w w w. d e l a i re . c o . z a
T H E J O U R N A L O F D E L A I R E G R A F F E S TAT E
GRAFF A mesmerising memoir recounting the life and jewels of Laurence Graff
02
ESTATE Landscape artist Keith Kirsten shares his secrets
CUISINE Indochine’s intoxicating Asian-inspired fare
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A C C O M M O D A T I O N
Capri • St Barth • Bal Harbour • Roma • Sicily • Delaire v Estate • Beverly Hills • Firenze • Ibiza www.100capri.com
W E LCO M E
CONTENTS
CONTENTS Welcome to the second issue of Views
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t Delaire Graff Estate, our pursuit of excellence is the driving force behind consistent achievement and continuous change. We take great pride in evolving all that we offer with the aim to constantly deliver exciting and rewarding experiences.
Issue two, ���5/16 04...... Graff Diamonds The Graff legacy
2015 has been a wonderful year filled with ample growth opportunities and successes. Our exclusive Icon range was reimagined by Brandtree; winemaker Morné Vrey was awarded the Young Winemaker of the Year title by the esteemed Tim Atkin; and the Estate’s First Growth status was renewed, making our Estate one of the most highly awarded in the country. Indochine, our Asian-influenced restaurant, was nominated as one of the top 20 restaurants at the Eat Out Awards in 2015.
The story of self-taught gemmologist and connoisseur of the arts, Laurence Graff, is immortalised in the new GRAFF book.
06...... Boutique Exotic chic
elaire Graff Estate welcomes the D striking flagship store of Vanashree Singh, VanaShree, brimming with a rainbow of fashion-forward accessories.
Another exciting development was the announcement that the Estate had been awarded the Great Wine Capitals Global Network’s 2016 Best of Wine Tourism Award, receiving first place in both the Art & Culture and Wine Tourism Restaurant categories at a ceremony in Bilbao, Spain.
07...... Spa Midas touch
Throughout the year, we have continued to support local artists and craftsmanship. Vanashree Singh opened her flagship exotic leather and cashmere boutique, VanaShree, on the Estate. We welcomed new works from the esteemed artist Kendell Geers, and several new works from artist Deborah Bell.
08...... Cuisine Flavours of Asia
The healing and regenerative powers of one of nature’s ultimate treasures is being harnessed at Delaire Graff Spa. Gold is making its comeback in beauty.
Delaire Graff Estate’s Chef Virgil Kahn breathes new life into Asian cuisine at the phenomenal award-winning Indochine restaurant.
We sincerely hope you are as excited as we are about the continued evolution of Delaire Graff Estate, and that you enjoy reading about it in our second issue of Views. We look forward to welcoming you soon.
10...... Wine Where design meets heritage
The prestigious Delaire Graff Icon range has been reimagined with an elegant new look, fusing heritage with striking contemporary design.
12...... Art The visual voice
The mystical Kendell Geers’ AniMystikAKtivist acquisition questions the way we engage with the world.
14...... Showcase A botanical wonder
A glimpse of the picturesque Delaire Graff Estate gardens and a Q&A with landscape artist, Keith Kirsten.
JOHANN LAUBSER, GM DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE
DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE TEAM
PUBLISHING TEAM
ESTATE GENERAL MANAGER JOHANN LAUBSER info@delaire.co.za
PUBLISHER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANDREW BURKE andrew@purepublishing.co.za
Distribution: VIEWS is distributed bi-annually by Delaire Graff Estate, available in print at the Estate or online at www.delaire.co.za, otherwise on request by emailing info@delaire.co.za.
MARKETING & PR MANAGER TANJA MACKAY-DAVIDSON marketing@delaire.co.za
MANAGING EDITOR JESSICA GLIDDON jess@purepublishing.co.za
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited.
LODGES & SPA GM JONATHAN LITHGOW hotel.gm@delaire.co.za
DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR TESS GREEN tess@purepublishing.co.za
SOCIAL MEDIA
MARKETING EXECUTIVE KERRY SEARLE marketing.executive@delaire.co.za
ASSISTANT EDITOR EEDEN LA GRANGE eeden@purepublishing.co.za
@delairegraff #delairegraff
VIEWS is designed and published by www.purepublishing.co.za For business enquiries, call Andrew on +27 (0)21 424 6918 or email hello@purepublishing.co.za V I E W S, I S S U E 2 | 03
GRAFF DIAMONDS
The
GRAFF
legacy
There are few stories more fascinating than that of Laurence Graff, the self-made jewellery entrepreneur who founded Graff Diamonds. Now his remarkable life has been immortalised in a new book titled simply GRAFF WORDS | EEDEN LA GRANGE
There will always be more to a story than what first meets the eye. It is a remarkable tale of how Laurence Graff shaped himself into the successful diamantaire, billionaire business magnate and world-renowned art collector he is today. Brought up in and around the markets of London’s East End, where locals made a living exchanging goods, Graff taught himself how to be street smart. “I had ears that listened, eyes that saw,” explains Graff in the book.
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uch like the story of a diamond, Laurence Graff’s story is transparent and punctuated with multiple facets, all of which firmly contribute to defining him as a rare, refined gem.
In honour of this story, Graff Diamonds has dedicated a book to the legendary purveyor of fine jewellery. GRAFF recounts the mesmerising memoir of Laurence Graff, tracing his journey from a diamond in the rough to becoming a reputable force and leader in the jewellery industry. 04 | V I E W S, I S S U E 2
Laurence Graff grew up witnessing the impact of poverty and the devastating effect of war. “It hardened me I suppose, gave me nerves of steel,” Graff explains in an exclusive interview with Vivienne Becker. “But it also gave me huge confidence, because I knew I had to rely on myself, look after myself. I’m not afraid of anything. Those early years taught me survival and security. I didn’t know what rich was, but I had shoes, I had food, and I had comics.” Despite his circumstances, it was Graff ’s mother’s ethos and attitudes that moulded him, forming his character. As a young boy, Graff did not know much about jewellery. His mother owned one diamond engagement ring and it was only at the age of 12 or 13 when he first noticed the generous gemstones governing window displays in London’s Hatton Garden. He started out as an apprentice to a jeweller in this area, and after having
GRAFF DIAMONDS
ONE RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS REMAINED THROUGHOUT THE YEARS IS GRAFF'S UNCONDITIONAL AFFINITY WITH DIAMONDS
bought 33 diamonds on credit for £60, and instead of using the diamonds in separate pieces, Graff designed a ring incorporating all 33 diamonds and sold it for £100. For the first time, “bigger and better” became his motto. Graff became hooked on the extravagant elegance that came with this bold and alluring style. In 1966, at the age of 28, Graff won the prestigious Diamonds International Award with a superlative diamond and amethyst bracelet. Graff always knew that he was different. “I had complete confidence and I felt at home doing whatever I did, wherever I found myself,” explains Graff. “I adapt easily. And I always seemed to get to the very top of what I did.” His growing status brought him friendships with sheiks, Hollywood actors and influencers of the arts, such as Andy Warhol. One relationship that has remained throughout the years is his unconditional affinity with diamonds. This bond, almost childlike, nurtures and cultivates the ongoing love affair. “I’m drawn to stones,” Graff describes. “I just want to touch the gems all the time and feel them and look at them. I get a thrill every morning when I open a package and look at a diamond, or at a piece of rough that gleams, that has life, that we’re going to cut to give birth to a stone. I clean them, I treasure them, I cherish them.”
is why we find gems so appealing. The truth is that we do not choose them simply for their value, or even just their beauty, extraordinary though it may be. We choose them for the way they make us feel – beautiful, powerful, joyous, strong. They represent a dream of ourselves; a story written in letters of a fire that can never go out.” The self-taught gemmologist and connoisseur of the arts attributes his success to his continuous curiosity and adamant appetite for learning. “I didn’t even know that I was hungry for knowledge, but as it came, I wanted to know a little bit more,” Graff says. “I have crept up the ladder very slowly, bit by bit, seeking out something that other people didn’t know about.” Laurence Graff ’s ambition is to continue working with the most marvellous jewels in the world. To accomplish this, he is allowing the younger generation free rein. As an ambassador of evolution in his industry, Graff will always embody the epitome of quality.
Graff has always had respect for the diamond: for the fact that diamonds are highly valued, for how they dazzle as though they were alive. “I loved it,” he says. “You can enjoy them, make them more brilliant and combine them. It’s fun – a lot of our designs come from playing with diamonds and laying them out in special ways until you see a shape coming, until you see an idea. When I’ve got a stone in my hand, I’ve already got things going through my mind: how it’s going to be set and the stones that are going to go with it, and what we should be doing with it. It opens up the imagination immediately.”
unfortunate luck with employment – which only fuelled his determination and ambition – Graff finally found a job that suited him, learning both craftsmanship and skill, while studying at the Sir John Cass College of Arts. Graff ’s first attempt to set up a jewellery partnership failed, forcing him to buy out his partner and pay off the debt. What followed was a transaction with a diamond dealer that Graff would never forget. The young jeweller
Despite the many meticulously curated accomplishments of Graff, Laurence Graff emphasises the company’s youth. His fearless enthusiasm to expand and further grow the business is due to his determination to be the best and nothing less. The jeweller soon realised that to become an independent business entity and to control the Graff quality, he needed to minimise the distance between his company and their supplier. As a result, Graff acquired shares in a mine in Lesotho, as well as a controlling stake in the South African Diamond Corporation (Safdico). The story of Laurence Graff reads almost like a fairy tale. Graff ’s life today is reminiscent of his earlier days in his parent’s sweet shop; owning multiple stores around the world, selling another form of temptation, is something he never could have imagined. To quote the awardwinning author of Chocolat, Joanne Harris, who was a contributing author of the GRAFF book, “This, I think,
GRAFF will be available from November 2015 for purchase from Delaire Graff Estate and online at www.graffdiamonds.com.
T H E FA C E T
FOUNDATION One of the finest jewels in Laurence Graff’s collection is the FACET Foundation, a charity set up in 2008 to support the education, health and wellbeing of people in Sub-Saharan Africa. All of the proceeds from the GRAFF book will be donated to the organisation. FACET stands for ‘For Africa’s Children Every Time’. The organisation continues Graff’s long-standing connections with the people of Africa, creating an opportunity to give back to the continent that gave the company its stunning jewels.
“In Africa, we see the devastating impact of poor health on local communities and the lack of the most basic standards of education for disadvantaged children who have the right to life and development,” comments Mr Graff. “Through FACET we are working with partners to develop programmes which will make a fundamental difference to the lives of Africa’s children.” Should you wish to support the FACET Foundation with a donation, please visit facet-foundation.org.
V I E W S, I S S U E 2 | 05
BOUTIQUE
EXOTIC CHIC VanaShree is synonymous with statement handbags and accessories. The epitome of indulgence, the brand’s authentic and specialised philosophy inspires the highest appreciation for workmanship and design WORDS | EEDEN LA GRANGE
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umanitarian, entrepreneur and founder of the VanaShree exotic leather and cashmere brand, Vanashree Singh has a name synonymous with fashion, travel, business and global connectivity. She has launched several successful ventures in the business and fashion industry, including founding the prestigious Durban Fashion Week. Singh’s latest undertaking was the creation of her own line of designer handbags. These exclusive items are handmade by local craftsmen with an impeccable attention to detail. VanaShree’s flagship boutique opened earlier this year at Delaire Graff Estate, treating guests to elegant handbags and accessories, all made from the very finest, ethically sourced crocodile, ostrich, python and stingray leather, handcrafted in South Africa. The VanaShree Exotic Leather Collection features a rainbow of richly hued leathers as vibrant as the jewels found in Graff Diamonds jewellery. The handbags are complemented by tastefully designed wallets and belts, and a timeless collection of cashmere scarves. This most exclusive and desirable of fibres has been selected with a cautious and creative eye, with each soft, sumptuous piece radiating an evocative beauty. This exotic leather range is not only crafted with the highest standards and the utmost attention to detail, but is also created with the natural world in mind. VanaShree products adhere to the regulations of the Conference on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), part of the company’s commitment to integrity in the industry. VanaShree’s flagship boutique is an elegant addition to Delaire Graff Estate. “This unique opportunity provides a wonderful platform to showcase exceptional South African craftsmanship and styling,” says Singh. General Manager of the Estate, Johann Laubser, said of the boutique: “The exotic leather and cashmere range from VanaShree is truly exquisite, beautifully designed and expertly crafted; it’s a perfect fit for us.”
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S PA
MIDAS TOUCH
The healing and regenerative powers of one of nature’s ultimate treasures is being harnessed at Delaire Graff Spa WORDS | ALICE HART-DAVIS
G
old – the mere mention of the word is enough to lift the spirits. No wonder that through the ages and across the world this most revered of metals has been sought out not only for its intrinsic value, but also for its restorative properties. Because it is all-natural and non-toxic, gold is easily tolerated by the body. The Ancient Egyptians recognised this 5,000 years ago: they believed that consuming liquid gold purified the mind, body and spirit, stimulating the ‘life force’, and keenly drank an elixir concocted by the alchemists of Alexandria. These rare and mythical-sounding ‘gold waters’ remained popular during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, particularly to ‘comfort sore limbs’ – an early reference to treating arthritis. Today, scientists are exploring that folk knowledge and confirming that gold really is a precious element when it comes to improving health and wellbeing – so much so that it is now being considered for inclusion in an increasing number of diverse therapies for a range of serious conditions. Throughout history, gold has also been perceived as the key to looking youthful – Cleopatra, the fabled female Egyptian pharaoh and a legendary beauty, is said to have benefited from its oxygenating and healing powers.
Q&A
with our Spa Director
Taffryn Kinsey, Director of the prestigious Delaire Graff Spa, talks to us about spa treatments, spa products and the power of a personalised experience. WHAT SETS DELAIRE GRAFF SPA APART FROM THE REST IN THE WINELANDS AND SOUTH AFRICA? At Delaire Graff Spa, we strive to create an experience that delivers a unique, luxurious and personalised service to each guest. We have spent time researching the international market and have tested all the specialised products we use in order to find ones which meet and mirror the Delaire Graff Estate’s uncompromising quality. The therapists’ understanding of the products is the key to a personalised experience.
CLEOPATRA, THE FABLED FEMALE PHARAOH AND A LEGENDARY BEAUTY, IS SAID TO HAVE BENEFITED FROM ITS OXYGENATING AND HEALING POWERS Now, 21st century skincare experts have yielded once again to auric allure. Delaire Graff Spa has collaborated with the Black Pearl 24-Karat Gold product range to offer what is perhaps the world’s most luxurious facial. After a consultation with one of the spa’s expert beauty therapists, the treatment begins with our Diamond Tip exfoliation, which smooths and brightens the skin, perfectly preparing the complexion for the intensive absorption of antioxidants. Thereafter, a wealth of gold-infused products is used, from a purifying Black Pearl Mousse and deeply nourishing Cleopatra Mask to the revitalising 24-Karat Gold Devine Face Serum, super-hydrating Gold Eye Elixir and luminosity-lending 24-Karat Gold Precious Day Cream. All in all, a golden opportunity, one might say.
IS THERE A SIGNATURE TREATMENT THAT YOU RECOMMEND? In addition to our lavish 24-Karat Gold Facial, the Delaire Graff Signature Massage Therapy offers the ultimate whole-body pampering experience. The journey begins with a sumptuous full body massage, which is accompanied by the Rasul ritual, during which guests enjoy a face and body exfoliation and treatment mask, applied in the sauna and the steam rooms. The experience leaves skin soft to the touch, rejuvenated and revitalised. We highly recommend this wonderful experience, especially for couples. TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT THE PRODUCTS YOU USE. I have come to the realisation that our wonderful continent has all the remarkable ingredients necessary to create world-class cosmetics, but that many African companies do not have the right technology to compete on the international stage. Terres d’Afrique and Bellabaci are two exceptional African brands with which we share an ethos. The award-winning and 100% natural Aromatherapy Associates offers a full, customised range of essential oils designed to customise and personalise each treatment to give our clients an individual experience. Swiss Perfection is another of
our international brands, which focuses on anti-ageing and the acceleration of the skin’s cellular regeneration using iris germanica root, an ingredient proven to stimulate cell metabolism and create healthy and radiant skin. V I E W S, I S S U E 2 | 07
CUISINE
FLAVOURS OF ASIA Chef Virgil Kahn brings an exotic touch to the culinary offerings at Delaire Graff Estate with the sumptuous flavours of Indochine restaurant WORDS | JESSICA GLIDDON
E
ating at Indochine could perhaps be compared with embarking on a luxury journey across Asia. Tastes unfold across the palate like scenery passing by a train window; dishes echo the spicy tang of Chang Mai, the smoky scents of Penang or the heady curries of Madras. Each taste resonates with a sophistication of seasoning seen only in Michelinstarred restaurants; each dish is a masterpiece. Indochine is a marriage of Asian-inspired and South African flavours, presented with the finesse of the top culinary masters. The dishes are light and lean with piquant touches, bringing a beautiful balance of aromas to the table. Head Chef Virgil Kahn is behind this symphony of flavours. He comes to Delaire Graff Estate from an esteemed background, having cooked at Gordon Ramsay’s Maze, Nobu at The One and Only and The Westin Cape Town. Kahn has been at Indochine since it opened its doors in 2010, initially working under former Head Chef Jonathan Heath. Today he heads up a team of 20 who bring together creative combinations with artistry and flair. The chef is surprisingly down to earth. He sits comfortably in an armchair at the Delaire Graff Lodges & Spa, casually speaking about his culinary inspiration. For Kahn, it’s the countries of Asia; Thailand, Cambodia, India, with their soft, aromatic and spicy flavours. “I break down dishes so people can have a clearer sense of region,” Kahn says. “There is a very fine line between different cuisines. I want people to get a sense of every area.” Indochine’s cuisine almost defies categorisation. “The restaurant is Asian-influenced, but definitely not a fusion of any sort,” explains the chef. “It is a collaboration of fine dining, the European kitchen and South African cooking, creating an authentic, more exciting style with an innovative take.” Kahn’s passion originates from his culinary heritage. Being of Cape Malay descent, spices were always present in his life, and the chef has fond memories of the enticing aromas of his youth. Today, Kahn experiments with hundreds of spices in his cooking at Indochine. He creates curries from scratch of all varieties, using seasonings such as lemongrass, ginger and chilli to create refreshing new combinations. “You need to understand 08 | V I E W S, I S S U E 2
KAHN EXPERIMENTS WITH HUNDREDS OF SPICES IN HIS COOKING. HE CREATES CURRIES FROM SCRATCH, USING SEASONINGS SUCH AS LEMONGRASS, GINGER AND CHILLI TO CREATE REFRESHING NEW COMBINATIONS
reputable local suppliers, so the nutritional benefits of the ingredients are maximised. “A lot of my time is spent sourcing the best products I can find, and getting to know suppliers who deliver the freshness, quality and impeccable provenance that this sort of cuisine demands,” says Kahn. Being located in the world-renowned culinary scene of the Cape Winelands, Indochine has provided a prestigious setting for Chef Kahn’s accomplishments. “There are many incredible restaurants in the Winelands,” says Kahn. “I decided to put myself out there and put my stamp on something great.”
the ingredients,” he says. “Then you need to make them your own.”
The chef has obviously succeeded. This year, Indochine was announced as one of the Top 20 Restaurants in South Africa in the prestigious Mercedes-Benz Eat Out Awards. “In the beginning, people weren’t familiar with our approach,” the chef says. “In the Winelands, everything has a similar style. We wanted to create something unique. Now we are one of the best.”
To Kahn, Asian cuisine is the future of food. Antioxidants present in spices improve well-being and overall health; not to mention the benefits of their alluring aromas and vivid tastes. As with the Estate’s other restaurant, much of the produce at Indochine is sourced from the Estate’s gardens and from the most
People come to Indochine first and foremost to have a truly distinctive experience. “We have the view, the atmosphere and a fantastic team,” Chef Kahn says. “I often present my guests with a dish that is not yet on the menu. I ask them to be critical and give feedback. Food is about people. For me, everyone should be involved.”
CUISINE
“A LOT OF MY TIME IS SPENT SOURCING THE BEST PRODUCTS I CAN FIND, AND GETTING TO KNOW SUPPLIERS WHO DELIVER THE FRESHNESS, QUALITY AND IMPECCABLE PROVENANCE THAT THIS SORT OF CUISINE DEMANDS.”
CHEF VIRGIL KAHN’S SPRING COCONUT AND CUCUMBER SALAD Coconut is one of Chef Kahn’s favourite ingredients. “I love working with coconut as it’s very versatile, healthy and tastes great,” says the chef. “Coconut helps to support the immune system, it’s a quick energy booster and it improves digestion while reducing sweet cravings. It’s also gluten-free, lactose-free and suitable for everyone."
There are multiple uses for coconut in the kitchen. “You can use the oil, the flesh and the water – each part is unique,” the chef says. “Coconut milk works well as a tenderiser for meats. You can clarify it and use the oil to make the most amazingly flavoured curry – you can’t get that flavour if you just use normal cooking oil. It’s also very good in desserts, dressings and sauces.” Coconut is one of the most beloved ingredients in Asian cooking. Chef Kahn’s spring coconut and cucumber salad brings together fresh aromas from across the continent. Ingredients suggestive of an Indian raita, such as mint, coriander and garlic, are combined with those recalling Thai flavours, such as palm sugar, fish sauce and lime, are married by the all-mighty coconut.
SPRING COCONUT & CUCUMBER SALAD Ingredients:
Method:
• • • • • • •
First, peel the cucumber and cut it into ribbons with a peeler and set aside. Then toast a handful of desiccated coconut shavings in a pan and set aside.
Cucumber ribbons Coconut shavings Toasted coconut Black sesame seeds Mint Coriander Basil
Coconut dressing ingredients: • • • • • •
250 ml coconut milk 1 garlic clove chopped 1 tsp sesame oil Fish sauce to taste 2 tsp palm sugar The juice of 2 limes
To make the dressing, mix all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl and check the seasoning. To assemble the salad, mix the cucumber ribbons, coconut shavings, black sesame seeds, mint leaves, coriander leaves and basil, then serve with the dressing. V I E W S, I S S U E 2 | 09
WINE
WHERE DESIGN MEETS HERITAGE Delaire Graff Estate has fused heritage with contemporary design in the reimagined Icon wine range label
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n icon, according to the dictionary, is a sign which has a characteristic in common with the thing it signifies. It is also defined as a thing regarded as worthy of veneration. In the case of the Delaire Graff Icon wine range, it is both: a symbol of the elegance and sophistication of the Estate it originates from, and a thing in itself worthy of admiration. The Delaire Graff wine portfolio has evolved into a wine enthusiast’s candy store, in which the Icon range is the Valrhona equivalent. Originally launched as a lifestyle range in 2010, the range includes the Estate’s most refined wines: the Delaire Graff Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, the Delaire Graff White Reserve, the flagship Laurence Graff Reserve and the newly introduced Delaire Graff Terraced Block Reserve. Each wine in the collection is extraordinary. The Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve boasts a velvety texture that is both complex and powerful; the White Reserve is an elevated blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon. The diamond among the jewels is the Laurence Graff 10 | V I E W S, I S S U E 2
Reserve, with rigorously hand-selected grapes from Bordeaux varietals and Cabernet Sauvignon creating a fresh, spicy flavour, with notes of vanilla, dark chocolate and hay. A range defined by elegance, the Icon wines required a refined dress. To reflect the refinement of the wines they adorn, bespoke labels were created, inspired by the timeless Graff Icon motif and paying tribute to the Graff Diamonds legacy. “The Delaire Graff Reserve range was designed to project an aristocratic appeal,” explains Monty Filter, creative director of Brandtree, the designers of the new Icon label. “The design elevates the range through its use of texture and minimalism to create a confident and almost regal appearance. The use of the Graff signature pattern as the main texture element on the label creates a look as though it was embroidered, projecting handcrafted detail. The ultimate layered experience of taste, texture and emotion is the essence of the Delaire Graff Reserve range design concept.” The delicate lines and flowing curves of the Icon draws inspiration from
“THE ULTIMATE LAYERED EXPERIENCE OF TASTE, TEXTURE AND EMOTION IS THE ESSENCE OF THE DELAIRE GRAFF RESERVE RANGE DESIGN CONCEPT." a renowned US$1 million hair and jewel coiffure made by Laurence Graff in 1970. This subtle reference to the Graff legacy adds a sense of heritage to an otherwise contemporary bottle design. “The Estate’s already comprehensive luxury offerings have been enhanced by the addition of our new packaging,” says Johann Laubser, General Manager of Delaire Graff Estate. “With the Graff motif on the label, the Icon range is now also a statement of delicacy and boldness. The effortlessly elegant style combines rarity and heritage in a timeless design.”
WINE
TOP-NOTCH RECOGNITION Delaire Graff Estate has once again confirmed its reputation as a world-class establishment offering unparalleled experiences in food, wine, art and hospitality with the winery’s success achieved in the recently released Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report 2015, as well as being awarded the Great Wine Capitals Global Network’s 2016 Best of Wine Tourism Award for South Africa. The Estate received this internationally acclaimed award in Bilbao, Spain, in both the Art & Culture and the Wine Tourism Restaurant categories. General Manager of the Estate, Johann Laubser, commented, “It is an outstanding honour to have received not one, but two top placements within these prestigious awards. Delaire Graff Estate has proven itself to be the ‘Jewel of the Cape Winelands’ and we continue to strive for excellence in every experience.” The Tim Atkin South Africa Special Report 2015 ranked Delaire Graff Estate as the only winery with three red wines to receive 95 points and above. Of the 10 wines tasted from the winery, all received 92 points and above, with the Laurence Graff Reserve awarded 97 points, the highest awarded rating, and one of only seven wines to achieve such a prestigious rating. The Tim Atkin Report draws on the classic Bordeaux First Growth classification, ranking South Africa’s top 150 wine producers in a similar fashion.
A CHARDONNAY GEM With its steep slopes, the topography of Delaire Graff Estate makes the cultivation of vineyards challenging. Yet it also produces a remarkable terroir with complex variations in soil, temperature and rainfall. It is not unusual for a single vineyard to yield wines that display distinct differences as a result of the varying terroirs, making Delaire Graff Estate a unique vineyard property. During the redevelopment phase of the Estate vineyards, which commenced in 2009, it was decided a never before used north-facing slope of 0.836 hectares was to be planted with Chardonnay grapes. Its steepness necessitated the construction of a series of 28 step-like terraces, upon which were planted 1,990 Chardonnay vines. The vineyard was christened The Terraced Block; it is one of the only terraced Chardonnay blocks in the country. The muchanticipated first grapes were harvested in 2012. The subsequent vintage demonstrated the block’s exciting potential to produce Chardonnay of world-class quality. Given this prospect, in 2013 the thrilling decision was made to have The Terraced Block awarded Single Vineyard status by the Wine and Spirit Board. The 2014 vintage proved to be an exceptional Chardonnay vintage and the Terraced Block Chardonnay, very early on, lived up to its potential and became a sensational reality.
The Estate was once again one of only 15 vineyards to receive First Growth status, and our winemaker Morné Vrey was named Young Winemaker of the Year, cementing the Estate’s status as one of the most highly awarded wine estates in the country.
This exceptional wine is gently crafted with care to capture the complexity and quality of this special site. The wine’s grapes are handpicked and sorted for gentle processing. Whole bunch pressed, the wine is then fermented for 14 days within the barrel and aged for 10 months in new and second-fill French oak barrels. No batonnage or malolactic fermentation takes place, so that the wine will retain its vibrant freshness. “The wine has an expressive bouquet of smoky floral and citrus notes on the nose,” winemaker Morné Vrey says of the new Chardonnay. “I am delighted with the results of our maiden vintage. On the palate, almonds, pears and passion fruit are supported by a crisp acidity and fine spicy minerals. It is a complex, but beautifully balanced wine which complements the existing portfolio in terms of quality, complexity and the exceptional terroir.” Delaire Graff Estate’s new Chardonnay was honoured with a mention in the Tim Atkin South Africa Report 2015, where the Master of Wine tasted the maiden vintage in its early stages and awarded it 94 points, commenting, “The one hectare vineyard that produced this wine was only five years old in 2014, but it promises to be one of the best Chardonnay sites in Stellenbosch.”
V I E W S, I S S U E 2 | 11
ART
THE VISUAL VOICE Delaire Graff Estate welcomes the artworks of conceptual artist Kendell Geers to its extensive portfolio of leading South African artists, in an exhibit that is both profound and confrontational WORDS | JESSICA GLIDDON
T
he artwork of Kendell Geers’ AniMystikAKtivist collection is mercurial. It brings together seemingly contradictory elements in a way that creates a transcendent whole: spiritualism and activism, European and African, traditional and intellectual. It is united by words and the lack thereof, through examining how perceptions are shaped by the interaction of language and symbols. Things are not entirely what they seem; rather they are talismanic or mystical. As has been said about his work: “each work is distilled from the process of the word being made flesh”. It was precisely with such an understanding of art that the first humans were inspired to decorate the bones of their ancestors and enter the darkest caves to leave their mystical marks between the shadows; marks that continue to haunt humankind to this day. No doubt these ancient artists would have worked by the light of fire, to the ritual accompaniment of drums, beating out shamanic rhythms that echoed through the darkness of both cave and consciousness. These drums in turn would have been adorned with images, sacred signs and signals that embodied their maker’s spiritual and mystical conception of the worlds they inhabited. The drums were key for they provided the auditory and vibrational triggers that would induce altered states of consciousness, whereby the ancient shamans could travel beyond the limits of logic into worlds beyond their imaginations. These were the first works of art, the first paintings and expression of the mystical, political, erotic, irrational, and conceptual function of art. It was in this way that they were taught the crafts of art and keys to language, the first ‘Alpha:Bête’.
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ART
THE SCULPTURES SPEAK OF THE IMPACT OF COLONIALISM ON AFRICA; WITH NAILS AND PAINT, THESE ANCIENT POWERFUL SYMBOLS OF AFRICA ARE MARRED, AND SILENCED The work of AniMystikAKtivist is informed deeply by Geers’ understanding of the ancient peoples of African Shamanic cultures, and his impassioned support of those who have suffered from colonialism. Geers was born in Johannesburg in 1968 into an apartheid culture that he despised, and its impact has resonated throughout his body of work. His art almost always has a political context and speaks to those who would question society’s norms. The eerie sculptural pieces by Geers that stand in Delaire Graff Estate are ritualised Congo Nkisi nail fetish figures that have been painted over in white paint. They speak of the impact of colonialism on Africa; with nails and paint, these ancient powerful symbols of Africa are marred, and silenced. Entitled Mutus-Liber, meaning ‘mute books’, they represent those who cannot express their pain.
The second artwork from Geers is a collection of drawings entitled A Kingʼs Ransom, where the artist explores the variety of ways the word ‘king’ is used to describe the actions we perform daily without reflection. ‘See-king’, ‘smo-king’, ‘jo-king’ ‘wal-king’ – the actions are endless. Reconfigured as king, every individual’s noble self is both honoured and yet lost in commonality. As Geers says of the work: “I am king therefore I do!” Geers’ artworks are not limited by choice of media – he rather selects the form that best suits his purpose. He utilises installations, drawings, video, performance and photography liberally. With exhibitions in London and Paris, he quickly became well known on the international arts scene for his unique approach and distinctive South African voice. Pieces from the AniMystikAKtivist exhibition at Cape Town’s Goodman Gallery were handpicked for Delaire Graff Estate’s collection. Geers’ sculptures stand encased in glass atop mirrored podiums in the Estate’s Wine Lounge, while A Kingʼs Ransom hangs against an unassuming wall in a passageway above an indoor reflection pool. These works form an important part of a private art collection that has been built up over many years. Laurence Graff has gradually evolved the Estate’s artistic assemblage, seeking out the most intriguing and promising artists in South Africa. His passion for the arts has been exemplified through a lifetime of art acquisition, with his South African collection including prominent contemporary artists Anton Smit, Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi, Dylan Lewis and William Kentridge. This carefully curated collection has made Delaire Graff Estate an elite art destination in its own right. Many of the Estate’s other artists share traits with Geers; an appreciation of the primordial is found in the works of Deborah Bell and Nicolas Moreton; a strong sense of African roots can be seen from Maurice van Essche and Sydney Kumalo; identity, society and politics are also explored by Hank Willis Thomas and Durant Sihlali. Delaire Graff Estate’s art collection forms a harmonious whole that makes for an intriguing artistic experience; Geers’ artworks will most certainly prove to be valuable additions.
DEBORAH BELL
ECHOES OF ANTIQUITY A transcendent sculptor, painter and printmaker, Deborah Bell is one of South Africa’s most celebrated artists. Bell is renowned for producing highly mystical and personal works in a variety of mediums. The sculptural series Return of the Gods: The Ancient Ones is now permanently installed at Delaire Graff Estate. These primallooking figures were part of Bell’s 2015 solo exhibition, Dreams of Immortality, run by the Everard Read Gallery in both Johannesburg and Cape Town. Today, these otherworldly figures look out over the Banghoek Valley. Bell’s bronze figures took four years to complete. Referencing ancient markings or perhaps alluding to fossilised wood or stone, the sculptures question the notions of intangible existence in the ‘present moment’ and bring into consideration ancestors, rituals and rites of passages.
“THEIR SCALE GREW IN STATURE AND STARTED GLIDING FORWARD, EYES FOCUSED AT SOME HIGH DISTANT POINT” “I didn't set out to make what these sculptures became,” says Bell. “Their scale and presence surprised me. As they grew in stature and started gliding forward, eyes focused at some high distant point, I asked myself who these beings were. They came from elsewhere, that I was sure of. I thought of the Nephilim, the gods of antiquity, and that felt true. Initially I made three figures, but the idea that there should be five kept beating in my brain. So, five figures there are. Each has a guiding presence, fully emerged from their seventh seal, their fully realised counterpart – male to female.”
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SHOWCASE
A BOTANICAL WONDER The gardens of Delaire Graff Estate in South Africa’s Cape Winelands are a showcase for world-renowned horticulturalist Keith Kirsten’s signature exuberance and creative expertise WORDS | CATRIONA ROSS
A
spectacular sight rewards those who drive up the Helshoogte Pass from Stellenbosch. Marking the entrance to Delaire Graff Estate is a vast stone amphitheatre, radiant with layered colour and foliage: leaves shimmer, sunlight pours through gold and amber petals, and a regal three-ton sandstone head by sculptor Anton Smit gazes out across the Banghoek Valley. As part of Laurence Graff’s vision to turn the Estate into South Africa’s leading premium wine, hospitality and art destination, he brought in the country’s foremost landscape artist, Keith Kirsten, to create an authentic Western Cape garden that would provide eye-catching colour year-round. The garden was designed to provide a living backdrop to the Graff art collection on the grounds, showcasing South African sculpture by artists such as Deborah Bell, Dylan Lewis and Anton Smit. Kirsten is well known internationally for his designs. His many books, public appearances and lectures are enhanced by his effusive personality and passion for anything with roots. Sipping a crisp Delaire Graff Estate Sauvignon Blanc in the shade of pin oak trees on the restaurant terrace, he expounds upon his love of gardening. “It’s nature: it’s that bud opening; it’s seeing the Crepuscule roses growing along the wall at the entrance to Delaire Graff Estate. When I drove in this morning, that whole wall of apricot colour put a lilt in my step. It’s everything, from the changing seasons to the smell of the lawn being cut. Plants and flowers: there’s nothing like them.” Kirsten leans towards a relaxed gardening style, often making use of indigenous plants, always being water-wise, and planting to suit the space. This is why Delaire Graff Estate’s assignment set his heart racing; unlike some local wine estates, where whitewashed Cape Dutch manor houses pair well with muted gardens of Iceberg roses and hydrangeas, Delaire Graff Estate’s contemporary architecture allowed Kirsten a refreshing freedom. In came Madiba hybrid king proteas, intense yellow Mandela’s gold strelitzias (bird-of-paradise), mature cycads and a cluster of statuesque aloes to give a burst of winter colour at the entrance to the Lodges & Spa. Underappreciated South African plants, including restio grasses, 14 | V I E W S, I S S U E 2
“LAURENCE GRAFF IS A MAN OF EXCEPTIONAL DETAIL," EXPLAINS KEITH. “HE PASSIONATELY WANTED TO CREATE A FANTASTIC GARDEN AND DESIGN EXPERIENCE.”
cabbage trees and the vibrant coral tree, were planted around the car parks and entrance to the Estate and winery. More than 350 varieties of indigenous plants populate the garden, tended to by a team of 11 gardeners and a senior horticulturalist. For the team at Keith Kirsten Horticulture International, including well-known designer Raymond Hudson, designing and replanting the site for the Estate’s official opening in June 2009 was a three-year process. Despite delays due to one of the wettest winters in the region, Delaire Graff Restaurant and Wine Lounge opened in July 2009, allowing diners to enjoy sumptuous views of landscaped gardens, undulating vineyards and olive groves stretching to the Simonsberg and Groot Drakenstein Mountains. Structure, particularly in the form of hedging, was incorporated to balance Kirsten’s preference for wilder, flamboyant gardens. In the gardens of the Lodges & Spa, terracing, hedging and mirror imaging are used to create a more controlled, and therefore more tranquil, atmosphere. “Laurence Graff is a man of exceptional detail,” explains Kirsten. “He passionately wanted to create a fantastic garden and design experience, but he preferred a more manicured, formal look. So we redid the whole restaurant entrance one weekend while he was here. We pulled up plants and replanted to get it just right, and it has matured well.” A patron of the South African National Water Conservation campaign, Kirsten stresses the importance of environmentally conscious gardening. With semidrought conditions already a reality in the Cape, many of the Estate’s water-sapping alien eucalyptus trees were removed. “We removed dozens of huge eucalyptus trees that used to line the old road over the mountain pass, which is now the main entrance to Delaire Graff
SHOWCASE
Q&A
with Keith Kirsten
THE
CARISSA COLLECTION
WHAT WAS THE THINKING BEHIND THE LANDSCAPING OF THE ESTATE'S GARDENS? Due to the high exposed aspect and topography, we made a decision early on that the design and planting needed to be largely informal, incorporating lots of indigenous plants and including some Mediterranean varieties that are suitable to the Cape climate. However, we did include some formal planting to give more structure to the landscape. CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE CARISSA FLOWER FOUND ON THE ESTATE, WHICH INSPIRED A GRAFF JEWELLERY COLLECTION?
WHAT MAKES THE CARISSA SO IMPORTANT?
Inspired by the award-winning gardens at the Estate, the Carissa collection embodies the delicate bloom of the Carissa flower. Crafted and designed at Graff Diamonds’ London atelier, the collection consists of delicate arrangements of pear-shaped and marquise gemstones. Mesmerising diamonds and alluring rubies, emeralds and sapphires intensify the enigmatic design. The stones blossom with light, radiating brilliant iridescent reflections, just as the Carissa flower would as it catches the sunlight.
There are a few different varieties of Carissa across the Estate, which grow from one to two metres in height. The Carissa is a traditional food plant in Africa, which has the potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable land care.
With a name meaning ‘beloved’ in Greek, the Carissa inspires visitors of Delaire Graff Estate with its seductive beauty. These delicately perfumed flowers have a scent that intensifies at night, enhancing their seductive qualities.
HOW WILL THE GARDENS EVOLVE?
The dainty Carissa’s revered presence within the Estate gardens only makes them more beloved as a jewel. At Graff Diamonds, the charismatic blossom has been flawlessly translated into a magnificently crafted art piece, diligently handset by the company’s Master Craftsmen. The Carissa collection incorporates this blossoming flora into a range of necklace, earring and bracelet designs. It’s a motif that exemplifies the power and beauty of the natural world that so serenely ornaments Delaire Graff Estate.
The starry pure white flowers bloom during the summer months in abundance, followed by the plump rosy red edible fruit – which can be made into a delicious jelly. At the Estate, our Carissa flowers are planted in the borders at the main entrance and other areas of the winery and restaurant – so the scent is particularly welcoming to guests as they arrive.
Estate,” explains Kirsten. “They were old, dangerous and not at all water-wise or in keeping with our design philosophy. We could never have planted a garden like this under them; they would have robbed the soil. The results now speak for themselves.” The Estate also used to have an avenue of neglected pin oak trees along the drive, and a further avenue of trees in front of the restaurant. The original oaks were retained; a tree surgeon resurrected them, pruning and cleaning each tree, branch by branch. Since sprayer irrigation causes substantial water loss in the Cape’s constant wind, a drip irrigation system was installed to ensure there would be minimal water wastage.
A garden is always a work in progress, and while we have trained the Estate management and gardeners not to alter the overall design ethos while maintaining the garden, it is inevitable that there will be some changes in the planting schemes and arrangements with time. I consult with the Estate a few times over the course of the year and we undertake changes as needed. We have also tried to avoid overtly bright colours or too many colours mixed together, and instead we focus on ensuring the gardens blend, softened by foliage.
“I’m very against planting anything that is unsuitable or ecologically incorrect,” Kirsten states. He is, however, a fan of happy horticultural marriages – which meant, in this case, importing non-invasive plants from the Mediterranean, Australia and California, and settling them beside similar indigenous plants. In the entrance amphitheatre, Mediterranean cypresses, olive trees, bright bougainvilleas and purple statice intermingle with many of the fynbos species seen in Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden: strelitzias, pincushions, leucodendrons, watsonias, wild garlic and the fragrant shrub, Hottentots kooigoed. And there’s always a place for roses: along the driveway a wall cascades with the soft apricot coloured climbing rose, the crepuscule. This holistic philosophy permeates every aspect of Delaire Graff Estate, even with food. Fresh produce, fertilised by the on-site wormery, is picked daily from the Estate’s herb, salad and vegetable garden. The lush surrounds also encourage biodiversity. “You’ll see sunbirds on those pincushions, and birds’ nests in the protection of the walls covered by Virginia creeper,’ Kirsten notes proudly. Indeed, it seems as though these natural jewels have found the perfect setting. V I E W S, I S S U E 2 | 15