VINES
SOUTHERN VINES | AUTUMN 2021
SOUTHERN
LIFESTYLE & LEISURE
GOING DUTCH Contemporary living in Franschhoek
21005
9 772663 835008 SOUTHERNVINES.CO.ZA AUTUMN 2021 R59.50 (incl VAT)
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CHEFS WAREHOUSE AT TINTSWALO ATLANTIC CHEF LIAM TOMLIN: ANOTHER GRAND ACHIEVEMENT FIND A BALANCE RECIPES TO NURTURE AND HEAL FROM MELISSA DELPORT CELEBRATING MCC’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY EMILE JOUBERT’S TOP WINE SELECTIONS EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OILS SA’S BOUNTY OF EVOO A JOBURG JAUNT AN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO JHB VISIT ROBBEN ISLAND JOURNEY THROUGH SA’S HISTORY
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ELEGANCE IS AN ATTITUDE.
LONGINES DOLCEVITA In a world obsessed with dualities – right or wrong, light or dark, left or right – Longines celebrates complexity and subtle differences. We could describe our watches in a word but it would not begin to tell their story. They have their own identities. Each blends its own textures, shades and shapes and expresses the personality of the woman wearing it.
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100 years.
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Scan to start your adventure or visit SuzukiGo100.co.za
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Contents 20 What’s hot fashion
Must-have trending fashion pieces
29 Art scene
Showcasing three trending artists
32 Events
Keep busy this season
38 Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic
Chef Liam Tomlin and his achievements
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SHOT ON LOCATION ~ AMERICAN SHUTTERS
Shop online at victorianbathrooms.co.za
CAPE TOWN 18 MARINE DRIVE
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PAARDEN EIL AND
021 418-0855 | JHB
SHOP 56
MIDDLE MALL HYDE2021 PARK CORNERVINES 011 13 325-5503 AUTUMN SOUTHERN
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44 44 Foodie favourites
Some of our favourite restaurants in South Africa
50 Going Dutch
A look inside a contemporary home in Franschhoek
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70 Abandoned beauty
Interior beauty with natures leftovers
80 Find a balance
Food recipes to nurture and heal
88
88 Find some sparkle
Emile Joubert’s top wine selections, and celebrating MCC’s 50th anniversary
94 New wine releases
South Africa’s newest releases
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106 EVOO in South Africa
Extra virgin olive oil experiences and flavours
112 A Joburg jaunt
An insider’s guide to Johannesburg
122 Robben Island
Visit Robben Island and journey through South Africa’s history
126 Motoring
Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 & Suzuki Vitara Brezza
132 Book club
This seasons round-up of must-reads
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years
French Art de Vivre
Photo by Flavien Carlod, Baptiste Le Quiniou, for advertising purposes only.
of creation
Bubble 2. Curved 3-4 seat sofa, designed by Sacha Lakic. Astréa. Armchair, designed by Sacha Lakic. Rocket. Cocktail tables, designed by Nathanaël Désormeaux & Damien Carrette. Tropic. Rug, designed by Nany Cabrol. Manufactured in Europe
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CAPE TOWN - 10-12 Kloof Street, Gardens. Tel: (+27) 021 286 0793 JOHANNESBURG - 27 Commerce Crescent, Sandton. Tel: (+27) 087 805 7090 MAURITIUS - Circle Square, Forbach. Tel: (+230) 244 3021/22
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ED ’S CHOICE
The weather is slowly cooling down, and with that comes the opportunity to get cosy and relax. With so much time spent at home in our ‘new normal’, it’s well worth investing in some good books to pass the time — take a look at our book club recommendations for the latest must-reads, and top it off with our pick of wines and seasonal recipes for some extra-indulgent leisure time. This season’s travel inspiration is all local — we explore Joburg’s hidden gems, and take a trip to our very own Robben Island. We also discover the wonder of extra virgin olive oil and where to go for tastings, which is a great experience for any foodie. If you’re out and about, be sure to try one of our favourite restaurants and enjoy some of what our finest local talent is cooking up. We hope that you enjoy browsing these pages — packed with fashion, art, décor and wellness news, there’s something for everyone in this issue. Take care,
THE TEAM MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Zuidema ART DIRECTOR: Bianca-Leigh Nagel CONTRIBUTORS: Emile Joubert, Graham Wood, Jarred Ruttenberg, Jennifer Campbell, Tara Sloggett, Thea Beckman, Vann van Staden MOTORING EDITOR Vann van Staden IMAGES & ILLUSTRATIONS Supplied, Shutterstock, Unsplash, Flickr PRINTED BY CTP Printers DISTRIBUTION Community Life Media, On the Dot ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES vann@southernvines.co.za ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent and permission of the publisher and copyright owners as featured. DISCLAIMER All information, dates and prices were correct at the time of print. We cannot be held liable for any changes thereafter.
We love this gorgeous new fragrance from Louis Vuitton. See page 24 for more of our favourites this issue.
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Greenpop is a non-profit organisation on a mission to (re)connect people with our planet. They plant trees, grow food, educate people and have fun doing it! They work on urban greening, reforestation, and food growing projects, and educate people through practical workshops. Greenpop was founded in 2010 and has since planted almost 80 000 trees at schools and other urban sites as well as forests and farms across South Africa, Zambia and Tanzania. Visit www.greenpop.org to get involved. We plant 50 trees per edition of Southern Vines.
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WHAT’S HOT FASHION
Prada sunglasses, Sunglass Hut, R4 500 Trapeze mini dress, Witchery, R1 099 Emily sandal, Poetry, R699
EASY
like...
Etched ikat pull on pants, Trenery, R399
Kate leather bag, Freedom of Movement, R1 695
Coral v neck t-shirt, GAP, R399
Amber drop earrings, Witchery, R349
White detailed t-shirt, Desigual, R969
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NATURE MORTE The Still from Life
John Newdigate (1968 -) & Ian Garrett (1971 -) Hothouse flower with strong opinions, 2019 - 2020 Hand painted, glazed porcelain Private collection Marion Arnold (1947 -) Collision, 1997 Pastel on paper Rupert Art Foundation
UPCOMING 2021
Oyster & Bubbly Experience with pianist & composer Ramon Alexander 7 March 2021
Recreation of Irma Stern’s Dining Room in collaboration with the Irma Stern Museum from 23 March 2021
Museum Saturday Last Saturday of every month
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WHAT’S HOT FASHION
Ray Ban Evolve sunglasses, Sunglass Hut, R2 300
Casual boat shoe, Country Road, R999
YACHT
club
Neutral jacket, G-Star RAW, R3 899
Faded jeans, GAP, R1 649
Striped t-shirt, GAP, R1 099 Navy t-shirt, GAP, R849
Long sleeve linen shirt, Country Road, R899 TUDOR Black Bay Fifty-Eight Navy Blue watch, POR
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DON’T JUST BUY A NEW CAR
GIVE NATURE A CHANCE TO BREATHE As the pioneer of the most sophisticated hybrid technology on the planet, we’re always looking for ways to make a difference and help take care of this beautiful place we call home. That’s why we’re going to plant 60 Spekbooms for every Lexus Hybrid purchased to offset its carbon emissions for one year. Test drive one today and experience how luxury and eco-friendly can work together so seamlessly.
LEXUS.CO. ZA /SPEKBOOM Ts&Cs apply. Model Shown RX 450h SE. AUTUMN 2021 SOUTHERN VINES
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We love ... Explore some of the best products on the scene.
Louis Vuitton Étoile Filante Fragrance
Étoile Filante means ‘shooting star’, and this gorgeous new fragrance from Louis Vuitton was designed to serve as a celebration of joy and hope. With top notes of sun-ripened strawberry, middle notes of jasmine, magnolia and osmanthus and a white musk base note, this scent is fruity and floral. The fragrance was crafted by master perfumer Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud, who has always loved the osmanthus flower, which has a naturally fruity and soft scent. R4 000 | 100ml EDP
Blaauwklippen Gin & Nougat Pairing Kits
The unique combination of gin and nougat makes for an extratasty treat. The special edition Zin Gin is exotic and spicy with warm citrus and cinnamon flavours, and pairs beautifully with berry and cherry nougat. The Farm Gin is floral and complex, with a fragrance of sweet honeysuckle and geranium, and a slightly sweet flavour. This crystal-clear flagship gin goes well with spicy pecan, fig and peppercorn nougat. The easy-drinking Garden Gin completes the range with its infusion of herbal, spicy and citrus botanicals, and is complemented by lemon and thyme or coriander and mint nougat. R215 | 50ml of each gin + 2 artisanal nougat packs | www.blaauwklippen.com
New Poetry Collection
The new collection from Poetry features some beautiful homeware pieces, including floral and linen tea towels and elegant ceramic planters. Their shell teaspoon set combines gold and white for a stylish and whimsical look, while the minimal ecru salad server set is sure to bring a touch of elegance to your table. www.poetrystores.co.za
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MUST-HAVES WHAT’S HOT
FITCH & LEEDES MOMENTS
The new non-alcoholic vintage cocktail collection from Fitch & Leedes includes a drink for every mood. The Moments Shirley Temple features the flavour of raspberry sherbet for a twist on a classic cocktail, while the Moments Pink G&T makes a refreshing sundowner with notes of juniper berries, rosewater and cucumber. The range also includes Blushing Mimosa and Island Fish Bowl. www.fitchleedes.co.za
Pandora Secret Garden Collection
Stellski African Blend Beans
Stellski African Blend coffee was inspired by a courageous Staffordshire Bull Terrier named Stella and was the first of Stellski’s blends. The beans are sourced from Burundi and Ethiopia, and a medium roast ensures that the flavour stays true to their African origin. The coffee has a sweet honey aroma and a creamy body, along with fruity, malty and chocolate flavours. You can grab a cup of Stellski coffee at their espresso bar in the Cape Town CBD or make it at home with their whole or ground beans. R99 for 250g | R340 for 1kg | www.stellski.com
Pandora’s latest collection is a celebration of the beauty of flowers and the wonders of nature. The delicate, dainty rings and charms add a playful pop and can be mixed and matched in countless ways. The daisy’s physical beauty is emphasised through the detailed enamel work and expert craftsmanship of the collection. www.pandorashop.co.za
Gatineau Peeling Expert Gommage
This peeling exfoliating cream is formulated to buff away dead skin cells and impurities for smoother, more radiant skin. It’s blended with sweet almond oil to plump wrinkles, while nourishing sunflower and lingonberry seed oil nourish the skin and improve elasticity. The cream is suitable for all skin types and anyone concerned with the visible signs of ageing. R585 | 75ml | Available online & at select Woolworths, Truworths & Dis-Chem stores
DOPE
This range of non-alcoholic, sparkling drinks includes a lovely selection of light and refreshing flavours. They’re made from pure water and infused with just a hint of natural flavour, as well as 6mg of hemp extract. The range includes three varieties: grapefruit, pineapple and watermelon. www.dopedrinks.co
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7 KINGJAMES 51937
There’s no masterpiece without the master. That’s why we cover it.
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ART WHAT’S HOT
ARTSCENE This season, we take a look at three unique artists, each of whom uses their personal experience and aesthetic to create work that is striking in its ability to tell a visual story. Inspired by real-life experiences, the natural world's beauty, and the human form, these artists all give us something to contemplate and enjoy.
RICHIE MADYIRA Tackling themes related to life in our most impoverished communities, as well as the cultures and beliefs of young, black men, Richie Madyira creates colourful and predominantly figurative paintings. Richie uses his own experience as inspiration for his work — from his childhood in Harare to his life as an immigrant. Richie was awarded a scholarship for his studies and completed his Fine Arts Diploma at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe. He has exhibited his work at various South Africa and Zimbabwe spaces, including the National Gallery of Zimbabwe in Harare, AVA Gallery in Cape Town, and the Group Summer Show at RK Contemporary in Riebeek Kasteel. Richie believes passionately in the power of art as a form of communication and the ability of paintings to provide hope and courage to its viewers. Each of his paintings features bold and often unexpected colour combinations to create some interesting juxtapositions.
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WHAT’S HOT ART
ANDRE SERFONTEIN Andre Serfontein is a Cape Town-based painter and sculptor. He is qualified with a National Diploma in Graphic Design from Cape Technikon and worked as a designer and illustrator in the advertising industry before embarking on a career as a full-time artist. Andre has exhibited his work in various spaces in Cape Town, Knysna and Paarl, and is represented in the Sanlam collection. He uses a range of mediums, including drawing, painting and sculpting, to explore the human form, often exaggerating certain physical features to fully capture and accentuate his subjects’ essence. Inspired by the beauty in people, nature and the everyday, Andre is drawn to bold and resilient beauty that is imperfect and asymmetrical, believing that there is a rare magnetism exuded by those who are genuinely comfortable in their own skin.
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ART WHAT’S HOT
ADELE POTGIETER Adele Potgieter began her career as a full-time painter in 2014 and has since shown her work at numerous group exhibitions around the country, including galleries in Pretoria, Stellenbosch and Hermanus. Adele creates striking still life paintings that feature botanical specimens, insects, birdlife and found items like feathers, seed pods and skulls. All of her work incorporates objects and images of things that have meaning to her. With a focus on realism, she explores the relationship between past and present, as well as internal and external realities. Each artwork represents a pattern of some kind and acts as a tribute to life, renewal, growth and abundance. Adele uses numerous mediums to create her artworks — she creates compositions with the help of digital tools and collage and has also experimented with flat lay photography and the Trompe-l'oeil style. Her current work focuses on the mirroring of digital collages and oil on canvas. SV
All artwork can be viewed at StateoftheART Gallery in Cape Town www.stateoftheart-gallery.com.
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WHAT’S HOT EVENTS
Out & About Hartbeespoort Cableway
Clinging to the cliff faces of the majestic Magaliesberg is the gateway to a 1.2 km long cableway that takes visitors on an exhilarating ride up and down the mountain. The Hartbeespoort (or “Harties) Aerial Cableway offers panoramic views of the area, including the enormous dam, but it’s only one part of the experience! At the top, there are numerous viewpoints, shops to peruse, restaurants, hiking trails, and even paragliding. Where: Hartbeespoort Dam www.hartiescableway.co.za
SPIER LIGHT ART SHOW
It’s time once again for Spier Wine Farm’s much-loved annual Festival of Light Art, which presents a dazzling array of light, sound, and visual artworks. This enchanting combination of multi-media transforms the historic Stellenbosch farm into a multi-sensory, cross-cultural wonderland, around which guests can meander, soaking up the brilliance. Entrance to the exhibition is free, and lights are switched on at dusk. When: 19 March – 18 April 2021 Where: Spier Wine Farm, Stellenbosch www.spier.co.za
Makers Landing Makers Landing is a brand-new food market at the V&A Waterfront, offering a variety of mouth-watering wares by South African food producers and small businesses, who honour farm-to-table and nose-totail food philosophies. Food lovers are also in for a treat with the Makers Landing demo kitchen, which hosts all kinds of culinary events from celebrity chef fine dining experiences to children’s cooking classes. When: Friday’s 10am – 5pm; Saturday’s & Sunday’s 8am – 5pm Where: V&A Waterfront, Cape Town www.makerslanding.co.za
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EVENTS WHAT’S HOT
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WHAT’S HOT EVENTS
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Big 5 Reserve, Zululand, KZN
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T: +27(0) 33 845 1000 E: bookings@kznwildlife.com www.kznwildlife.com SOUTHERN VINES AUTUMN 2021
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Conservation, Partnerships & Ecotourism
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EVENTS WHAT’S HOT
N
EGG
Armed with a vision to “reimagine retail” a new high-tech, omnichannel store called EGG has opened at Cavendish Square in Claremont. Within its 2 700 square-meter space, 250 local and international fashion, beauty, lifestyle, jewellery, and food brands have gathered under one roof. The EGG also has a hair salon, barbershop, flower and plant market, make-up and piercing studios, and fast, free Wi-Fi! Where: Claremont, Cape Town www.weareegg.co.za
Ziplining
Flying like a bird over the canopy of indigenous forests and the yawning chasms, lush valleys, and rushing rivers that network across them gives one an unparalleled perspective on our country’s spectacular natural heritage. Several locations have become prime spots for such ziplining experiences: Silvermist Estate in the lush Constantia valley, and in the dramatic, forest-carpeted Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. Zipline through Blue Grotto forest in the Drakensberg, the Karkloof Forest Reserve in the KZN midlands, and more. www.canopytour.co.za
Georgina Gratrix Exhibition The Reunion by Georgina Gratrix is a solo exhibition curated by Liese van der Watt. The Reunion brings 25 artworks together completed between 2011 and 2020. Georgina Gratrix is known for paintings that feature expressive, impasto brushwork and humorous yet uncomfortable distortions of figures, objects and landscapes. Only 20 people will be allowed in the gallery at a time. Booking is essential. When: February – 31 May 2021 Where: Norval Foundation, Steenberg, Cape Town www.norvalfoundation.org
ourism
RED BUS TOUR
There are few ways to explore a city's key attractions as conveniently and affordably as a Hop-On Hop-Off bus. In Cape Town, there are more than 30 stops to 50 of the city's top attractions, including Cape Point, the historic city centre, Table Mountain, and the winelands. www.citysightseeing.co.za
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WHAT’S HOT EVENTS
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EVENTS WHAT’S HOT
Golf
Fancourt
Cape Point
At the southernmost end of the Cape Peninsula, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean like a “come hither” finger, is a destination of such rugged beauty that it attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Cape Point offers many walking/hiking trails, a funicular, lighthouse, birdwatching, and a haunting connection to the Cape’s history. Hungry? Treat yourself to a meal at the Two Oceans Restaurant. www.capepoint.co.za
South Africa has gained increasing attention as a world destination for golf. With a vast constellation of pristine, emerald courses nestled into the country’s diverse landscapes — some perched atop cliffs overlooking the ocean; others sprawled out in the shadow of dramatic mountains—local and foreign golfing enthusiasts are spoiled for choice! Plus, golf is one of the few activities you can do nowadays that’s safe and easy to do socially distanced! Some of the best SA golf courses include Fancourt on the Garden Route, Leopard Creek at Kruger National Park, St Francis Links in St Francis Bay, Arabella Golf Club close to Hermanus, and Steenberg Golf Club in Cape Town.
TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK
The Tsitsikamma National Park sprawls across a plateau stretching from the Bloukrans River in the west to the Tsitsikamma River in the east and bordered to the north and south by imposing mountains and the Indian Ocean, respectively. The area named after the Khoi word for “place of abundant or sparkling water”, is a nature lover’s Eden, encompassing towering yellowwood trees, deep gorges, a marine reserve, and a network of trails by which to explore it all. Where: Garden Route www.tsitsikamma.info
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WHAT’S HOT CHEF LIAM TOMLIN
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CHEF LIAM TOMLIN WHAT’S HOT
CHEFS WAREHOUSE AT TINTSWALO ATLANTIC
Chef Liam Tomlin adds the fourth jewel to his crowning achievement. BY THEA BECKMAN. PHOTOGRAPHY: CLAIRE GUNN
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n the western skirts of Chapman's Peak, where the sheer granite cliffs plunge into Hout Bay's Atlantic Ocean waters, the Tintswalo Atlantic boutique lodge clings resolutely to the shore. The award-winning, five-star hotel has survived the ravages of fire and now a viral pandemic, which has tragically shut down scores of establishments throughout the country. But here, within the lodge's stoic walls, a new restaurant takes root, though its name is an old favourite of South African foodies: Chefs Warehouse by vastly accomplished local chef, Liam Tomlin.
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WHAT’S HOT CHEF LIAM TOMLIN
From the CBD to the sea
Chef Liam Tomlin has earned - through toil, innovation, and talent - a formidable reputation within the gastronomical echelons of South Africa's culinary scene. His concept of a contemporary restaurant that serves wave after wave of intricately composed tapas dishes began with Chefs Warehouse at 92 Bree Street in the heart of Cape Town. Before that, he ran a cookery school, which he started in 2010 after working as a hospitality industry consultant. Chefs Warehouse's immense success on Bree Street demanded a sequel, which chef Liam then opened in 2016 at Beau Constantia, a wine estate in the leafy, historic winelands of Constantia. The following year, a third iteration of Chefs Warehouse was opened, this time at Maison Estate in the resplendent Franschhoek valley. And now, in one of the most difficult years the South African restaurant industry has faced in living memory (for Gen Y'ers and above), chef Liam Tomlin has added a FOURTH jewel to the crown with Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic, successfully taking his award-winning tapas concept from the CBD to the sea!
The Tintswalo Atlantic (after)life
Baptised daily by sea spray and the burning light of South African sunsets, Tintswalo Atlantic is quite possibly a manifestation of what the afterlife could look like if you've spent your mortal life being extraordinarily well behaved. This boutique beach lodge sprawls along the coastline at the base of the Table Mountain National Park and, with its west-facing aspect and generous outdoor deck and terrace, offers guests
the best sunset seats in the house. Staggeringly gorgeous views aside, the interior is a multisensory manifestation of Nirvana, with its spa, uniquely designed, luxurious suites, and now, Chefs Warehouse, which, like its sister restaurants, proudly continues the tradition of absolutely blowing diners away with sensational food.
What's on the menu?
Chefs Warehouse essentially does a set menu of tapas (vegan & vegetarian options available), but this is no ordinary tapas. This is the kind of stuff that's innovated after hours of late-night experimentation until the perfect flavours and textures are achieved; and where aesthetics are considered just as important. Each dish is both beautiful to behold and devour. But the best part is that this excruciatingly hedonistic assault on your senses happens again and again as each of four courses of tapasinspired dishes arrives at your table. Naturally, chef Liam leverages the restaurant's proximity to the ocean to curate a menu abundant in fresh seafood, as well as its location near our world-famous winelands to assemble a swoonworthy wine list. Oh, and oysters and risotto, which are stalwarts of the Chefs Warehouse repertoire, are always on the menu.
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WHAT’S HOT CHEF LIAM TOMLIN
Local on Heritage Square
While Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic continues on its merry task of knocking patrons' socks off, chef Liam Tomlin has been hard at work on yet another venture: 'Local at Heritage Square'. This restaurant and retail space are located at the old HQ in the city centre, which has received an extensive overhaul to reveal more of the gorgeous natural brick and wood beneath its plastered walls. Downstairs, there's a bar serving only local wine, MCC, spirits, and beers
and a retail space selling fish, meats, cheeses, and breads, as well as locallymade kitchenware. Upstairs, there's a Middle Eastern tapas restaurant called Mazza (meaning "to share"), which pays homage to Beirut, where chef Liam had planned to open a restaurant before the devastating explosion in August 2020. Can you see it? A glass of wine at the bar, a quick shop at the deli for tomorrow's lunch, and a delicious small-plates dinner with mates at Mazza. Sign me up!
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A preview of "the good place"
Chef Liam Tomlin has truly done it again: with both 'Local at Heritage Square' and the fourth instalment of Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic. This powerhouse of a culinary wizard certainly seems to have a knack for transforming spaces into vastly successful enterprises that, married with the Cape's beautiful views and heritage locations, deliver unforgettable dining experiences that could quite honestly be considered suitable previews for the afterlife… If you've been good, that is. SV
Chefs Warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic is open Monday to Sunday, 12pm to 2pm and 6pm to 8pm. Sunday dinners are served from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. For bookings and enquiries, please email tintswalo@ chefswarehouse.co.za or call +27 (0)21 541 0165. *times might be affected due to COVID-19 regulations.
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MUST-VISIT RESTAURANTS
Life as we used to know it might be on hold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself to a fabulous food experience at any of these must-visit restaurants in South Africa!
beyond at Buitenverwachting
From the legendary chef-patron, Peter Tempelhoff of FYN comes the uncomplicated, yet elegant restaurant beyond at Buitenverwachting Wine Estate in Constantia. The menu is firmly grounded in an ingredient-centric food philosophy that prioritizes provenance, quality, and curiosity (think: seasonal heirloom vegetables, artisanal cheeses, and rare-breed meats). The restaurant space itself is sophisticated and restrained, allowing its gorgeous surroundings and food to take centre stage. The menu includes free-range ostrich tataki, extra-aged Limousin beef, and a roast pear cream choux bun. Where: 37 Klein Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town Web: www.beyondrestaurant.co.za
BOTANICUM AT MORGENSTER Located at Morgenster Wine & Olive Farm in the Helderberg, right on the foothills of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, is Botanicum, a family-friendly restaurant with a mouthwatering menu of modern European cuisine and Neapolitan-style sourdough pizzas, which pair beautifully with Morgenster’s terroir-driven wines and olive oils. The open layout interior lives up to its name with décor of botanical prints and plants, while enormous windows allow sunlight and views of the surrounding winelands to stream in. Where: Morgenster Wine & Olive Estate, Vergelegen Avenue, Somerset West, Cape Town Web: www.botanicum.co.za
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ëlgr
ëlgr has stepped into the Kloof Street venue previously occupied by Janse & Co., bringing with it a modern, casual, and multi-cultural dining experience. The name, which translates from Old Norse to ‘moose’, pays homage to Chef Jesper Nilsson’s Swedish heritage. The diverse menu includes charcuterie boards, authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, and offers an extensive wine list. Inside, abundant foliage and a calm green and charcoal colour palette inspire tranquillity. Outside, a sunny, spacious courtyard complete with cocktail bar. Where: 75 Kloof Street, Cape Town Web: www.elgr.co.za
9TH AVENUE WATERSIDE With résumés including experience at several top international establishments, Graham and Gina Neilson were inspired to open their own restaurant, 9th Avenue Waterside, in Morningside, Durban. This sleek, white-accented bistro, located right on the water in Durban Harbour, offers artful and modern French-inspired cuisine in a warm and unpretentious atmosphere. The team endeavour to use locally sourced produce only, to reduce their carbon footprint as much as possible and in turn, supporting the local economy. And with an ever-evolving menu and wine list, the award-winning 9th Avenue Waterside promises to keep it fresh and interesting. Where: 2 Maritime Place, Durban Web: www.9thavewaterside.co.za
Casa Labia, Muizenberg
Built-in 1929 in the style of 18th Century Venetian architecture, Casa Labia is regarded as the unofficial Grande Dame of Muizenberg. Here, mural ceilings, ornate cornicing, chandeliers, vintage furniture, stunning gardens, and ocean views set the scene for an unforgettable meal. The menu features simple Italian style food, homemade cakes and pastries, excellent wines, cocktails, and “the best coffee in Muizenberg”. Casa Labia is also famous for its high teas and picnics (pre-booking essential). Where: 192 Main Road, Muizenberg, Cape Town Web: www.casalabia.co.za
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Embarc
Chefs Lisa De Beer and Darren O’Donovan have combined their considerable talents at the new restaurant Embarc in Parkhurst, Johannesburg. What was once a conveyer belt sushi joint at the corner of 4th and 13th is now a trendy, understated eatery that’s light, contemporary, and inviting. The menu, which serves up high-end, yet unpretentious dishes that are gorgeously presented, is a highlight reel of the chefs’ greatest hits and new inspirations. Where: Shop 2, Sunlit Court, 34 Fourth Avenue, Parkhurst, Johannesburg Web: www.embarcrestaurantza.com
SÉJOUR
Located within the luxurious embrace of the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg, Séjour touts itself as a “refreshingly refined and unique culinary escape within the city”. Here, diners can anticipate a contemporary, globally inspired, and laid-back approach to fine dining within the restaurant’s three spaces: the main dining room, outside terrace, and Astra Lounge & Champagne Bar. Floorto-ceiling windows offer sweeping views over the golf course and natural surroundings, while the minimalist décor creates a tranquil environment within. Where: The Houghton Hotel, Lloys Ellis Ave, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg Web: www.sejour.co.za SV
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Going Dutch In the Cape winelands of South Africa, this house takes references from traditional Cape Dutch architecture and creates a contemporary new order… with a vineyard and a gin garden. TEXT GRAHAM WOOD PHOTOGRAPHS GREG COX / BUREAUX PRODUCTION JEANNE BOTES
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FRANSCHHOEK DECOR & DESIGN
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DECOR & DESIGN FRANSCHHOEK
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ranschhoek is known for some of the most beautiful winelands and valleys in the world. With a strong French heritage dating back more than 300 years, new homes often mimic Provençal and sometimes Italian influences. The owner of this winelands home wanted a chic, contemporary take on traditional Franschhoek architecture, and had a clear vision and comprehensive brief for the architect, Martin Kruger. It's very much a working house – made for
entertaining, relaxing and appreciating nature. "The vision was driven very much by the way I like to live," says the owner. "I love having friends to stay, cooking together and listening to great music, but I also appreciate the tranquillity of the village and the calm of this beautiful artfilled space." The owner had, as she puts it, "kissed a lot of frogs" in her long search to find this idyllic spot, not far from the village. It was a pear orchard – hence the name "Le Poirier", the place of pears, with a stream running through it, mature oak trees and incredible mountain views. She was very clear that she wanted a design in which "architecture, interiors and landscape design were completely integrated". She had a vision of a house surrounded by gardens, vines, veggies, fruit and olive trees and fragrant fynbos, all to be reflected in the choice of art and interior palettes, too. She was after a sense of "connectedness" with the environment. It's evident that architect and client were on the same page with the project from the start. The design went through a thorough design process, and the result is a building where the house fits seamlessly into the cultural landscape and architectural traditions of Franschhoek. The house has two personalities – the south-facing entrance references a Cape Dutch manor house, wrapped around a farmyard or "werf" with a vineyard. From here the house has "a Cape vernacular quality", albeit a sleek-lined contemporary take. "Then, to the other side, facing the river, it opens up so that you can see the view of the mountain, which is quite spectacular," says Martin. The riverside of the house has a more modernist, industrial design language, reflecting some of the cues from the owner's time living in New York, although continuing its dialogue with Cape Dutch architecture in other ways. www.martin-kruger.com
THE VINEYARD IN
the central courtyard, hugged by the house’s two wings, is planted with vines. “Half of the grapes are Chenin, and the other half are Shiraz, my favourite varietals,” says the owner. “Eventually we’ll make wine, but the grapes are too immature, so we made grape juice with the first crops.”
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IN ITS MUTED NATURAL tones of grey, the central living room, accented with timber and leather, is a cosy retreat with a fireplace. The Rupert Sofa and Oribi Chairs in walnut and leather are by Ebony/Curated; the leather sofa is from Weylandts and art by Andrew Barlow. Soft décor furnishings are by interior decorator Lindsay Patton.
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THE KITCHEN IS HOUSED in a niche in the thick
stone wall – the back of the one facing the dining room. The combination of oak and dark joinery is picked up in details such as the lighting, with its copper-lined pendants, taps and appliances. The kitchen stools in ebonized oak are from Ebony/Curated. The bar area on the house’s riverside features beautifully faceted timber cladding on the walls made from pear wood harvested when sections of the pear orchard on the original site were cleared. The artwork is by Anthony Morton, and the stools are from Okha.
THE SITTING ROOM features
a suspended fireplace in keeping with the more modern, industrial design language on this side of the house. The roof here features double timber beams, which talk to the traditional thick beams used in traditional Cape Dutch architecture without slavish (and inauthentic) imitation. The honed concrete floors are warmed with a Nguni hide rug from Ebony/Curated and Shany van den Berg’s artwork.
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THE “WINTER” BATHROOM, like the bedroom on the eastern side of the house, features a darker variation on the palette of greys and neutral tones. The winter wing is positioned to catch the morning sun during the cold months and looks out over trees and surrounding mountains.
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ART IS A FEATURE of the home, the majority of which was sourced from Ebony/Curated in Franschhoek, but also includes these works by Gabrielle Kruger (the architect’s daughter). The Nguni Hide bench was sourced from Ebony/Curated.
THE
“WINTER” BEDROOM is designed around a central fireplace. The colour palette of charcoal and dark grey textured wallpaper creates a more dramatic, cosy atmosphere than its summer counterpart. Artwork of nude, “Glow”, is by Lindsay Patton.
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THE “SUMMER” BEDROOM, on the western side of the house, intended for use during the warm months, has a lighter palette
than the winter bedroom, although natural timber tones and greys still predominate. The bathroom includes light timber and marble finishes, and access to an outdoor shower with a natural stone wall made with rock harvested on-site. The artwork is by Kaloki Nyamai from Ebony/Curated.
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THE HIGH “WINDOW” in the guest bedroom and bathroom is an architectural reference to the dovecotes included in the design of some historic Cape Dutch gables.
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ON THE SIDE
of the house facing the stream and swimming pool, the house presents a modern façade, predominantly steel and glass to let in views of the surrounding mountains. There are traditional Cape Dutch features recast in a modern idiom such as the modernist-looking fireplace and chimney and the pergola. The pergola itself is high, creating a rather majestic space beneath it. Its height keeps the views from inside the house unobstructed and maintains the immediate sense of connection with the environment.
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pamgolding.co.za/international Interested in exploring more? Please contact Theresa Fernandez on grenada@pamgolding.co.za
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THE CANTILEVER SIDEBOARD in black stained oak and brass and ceramics were all sourced from Ebony/ Curated, with hanging “Pear Orchard Meets Fynbos” piece by Gabrielle Kruger.
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FROM THE MAIN HOUSE, a beautiful splay window – with details and a dog flap made from pear wood repurposed after part of the pear orchard was cleared. The dogs are a central part of the owner’s lifestyle at the house. SV
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Picturesque Plattekloof promises a piece of paradise Boasting arguably one of the best views in Cape Town, the exclusive suburb of Plattekloof has plenty to offer if you are looking for an exceptional lifestyle. Nestled against Tygerberg Hills, Plattekloof is set on a spectacular swathe of land that affords breathtaking views of Table Bay and Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain.
With its expansive homes and open spaces, Plattekloof offers a luxurious respite from the bustle of the city. It really has something for everyone - from the imposing, multitiered homes in Baronetcy Estate to the townhouses and freestanding homes in Plattekloof that provide security and community for executive professionals and families. Offering wide, tree-lined streets and a choice of properties, this gem of the Northern Suburbs has become one of Cape Town’s most sought-after addresses. There are plenty of schools in the surrounding areas, making Plattekloof ideal for families looking for a secure
neighbourhood to forge friendships and put down roots. There’s no need to travel far for a bite to eat or a spot of shopping. The Plattekloof Village Shopping Centre is a firm favourite with locals, and Canal Walk and the N1 City Mall are nearby if more intensive retail therapy is required. Tygerberg Nature Reserve is a delight for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts who enjoy riding or running on trails. There are more than 137 species of birds in the reserve, which spans 309 hectares. On a clear day, it offers a vista of the whole Cape Peninsula - an ideal spot for a postcard-perfect picnic. Also nearby are the trails of Majik
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Forest and Contermanskloof. There are plenty of outdoor activities in the area. Golfers of all handicaps will enjoy a few putts at the Durbanville Golf Club. Blouberg Beach, popular with kite-surfers, is just a few minutes’ drive away and Plattekloof is the ideal starting point for a West Coast road trip. Looking to slow things down a bit? Spend a Saturday exploring Durbanville’s popular Wine Route, home to the producers of among the country’s finest Sauvignon Blanc. De Grendel Wine Estate and Restaurant, located atop Tygerberg Hill, boasts a unique mix of traditional
and innovative wine making methods. Bloemendal, dating back to the 1700s, offers one of the best views in the region. Plattekloof has a relaxed coastal vibe that belies its proximity to the city centre and Cape Town International Airport. This makes it the perfect choice for residents who are able to work from home, but still want to be able to pop into town or nip to the airport if necessary. With its array of amenities, broad selection of properties and enviable lifestyle, Plattekloof offers a piece of paradise; making it the perfect place to call “home”.
pamgolding.co.za/plattekloof
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Baronetcy Estate · R 15.995 million Perfect home for the entertaining family. Location, views, spacious rooms, unique terrace with stacking doors and privacy are but a few of the features of this well positioned Baronetcy Estate home. Advantageously, the house borders against a reserve which allows for open views and a feeling of space. Having uninterrupted views from both ground level and first level makes the home an entertainers’ dream. Ground floor accommodation comprises entrance hall with modern flooring, dining room with further terrace, kitchen with centre island, cloakroom, study and reception room with fireplace and bar. The first floor offers a formal lounge, built-in gas grill, fitted bar with prep bowl, full family bathroom, three double bedrooms (one with en-suite), and a generous master suite with walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom. Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 4 / Parkings 10 Ref# 1PLA1506946
Contact us for your exclusive viewing: Pierre Nel 076 967 3766 / Ronald Greentree 061 261 4848
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Baronetcy Estate · R18.3 million Palatial living at its best in Baronetcy Estate. The sensational views, along with the expansive living areas of this home, offer an unrivalled lifestyle. Sleek and modern, this family residence boasts generous accommodation and a large entertainment deck with a pool. Extra’s include a spacious walk-in cupboard, lift, central vacuum, winter room, scenery garden, pajama lounge, staff accommodation to mention but a few. Enjoy a relaxed lifestyle in this 24-hour manned security estate. Contact us for your exclusive viewing.
Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 4 / Parkings 6 Ref# 1PLA1323060
Contact us for your exclusive viewing: Pierre Nel 076 967 3766 / Ronald Greentree 061 261 4848
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Plattekloof · R 7.995 million The ultimate positioned home in Plattekloof featured in the SA Homeowners magazine. The home over-looks our amazing Table Mountain with dramatic sea views and stunning sunsets from every angle. The unique home emphasises style, sophistication and elegance, from the double volume entrance to the large entertainment areas, with travertine tiles throughout. Open-plan living areas have a seamless flow, both within the home and from all interior spaces to the beautifully established terraced with private pool area. As you enter this gracious home, the entrance hall leads to a self-contained flat suite on the right. The first level consists of amazing private open-plan living areas with wood burning fireplace. Gourmet kitchen designed to flow directly into the TV room with sliding doors opening onto the courtyard which in turn flows into the bar area. Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 3 / Garages 5 Ref# 1PLA1440204
Contact me for your exclusive viewing: Penny Petersen 083 261 7339
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Plattekloof · R9.45 million Experience a tranquil lifestyle on this 1488m2 property. Nestled in the sought-after Plattekloof Hills, this exceptional villa boast spacious accommodation, breathtaking views and celebrates the natural surrounds. Perfect for the executive family, extended family or for the entrepreneur looking to establish a 5 star guest home, or holiday suites. Featuring ample entertainment areas, entertainers balcony, a wellness spa with two saunas, gourmet kitchen, two fully completed family flatlets with their own lounges separate entrance and kitchenettes.
Bedrooms 7 / Bathrooms 7 / Garages 3 Ref# 1PLA1322100
Contact me for your exclusive viewing: Penny Petersen 083 261 7339
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TRENDS DECOR
ABANDONED BEAUTY Bring love into your home with natures leftovers and second-hand treasures. TEXT AND STYLING TARA SLOGGETT. PHOTOGRAPHS WARREN HEATH, BUREAUX
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DECOR TRENDS
Never has there been a time where we spend so much time at home and appreciate the nature around us. Combine the two, and you have something exceptional. Bring the rawness and innocence of nature into your home with delicate dried specimens, pods, flowers and grasses and fulfil your soul by choosing to re-love furniture cast aside by others.
ABANDONED TREASURES There’s nothing quite as satisfying as creating something beautiful that costs virtually nothing. Grasses and dried bushes, fallen pine cones or twigs picked up whilst on a walk on the common can be transformed with little know-how. You can even extend the life of your shop-bought flowers by using dried hydrangeas and eucalyptus.
Always be conscious of where you’re foraging. Only forage where there is plenty of everything, and if in doubt, just ask if it’s okay, you’ll find most people only too happy to share. Always have a pair of good secateurs with you. AUTUMN 2021 SOUTHERN VINES
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DISPLAYING AT HOME With such beauty and form in the most simplest and subtle of ways, single stems, especially if displayed together can look elegantly striking. Think about creating different heights and textures with a subtle underlying unison. The secret to keeping them standing upright is to use a flower frog, a tiny weighted surface of spikes that secures stems in place. For dried flowers just push it into place, and you have an instant display, and if you prefer a more finished look, you can disguise it by placing it in a pretty dish. For fresh flowers, just add water.
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DECOR TRENDS
Hanging installations are very much on-trend and although they look too tricky to handle, they’re actually very simple. Create a basic structure by making a hollow sausage shape out of chicken wire and secure the shape with the wire itself or with cable ties, you’ll need some wire cutters for this. This creates a ‘housing’ to poke your dried pieces through. It’s easier to create your floral piece whilst it’s hanging, so tie fishing gut on each end to hang, (the fishing gut will make it look like it’s floating in the air). Then start feeding through your dried flowers. Favourites are often dried hydrangeas, grasses and dried eucalyptus. Poke them through, taking time to build up layers and once you’re happy, tidy up the ends by cutting with secateurs. Fill in any gaps with additional dried pieces or flower heads and secure any stems with clear cable ties or twine if needed. If your piece is only seen front on you won’t need to worry about the back, but if you can walk around it, then make sure it looks fabulous all the way round.
A wreath isn’t just for Christmas, adorn your walls all year, inside and out. Create your own base with twigs or add foraged finds to a shop-bought ring.
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NATURES PALETTE Neutrals work all year round, but a splash of blue and mustard can really bring a rich, inviting cosy feel just in time for Autumn. Combine key pieces in warm woods and bamboo. With soft linen furnishings and a vintage print, you’ll have achieved relaxed modern country living at its finest. Just one huge dried piece in a vase is so simple but creates a huge impact.
Mix blue tableware with mustard pops, and cutlery in a mix of woods with just a touch of gold.
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Take your style outdoors. An old factory bench, relaxed washed out cushions, dried tumbleweeds and the best yet, bamboo hulahoops, all make for the perfect Autumn décor. SV
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Idyllic location | Iconic design | Inspired lifestyle Set in what is arguably the most prestigious address in Grand Baie, Mont Choisy La Réserve is the third phase to be launched in the impressive Mont Choisy Golf & Beach Estate. Ideally located in the north of Mauritius and only a short stroll to exquisite beaches, this former sugar cane estate is home to a collection of luxurious residences. Priced from €424,000, the spacious private villas offer generous indoor and outdoor living areas. This outstanding development features an impressive 18-hole championship golf course, as well as high-end leisure facilities and access to the exclusive Beach Club. For foreign buyers, Mont Choisy La Réserve offers a great investment opportunity as well as eligibility for residency in Mauritius. To secure your piece of Mauritius, please contact: +27(0)21 762 2617 | +230 5 498 3842 or lareservemc@montchoisy.com
www.lareservemontchoisy.com
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MAURITIUS
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ADVE
THE NEWEST EVOLUTION OF THE RAV4 Expect nothing less than incredible. The time has come to live a life less ordinary and more EXTRAordinary; a life where incredible comes standard. With 5 models in the line up, there is a lot of RAV4 to choose from. The RAV4 is offered with a choice of two petrol engines: a 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit. The ‘Dynamic Force’ engines, both fitted with intelligent variable valve timing, deliver improved performance and a more responsive and fuel-efficient drive.
Get ready to answer adventure’s call.
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VENTURE COMES
STANDARD
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TASTE FOOD
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Good food has the power to nurture and heal our bodies, and with this in mind, food author, private chef and holistic health coach Melissa Delport shares some of her nourishing recipes. Using nutrient-rich, whole foods, these dishes will keep you feeling good — from a crunchy salad to a veggie-packed curry and fruity crumble cake, each bite is equal parts comfort and health.
MUSHROOM AND PEARL BARLEY SALAD Serves: 2 | Preparation Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes
Fennel is a prime example of how food can heal. Fennel tea can support digestion, and cooking with it can ease bloating and support good gut health. It is a powerful green that can add a subtle anise flavour or the perfect crunch to a salad – if you aren’t used to cooking with fennel, use only the bulb, not the leaves, for this recipe.
INGREDIENTS 2 cups water Salt and pepper 1 cup pearl barley 350g portobello mushrooms, halved 100g courgettes, sliced into bite-size pieces Coconut oil 2 shallots, sliced 2 tsp fennel seeds 1 fennel bulb, stalks and leaves removed, bulb very thinly sliced 1 handful baby spinach, finely sliced 1 small handful fresh basil leaves, finely sliced +3 tbs olive oil Zest and juice of 1 lemon
METHOD Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Bring the water and a crack of salt to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan. Rinse the pearl barley and add it to the saucepan. Cook for 30–35 minutes. You don’t want it to be too soft, it must still have a slight crunch. Once ready, rinse with cold water, drain and set aside. Meanwhile, place the mushrooms and courgettes on a roasting tray. Toss with 1 tablespoon coconut oil until evenly coated and season with salt and pepper. Pop the tray into the oven and roast for 35 minutes until golden brown, tossing at the halfway mark. Once ready, remove from the oven. Meanwhile, in a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat, melt 2 teaspoons coconut oil. Sauté the shallots and fennel seeds for 5–10 minutes until the shallots start to caramelise. Once ready, set aside. Place the fennel, spinach and basil in a salad bowl and add the pearl barley. Toss until well mixed. Top with the shallots, courgettes and mushrooms. Drizzle over the olive oil and lemon juice and zest. Season to taste and garnish with micro herbs, if desired. Serve right away.
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BUTTER CHICKPEA AND TOFU CURRY Serves: 4 | Preparation Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Tofu is made from fermented soya beans, and you can find it at Asian supermarkets or your local health store. For this recipe, I recommend buying a GMO-free, firmer tofu as you want to fry it up so that it gets crispy. Not all tofu is created equal, so try them out and find the one that works best for you. Tofu will take on the flavour of what you cook it in, so although it can be perceived as bland if not cooked correctly, it can also be absolutely incredible when submerged in surrounding flavours. It is also naturally high in protein and a wonderful substitute for many meat products.
INGREDIENTS 1 cup uncooked brown rice 2 tbs coconut oil 250g tofu (or paneer), cubed ¾ cup raw cashew nuts, roasted 1¾ cups coconut milk 3 tbs tomato paste ¼ cup Greek yoghurt or coconut cream ½ red onion, diced 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbs grated fresh ginger 2 tsp curry powder 3 tbs Massaman or red curry paste 2 tbs garam masala 2 tsp ground turmeric 1 tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste) ½ teaspoon salt 250g chickpeas, cooked 250g tender-stem broccoli 1 handful fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped
METHOD Cook the rice as per the packet instructions. Once the water has evaporated, remove from the heat and set aside with the lid on to steam. Heat 1 tablespoon of the coconut oil in a medium-sized frying pan over medium heat. Add the tofu and cook for roughly 3 minutes per side until crispy. Once ready, remove from the heat, drain on paper towel and set aside. Place the roasted cashew nuts, coconut milk, tomato paste, yoghurt or coconut cream and ½ cup water into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Set aside. Using the same frying pan from the tofu, heat the remaining tablespoon of coconut oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another 5 minutes until the onion starts to caramelise. Add the curry powder, curry paste, garam masala, turmeric, cayenne pepper and salt and cook for another minute to release the fragrance of the spices. Once ready, pour in the cashew sauce and mix well. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to help it along. Once the flavours have developed, stir in the tofu and the chickpeas and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the broccoli and continue cooking for 5 minutes. Serve a generous ladle of curry with a helping of rice or naan bread and top with fresh coriander leaves and a crack of black pepper.
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CHERRY AND ORANGE CRUMBLE CAKE Serves: 6 | Preparation Time: 20 minutes | Baking Time: 1 hour
Everyone wants to be able to have their cake and eat it. With this recipe, you have found just that. It has the ultimate satisfaction that comes with a moist, rich cake and all the benefits of sweetness that come when baking fruits, especially cherries. I hope that you will give it a go and substitute your refined sugary standard cakes with a cake of this nature. After all, celebrating without guilt is utter magic!
INGREDIENTS
Filling 500g fresh cherries, pitted 1 tbs orange zest 25g coconut sugar Crumble 35g wholemeal spelt flour 25g coconut sugar ½ tsp salt 40g ghee or butter, cold and diced into cubes 50g raw walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped Dough 125g ghee or butter 110g demerara sugar or unrefined brown sugar 2 eggs or vegan egg replacement 1 tsp vanilla paste 1 tsp cracked black pepper 85g wholemeal spelt flour 85g spelt flour 1½ tsp baking powder ¼ tsp salt
METHOD Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Grease a 15 cm cake tin with coconut oil or ghee. For the filling, mix together the cherries, orange zest and coconut sugar in a bowl and set aside. For the crumble, place all the ingredients, except the walnuts, into a food processor and pulse until a coarse crumb has formed. Add the nuts and pulse once or twice to combine. Transfer the crumble to a bowl and pop it into the fridge until you need it. Now it’s time to make the dough. Whisk together the ghee or butter and sugar until creamy. Add the eggs (or egg replacement), one at a time, and whisk until just combined. Add the vanilla paste, black pepper, flours, baking powder and salt and whisk until combined. Don’t overwork the dough. Spoon the dough into the cake tin and even out the surface with a spatula. Spread the cherry filling evenly onto the dough. Sprinkle the crumble on top of the filling, making sure everything is evenly covered. Pop the cake onto the middle rack of the oven and bake for 1 hour. It is ready when a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. If the crumble darkens too quickly, slightly reduce the heat in your oven and keep an eye on it. Once ready, remove from the oven and allow to cool fully in the tin before gently removing the cake. Serve with extra fresh cherries, if desired. SV
HEA L – BEGIN WITH FOOD –
Who Is Melissa Delport? Melissa Delport is a photographer, food stylist, private chef and certified integrative nutrition health coach based in Cape Town. She is also the author of Whole: Bowl Food for Balance and, most recently, Heal: Begin With Food. Her latest book is a celebration of whole food and its ability to heal the body. It features close to one hundred healthy recipes and health information and questions that aim to build awareness around food choices. Melissa believes that healing one’s relationship with food is the first step to connecting to one’s health, and she hopes to offer an opportunity for lasting change and overall wellness through her recipes. MELISSA DELPORT
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FIND SOME SPARKLE Bubbly remains a source of joy — 50 years since it was first made in South Africa. BY EMILE JOUBERT
G
reat are the trumpet noises that so often herald the fact that the South African wine industry began all of 362 years ago when Dutch colonist Jan van Riebeeck announced that the first wine grapes had been harvested and pressed at the Cape. The date was 2 February 1659, a timeline which is today tirelessly used to underscore the fact that as far as winemaking goes, we South Africans are no Johnny-come-latelies.
Our first cap classique
The first juice might have flowed all those years ago, but the local industry was not that quick in terms of selecting a diverse planting of wine grapes to do justice to the incredible Cape terroir, nor in grasping innovative winemaking techniques. For example, small oak barrels were only introduced into the mid-1970s. Wine lovers here had to wait until the 1980s for their nation's wine producers to begin titillating their palates with successful modern varieties Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. And it was only in 1971 —50 years ago this year — that a Cape wine farm began to experiment with the making of bottlefermented sparkling wine, a fizzy wine made famous by Champagne in France.
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The farm was Simonsig in Stellenbosch. After a visit to the Champagne region of France, Simonsig's late patriarch Frans Malan decided it was time for South Africa to get its own version of Champagne. The experiment of making a bottlefermented sparkling wine was a resounding success. Under the name Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel, Malan began a new chapter for Cape wine. The success of his maiden Kaapse Vonkel inspired other winemakers to take up the challenge, and before you could say "pop that cork", there were over 100 local versions of this sparkling wine known worldwide as Cap Classique.
For the love of chardonnay
Celebrating 50 years of Cap Classique, Simonsig is still one of the top brands in this wine category. And although the Kaapse Vonkel brand is very much alive, I only think it apt to toast this half-century with Simonsig's other great bubbly, the stately Cuvée Royale. This is the estate's blue-chip Cap Classique. Only one grape variety is used — Chardonnay. And the 48 months of lees-ageing in the bottle elevates it into the category of luxury and excellence. The Cuvée Royale 2017 is currently on the market, and coming from one of the best vintages for wine grapes in the past 20 years, this wine can pretty much close the book for anyone seeking that life-affirming, inspirational and joyous sensation a fine glass of ice-cold sparkling wine is known to offer. For me, Chardonnay is the go-to grape in Cap Classique or Champagne for its zingy purity. The Simonsig Cuvée Royale's base wine goes into the bottle, where it undergoes that magical second fermentation. Here the 50 million bubbles found in every bottle of fizz
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are formed, while the 48 months spent in the glass allows the wine to draw an array of flavours and a collection of palate-pleasing textures from the lees (dead yeast cells). It is a gorgeous wine with fine bubbles rising through the glass's pale-straw hue. Like a fine sparkling wine, the palate is alerted and awakened with the first sip of freshness and life. Then the flavours of citrus, honey blossom and fennel take over, ending with a beautiful waft of fresh brioche. I'll raise this glass to Simonsig and 50 years of Cap Classique, and I shall drink it all.
The work of geniuses
No talk of Cap Classique is complete, however, without mentioning Graham Beck Wines. This sparkling wine cellar celebrated 30 years of business last year and is, like Simonsig, synonymous with Cape bubbly. A fantastic wine from that cellar is the Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé 2015.
Expecting a palate-jolting bit of fruity fun, this Cap Classique turned out to be a seriously fine wine of statuesque structure. Mostly Pinot Noir (90%), the wine also has a 10% Chardonnay component which works fantastically well in scalping those assertive tannins acidic base wine tends to draw from a Pinot component during the wholebunch pressing. The wine spent 60 months on the lees. No one quite knows what goes on during that secondary fermentation in the bottle. But when you taste a wine like this, it is evident that with respect to Graham Beck cellarmaster Pieter Ferreira and his wingman Pierre de Klerk, there is a higher power at work during that process. The Graham Beck Pinot Noir Rosé is perfect as if the components had been put together by Steve Jobs and Einstein, with a bit of Elon Musk to add an edgy eye seeking adventure of the other-worldly kind. The mousse is explosive and riveting. All the flavour one wants is there: berry and green apple, with mature lines of dry herb and clam brine. Once the bubbles dissipate in the mouth, the taste remains long and true, seamless and graceful and very, very impressive.
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A fun addition
Okay, not all sparkling wines are created equal, but most are — for me — deliciously drinkable. Take this Bullicante bubbly from Dalla Cia, the Stellenbosch operation where father Giorgio and son George Dalla Cia craft a substantial collection of wine, grappa and now sparkling wine. The Bullicante, delightfully colourful and Italian-modern in its packaging, is a no-nonsense sparkling wine, made for easy-glugging fun yet still hits those spots the human frame reserves for wine enjoyment. The name Bullicante derives from a technique used by the Murano Art Glassblowers in Venice, where layers of air bubbles are blown into thick glass and pulled with a blowpipe to form elongated depressions. In a similar way, the Dalla Cia's have added bubbles to this range using a very northern Italian cultivar, Pinot Grigio, which is not often used as a bubbly and is a variety that is not widely planted in the Cape. So, after fermenting, the wine gets its fizz through a process that sends a burst of CO2 bubbles into the wine. The result is a fun-to-drink bubbly, brim-full of melon and gooseberry notes with a palate that is firm enough to ensure the pleasure of every sip lasts long enough to ease you into the next one. Whatever's in your glass this year, make sure some of it sparkles. Heaven knows we're worth it. SV
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THE SPARKLING SOUL OF CAPE WINE 2021 marks 50 years of Cape Classique. BY EMILE JOUBERT
I
n what has been a distressing and gloomy year for the South African wine industry, cause for celebrations has been scant. Yet, winemakers, restaurateurs, wine merchants, industry bodies and anyone who enjoys a sip of the elixir from the vine should harbour no reservations in celebrating the fact that this year recognises 50 years of the making of Méthode Cap Classique wines in South Africa. In 1971, the pioneering and adventurous owner of Simonsig Estate in Stellenbosch, Frans Malan, set about doing what no local winemaker had done before — namely, to try his hand in producing a bottlefermented sparkling wine using the same method the French Champagne-makers had been employing for centuries.
OUR FIRST BUBBLY And so in 1973 the first wine of its kind made locally was launched, the Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel — at the princely sum of R3 a bottle, which was quite a price for its time. It was made from Chenin Blanc grapes, the workhorse white variety of the Cape Winelands, far removed from the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes from which Champagne is made in its ancestral homeland. According to Johan Malan, current ownercellarmaster of Simonsig and son of Frans, the first venture into a traditional sparkling wine would ideally have been done with the traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. “But one has to remember that in 1971 the Cape was limited in its vineyard plantings, and you basically had to use what you could lay your hands-on,” he says. “Chardonnay, for example, only hit South Africa in the late 1970s. But as soon as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir became
more readily available in the 1980s, the South African quest for making Cap Classique and introducing it to the market began in earnest.”
A LOCAL OBSESSION From the early pioneers of Simonsig, Boschendal, Krone, Villiera and Graham Beck, the Cape now has over 250 producers of Cap Classique wines, and the growth in the interest, as well as the offering of this category, has been two-fold. Firstly, the availability of good plant material, planted in terroir suited to ripening grapes in the specific style and quality required for making a fine Cap Classique, has given winemakers a broad palette from which to craft these refined sparkling wines. The terroir, viticulture and geographical features are complemented by the obsession many local winemakers have with this magical sparkling wine. Pieter Ferreira from Graham Beck, Simonsig’s Johan Malan, Paul Gerber from Colmant, Steenberg’s Elunda Basson and Danielle Coetzee from Boschendal — to name a few — have not only created Cap Classiques that can stand next to the great Champagnes of France in terms of quality but continue to inspire a new generation of winemakers to ensure the legacy of this style of wine. The second reason for the mercurial growth of Cap Classique is its popularity with the consumer. South Africans consume some 3.5m bottles of fizz annually — a figure which, incidentally, did not decrease during the four months of prohibition of wine sales due to Covid-19. And international wine consumers, too, are recognising Cap Classique's quality, admiring the detail South African producers put into the making of this wine, as well as the way it expresses the sun, soil and energy of the Cape. They will all, no doubt, be popping a cork and raising a glass of sparkling beauty to 50 years of legendary Cap Classique. SV www.capclassique.co.za/50years/
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5151 Empira White (20mm) Supernatural Collection
*Shade, movement and graining of actual product may vary from sample or image. We recommend that you select your preferred slabs at the distributor nearest you.
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Va-Vino This autumn, we’re drinking these recent releases from some of South Africa’s most beloved cellars… and loving them!
DE GRENDEL “PROPOSAL HILL” PINOT NOIR BRUT ROSÉ 2016 Origin: Durbanville www.degrendel.co.za The maiden vintage De Grendel “Proposal Hill” Brut Rosé is an elegant Méthode Cap Classique released to mark the 300th anniversary of the historic Cape farm. This weighty, yet dry rosé MCC is made from 100% Pinot Noir grown on the western slope of Tygerberg hill, where the vines are bathed in cool Atlantic Ocean breezes. The wine serves up intense strawberry coulis and black cherry flavours — well balanced by firm acidity — and a fine, persistent mousse, and exceptionally long finish.
STEENBERG CATHARINA 2017 Origin: Constantia www.steenbergfarm.com Steenberg’s stately flagship red, the “Catharina”, is a Cape Bordeaux blend of Constantia winelands-grown Merlot (79%), Petit Verdot (12%), Malbec (5%), and Cabernet Sauvignon (4%). The nose and palate yield layers of concentrated, yet velvety raspberry, blackcurrant, and black cherry accompanied by light herbal notes. With 2017 being a standout vintage, the richly complex and sultry Steenberg Catharina 2017 impressed critics in London with 91 points at the 2020 International Wine & Spirit Competition.
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Welgegund “Heritage” Grenache Noir 2019 Origin: Wellington www.welgegund.co.za The Welgegund Grenache Noir 2019 is one of a trio of limited release wines by the Wellingtonbased heritage estate, which sources its grapes from low-yielding dryland vines. This wine is exuberant in colour with a touch of violet; the nose abundant with fresh cranberries and raspberries; and the palate soft and refined, with mouth-watering notes of sour cherries, salty dark chocolate, and game biltong. The other two wines in Welgegund’s “Heritage range” are a Cinsault and Chenin Blanc; both award-winning.
Elgin Vintners “Fynbos Lite” Origin: Elgin www.elginvintners.co.za
From the cool, verdant slopes of the Elgin Valley comes Elgin Vintners’ refined range of “Fynbos Lite” wine… in a can! Available as a premium vintage red or white wine that’s light on the environment, your waistline, and your liver (8.5% ABV), these wines have been inspired by the beautiful Kogelberg Biosphere that embraces the Elgin Valley, a bastion for the Cape Floral Kingdom.
KLEINE ZALZE CINSAULT ROSÉ 2020 Origin: Stellenbosch www.kleinezalze.co.za Harvested from three old parcels of vineyards in the Stellenbosch and Perdeberg areas, this succulent Cinsault rosé from Kleine Zalze bursts with a bouquet of peach blossoms followed by fresh cherries on the palate, which are balanced by refreshing citrus notes on the finish. And with only one hour of skin contact, the colour is delicate and reminiscent of pink rose petals. The Cinsault Rosé 2020 is the perfect chilled wine for long lazy summer days! AUTUMN 2021 SOUTHERN VINES
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CONSTANTIA GLEN THREE 2017 Origin: Constantia www.constantiaglen.com 2017 was a fantastic vintage for the red varieties at Constantia Glen, and the proof is in the pudding with the newly released Constantia Glen THREE 2017. This rich and concentrated Bordeaux blend of 52% Merlot, 31% Cabernet Franc, and 17% Cabernet Sauvignon delivers delicious dark fruit and distinct savoury notes on the nose, followed effortlessly by intense fruit flavours and delicate herbal fynbos notes, all of which are borne on a sea of elegant, velvety tannins.
Delheim Spatzendreck Origin: Stellenbosch www.delheim.com
One of South Africa’s quirkiest iconic fine wines turns 60 this year, and Delheim is celebrating with its latest release of this late harvest style wine. The accidental creation of Michael Hans “Spatz” Sperling, a pioneer of the South African estate wine industry, the Delheim Spatzendreck, is a delicious natural sweet, barrel-aged wine with 10 to 20 years’ cellaring potential. The name is derived from his nickname “Spatz”, which means baby sparrow, and from the fact that his first-ever attempt at making this wine was so horrendous, his guests remarked “dreck!”.
PLATTER’S SOUTH AFRICAN WINE GUIDE 2021 www.wineonaplatter.com
It’s here! The 41st edition of the best-selling Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2021 has touched down, featuring well over 900 producers, merchants, and brands (including 49 new ones), and over 8 000 locally produced wines, brandies, husk spirits, and sherry-style wines. This, “the wine bible”, offers a comprehensive guide to buying wine in South Africa, providing details such as provenance, producer, terroir, price, history, vintages, etc. on every bottle made in the country.
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MORGENSTER LOURENS RIVER VALLEY (LRV) 2015 Origin: Somerset West www.morgensterestate.co.za This 38% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 13% Petit Verdot Bordeauxstyle blend is the fruit of a winemaking philosophy that seeks to craft wines that are accessible, expressive of terroir, and where the fruit does the talking. The Morgenster LRV 2015 achieves all of the above with its heady aroma of black and red cherries, strawberry shortcake, cassis and intriguing earthy, spicy nuances of liquorice, vanilla, and sweet cinnamon.
Vondeling Bowwood Chenin Blanc 2019 Origin: Paarl www.vondelingwines.co.za
Vondeling Wines has added a gem to the Voor-Paardeberg estate’s limited-release Bowwood range: a full-bodied, natural-fermented wooded Chenin Blanc, which winemaker Matthew Copeland is calling a “kaleidoscopic experience”. Rated 4.5 stars on the 2021 Platter’s South African Wine Guide, this wine is a bright, gold leaf in colour and delivers delicate apricot, yellow pear, and cut straw aromas followed by a full and luxurious palate of honeyed tangerine, roasted corn, ripe quince, and sweet cashew.
Kunjani Chenin Blanc 2020 Origin: Stellenbosch www.kunjaniwines.co.za From the sun-drenched vineyards of Stellenbosch-based farm, Kunjani Wines, comes this partially oaked and rich, yet youthful Chenin Blanc 2020. The wine is pale lemon in colour and exhibits a fruit basket of aromas, including Golden Delicious apples, Forelle pears, tropical pineapple, white guava, yellow stone fruit, and tart quince. There is a seamless flow from nose to palate with fullflavoured intensity balanced out by bountiful fruit and freshness. SV
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TASTE OLIVE OIL
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EVOO in South Africa Extra Virgin Olive oil is fragrant, opulent, and peppery with the promise of an unforgettable meal. BY THEA BECKMAN
W
ith more than 500 grape-producing farms scattered throughout its countryside, South Africa carries an international reputation for its wine industry. But did you know that it's also home to a vast number of olive oil producers? More than 130 at the last count! In fact, it is quite common when driving through wine country to see, side-byside with the vineyards, great orchards of olive trees that in the dying months of autumn become pendulous with vivid green and purple fruit. For centuries, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been treasured as much for its contribution to cuisine as its medicinal properties. And here in South Africa — specifically the Western Cape, where there's a Mediterranean climate — there exists the perfect terroir for growing olives. And while the trees may have been imported from other parts of the
world, just like our grapevines, South Africa has appropriated the art and science of EVOO production in the most exquisite way; enabling us to compete and often win, on many international stages. Hand-in-hand with our burgeoning olive oil industry is the experience these producers offer visitors to their farms, from tours of their olive presses and groves to guided tastings of the opulent elixirs they extract from the bitter fruit. With that said, here are some of our favourite destinations for experiencing South Africa's very own extra virgin olive oils.
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Morgenster
The 300-year-old Morgenster Estate in the Helderberg is one of the country’s most respected EVOO producers, with accolades that include “Best Blended Olive Oil in the world” and “Mill of the year” at L’Extravergine. The estate first released their olive oils in 1998; their delicious range includes 4 EVOO’s, a balsamic vinegar, olive pastes and olives. For both wine and EVOO tastings, stop by Morgenster’s contemporary tasting room, which overlooks a gorgeous dam, mountains, and wetlands. www.morgenster.co.za
What is EVOO? Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the purest juice of the olive fruit, with no defects and no additives. Olives are harvested after picking and crushed as soon as possible; the oil is then extracted from the pulp at a temperature below 30°C. The maximum age for the best flavour is two years. Fresh is best.
Babylonstoren Located on the pretty outskirts of Franschhoek, the fine food capital of the Cape, Babylonstoren is a centuries’ old wine estate where guests can steep their gums in award-winning wines, delicious food (in any of its three restaurants), and fresh, extra virgin olive oil. On offer in Babylonstoren’s Tasting Room are olive oil tastings and soon they will add brand new tours, which will take guests on an enlightening meander around the farm’s olive plant, culminating in a tasting of its three luscious oils. www.babylonstoren.com
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Rio Largo
Carpeting the Breede River’s southern banks in olive groves, the Rio Largo Olive Estate is the progenitor of an awardwinning EVOO that is the perfect blend of Frantoio Coratina, and Leccino olive cultivars. Here, in the Scherpenheuwel Valley, between the country towns of Worcester and Robertson, this delicious olive oil is available in beautiful 500ml and one and two-litre decanters, as well as for tastings, which can be arranged by appointment. Rio Largo is one of SA’s top award-winning olive oils, and have successfully been accredited with local and international awards every year since 2010. www.riolargo.co.za
CHALONER
Chaloner crafts a signature range of EVOO at its Falcon’s Nest Farm in Stellenbosch, as well as table olives, tapenades, infused oils, and artisanal jams and preserves. Owners Perry and Karen Chaloner adhere to the strictest standards in the manufacture of their sublime oils, which have unsurprisingly gone on to clinch many awards, including gold at the South African Olive Awards. The farm itself is spectacularly beautiful to visit and offers olive oil tastings by appointment. www.chaloner.co.za
There are three styles of EVOO, and they are Delicate: subtle, fresh and fruity in taste and aroma, perfect for bread, salads and roast vegetables. Medium: this style has a fruity and peppery aftertaste and bitterness, best for salad dressings, pasta and sauces. Intense: a very fruity and fragrant extra virgin olive oil with a strong bite of bitterness. Great for sauces, soups, roasts. Try different oils to find your favourite food combinations.
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TOKARA
Located at the top of Helshoogte Pass in Stellenbosch, the delicatessen at TOKARA Olive & Wine Estate is the kind of establishment you’d be happy to be accidentally locked in overnight. In addition to its vast pantry of charcuterie, cheeses, fresh breads, chocolates and cakes, there are floor to ceiling displays of TOKARA wines and olive oils. Guided olive oil tastings are offered at the TOKARA tasting lounge. Afterwards, why not purchase a bottle and enjoy it liberally with fresh bread, cheese, and wine on offer? SV www.tokara.com
Book your olive oil tasting All of these estates and farms adhere to strict COVID-19 safety protocol and, as such, you should book your olive oil tasting in advance. Alternatively, you can easily acquire their EVOO products online, via their websites, and set up your own home-curated tasting experience!
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MARKETPLACE Here are more of our (and South Africa’s) favourite local EVOO’s to try.
PRINCE ALBERT
BALEIA
FUNKY OUMA
A blend of Italian olive varieties, this Karoo blend is perfect with salads and pastas.
Baleia’s EVOO is buttery with hints of black pepper and a pleasant bitterness. Perfect for salads and roasts.
From olives originating in Paarl, this EVOO is fruity, spicy and fresh with deep flavour.
R199 for 1 litre | Available at Woolworths stores and Yuppiechef.
R125 for 375ml | www.baleiawines.com
R129 for 500ml | Available at Yuppiechef
HEMLS TEMPT
VIRGIN TERRITORY
Rich in antioxidants this heavenly blend of olive oil is paired perfectly with a grilled peach salad, fresh bread and dressings. Origin: Tulbagh.
Harvested at Noble Hill Estate in Paarl, this spicy, small-batch, olive oil is made from 4 olive varieties. Delicious for bread dipping, and drizzled over salads.
R245 for 500ml | Available at Poetry stores nationwide
R199 for 500ml | Available at Yuppiechef
READ
Visit www.evoosa.co.za to read their guide on Extra Virgin Olive Oil. An A-Z guide on facts and tips, experiences, awards and table olives.
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Joburg
A
JAUNT BY JARED RUTTENBERG
PHOTOGRAPHY: JARED RUTTENBERG, SUPPLIED
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oburg's genesis as a dusty mining town, and then rather swift transformation to become the country's if not the continent's financial hub – is a testimony to her perseverance and resilience. Although not usually topping lists for aesthetics, the city certainly has its own charisma and appeal. Thanks to the 1886 discovery of gold, Joburg quickly grew into the urban metropolitan with a population that now far exceeds Cape Town, founded 234 years before. 135 years old and Joburg is the world's largest landlocked city, not built on a river, lake, or ocean. Despite this Joburg remains one of the most wooded cities in the world, with more than 10 million trees. Notwithstanding her challenges, South Africa's golden city has no shortage of energy. Even the weather with dramatic characteristic Highveld storms echo the vibrancy and dynamism of the city. After visiting some of the regular tourist attractions, here's an insider's guide to some of Joburg's new, unique and enticing jaunts.
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JOBURG TRAVEL
W HAT TO DO
Join a city supper club For the socially adventurous and foodie curious, why not partake in one of the city's pop-up dining experiences. Both SecretEats and Yeoville Supper Club offer the chance to dine with strangers over tantalising cuisine. SecretEats has bi-monthly dinners that are carefully curated in exciting locations with well-known chefs. The Yeoville Supper Club is based in a studio in Yeoville itself, with a focus on Pan African cuisine. www.thesecreteats.com facebook.com/yeovilledinnerclub
Sample wines at Joburg's very own winery
If you didn't know that Joburg has its own fullyfledged urban winery, don't dismay - even Joburgers are caught by surprise. Gerakaris Family Wines is set in a leafy property adjacent to Delta Park. Choice grapes are brought up from the Cape, and then made at the Joburg cellar. Winemaker Kath Gerakaris' range includes four Shiraz and two Chenin Blancs. Tastings are R80pp, Wednesday to Friday 12.30pm - 9pm, Saturday 11am - 4pm, and Sunday 11am - 2pm. www.gerakaris.co.za
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BROWSE ARTISAN’S FINEST GOODS AT THE VICTORIA YARDS
The Victoria Yards is a unique inner-city complex of artisans and other creatives and attracts interested visitors from all over Johannesburg. This urban ecosystem complex seeks to combine both social development and commercial enterprise, and has recently won the Urban Land Institute’s inaugural ULI Europe Awards for Excellence. The tenants include artists, food vendors, designers, distillers, and many more. Browse peacefully from 9am - 5pm daily, 10am - 5pm on Saturdays and watch Facebook for updates on their monthly markets. www.victoriayards.co.za
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JOBURG TRAVEL
Appreciate the history with a Heritage Tour
Take a walk in the Wilds Nature Reserve
Bordering the edge of downtown Johannesburg, The Wilds is a 40-acre park that has seen a remarkable new lease of life over the last decade. Thanks to the dedication of local artist James Delaney and a community of concerned residents, The Wilds is once again a sought-after urban escape. Enjoy a variety of walks or a picnic on the lawns. Entrance is free, with the park open daily from 7am – 4pm.
The Johannesburg Heritage Foundation aims to promote and conserve heritage in the city. One of the ways they do this is through regular tours. The tours – either virtual or in-person are conducted by volunteer guides and cover both the physical heritage of Johannesburg and its associated social history. The Foundation is also able to arrange specific interest tours on request. www.joburgheritage.org.za
Houghton Drive, Houghton.
Photograph by James Delaney
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TRAVEL JOBURG
WHERE TO STAY
Luxury at The Leonardo
Reaching a startling 234m, The Leonardo is South Africa’s tallest building set in the heart of the glitz and glamour of Sandton. The Leonardo features a collection of luxurious and indulgent residences and penthouses, with several for rent both short and long term. From South Africa’s highest hotel rooms (35th story and upwards) you can watch the city turn from green to become a thousand sparkling lights. www.theleonardo.co.za
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JOBURG TRAVEL
Bleisure stay at BlackBrick Club
With the increasingly blurred lines between business and leisure, the team at BlackBrick has engineered a rather unique modern offering. The Sandton-based hotel has apartment suites fully kitted with a kitchen, bathroom and workspace with short and long stay options (1 night, 1 month, or a lifetime). Whether you’re renting or staying 1 night, you can enjoy all the facilities and membership activities on the weekly-updated programme (i.e. yoga, boxing classes, screenings, rooftop drinks, and more). www.blackbrick.club
HISTORICAL STAY AT SATYAGRAHA HOUSE
For a rare historical stay, Satyagraha House in Orchards extends the invitation to stay in Gandhi's Johannesburg home. The home has been magnificently restored and now doubles up as a museum where you're able to retrace Gandhi's experiences in South Africa. There are seven rooms in the complex. www.satyagrahahouse.com
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TRAVEL JOBURG
INNOVATIVE EDUCATION APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR 2022
GRADE 000 TO GRADE 12 CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL AS & A LEVELS
www.somersetcollege.org T: +27 (0)21 842 8000 | E: admissions@somcol.co.za Bredell Road, Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa
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JOBURG TRAVEL
WHERE TO DINE
Aurum
With jaw-dropping architecture, set in South Africa's tallest building, Aurum (Latin for gold) honours the discovery of gold that birthed the city of Johannesburg. Dine inside the triplevolume restaurant or alfresco by the pool. The artwork adorning the walls of the first story also makes for a grand entrance to this classy restaurant. www.aurumrestaurant.co.za
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TRAVEL JOBURG
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JOBURG TRAVEL
Embarc
One of the newest additions to the Joburg dining scene, Embarc occupies a comfy spot on Parkhurst’s trendy 4th Avenue. In this high-street-cum-village setting Chef Darren O-Donovan and team offer a selection of persuasive and elegantly presented dishes. Don’t leave without trying his signature risotto. www.embarcrestaurantza.com
MARBLE
This chic Rosebank eatery pays homage to Chef David Higgs' fascination with, and dedication to, South African cuisine – particularly cooking over flames. Prepare to have every conceivable expectation blown, including some mixology magic courtesy of their tantalising cocktails. The dining space is elegantly appointed with generous views over Joburg – ideal for sunset snaps. www.marble.restaurant
SV
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A journey through the darkness of South Africa’s history to honour the light of our rainbow nation. BY THEA BECKMAN
ROBBEN
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ROBBEN ISLAND TRAVEL
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he winemaker at Weltevrede Estate, Robertson once told me a rather beguiling story about Robben Island, which made for an interesting departure from its more sinister past. On a visit to the historic prison, the winemaker noticed an old, neglected vineyard clinging to life in the prison gardens, so he approached the authorities and offered to revive the vineyard. After wading through the obligatory bureaucracy, he was given the go-ahead. Some years, and a lot of TLC later, those vines recovered enough to yield a few cases of sweet Muscat wine. Naturally, the winemaker gifted a bottle to none other than former President Nelson Mandela, who spent 18 years of his life incarcerated in the island’s maximum-security prison, only to emerge an international icon for peace and reconciliation. I am horribly paraphrasing the story since I heard it so long ago - plus, winemakers rarely entertain guests without plying them with wine. However, it’s worth repeating again and again because it reminds one that Robben Island takes and gives life in strange and unexpected ways. Those grapevines were very likely descendants of the original vines planted in 1652 by Jan Van Riebeeck, not to make wine but to ward off scurvy amongst passing sailors. Yet, right next door to these flourishing vines, freedom fighters incarcerated by the insidious Apartheid government were diminished by squalid living conditions and bonebreaking masonry labour. On Robben Island, the light lives sideby-side with the darkness.
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TRAVEL ROBBEN ISLAND
Robben Island is the summit of an ancient, now submerged mountain linked by an undersea saddle to Blouberg.
because of predation and parasites. The lack of natural predators on Robben Island also explains it being overrun by rabbits. You see? To the humans who lived there, the island was hell. But to tens of thousands of critically endangered animals and birds, it is a safe haven. The darkness lives side-by-side with the light. Visitors can stick to the well-trodden tour routes, which depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront every day at 9am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Including travel time on the ferry, these tours take approximately 3.5 hours and guide you through the island’s clutch of attractions, such as the leper
Today, this 507-hectare World Heritage Site serves as a teacher: a reminder of what happened and what is still possible when the morally bankrupt is in command. It is a place that is haunted by the trauma it bore witness to. And while this may sound terrible, it is not: to the visitor, Robben Island is a baptism in awareness and an awakening to our responsibility to honour equality. This maelstrom hits you as you shuffle through the old prison grounds, which have withstood decades of abuse by the winter storms for which the Cape has earned a formidable reputation. You marvel at the soulless hallways, the iron bars that must have been rusted from the sweat of prisoners’ hands before being painted over, and the four walls that imprisoned Nelson Mandela for 18 years. And all the while school children jostle about your legs to take a closer look, giggling and blissful, excited to escape their own classroom prisons. There is something of a rebirth in the experience, and I’m yet to meet a person who has not returned from Robben Island humbled, even stung, and definitely inspired. Of course, there are other, slightly unexpected things to visit the island for. It is home to a large colony of endangered seabirds, including African penguins, bank and crown cormorants, swift terns, and African black oystercatchers. There’s also a totally endemic population of chukar partridges (small quail-like birds) and peafowl that were introduced to the Cape as game birds but didn’t survive elsewhere
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graveyard, freedom fighter Robert Sobukwe’s house, the Bluestone quarry, and the prison itself, culminating with a viewing of Nelson Mandela’s cell. Robben Island has more than 500 years of human history under its belt. And while it may seem to be a place steeped in death, it is equally, if not more so, steeped in prolific life and renewal. And this can be appreciated in every quarter: from the tens of thousands of seabirds that roost safely on its shores to the Muscat grapevines the winemaker used to craft wine for our beloved Nelson Mandela, and from the hope that Madiba brought to the people of South Africa to the rainbow nation we have subsequently become. SV
Animals on the island include sea birds, water birds and terrestrial birds. The island has about 23 species of mammals including bontebok, springbok, eland, ostriches, snakes and tortoises. Cape Fur Seals, Southern Right Whales, Dusky and Heaviside Dolphins can be spotted on the boat trips to and from the island.
www.robben-island.org.za
Many of Robben Island’s archival resources are kept at the Mayibuye Archives at the University of Western Cape; this includes artefacts, historical documents and photographs. AUTUMN 2021 SOUTHERN VINES
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MOTORING MERCEDES-BENZ
FAST AND THE FURIOUS The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé combines size, power, looks and speed. BY VANN VAN STADEN
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MERCEDES-BENZ MOTORING
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MOTORING MERCEDES-BENZ
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one are the days of picking your SUV based strictly on ground clearance, off-road capability, ruggedness and size. That’s a bygone era. Today we are privileged to live in a world where you get to drive an SUV with all the aforementioned elements, but with a lot more finesse. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé ticks all the boxes including a few luxurious finishing touches and speed. I recently had the privilege to spend a few days with this model, and I’m still a bit starstruck.
THE POTENT SYMBOL OF AUTHORITY If Vin Diesel had to swap his beloved Dodge Charger for an SUV in The Fast and the Furious franchise, he would, without a doubt, pick the Mercedes-AMG GLC
63 4MATIC+ Coupé. This car is Vin Diesel personified. It’s fast, it’s mean, it has striking good looks, and it gets the job done in record time. The AMG badge means many things to many people, but in the case of the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé, it means business. It’s a charttopper in the SUV segment. Competing against the likes of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio launched a couple of years ago, the Audi SQ5, and Jaguar F-Pace SVR, the AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé has some stiff competitors out there, but it’s managed to muscle its way to the top. The engine is a 4l V8 biturbo that produces 375kW and 700Nm of torque. This Merc has a proper bite. 0-100 km/h in an impressive 3.8-seconds, making it one of the fastest SUV’s around. The power this SUV delivers is intoxicating. With the handling on
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MERCEDES-BENZ MOTORING
this powerhouse, you’ll be forgiven for forgetting that you’re in an SUV. The real magic starts with its impressive cornering abilities, as it leans in and becomes one with the tarmac and effortlessly transitions from city to countryside.
INSIDE OUT The exterior is sheer Mercedes-Benz brilliance. The design has captured the essence of an SUV, but the illusion of a sports car has subtly been worked in with the design trim. The interior screams AMG. With carbon trimmings, the ARTICO man-made leather seats with red stitching accompanied by red seatbelts create that race car interior feel. The steering wheel, covered in Napa leather, has a flatbottom, completing this “sports car” ensemble. Space is ample, even in the back. The Coupé version does compromise a little bit of headroom for the backseat drivers. The paddle shifts on the steering are first class, and not those tacky plastic ones some manufactures use to cut costs. The price tag might be a reflection of this…
PRICE TAG When you have the opportunity to acquire a car that is very close to perfect and creates that sense of “I have arrived” then the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé price tag shouldn’t come as a surprise. The Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 4MATIC+ Coupé comes in at R2 119 000 and comes standard with a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. SV
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It s a Brezza ’ The new Suzuki Vitara Brezza is a delight to the eye as much as it is to drive. BY VANN VAN STADEN
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SUZUKI MOTORING
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he much-loved Vitara family from Suzuki was extended in early February 2021 when their recent release hit South African shores. The Vitara Brezza has entered the compact SUV segment and has ticked all the right boxes — size, visual, practicality, capability and, most notably in this day and age, affordability.
AT A GLANCE The Vitara Brezza is easy on the eye. It has a modern design that encapsulates the essence of the Vitara brand. In fact, the few days that had me behind the wheel I noted quite a few head turns from passersby. The GL and GLX models come standard with electric windows, auto climate control, electric side
mirrors, rear parking sensors coupled with a reverse camera and a multifunction steering wheel. Even more impressive is that both models come with a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment centre. Suzuki needs acknowledgement for this, as you very rarely get spoilt with all the bells and whistles on entry-level models. The GLX sports a few extras, like a leatherwrapped steering wheel, keyless entry with pushbutton start, cruise control and my absolute favourite, a front centre armrest. I’m all about the armrest.
COLOUR ME IN To add even more fun to the Brezza experience, you have six colour options to choose from: Premium Silver, Granite Grey, Pearl Arctic White, Autumn Orange, Sizzling Red and Torque Blue. The GLX adds a two-tone colour scheme: Granite Grey with an Autumn Orange roof, Sizzling Red with a Midnight Black roof and Torque Blue with a Midnight Black roof. It really does keep getting ‘Brezza’.
PERFORMANCE ART There are two Vitara Brezza models in the range: the entry-level GL and the range-topping flagship model GLX. Both are powered by the naturally-aspirated 1.5l four-cylinder petrol engine. It produces 77kW and 138Nm of torque. You can opt for either the fivespeed manual transmission or the unusual, but highly effective four-speed auto transmission. The fuel economy on the Vitara Brezza is another great selling point for the Suzuki brand. With a claimed 6.2l/100 km, it’s just as good as, and in some cases better, than most other options in the compact SUV segment.
MONEY, MONEY, MONEY 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5
Suzuki is coming in hot and heavy with the Vitara Brezza’s price tag. You’ll have to look long and hard to find another reputable brand packing a nifty compact SUV that’s more than capable of any challenge at this price. All models come standard with a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and 4-year/60 000 km service plan. SV
GL MT: R244 900 GL AT: R264 900 GLX MT: R289 900 GLX AT: R309 900
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WHAT’S HOT BOOK CLUB
Book c Enjoy our round-up of the latest must-reads.
PARTING WORDS: 9 LESSONS FOR A REMARKABLE LIFE
The Berlin Girl Set in Berlin in 1938, The Berlin Girl by Mandy Robotham follows the story of a young reporter as she uncovers the truth about Hitler’s Germany. It’s a gripping and emotional read filled with suspense and a great choice for those who love historical fiction.
The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman This heart-warming novel by Julietta Henderson tells the story of a young boy as he deals with the loss of his best friend, and a mother as she helps her son move through his grief. The story is profoundly touching and ideal for those looking for an uplifting tale of love.
Parting Words: Nine Lessons for a Remarkable Life is written by Benjamin Ferencz, the last surviving prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trials where he prosecuted 22 leading Nazis. The book documents the author’s life and each chapter talks about a different subject, from ambition and determination to happiness and love.
The Awakening Nora Roberts’ The Awakening is the first in a brand-new trilogy from the best-selling author. In this tale, parallel worlds clash over the struggle between good and evil. The novel’s protagonist, Breen Kelly, takes a trip to Ireland, where she discovers a portal into another world — prepare for plenty of magic and adventure.
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k club Latitude A fascinating read by Nicholas Crane, Latitude is an account of the first major expedition by data gatherers and qualified observers to interior Peru, to discover the shape and magnitude of the earth. The book’s idea is that by knowing the shape of the earth, we can create maps, survive the oceans, follow rivers, navigate the skies, and travel across the globe.
HEAL Melissa Delport’s Heal shares ideas on eating healthier, supporting the body’s various systems, healing ailments, and living a life of energy through whole food cooking. The book contains almost one hundred recipes, all of which are packed with nutritious ingredients and nourishing for the mind, body and soul. All of the recipes are either vegetarian or vegan but can be easily adapted for those who eat meat.
HEAL – BEGIN WITH FOOD –
MELISSA DELPORT
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THE PUSH Written by debut author Ashley Audrain, The Push is a phycological drama that explores the dark side of motherhood. The story is one of neglect and fear as a young mother tries to break the cycle of trauma that she has experienced herself. Expect a gripping and dark story with some surprises along the way — it's the type of book you won't want to put down.
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The Shape of Darkness The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell tells the story of a struggling artist who finds herself connected to a string of murders. She seeks help from a spirit medium in the quest for answers, only to realise she has opened the door to some very dark secrets. This one will keep you guessing from start to finish. *** Available at leading bookstores nationwide
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STOCKISTS To get the beautiful looks and trends we have showcased in this edition, head on over to the below stores to plan your purchases.
Fashion
Country Road: www.woolworths.co.za Desigual: www.desigual.com Freedom of Movement: www.freedomofmovement.co.za GAP: www.gap.com G-Star RAW: www.g-star.com Poetry: www.poetrystores.co.za Prada: www.sunglasshut.co.za Ray-Ban: www.sunglasshut.co.za Trenery: www.woolworths.co.za TUDOR: www.tudorwatch.com Witchery: www.witchery.co.za
We love
Blaauwklippen: www.blaauwklippen.com Dope: www.dopedrinks.co Fitch & Leedes: www.fitchleedes.co.za Gatineau: Available at select Woolworths & Truworths and Dis-Chem stores Louis Vuitton: www.louisvuitton.com Pandora: www.pandorashop.co.za Poetry: www.poetrystores.co.za Stellski: www.stellski.com
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Smart Airconditioning Solutions
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