convertible.

It is a foreign concept, yet, the idea will grow on everyone. As Steve Jobs once said, customers “Don’t know what they want until you show them.”

With 360-degree sightlines it is a very attractive car with clean, cohesive styling. There is no framework or clutter once the windows are lowered. The only protrusion is the windshield providing a great convertible experience.

The Evogue convertible functions are almost identical to the fixed top.

The list of discreet additions includes

pyrotechnic roll bars behind the rear seats and windshield frame and structural stiffeners. Unfortunately, the roof takes up a lot of space and you forfeit any cargo area that is in the SUV. You will only have space for two small hand luggage bags, forgoing some of the “utility” in the SUV concept. Even though it is a four seater and very spacious at the back, the fact that it only has two doors, makes it a bit of a mission getting in and out of the vehicle.

The Evoque is a dynamic drive on and off road. The terrain response system can deliver a car calibrated to ensure a fun and engaging driving experience, on a variety of surfaces, such as gravel and dirt roads. It can wade up to 500cm deep in water – not compromised in wading capability when compared to the coupe or sedan versions. And with wade sensing the driver has the confidence with knowing the depth they are driving through.

Range Rover created a convertible that can wear their badge with pride.

After all, their speciality lies in all terrain open air motoring and is part of their DNA. The Evoque convertible’s immense capability matches its spirit of adventure to experience the outdoors in a true sun on your head style. Like Chris Hemsworth with his shirt off, this topless beauty is bound to woo a few unique customers!

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SUPER

sports

BENTLEY HAS ANNOUNCED ITS FASTEST AND MOST POWERFUL PRODUCTION MODEL TO DATE: THE NEW BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SUPERSPORTS.

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styling cues inside and out give the new model a sharpened athletic appearance highlighting its performance potential.

As well as offering supercar pace and a highly focused driving experience, there is no compromise in the refined nature of the Continental’s ride quality.

This fusion of extremes in luxury and performance make the Supersports the ultimate iteration of a model that has come to define and dominate the grand touring genre.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, says "The Supersports name is legendary at Bentley. From the very first Supersports of the 1920s, to the Continental Supersports of 2009 – and now with the third iteration of this iconic model – it is a name which excites, impassions and thrills. Only Bentley could create a car which blends immense performance and unrivalled luxury in this way.”

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top speed of 209 mph (336 km/h) and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds) make the new Continental Supersports the world’s fastest and most powerful luxury four-seat car.

Similarly, its soft-top sibling, the Continental Supersports Convertible, is the fastest four-seat convertible in the world, despatching the sprint to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 secs) on its way to a 205 mph (330 km/h) top speed.

Bentley’s W12 engine, redeveloped for the Supersports with new highperformance turbos and engine hardware, and a torque vectoring system create a Continental Supersports as agile as it is powerful. Meanwhile, unique

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porsches PORSCHE EXPANDS ITS PLATINUM EDITION RANGE TO INCLUDE CAYENNE S MODELS.

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he Platinum Edition range has grown, with the addition of Cayenne S and Cayenne S Diesel models which feature more highquality equipment.

Now available as standard are 21-inch Sport Edition wheels in Platinum with a satin finish, eight-way leather sports seats with Alcantara centre from the Cayenne GTS and a variety of comfort features.

The high quality appeal of the latest Platinum Edition models is demonstrated by their refined yet understated appearance. In addition to the standard exterior colours of black and white, four optional metallic paint finishes are also available: Jet Black, Mahogany, Carrara White and Rhodium Silver. The exterior package includes elegant and sporty touches in high-gloss black, tinted privacy glass at the rear and wheel arch extensions in the vehicle colour.

Platinum Edition models offer sporty functionality in the form of Bi-Xenon main headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), Power Steering Plus and front and rear Park-Assist, as well as automatically dimming interior and exterior mirrors to prevent glare from the traffic behind. All features make

driving effortless, whether travelling on long-distance journeys or cruising around the city.

Inside the vehicle, “Platinum Edition” lettering is located on the front door entry guards, whilst all outer headrests bear a Porsche crest and front seats with heating option. The range is equipped with the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment, which includes Navigation and the BOSE® Surround Sound System. A further feature typical of this edition is the sporty analogue clock on the dashboard.

Power and consumption values for the Platinum Edition models remain the same. The 309 kW 3.6-litre sixcylinder bi-turbo engine in the Cayenne S consumes between 9.8 and 9.5 litres of fuel every 100 km, depending on the tyres. The V8 engine with twin turbocharging in the Cayenne S Diesel generates 283 kW and depending on tyre, consumes between 8.2 and 8.0 litres of diesel every 100 km.

The basic retail prices for the new Cayenne S Platinum Edition models in South Africa with a 3-year Drive Plan are as follows: Cayenne S Platinum Edition

R1 171 000 Cayenne S Diesel Platinum Edition R1 362 000

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diamonds IN THE ROUGH EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES IN A CHANGING WORLD

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his December gone past, which already seems like a lifetime ago, allowed me significant time to take stock of everything – personal and business. What surprised me was how many people were glad to see the back of 2016 with most people entering the new year hopeful, even if a bit cautiously so. The nature of the year gone by with so many global surprises or catastrophes, depending on one’s point of view, was that it caused everyone to re-consider, unlearn (yes, that’s now become a word) and consolidate. Don’t get me wrong, 2016 for me on many levels was better than some other years so my time-out in December was reflection into planning as I prepared to take the company down an altogether new path, which then means examining the platforms, processes and people against what is required going forward.

With the nature of the new businesses, the required skills are materially different to that usually employed by us as we come off a platform of selling time into a multidimensional business with retainer based contracts, traders, sales people in FMCG, finance and logistics – the list goes on. With this dichotomy of people with personalities, it becomes a tough ask to keep everyone in check, ensure consistency and fairness, whilst still meeting the new business requirements and not damaging the ethos of the company.

Then comes the issue of recruitment. With the blood on the streets with employment figures tumbling, a government oblivious of the need for skills development, attracting

the right people becomes problematic – I am trying to be diplomatic. As one of the few employers recruiting, we get inundated with CV’s of people. I thought I would share some of our thinking around this. There are people with great qualifications and there are people with great potential and finally there are those that suit the values of the organisation. Finding people with decent levels of all three is ideal so we have had to implement filter mechanisms to identify these. In many instances, I have forgone the qualifications aspect as I firmly believe in developing talent.

That was one of the key traits I picked up from my own mentors, so to me, it is important to pass on the favour.

One of Neo Africa’s key traits is disruption (nowadays an abused term), however, we generally do not invest in a sector unless we see an opportunity to bring new thinking or innovation. Consequently, one of the key traits I look for in prospects is the ability of the candidate to develop and implement new ideas as if it were their own business. Historically, most people who have come to me with an idea to invest in have failed where that person is not “all-in” themselves – personally, financially and authentically.

There will always be room for “employees” but I have some cool tools now at my disposal to identify the few diamonds floating out there. Then, with the right kind of pressure, polish these into the sparkling stones they are meant to be. With the plethora of information at our disposal today, it is a lot easier to vet a person’s credentials whether it’s qualifications, experience, personalities and values, to ensure the right people come on board. Unfortunately, those that don’t meet the grade will eventually fall off the bus.

Vivien Natasen

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