Franschhoek Style by Brett Rothmann

Autumn 2012

R24.95

Literar y Festival

• Chair

Man

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Stellenbosch

Contents

COVER

4 40 6 10 12 15 16 18

Franschhoek Valley Letter from the Editor Helen Naudé

Quick Ones Valley information

Autumn Diary Events

Literary Festival Books and writers

Rickety Bridge Close to the vines

Old School Franschhoek High

21 La Cotte Street Lovely home

20 22 26 28 30 32 36 39 56

The Good that People Do Bridges of Hope

Good Wines For chilly evenings

Karoo Lamb Meat of origin

Recipe Reuben cooks

Good Art Transitions

Stuart Douglas Master craftsman

Good Buys To go with wine

Stellenbosch Lifestyle and events

À Bientôt! Backpage conversation

"Reflecting the good life in Franschhoek" PUBLISHER Schäfer Media CC PO Box 92, Franschhoek, 7690 021 876 3460 www.franschhoekstyle.co.za EDITOR Helen Naudé editor@franschhoekstyle.co.za MANAGING EDITOR Siegfried Schäfer siegfried@franschhoekstyle.co.za ADVERTISING SALES Merilyn Chance sales1@franschhoekstyle.co.za 083 301 2927

Editor

letter from the

Welcome to the autumn issue of Franschhoek Style It’s time to move on, to go from one thing to another. Summer is in our rear-view mirror now as we progress towards winter. We map our way through autumn, a period of adjustment, a time of transition. Initiation as a rite of passage seems largely to have fallen by the cultural wayside, but nature will have none of it, she still does the changeover as a process. It seems to be a rule for much of what happens in life, this process thing. We go through steps when we learn something new or change a habit. It is unfortunate that initiation has acquired a negative connotation through some unfortunate practices, because we humans, soulful beings that we are, take kindly to rituals. We find solace and guidance in knowing how things should be done and anchor our security in the process of one specific thing leading to another. We transit through autumn in this issue of Franschhoek Style and ponder remembered things in an old school, creativity and transition in art and play with rules and freedom on the back page. There’s quite a bit more, I hope you enjoy the read. You’ll notice that we have included a Stellenbosch Style section in this issue. We are par t of Stellenbosch municipality and will be publishing Stellenbosch Style twice a year to alternate with Franschhoek Style. The format and content will be the same, just the focus will change from Franschhoek to Stellenbosch for two of the four quar terly issues.

Till next time!

Helen.

Wilhelmina Linell wilhelmina@franschhoekstyle.co.za 084 606 0101 PUBLISHING ASSOCIATE Barry Phillips barry@franschhoekstyle.co.za 083 441 8280 DESIGN & LAYOUT David Silberbauer Virtual Da Vinci Creative Room info@davidsilberbauer.co.za WEBMASTER Phillip van Wyk Virtual Da Vinci Creative Room phillip@virtualdavinci.co.za PRINTING Paarl Media Paarl, Western Cape Franschhoek Style is published quarterly by Schäfer Media, in conjunction with TCB Publishing, a member of TCB Group. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Schäfer Media, TCB Publishing or any of their clients. Information has been included in good faith by the Publisher and Editor, and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. No material (articles or photographs) in the publication may be reproduced, in whole or in part, without specific written permission from the Editor. Submissions of articles and photographs for the publication are welcome, but the publisher, while exercising all reasonable care, cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage. Unless otherwise arranged with the editor, please ensure that all correspondence is e-mailed to editor@franschhoekstyle.co.za Copyright © 2012. All copyright for material appearing in this magazine belongs to Schäfer Media, TCB Publishing and / or the individual contributors. All rights reserved.

www.tcbgroup.co.za • www.virtualdavinci.co.za

information

Quick

ones

Text: Editorial Desk, Heleen du Toit, Cathy Clayton, Gerda Willers, Leopard's Leap Images © Penchant Design, La Motte, Siegfried Schäfer, MCC Franschhoek, Leopard's Leap, Rickety Bridge

Leopard's Leap Wines striding out As if spurred on by its name, Leopard's Leap Wines has made huge strides after only five years' exposure to the South African market. It is rated by Nielsen as one of the top thirty local wine brands and the wine is exported to more than forty countries worldwide. Leopard’s Leap recently signed the largest wine contract ever between South Africa and China! A major leap forward is its partnership with renowned international chef Liam Tomlin. Tomlin brings with him the popular concept of the Chef's Warehouse. His culinary studio will be offering food enthusiasts an ongoing series of hands-on classes and chef's tables – presenting demonstration lunches and cookery sessions – as well as themed courses by leading chefs and culinary experts from around the world. In conjunction with the cookery school, Leopard’s Leap now has its own fully-fledged tasting room. For shoppers, there is a culinary store offering kitchen equipment, appliances, crockery, cutlery, glassware, knives and utensils as well as gourmet ingredients and recipe books. The location is easy to spot. To the east of the R45 near the village, there’s an imposing statue of a leopard. The Leopard’s Leap tasting room will be open Mon – Sat from 09h00 – 17h00. Tastings are charged at R30 for 8 wines and R35 for a tutored group tasting. www.leopards-leap.com, www.liamtomlinfood.com

Bubbly and Bites MCC Franschhoek opened in Village Square on the Franschhoek main road during summer and was an instant hit. All the Méthode Cap Classiques of the Franschhoek Valley are chilled in their fridge and ready at a moment’s notice. Five different ones rotate onto the by-the-glass list daily. Wine, beer and organic coffee also feature, just in case. The bites are fresh, light and tasty and made on the premises. A pastry chef produces sweet things; serving treats like macaroons, truffles and brownies in jars, nice for take-homes. Owners, Philip and Christy Harrison, had gone the management and partnership route in restaurants before and now wanted their own restaurant at home in Franschhoek. They chose their spot well, attracting passing locals and tourists alike. The couches in front of the fountain are particularly popular, especially for sundowners. MCC Franschhoek is open for breakfast, lunch and sundowners every day except Tuesdays. mccfranschhoek@gmail.com 083 772 9449

Metalasia muricata Common name: White bristle bush (Eng.), blombossie, steekbossie (Afr.)

Winter-flowering Metalasia muricata occurs widely throughout Southern Africa - from coastal to mountainous areas. With its grey-green needle-like leaves and white honey-scented flowers it is also a popular garden plant, particularly near the sea. Hardy and adaptable it is often one of the first plants to recolonise areas where vegetation has been disturbed. In Lesotho the dried leaves are used to make tea.

The colour of chrysoprase is definitely not for the fashion timid – it looks absolutely fantastic with red. Its colour is usually described as apple green. Not just any apple though – crisp, fresh and vibrant, with a slight psychedelic hue about it. Of course, as with many stones, chrysoprase is found in varying qualities, from the aforementioned apple green (which is the most desirable) to milky, fissured stones with irregular colours. Chrysoprase is considered the most valuable stone in the chalcedony family of gemstones, and yet even many jewellery enthusiasts are unfamiliar with it. Today chrysoprase is almost exclusively mined in Queensland, Australia. Ironically though, Australia is better known for her opals and sadly no one seems to know about chrysoprase! The name chrysoprase comes from the Greek chrysos, meaning gold and prasinon, meaning green. Our favourite application for chrysoprase is cabochon stones set into gold – the green and gold offset each other superbly, and has absolutely nothing to do with sport. The mood-lifting colour of chrysoprase is a real eye-catcher and never fails to draw compliments. Cathy Clayton, Penchant Design, www.penchantdesign.co.za, 021 876 3094

Corner

The French

The French Presidential election is on 22 April 2012. The candidates are: Nicolas Sarkozy – Union for a Popular Movement, François Hollande – Socialist Party, Jean-Marie Le Pen – National Front and François Bayrou – Democratic Movement. The President of the French Republic is elected for a five-year term. The French Parliament is the bicameral legislature of the French Republic, consisting of the Senate (upper house) and the National Assembly. Each assembly conducts legislative sessions at a separate location in Paris: the Palais du Luxembourg for the Senate and the Palais Bourbon for the National Assembly. They may occasionally meet as a single house, the French Congress, convened at the Château de Versailles, to revise or amend the Constitution of France. French parliament – Parlement français • Senate – Sénat • National Assembly – Assemblée nationale French Congress – Congrès du parlement français Heleen du Toit, French language teacher in Franschhoek 084 527 0081

Double gold for Rickety Bridge Shiraz 2009 Rickety Bridge’s Shiraz has proven it’s worth over the past few years by racking up an impressive list of awards, including four Veritas Gold Medals. At the 2011 Veritas Awards the 2009 vintage went one better and collected Double Gold for this boutique estate. Proving its mettle even further, the wine was also awarded a Gold Medal at the Michelangelo Wine Awards. The 2009 Shiraz is full-bodied and has a striking nose of redcurrant and mulberry aromas with subtle spice and white pepper notes. The palate is elegant and well-structured with fine supple tannins, fresh, balanced acidity and hints of oak and cloves. According to winemaker, Wynand Grobler, “The wine is drinking beautifully right now, but will age well for up to eight years from vintage.” Rickety Bridge Shiraz is a charming companion to game, ostrich, steak, roast beef and slightly spicy lamb dishes. It sells for R130 per bottle from the estate.

La Motte Cellar

Autumn in the vineyards and cellars Fall, as the Americans refer to this lovely season between summer and winter, is when leaves, having done their intended job, loosen their tethers and … fall. Leading up to it, is peak harvest season. Trucks, tractors with trailers, and bakkies filled with little mountains of green and red berries slow down traffic all over the Western Cape and inevitably cause a drop in tolerance levels on the roads. The workers move through the vineyards with baskets on their shoulders; the lights of harvesting machines travel up and down rows at night; trained hands find bunches between leaves – sometimes dropping one – from nightfall to sunrise and into the morning; the sound of secateurs - click, click, click. The energy the vines produce now moves down to stems and roots to be stored as reserves for use in spring when new shoots star t growing out of an ostensibly dry piece of wood. Having

surrendered its fruit, the plant needs a good supply of water and food to become nice and “fat” so it can do all this. In cellars it’s all about the grapes now. The musty smell of fermenting juice fills the air. Glucose in the grapes is consumed by yeast, alcohol is produced, and carbon dioxide and heat are released as by-products. There’s the noise of constantly running cooling units and presses working through the night to squeeze the juice from the berries. Tired workers go off duty at seven o’ clock and the next team, barely awake, takes their place. Shouting is frequent and nerves are worn thin, but at this impor tant time in the cellar everyone pulls together. Then the leaves star t to fall and man and vine find restful peace. Gerda Willers, winemaker at Four Paws • 082 375 0524

Calendar

Diary

Autumn

Text: Editorial Desk, La Motte, Solms-Delta, One&Only, Val de Vie Images © La Motte, Solms-Delta, One&Only, Val de Vie

Look out for: Sunday lunch spitbraais and kiddies’ menu at Goederust Farm. R130 pp. Easter Sunday 8 April includes Easter egg hunt. info@goederust.co.za 021 876 3687

Sundays: tapas, wine and music on the cellar terrace until the end of March at Holden Manz Wine Estate. Picnics Tuesdays to Sundays. R145 pp. www.holdenmanz.com 021 876 2729

Polo tournament

Reuben at One&Only

ABSA WEALTH 5 Nations Invitational Polo Classic at Val de Vie Estate on 24 March Top International polo players from England, Holland, Pakistan and Poland compete with South African players for the trophy. It’s a stylish day with a swing band to welcome visitors, as well as a display of vintage cars. The evening in the ball room is all about old school glamour with food and wine pairings, a whiskey and cigar lounge, a brandy and chocolate lounge and late night music by a Spanish guitarist.

Reuben Riffel teams up with sommelier Luvo Ntezo for a series of food and wine evenings at Reuben’s at One&Only Cape Town. Only 30 places are available for intimate, fine dining evenings with an oppor tunity to chat to Luvo and the winemaker. 28 March, wines from Groote Post Estate, belonging to the Pentz family 24 April, wines from Glen Carlou, with winemaker Arco Laarman 30 May, wines from Graham Beck, with winemaker Pieter Ferreira R325 per person

www.valdevie.co.za, 021 863 3291

Bookings: restaurant.reser vations@oneandonlycapetown.com, 021 431 4511

Franschhoek Oesfees La Motte Classical Music Concerts 24 March The Creation by FJ Haydn (Singers & Piano) Especially transcribed for three exciting young singers, Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi (soprano), Thembinkosi Mgetyengana (tenor) and Mandisinde Mbuyazwe (baritone), this abridged version of Haydn’s timeless oratorio. Accompanied by pianist Lisa Engelbrecht. 21 April Due Celliste (Cellos & Piano) The unusual ensemble, Due Celliste, consisting of cellists Polina Burdukova and Carel Henn, with Kerry Wisniewski at the piano, performs the Concerto for Two Cellos and Piano in D minor, BWV 1043, by Bach. Also on the programme is the rarely heard Suite for Two Cellos and Piano by Menotti.

Franschhoek Oesfees 24 March 9am to 9pm The annual Franschhoek Oesfees is a musical celebration at Solms-Delta wine estate. Thanks are given for the har vest and all those who par ticipated in it are included. Farm workers from the Franschhoek Valley farms receive complimentar y tickets for the day. This year David Kramer headlines the music programme that also features South African stars Theuns Jordaan, Emo Adams and Chris Chameleon. Included are Tribal Echo, Hannes Coetzee, The Kaapse Affodille and various homegrown bands from the farm. The MC is the ever-popular Soli Philander. The festivities under the oak trees extend to the sale of Kaapsekos (Cape food), wine from the estate and soft drinks. A kiddies’ play area with games and equipment is provided at the venue. A performance by the winners of the ATKV’s National Rieldans competition is another highlight in a day of merr ymaking Cape culture-style. Tickets R110 www.ticketbreak.co.za or R130 at the gate www.solms-delta.co.za 021 874 3937

12 May Alexander Ramm and Tinus Botha (Cello & Piano) On his first South Africa tour the Russian cellist Alexander Ramm – who has been described as “formidable” from his teenage years - is accompanied by pianist Tinus Botha from Pretoria. Their programme includes the Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor by Rachmaninoff, often regarded as one of the greatest Romantic works in the cello repertoire. Venue: La Motte Historic Cellar, La Motte Wine Estate, R45, Franschhoek Valley Concerts start at 19:00 and admission is R160 per person. Booking with Angela on +27 (0)21 876 8000, or e-mail concerts@la-motte.co.za

festival

Franschhoek Literar y Festival Text: Jenny Hobbs, Director FLF | Images © Christine Fourie, Pan Macmillan, Lien Botha

Jonathan Jansen

ince the idea of establishing a literary festival in Franschhoek was a gleam in the eyes of a small committee of volunteers in 2006 and became a reality in 2007, more and more literary festivals have sprung up around the world. But few take place in such a glorious setting of mountains and vineyards where village venues allow festival-goers to walk within minutes between events – indulging in some of South Africa’s finest small inns and guest houses, restaurants and wineries during three days of stimulating, often hilarious, conversations about books and writing. At a time when many books are going online and growing numbers of readers move to Kindles and iPads, it seems that there

Mandy Wiener

is a hunger for the more tangible experience of meeting the people who write them. The sixth FLF takes place from 11 to 13 May this year, with events varying from the latest and best in South African writing to scientific controversy, hot politics to cool poetry, history and memoir to green issues, serious fiction to crime novels and chick lit. Few subjects are taboo during this long weekend in late autumn when thousands of readers come to listen to writers talking. This year, we will feature Stellenbosch Professor Leon de Kock’s latest novel, Bad Sex, and debates about press freedom, mavericks, the price of fame, embedded journalism and the Congo diaspora.

Highlights at FLF 2012 will include: • Invigorating debates involving (among others) Moeletsi Mbeki, Jonathan Jansen, Francis Wilson, Sindiwe Magona, Andrew Feinstein, Achille Mbembe, Njabulo Ndebele, Marianne Thamm, Ari Sitas and Azad Essa • A Pieter-Dirk Uys cabaret to be performed on two nights (he will also appear in two events and speak at local high schools) • A focus on journalism issues with Anton Harber, Fiona Forde, Alex Perry, Denis Beckett, Mandy Wiener and cartoonist Zapiro • Conversations around recent memoirs by Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, Alexandra Fuller, Chris van Wyk, McIntosh Polela and sport scientist Tim Noakes • Discussions between major South African novelists, including Ivan Vladislavić, Imraan Coovadia, Michiel Heyns, Finuala Dowling, Tan Twan Eng and new voice Elaine Proctor • Top crime writers Deon Meyer, Margie Orford, Andrew Brown, Joanne Hichens and new voices Hawa Golakai

Pieter-Dirk Uys as Bambi Kellerman

For the first time, a Book Week for Young Readers will precede the Festival with visits from volunteer writers to every class in seven valley schools, reaching over 4 300 learners with readathons, writing workshops and book competitions. To quote from the excellent website of the Auckland Writers & Readers Festival in New Zealand: "We firmly believe in the power

from Liberia and Shamini Flint from Singapore • History events with Bill Nasson talking about wars, and special focuses on Bram Fischer, Liberals and the turbulent Eighties • Book club favourites Richard Mason, Marita van der Vyver and Cynthia Jele • A script-to-stage discussion between Janice Honeyman, Mike van Graan, Craig Higginson and Pieter-Dirk Uys • Events for learners and students on the opening day, Friday, about teen reading – including MXit and M4Lit – and recent technology trends with Arthur Goldstuck, Simon Dingle, Alan Knott-Craig jnr and Arthur Attwell • The annual event for cookbook writers, this year with local star Reuben Riffel, Marita van der Vyver, Zuretha Roos and Annalie Nel, chaired by Abigail Donnelly • Lively poetry encounters organised by Finuala Dowling Writing and poetry workshops

Moeletsi Mbeki

Marita van der Vyver

of the written word ... in the power of reading to transform lives ... and that the ability to communicate, reflect and plan for the future – all of which require the essential skills of reading and writing – are ultimately life-saving skills." All readers and writers are welcome in Franschhoek over the second weekend of May to celebrate and enjoy FLF 2012.

estate

In the vines at

Rickety Bridge Text & Images ÂŠ Rickety Bridge

Rickety Bridge does it in the vines. Not only is that where all good wines start, but it is also where the new Rickety Bridge tasting room is. Quite appropriately, we think.

Farm Entrance

he tasting room is now situated on an elevated platform with a three-sided full-height glazed façade, which offers sweeping vineyardclad views to the imposing Franschhoek Mountains in the background. The country charm of the old Rickety Bridge tasting room hasn’t been lost, but a fashionable monochromatic design, featuring a number of stylish new elements, now infuses it with modern elegance. A par ticularly interesting feature is the tasting counter that star ted life as a feeding trough on the Argentinean Pampas. The addition of a glass- and steel-framed counter top not only created a practical display area under the counter, it also brought the trough right up to date. Another enhancement to the vinous experience is that the tasting room now vir tually spills over, through massive glass walls, into the cellar, affording visitors a clear view of a working winery. Watching others going about their work while you’re relaxing can be quite mesmerizing; now if only we can get the workers to wave back from the other side of the glass! Even closer to the vineyards are the tasting room’s floating terraces that are literally in the vineyards. Here you can taste Rickety Bridge wines within touching distance of the vines that produced the fruit that ended up in your glass. Just a few steps away a laid-back game of boules may beckon – also in the vineyards – while the kids can amuse themselves on the jungle gym and adjacent lawn. Irrespective of the season, we’re sure you’ll find a tempting tasting spot and wines to match at Rickety Bridge. Summer was perfect for sitting outside, or inside under the ceiling fans, and sipping the estate’s refreshing white wines and maiden MCC, the Rickety Bridge’s Brut Rosé 2010 – a classic blend of 55% Chardonnay and 45% Pinot Noir. With the cooler autumn weather rolling in you may prefer to move inside. Here the leather couches around the wood-burning fireplace are the ideal place to soak up some warmth and enjoy the Rickety Bridge reds. Don’t miss out on the 2009 Shiraz and 2008 Paulina’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – both are gold medal winners and very impressive indeed.

Tasting counter

Tasting room terrace

021 876 2129 • www.ricketybridge.com

history

Old

School Text: Siegfried Schäfer | Images © Cape Archives – Ravenscroft Collection

Franschhoek High School circa 1910

p to the mid-nineteenth century parents had to depend on private tutors to educate their children - often in farm outbuildings. After the Dutch Reformed Church was completed in 1847 the old chapel (built in 1833) was turned into a school. F C M Voigt of Paarl was engaged for three years as a precentor, reader and teacher – and later postmaster. When his contract with the church expired in 1850, he was officially appointed government teacher to the District School, which was established in the old chapel with 64 pupils. Voigt remained in charge of this school until 1871. This District School is the forerunner of modern-day Franschhoek High School, making it the oldest continuously operating government school in the country.

In 1857, during a period of unhappiness between part of the community, on the one hand, and the Dutch Reformed Church’s Rev Ham and Mr Voigt, on the other, a second school under F Joubert was started at La Motte. This school flourished while the one in the village suffered. A new secondary public school was opened in the village in 1872. Mr Preiss, until then of the La Motte school, became the principal. He was succeeded by Mr C J Ackerman in 1880. At this time secondary education also commenced. Under Ackerman’s successor, Mr G Rossouw, the school again floundered. From 1890 - 1893 Ms Human taught girls separately in a room at La Rive. The number of boys in the District School dropped so much though that the boys and girls were again combined under Ms Human’s tutelage. That year the entire school failed the annual inspection and Ms Human’s health began to suffer! She was replaced by Mr Radloff in 1895. In July 1896 seventeen Franschhoek children were being schooled elsewhere and a School Commission was set up to find a solution to the valley’s education problem. In August 1896 they resolved to ask the Education Department to upgrade the school to a first-class school and to ask Mr W Malherbe, who was about to return from the University of Edinburgh, to become the principal, with Mr Radloff as viceprincipal. The new first-class school opened in July 1897 with Malherbe as principal. Mr Radloff chose not to stay on. Soon there was a need for boarding facilities. In April 1899 the La Rochelle hostel opened with room for 40 boys. In January 1900 a girls’ hostel opened in Bordeaux House, with the music teacher, Ms Albertijn, as principal. Through the years a number of other village houses also served as hostels or boarding houses for pupils, including Linquenda. New school buildings were also needed and these opened in August 1900. By 1903 the school was already too small and another 5 classrooms were added. By 1907 the school had again become too small and further classrooms and a school hall were built. Mr Malherbe remained principal until 1905 when he became professor at Stellenbosch University. His successor was Dr G Cillié, who after two and a half years also became professor at Stellenbosch. When the school celebrated its hundredth anniversary in 1950, a centenary library was erected, between the school hall and the hostel. Today this is the school’s archive. In 1963 the size of the school was more than doubled with the erection of a new three-storey block of classrooms and an administrative wing. A new hostel was opened in January 1980 and named La Rochelle, after the old hostel and the French Huguenots’ bastion in France. Two of the school’s best known past pupils are Adv J G Strijdom, Prime Minister of SA from 1954 to 1958, and H J van der Bijl, chairman of ISCOR and ESKOM. Today the lovely old school buildings are in dire need of renovations; unfortunately the education department doesn’t seem to consider them a priority. Fortunately what goes on inside is little affected by what’s outside and the school maintains an exceptional matric pass rate. It still is a good old school.

home

21 La Cotte Street Text: Siegfried Schäfer | Images © Seeff Properties

There’s something about living in an old house that can’t be recreated. Old houses seem alive; they breathe, occasionally creak, and – if you’re open to it – have stories to tell. This one is no different.

ituated in La Cotte Street in an old par t of Franschhoek, this 1890s Victorian-style proper ty was once par t of the farm La Cotte – one of the nine original Huguenot farms in the valley. Standing in the street in front of the house, the historic La Cotte watermill and manor house are just visible a stone’s throw away, up a scenic avenue of oaks. The plot is big, even for an old property. At almost 2000 m2 it flirts with smallholding status. It should therefore come as no surprise that when Franschhoek was still a sleepy little country hollow, a previous owner, a Ms van Heerden, operated an orchid nursery on the property. She also kept chinchillas – something you’d no longer be allowed to do – and chickens, which the current owners still do! High-lying, the plot slopes from east to west. Slopes are always good for views, in this case of sunsets over the Franschhoek Mountains. The slope also allows for graceful steps leading from the western stoep down to the garden. If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of wine or a good book while perched on a step, you’ll know that it’s one of life’s simple pleasures. So is pretending that the steps lead to a grand ballroom… At the back of the house a wide shady stoep – ideal for entertaining – runs the length of the house. Pride of place in the low-maintenance garden, which includes a herb garden, is a giant camphor tree that is probably as old as the house. Standing under this giant you’ll know why trees are often said to have memories. This one has no doubt seen its share of beginnings and endings, but it needs a swing… Indoors, sympathetic changes have been made to accommodate contemporary living. The farm-style kitchen/dining area was enlarged and now features a modern black and brass gas-electric range; the main bedroom gained a bay window and en suite bathroom; and two small rooms were combined to create a large library/ study – with a fireplace. There’s a second bedroom and bathroom, a lounge, and both a laundry and pantry off the kitchen – the latter with old Oregon pine floor-toceiling cupboards.

An outbuilding, now used as an architect’s studio, has a kitchenette, two rooms and a compact bathroom between them. Where the chicken coop once stood, a small comfortable cottage was built overlooking the swimming pool. Many of the original doors and windows are still there – the little bumps and scratches, accumulated over more than a century, telling their own stories. Air bubbles in the antique glass have become tiny time capsules, trapping a little bit of what once was. In winter they’re indistinguishable from raindrops clinging to the glass, effortlessly mixing past and present – just like the rest of this lovely home. Its future awaits, will you perhaps be part of it?

Pr ice: R8 500 000 • Agent: Melina Visser • Cell: 082 419 9928 • Office: 021 876 4592 • Email: winelands@seeff.com • Web ref 188720

Caring

The Good that

peopledo Text: Editorial Desk | Image © Bridges of Hope

Learning to ride a bike

very day fifty-two students go to school on a five-hectare farm near Franschhoek. Some of them are siblings; all of them are boarders. Each child has an American or a South African sponsor who cares about giving hope to an orphan or vulnerable child who has little else. This is the Bridges Academy, part of a Christian-based non-profit organisation based in California. The Bridges of Hope Retreat Centre is on the same property and is rented out for additional funds for the Academy. Another leg of the organisation involves community helpers working in townships. The founders of Bridges of Hope International are Dennis and Susan Wadley. In 2000 they read an article in Time about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa and came to find out more. They moved to Stellenbosch and worked with St Paul’s church in the Philippi community. Their concern about the dire

circumstances of orphans and vulnerable children, and their lack of future prospects, inspired them to start this school in 2008 for Grades 8 to 11. House parents from the students’ community care for the teenagers, and staff from the local community work on the premises. The teaching staff is complemented by volunteers from the United States. Regular camps for the students are run at the Retreat Centre by volunteers who confess to life-changing experiences every time. After-school programmes keep everyone busy with sport, arts and crafts, swimming, journalism, outings and gardening. Last year they tended the 27 pear trees on the property, harvested the crop, sold the fruit to a canning factory, and used the money to repair eight bicycles donated by visitors. For the first time in their lives, the kids could learn to ride a bike! The work at Bridges Academy has been rewarded by a 100% matric pass rate every year. For two of the past three years they have produced the top student in Religion Studies on the provincial merit list. Most of the students achieve university passes, in fact one of the past pupils is now a third year law student at UCT. Another is studying for an education degree at CPUT. Peter Pedersen is the school principal and teaches Geography and Life Orientation. He is at the school because he wanted a post where he could make a difference beyond the classroom. He oversees a staff committed to a high level of caring, counselling and involvement. He says, “The students at Bridges Academy are some of the most amazing people in the world. Just seeing their growth is so rewarding and enriching.” For the young people at Bridges Academy life is promising, because someone cares about their education.

wine

Good

Wines Text: Editorial Desk | Images © Participating Cellars, Eddie Wilson - Foto Artist Studio

With cooler autumn weather setting in Franschhoek Style went in search of wines that’ll warm up chilly evenings and the cockles of your heart! Here’s what we came up with.

L’Ormarins Port NV Classically constructed and generously built this port is blended from nine different vintages, the oldest from 1992.The wine is made from several varietals including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesca and Cabernet Sauvignon. Expect hints of rum and raisin on the nose and sumptuous flavours of fruitcake, crushed spice and roasted nuts. Cellar price per bottle (750ml): R150.00

Stony Brook V on A 2010 Made from 100% Viognier that was left on the vines to dry naturally, concentrating the fruit, sugar and acid. The grapes were barrel fermented over a period of 6 months and then matured for a further 6 months in the barriques - a combination of new and second fill French oak. The resulting wine has spicy flavours reminiscent of peaches, apricot and melon. Its zippy acidity prevents the wine from being cloyingly sweet and makes it a wonderful companion to crème brûlée. Cellar price per bottle (375ml): R110.00

Pierre Jourdan Ratafia Chardonnay fortified with the estate’s 'potstill' brandy. A sophisticated drink packed with rich honey flavours. The taste is delicate and enticing. The nose is a mélange of tropical fruit with vanilla overtones. As an aperitif or with starters: Liver pâté & scallops, escargots. With decadent desserts it is a delicious digestif. Enjoy chilled in an elegant small glass. Cellar price per bottle (750ml): R94.00

Rickety Bridge Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2010 Produced from selected grapes from 35-year-old vines grown in sandy soils. Grapes were hand harvested in the early morning at an impressive 33˚ Balling.The wine was fermented and matured for 12 months in small French oak barrels (30% new). Loads of honey bush, floral and ripe apricot flavours with balanced fruit acidity. Serve chilled with cheese platters and certain desserts. Cellar price per bottle (375ml): R70.00

Boschendal Vin d’Or 2008 Vin d´Or is a blend of Chenin Blanc, Viognier, Rousanne and Grenache Blanc. The grapes, from low yielding vineyards, were desiccated on the vine before being picked at 35.2° Balling. After pressing and five days skin contact the juice was fermented in stainless steel tanks. 25% of the wine was aged in barrels for 10 months. Barrel-aging lends a spiced vanilla dimension to the wine’s rich fruit core of baked red apple, tropical pineapple and honeysuckle aromas and flavours. This is balanced by a tangy twist of citrus. Decadent drinking on its own or with crème brûlée, apple strudel, pastries or crumbles and custard. Cellar price per bottle (375ml): R80.00

agriculture

Karoo Lamb, Food of Origin Text: Prof Johann Kirsten | Images © Eat Karoo

Dorper sheep

t Eat Karoo in Franschhoek chefs and home cooks buy Certified Karoo Meat of Origin. This label guarantees a quality product which can be traced back to the Karoo farm from where it came. The traceability and verification system includes the registration of farmers, abattoirs, butchers and purveyors of meat products. This system is to be expanded nationally. We asked Professor Johann Kirsten, Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development at Pretoria University, about this certification. Here’s what he said. “Windmills and sheep, farm homesteads, endless vistas, home baked bread, hospitable nights... are images much engrained in the minds of South Africans when they think of the Karoo region. The ‘Karoo’ concept has become synonymous with quality, tradition and wholesomeness. It is as a result of these images that people not even remotely linked to the geography or the values and images of the region exploit the word Karoo to make profit. See for example www.karoo. co.uk, an internet service provider in the UK, and many ‘Karoo’ restaurants in metropolitan areas of South Africa and abroad. It is this misappropriation of the names of geographical regions (and to some extent other indigenous resources) that led European nations to protect names such as Parmesan, Roquefort, Champagne, Port and Sherry through a system of Geographical Indications to ensure that only people and firms within a specific geographical region benefit from the commercial exploitation of their heritage or their specific resources. This presents a compelling case for a similar system of protecting our geographical names and indigenous resources from wrongful exploitation. It is for this reason that a consor tium was formed to establish and implement a cer tification scheme Certified Karoo Meat of Origin. After four years the cer tification mark

was registered with the CIPC (Company and Intellectual Properties Commission). “There is thus a strong geographical as well as cultural link in the Karoo Lamb concept. In the past, however, there has been no insignia, no certification and no guarantee that the product truly originates from the Karoo when it was sold as ‘Karoo Lamb’. There was also a potential to improve the price and returns of Karoo Lamb production through proper marketing, distribution and collective certification. “The task of demarcating the Karoo region has been fairly contentious and required several engagements with farmers, botanists and officials from the Depar tment of Agriculture. Following various meetings with interested parties, it was agreed that in the light of the fact that the unique characteristics of Karoo Lamb are the result of specific plant species, vegetation and veld type, this should be used to define the Karoo Region.

Input from especially the veld scientists of the Nor thern Cape Depar tment of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, pointed to six key plants that contribute most to the specific taste of Karoo Lamb. These plants are Pinthus karrooicus (“Silwerkaroo”), Penzia spinescens (“Skaapbossie”), Eriocephalus ericoides (“Kapokbossie”), Salsola glabrescens (“Rivierganna”), Pentzia incana (“Ankerkaroo”) and Pieronia glauca / rosenia humilis (“Perdebos”). In order to ease administration, it was decided to overlay the distribution of the plants with the municipal boundaries. This produced the demarcation of the ‘Karoo’. “The code of practices for Karoo lamb and mutton producers ties in very closely with the code of practice of good stockmanship and animal welfare, but includes specific practices to ensure the unique characteristics of the final product. Only free-range animals, born and raised on a farm in the Karoo, and which are

free of scheduled diseases are considered. Animals should therefore have free access to natural veld grazing and clean water. They may have simultaneous free access to additional animal feed, containing cereals, silage or any other natural plant matter, only provided as supplementary feeding during dry spells and during the reproductive cycle. Animals originating from feed lots, or that have grazed on lucerne or other planted pastures, are not acceptable. Likewise, animals that are reared on permanent pastures will also not qualify for the meat of origin label. It follows that animals must be reared predominantly on natural veld for it to be considered Karoo mutton or lamb.” Carcasses are stamped as Certified Karoo Meat of Origin and a decal identifies every cut from there on. Packaged cuts are similarly identified with a sticker. The logo features a koppie with a little windmill. Of course. www.eatkaroo.com • 021 876 4670

Sheep farming in the Karoo

Recipe

Good Image © Siegfried Schäfer

Food

Franschhoek Style asked chef Reuben Riffel of Reuben’s in Franschhoek and Reuben’s at One&Only in Cape Town for his favourite Karoo lamb recipe, and here it is.

Lemongrass marinated rack of lamb with candied aubergine, carrot puree, roast potato, curry butter.

Marinade: 2 sticks lemongrass, trimmed 3 garlic cloves 1 knob ginger 1 handful of mint ½ cup olive oil Pulse all the ingredients in a food processor until chopped but not smooth. Let the lamb marinate for 2 hours or overnight. Sear the lamb in a hot pan until golden brown, roast in a hot oven for 5-7 minutes for medium, depending on the size of the rack. Candied aubergine: 2 aubergines cut into medium blocks 5 tblsp castor sugar 2 sprigs of thyme Juice of one lemon Salt and pepper. Mix the aubergine with all the ingredients. Roast at 180 until die aubergine is golden but soft. Carrot puree: 1kg carrots, peeled an sliced ½ onion finely chopped 80ml white wine vinegar 3 tblsp butter Fry the onion in a pot, add the vinegar and let reduce, add the carrots and cook on very low heat on the stove top, covered with a lid. When carrots are soft, puree in the food processor with the butter and adjust seasoning Curry butter: 500g unsalted butter ½ tbsp vegetable oil ½ white onion diced 4 tbsp mild curry powder 2 large handfuls of flat-leaf parsley 3 garlic cloves 3 tbsp lemon juice 2½ tsp Worcestershire sauce 6 anchovy fillets 1 tsp baby capers 1 ½ tsp salt 2½ tsp cracked black pepper 1 small handful of basil 1 tbsp ground ginger 1 handful of thyme, stalks removed Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion and curry powder over low heat until soft. Put all remaining ingredients in food processor, add onion mixture and process until just combined. Adjust seasoning. Assemble dish and serve.

culture

Art

Good Text: Carina du Randt | Images © Emma Willemse, Eugenie Marais

T r a n s iti o n s – P r o c e s s e s to E n lig h t e n m e n t Rumbling midnight thunder after sweltering heat waves in February, bring the forewarning. Now comes the time of transition from carefree summer abundance to the bustling, laborious harvest, in preparation for winter.

Stefanie Schoeman – The Process

The subsequent harvest festivals and moderate autumn temperatures, attract not only lovers of the vine but beckon discerning foreign and local clients to our galleries. We rejoice in this opportunity to see our finest artists’ work being selected and transported across the globe. The variety and high standard of work shown in Franschhoek galleries provide an extensive visual exploration of the cultures, social issues and landscapes of our country. With a series of paintings titled ‘Travel Chronicles’ the artist Eugenie Marais perceptively captures urban and rural images to convey a narrative, visual, travel diary. For foreign visitors, this insightful display of unfamiliar territory, allows for a meaningful transition from the unknown to enlightenment. Eugenie Marais’s paintings invoke distant memories of forgotten journeys in local viewers. The cycles that define our lives is the theme explored by environmentalist and artist Stefanie Schoeman, through a process of disintegration exhibited at the Gallery@Grand Provence. The installation – ‘Observation One: Cree Prophecy’

Stefanie Schoeman – Death

comprises three par ts symbolising Life (nature identical glass bead raindrops suspended over a rusted pan filled with water), Death (sun-bleached animal bones suspended over a pan with dry, cracked mud) and The Process (depicted by a bed of bright green fresh leaves suspended in mid-air between ‘Life’ and ‘Death’). Towards the end of summer the leaves have become fragile and brittle and the water in the pans has evaporated. A slow performance has taken place, illustrating the transitional process between life and death and the impact of the natural elements on daily life. The beauty in change is our ability to par ticipate fully in the creative process of living and to find the relevance to our own lives through the ar t of our times. “I find myself between worlds; the one elegantly efficient and suitably synchronised, the other unnecessarily concrete and independent, fractured through previous processes. I dream of integration. Of a world where the beauty and the competence of the natural world is integrated into the daily lives of human beings.” (Stefanie Schoeman).

Eugenie Marais â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Travel Chronicles

Master craftsman

Stuart Douglas:

Chair Man Text: Helen Naudé, Siegfried Schäfer | Images © Douglas & Co

In a workshop at the base of the Franschhoek Mountains, a skilled team of dedicated craftsmen create exquisite bespoke wood furniture. Franschhoek Style paid ownerdesigner, Stuart Douglas, a visit to learn more.

s a child Stuar t helped his father build wooden yachts. There are no shor tcuts in yacht building. Each carefully selected and machined piece of wood is unique. There are no screws to keep things in place, only joints, glue and elaborate clamping systems. Occasionally the Douglas household would be awakened by the sound of glued planks coming off the frame – remember the planks are bent! Stuar t and his father would get up and painstakingly re-attach them in the middle of the night. After finishing school Stuart spent some time restoring antique furniture.

He kept up his woodwork during varsity by refurbishing a wooden yacht. While pursuing his PhD in anthropology and philosophy at Rice University, Houston Texas, he got to know and appreciate the work of great American craftsmen, such as Sam Maloof and George Nakashima. It was, however, only after he and his wife, Cindy moved to her parents’ Franschhoek wine farm and started a family, that woodwork became his profession. His first commission was a display cabinet for his father’s collection of old fishing reels. As is the fate of many ar tists, commercial work had to keep body and soul together in the early years.

Quality won out though and pretty soon Stuar t star ted receiving commissions for bespoke pieces in addition to his own range. Stuar t’s creations are infused by his credo that “beauty is a par ticular combination of the aesthetic and the ethical”. This ethos is evident in every par t of the production process, star ting with the careful selection of wood for continuity of colour, grain and patina, through cutting, shaping, assembling and finishing. Carbon footprints, fair trade and sustainability marry planes, curves and angles to yield flawless furniture epitomising ethical beauty.

Workshop

Stuart with the yellowwood Cape Contemporary chair

Stringing riempies

Wine label chairs

Dutch minimalist Gerrit Rietveld is one of Stuar t’s inspirations. His Reedveld table and wall unit in par ticular pay homage to Rietveld’s stark lines, cantilevers and constructivist approach. One of his Fugue chairs emulates Rietveld’s iconic Zig-Zag chair. The skills that Stuar t called on when he lectured, or proofread and edited academic texts, serve him well in developing designs. After sketching a concept, he transfers it to a grid to refine it and analyse functional issues. When work star ts on the piece, fur ther adaptation of the design is usually called for and incorporated as work progresses. The new Cape Contemporary chairs, each taking up to two weeks to complete, embody the complexity of the dialogue between style, joinery, comfort of sit and the sculpturability of wood. In this case yellow wood provides the perfect medium for classic organic curves and contemporary historical romanticism. Stuart’s chairs are generally not upholstered, but are remarkably comfortable – even for lengthy periods of sitting. He puts this down to the discovery that for greatest comfort the angle between the seat and backrest must be exactly 106 degrees and the seat must always fall very slightly to the back. His

Stoop106 and Ode106 chairs celebrate this number while also evoking the classic American Adirondack chairs of the early twentieth century. Recently Surrey Holmes Interiors commissioned Stuar t to create a set of eight dining chairs, based on those depicted on the Boekenhoutskloof wine label. Stuar t set to work researching the designs and styles. He had only the wine label and Balkema’s “Cape Countr y Furniture” to go by. The designs, while not entirely historically accurate, had strongly recognisable elements. After weeks of cutting, fitting, smoothing and joining, a beautiful set of oak and riempie chairs stood proud in the workshop, ready for deliver y. Happy to communicate his passion and share as much information as possible, Stuart concedes that defending copyright is hardly feasible for a small workshop, but admits there are aspects of one’s designs that one hopes others will not copy. He does brand some of his pieces and his new Cape contemporary pieces will be handsigned and individually numbered. As one surveys the Douglas & Co workshop, it is clear that Dr Stuart Douglas and his team pay daily homage to art, functionality and, ultimately, Mother Nature.

shopping

GoodB u y s Text: Editorial Desk Images ÂŠ Eddie Wilson - Foto Artist Studio

1. Wine bottle basket R195 Silver-plated elephant corkscrew R445 Toca Madera Country

Franschhoek Style found lovely wine accoutrement in the local shops. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re perfect for gifts or home use.

nulifepaarl@telkomsa.net 071 107 2014

2. Set de sommelier (5 pieces) R240 Injoy Shop 082 468 7558

3 3. Corkscrew R69.95 Set of wine magnets R99.95 Wine bottle stopper R170 House of Wines www.how.za.net 021 876 4120

4 Wall clock R195 House of Wines www.how.za.net 021 876 4120

5. Stainless steel plate clips, packet of 6 R377 WINES

www.wines-wines.com 021 876 3185

6. Brushed aluminium ice bucket with bottle divider R615 Frosti ice bag with gel R40 WINES www.wines-wines.com 021 876 3185

7. Rose ice bucket R125 Toca Madera Country nulifepaarl@telkomsa.net 071 107 2014

8. Set of 6 placemats R299.95 Set of 6 coasters R124.95 House of Wines www.how.za.net 021 876 4120

8 37

STELLENBOSCH

VOC Kruithuis

Summer 2012

40 44 46

Crossing Africa Bike trip

Sculptures in Wonderland Tokara sculpture garden

News & Events Worth noting

TRAVEL

Crossing Africa Stellenbosch couple do it on 200cc road bikes Text & Images: Francois & Tania Steyn

keen spirit for adventure and a passion for the outdoors have always fuelled our dream of exploring Africa. In 2009 Francois and I covered 6 000 km along the border of South Africa on two 125cc Motomia Enzo motorbikes. This was our inspiration for touring on small, inexpensive bikes. On 5 September 2011 we depar ted from Killarney Race Track in Cape Town to ride all the way to Cairo. We decided to take on this journey on two 200cc Motomia road bikes and set aside three months for the trip. We wanted to inspire more people to travel, by showing them that you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need a fancy or expensive vehicle to travel through Africa. Our route took us past Springbok, into Namibia and through the Caprivi where we saw our first elephants roaming freely next to the road. In Divindu, a small town in Namibia, we met Charley Boorman, UK-based actor in the series Long Way Down. He was leading a tour group from Livingstone to South Africa. In Zambia we visited the spectacular Vic Falls and then passed through Lusaka and into Malawi where we made sure that we had extra fuel in our tank bags. Luckily we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t struggle to find petrol, contrary to what people had told us. We travelled north towards Tanzania visiting a few beautiful beaches along Lake Malawi and snorkelling in the clear waters.

Desert between Marsabit and Moyale

With the gorill

as in Rwanda

In Tanzania we decided to travel up the length of Lake Tanganyika, the world's longest freshwater lake, and headed west towards Sambuwanga. From here we followed a gravel road north to Rwanda. During a few days of heavy rain we challenged the Motomias and ourselves through some tough terrain with numerous corrugations. This was one of the less-travelled tourist routes through Tanzania, but despite language difficulties the locals were truly hospitable. In Kasulu, Francoisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bike gave problems and we had to seek the help of local mechanics. The dirty carburettor, a result of using filthy fuel, was sorted out quickly and we were reminded again that there were advantages to travelling with our Motomias. Tanzania is full of Chinese bikes, which look almost identical to ours, with spare parts available in abundance. In Rwanda we had the opportunity to spend some time with the magnificent mountain gorillas in their natural environment and visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial Museum. We then travelled through Uganda towards Jinja, renowned as the source of the Nile and the adventure capital of the country. It was here that we met the South African Voetspore TV crew for the first time. They were filming their trip from Cape to Cairo. Shortly after we entered Kenya, we had our first flat tyre and stayed over in a tiny hotel in Webuye. In Nairobi we had to organise our visas for Sudan and took the opportunity to stock up on luxuries. The next stretch from Isiolo to Moyale, at the border of Ethiopia, is one of the most challenging and feared roads by all on a Cape to Cairo adventure. The gravel road is in a terrible condition and there are many reports of bandits roaming the area. Despite heavy rains that fell a few days earlier, we managed to successfully cover the 450 km distance in three days, the bikes surviving the battering with only one flat tyre. Nevertheless, I was very relieved when we finally crossed the border into Ethiopia. In Ethiopia we visited the famous rock-hewn churches of Lalibela built in 1166. We passed beautiful freshwater lakes and stunning mountain passes. Sudan

Egypt at last!

was the one country which surprised us the most.This barren desert country is home to the most generous and hospitable people we met on the trip and we visited a series of beautiful Nubian pyramids in the area. At Wadi Halfa we loaded our bikes onto a barge and took the overnight ferry to Aswan in Egypt. After a few days of waiting for our bikes, we set off towards the Western Desert, where we travelled through some of the more remote and rural parts of Egypt. In Alexandria we loaded the bikes into containers to ship them back to South Africa and a day later we were on the plane back home. After our 90-day journey and a total of 15 200 km we were very impressed with the capabilities of the small Motomias. We found Africa to be incredibly interesting and beautiful and encountered a continent full of friendly and proud people. Read more about our adventure on www.crossingafrica.co.za.

Lonely desert road

sculpture

Text: Siegfried Schäfer | Images: Carla Crafford (this page), Thys Lombard

Guy du Toit – After the Tea Party / Derelicts of War

Wonderland

GT and Annemarie Ferreira, the owners of Tokara, at the crest of the Helshoogte Pass between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, are well known for their patronage of the arts. When we heard that they had teamed up with art curator, Ilse Schermers, to establish a sculpture garden at the Tokara Delicatessen, we simply had to visit the inaugural exhibition.

fter falling down the rabbit hole to Wonderland, Alice finds the key to a door too small for her to fit through, but through which she can see a beautiful garden. After driving down the road to Tokara’s Delicatessen and stepping from your car, you too will arrive at an entrance that leads to a beautiful garden. The characters of Lewis Carroll’s book aren’t confined to the garden side of the little door. Similarly, the works in the sculpture garden also emerge into the landscape outside the entrance. Let’s meet some of them in their “picturesque playground”. Next to the drive, two larger than life human figures by Angus Taylor – Being it (Corpus) and Thinking It (Transcendental Corps) – reach for each other. The first is made of rock and “seems humble since there is an acceptance towards his situation … you are what you are.” The second figure “has a rock head and a body that is kept together by external elements. The body is a malleable or changeable implement … But you are not your body, therefore the rock head.” Through the entrance, the two driftwood logs that make up Marco Cianfanelli’s Drift, with their steel words and phrases, are located next to a water feature in which Wilma Cruise’s Sarcophagus figure lies, staring into the sky, surrounded by the life-giving water. Guy du Toit’s After the Tea Party / Derelicts of War – bronze tea cups waiting to be cleared from a table – is displayed against the delicatessen’s wall. Is a tea party really like war? It could be, if – like Alice – you’re asked, “Why is a raven like a writing desk?” Across the deck another du Toit work graces the lawn. Amusement Hare has its origins in a Bushmen tale about death and rebir th. Here on the lawn, near the children’s sand pit it seems less serious. An invitation to play, perhaps? To play with the hare you have to make your way past Isabel Mer tz’s Gulliver’s Travels. Small cityscapes cling precariously to rocks that are in turn mounted on tripods as if waiting for some larger being to inspect them. If Alice were here she’d now have reached for the shrinkage-inducing half of the mushroom. At the far end of the garden Andries Botha’s Nomkhubulwane (Nom-koo-bull-wah’-nee) stands guard. Constructed from steel and recycled truck tyres, it is part of a series of elephants “created as metaphors of contemplation, catalysing debates around human and environmental sustainability.” The garden is conceptualised “… as a place of playful reflection where art is encountered in a setting that does not intimidate but invites the viewer to repose.” There is indeed nothing intimidating about this garden, partly because the equipment in the Delicatessen’s playground blurs the lines between ar t and play. But also because the locations of the works are so well chosen that they become a natural par t of the exceptional setting – it’s as though they should be there and you’d miss them if they weren’t. It is indeed as Dr Stella Viljoen says in her introduction to the catalogue, “A sculpture garden makes of nature and culture happy bedfellows.” Alice would’ve been happy to spend time in this ar tistic wonderland.

Andries Botha – Nomkhubulwane

Guy du Toit – Amusement Hare

Wilma Cruise – Sarcophagus

Tokara Delicatessen, 021 808 5950, www.tokaradelicatessen.co.za Currently on show is a solo-exhibition of works by Ian Redelinghuys.

Angus Taylor – Thinking It

information

NewsE v e n t s &

Text: Editorial Desk, Stellenbosch Slowmarket Images: FoodPhotoSite, Oldenburg, Rare plant fare, StockXchange

New at Oldenburg

A winding gravel road leads to the new home of Oldenburg Vineyards. Don’t be surprised if Toby, winemaker Simon Thompson’s Jack Russell, welcomes you with a friendly lick. The modern cellar door building, which houses the tasting room, vinoteque and offices, was designed by Cape Town architect Simon Beerstecher. The major feature of the main room is the full-height glass windows and doors framing a view over the fynbos

garden, past the rows of vines to the ver y top of Rondekop hill and into the peaks beyond. The interior, created by renowned interior designer, Kelly Hoppen, features creamy limestone floors, light cur tains and pale walls, mingled with dark, almost black, wood. This mixture of contrasting shades, all of them expressed in natural materials, reflects the Oldenburg label. Only African products and furnishings were used. Two small stoeps have tables for relaxed summer tastings with cheese platters. For winter tastings there’s a large stone fireplace with sofas and leather ottomans in the lounge. The downstairs vinoteque features one of two impressive recycled Bubinga wood tables (the other is in the main tasting area), each one weighing over 1,000kg and seating 14 people. Here, owner Adrian Van der Spuy will create a librar y of all Oldenburg’s vintages. Oldenburg Vineyards is open for tastings Monday to Friday, 10h00 – 16h30 and on Saturdays and public holidays by appointment only. The tasting fee is R25 for 5 wines. Tel: 021 885 1618 www.oldenburgvineyards.com

Rare Plant Fair 2012 The annual Rare Plant Fair will be held once more in the idyllic setting of Rustenberg Wines, Ida’s Valley, Stellenbosch, on Saturday 14 April. Twenty-seven specialist amateur and professional growers will be selling their plants directly to the keen gardening public. There will also be side stalls selling other items of interest to gardeners. Rozanne’s Garden will be in full autumn swing (free entry); there will be tea under the oaks, and special discounts on Rustenberg wines. For details see www.rareplantfair.co.za. Time: 09.30 –15.00. Entry R10. Enquiries: 078 021 2101.

The Red Hot Chilli Festival Some do like it hot!!! With a focus on seasonal products the first Red Hot Chilli Festival takes place on the 5th May at the Stellenbosch Slowmarket. If you are a chilli-head and enjoy getting together (rounding up friends) and challenging each other to eat hotter and hotter products, then there is no other place to be. Although it is near the end of the fresh chilli season, you may still learn about the benefits of eating chilli, how to grow them in the summer season and how to preserve them to add flavour to your winter dishes. There will be a wide selection of chilliflavoured meals, presented by award-winning traders, to taste. Celebrate traditional Cape Malay hot foods, spicy Indian curries, Latin American Empanadas, jalapeno-infused olives and cocoa-rich chilli chocolates. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an opportunity to learn to cook with bell peppers, red peppers and sweet peppers and to spice up your winter cooking ideas with barbequed chilli poppers, chilli chocolate reductions, roasted tomatoes, hot sauces, pickles and much more. 5 May 2012 at the Stellenbosch Slowmarket. Oude Libertas.

Woordfees The annual University of Stellenbosch Woordfees (Festival of Words) runs from the 2nd to the 11th of March this year. A green theme was adopted for this celebration, which includes writers, visual artists, musicians and actors. The aim of the festival has always been to turn literature and writing into lekkerkunde (enjoyment), make stars of writers and artists, and to promote Afrikaans as language. One or two English items appear on the programme.Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mongane Wally Serote in conversation with Leon de Kock on a lifetime in the world of literature. Serote, with his deep voice and huge heart, is regarded as a living treasure. The US Discussion Forum for the Humanities and Social Sciences is presenting Treasures of the Getty Villa in a visual lecture. Thom Pain (based on nothing) that has been a hit in Edinburgh, London and New York is also on the list. www.woordfees.co.za

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About us Franschhoek and Stellenbosch are in the heart of the Cape Winelands. With their international reputation and some of the highest property prices in South Africa, they attract high net worth individuals and colourful characters from diverse backgrounds as residents and visitors. They come for its lifestyle: vineyards, gourmet restaurants, 5-star hotels, elegant guesthouses, educational institutions, galleries and studios, fascinating museums, festivals and sport facilities. They also come to hike, bike and ride in the pristine beauty of the surrounding wilderness areas – part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Franschhoek Style and Stellenbosch Style are good reads that showcase the Cape Winelands and its lifestyle. Franschhoek Style and Stellenbosch Style target upmarket readers, business people and travellers. The magazines are available in Cape Town’s top hotels – mostly on a copy per room basis. (The Mount Nelson, Cape Grace, Taj, One&Only, Westin, Mandela Rhodes Place, The Crystal Towers in Canal Walk and The Arabella Western Cape Hotel and Spa near Hermanus) It is also in the Saxon Boutique Hotel and other top Gauteng hotels. The magazine is distributed to guest rooms and suites in most five-star (and selected four-star) boutique hotels and guesthouses in Cape Town and the Western Cape (including five Relais & Chateau), and in five-star guesthouses and hotels in Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. First and business class travellers read Franschhoek Style and Stellenbosch Style in Premier Lounges at all SA airports, in the KLM/Air France Business Lounge at Cape Town International Airport and in the Executive Lounges at Lanseria Airport. In Gauteng the magazines are sent to the headquarters of SA’s leading local and international companies. This unique ‘smart’ distribution model ensures high multiple readership per copy. It is conservatively calculated that each edition of Franschhoek Style and Stellenbosch Style is seen by more than 50 000 readers. Contact Sales Executives Merilyn Chance (sales1@franschhoekstyle.co.za or 083 301 2927) or Wilhelmina Linell (wilhelmina@franschhoekstyle.co.za or 084 606 0101) for details.

Franschhoek Style Property

The Secret Garden This lovely Victorian home has lots of charm and character with wooden floors, stained glass windows and wooden shutters. Offering eat-in country kitchen, separate laundry/scullery, and a breakfast patio with water feature. The double volume living room with fireplace leads into the dining room with fireplace, spacious office and guest toilet. Upstairs has a large suite with cosy lounge, bedroom and full en-suite bathroom and additional loft storage. In addition, there are four large bedrooms en-suite with under floor heating and air conditioning, two have private courtyards. The undercover patio looks onto the romantic garden with mature trees, heated swimming pool and mountain views. Currently operating as a successful 4 star guest house, in a superb location. Off street parking for 6 cars completes this desirable property.

Bedrooms 5 | Bathrooms 5 | Parking 6 R7.9 million

Web Access FWI1054407

Two Rivers Lifestyle and Agricultural Farm Five remaining farms of 13, each over 29 hectares, located on 478 hectares at the gateway to picturesque Franschhoek, directly opposite LĂ&#x201C;rmarins and Bridge House School, with Berg River frontage and 14 kilometres of horse trails, ideal for riding, hiking and mountain biking. The Estate is managed by a Homeownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Association and an agricultural service will be offered to property owners. Breath-taking scenery and incredible views of the towering Simonsberg and Groot Drakenstein Mountains, make this a perfect property for the lifestyle and equestrian buyer or conventional farmer. A superb opportunity to create your dream property. Individual portion brochures are available upon request.

From R7.9 - R10.9 million

Sole Agents: Dionne Gurr 072 460 2586, Doug Gurr 072 610 7208, Shelly Schoeman 083 301 8833, Office 021 876 2100, Email: winelandsint@pamgolding.co.za www.pamgolding.co.za/franschhoek

Web Access FWI1021583

Franschhoek Style Property

Homestead in Vineyard Estate This spacious home with unpretentious elegance is well situated for easy access to all amenities. 4 Bedrooms en-suite, a well equipped open plan kitchen with large separate scullery and laundry, dining area and two open plan lounges; one with fire place. In addition to this is an office, patio with BBQ and swimming pool area as well as a three car garage with added storage space. Two of the bedrooms are upstairs with a separate lounge and TV room ideal for teenagers or guest accommodation. A comfor table family home.

Franschhoek R7 900 000 Seeff Franschhoek Jeanine Allen jeanine@seeff.com Cell: 082 410 6837 Office: 021 876 4592 Web Ref: 236 014

Nature Lovers 47ha nestled against the slopes of the Klein Drakenstein mountains. Main house and two cottages. Rich in Cape fynbos and wildlife. Magnificent views of the Drakenstein Valley with its chequered panorama of vineyards and orchards. Franschhoek R11 500 000 Seeff Franschhoek Dawie Pretorius dawie.p@seeff.com Cell: 082 491 0218 Office: 021 876 4592 Web ref: 258 691

Olde World Charm and Gracious Gardens Village treasure with prime Franschhoek address. This unique home with traditional Cape style terracotta floors, offers main bedroom en-suite, lounge with fireplace, country style kitchen with separate scullery. In addition, two upstairs bedrooms en-suite with open plan landing leading onto balcony. Generous veranda overlooks a beautifully landscaped garden with established trees and a large swimming pool.

Franschhoek R7 750 000 Seeff Franschhoek Melina Visser melina@seeff.com Cell: 082 419 9928 Office: 021 876 4592 Web Ref: 238 066

Franschhoek Tourism Members Directory Village map to the right and valley map on the following page

bientôt!

A C o n v e r s ati o n b e tw e e n F r e e d o m a n d R u l e s

F: You been busy? R: I have. You can't believe the damage I've had from breakages. Wilful breakages. I have been so pathologised. You? F: I’m living the dream, everyone wants to see me, everyone loves me. R: What about those who don’t even know you, they could be the ones who need you most? F: I‘m working on it; it’s just a bit of a bind that some of those who do fight for me expect Rights as par t of the deal. I can’t take it along, not every time, what a drag. R: I wish Rights would stand under a spotlight so everyone can see it. It’s an obscure thing for some people you know, they don’t understand the difference between rights and getting stuff for free. There are rules about these things. You know who understands rules and is nice to have around? Responsibility! F: We’re great together. Remember what a good threesome we used to be? Freedom, Rules and Responsibility. What’s happened to her? R: I hear she’s gone underground. She’s miffed about being unfashionable now that Entitlement is all the rage. F: I hope she comes back. R: I hope so too. She’s always been prone to sulking, but she has good values. Maybe some politician or other will go looking for her. F: Yeah right… R: I love it when someone says that! It gives me the oppor tunity to say “Yeah right” is the only time that the rule about two negatives making a positive can be turned around so that two positives make a negative. Rules rule! By

the way, how do you feel about “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose”? F: It’s not a rule; it’s a line from a Kris Kristofferson song. He lost Bobby McGee in that song and she left him nothing. Do you think he was cynical or was he serious, like Lyall Watson was when he claimed absolute freedom after losing everything? R: If having been a Rhodes scholar and a helicopter pilot make you serious, then Kristofferson was serious. I remember Bill Cosby saying that being very rich gave him freedom… F: …but according to Matt Monro we’re “Born Free!” R: His real name was Terry Parsons. F:… “as free as the wind blows.” Getting back to Lyall Watson, he wrote a book about wind called Heaven’s Breath. You’ll be happy to know even wind has rules, the basic one being that it is caused by inequalities in the distribution of heat. Mountains of course make their own indigenous winds, anabatic and katabatic winds. R: Lovely names! Remember the wind in Morocco called Mezzerifoulloussen? The Berbers call it “That Which Plucks the Fowls”! F: Freedom of feathers, I love it! I have a celebration tonight; I better go and work on my speech. R: What’s your theme? F: “Freedom of and from”, I’m referring to Franklin D Roosevelt’s speech. What are you going to do? R: I think I’ll polish the Golden Rule, it’s a bit tarnished. F: Boring!!! ’Bye!