The Month September 2013 by The Month

the month the

SEPTEMBER 2013

enjoyed where wine is

Have a blast in the Winelands!

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the month

in my opinion

about our front page

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Join the dance of bettyanddisbel,

Our front page this month was shot at Signal Gun Wines. Hooggelegen has been in the De Wit family for over five generations and is one of the oldest family-owned wine farms in the Durbanville area. The 220 hectare farm has 95 hectares under vines, producing approximately 10 000 litres of wine a year. The VOC installed more than 50 canons on the hills and mountains around the Cape to form a signal gun chain that could call the Burgher Militia to defend the Cape. This signal gun chain extended from the Signal Hill in Cape Town, via Durbanville, to Citrusdal in the north west, Worcester in the north and via Tygerberg to Suurbraak beyond Swellendam, in the east. Some of these canons are still fired on the farm today, 300 years later, but only on joyful occasions. The canon in front of the restaurant is the original one that was fired on top of Hoogeberg Hill. This is the hill right behind the restaurant overlooking the Durbanville Valley on the eastern side and Table Bay on the western side Read more about Signal Gun in this edition of The Month.

o those not au fait with that great American poet, ee cummings, the title above may read awkwardly.

To those familiar with eddieandbill, I trust you’ll be forward looking forward to September forward to it’s Spring!

We kick off this September edition with a long-distance chat to Val de Vie homeowner, Philip Green, currently in the UK, whose charitable work in the community of Mbekwenei is set to extend to Groendal by the middle of next year. Rather than let the cat out the bag just yet, let me simply say he’s raised $2-million towards the extension – so it pays to read the article on the next page. Speaking of money, you could do a lot worse than invest in some of the wines chosen by the folks at The Vineyard Connection for us this month – I’m happy to endorse the whole lot, and will admit to a particular

weakness for the Ambeloui MCC. If, after taking their advice, you choose to dig deep, we trust that you’ll do so responsibly and with your copy of The Month in hand. Speaking of being responsible, we try out a new online venture called ‘Eco Atlas’, aimed at rating services and providers according to their eco-friendliness and conclude that it’s a very clever idea. So too was the stroke of genius that had our editorial diaries lined up with: Jim Waite shooting off to Signal Gun wines for a morning; the Editor feeling bullish at Brenaissance for a visit with their Boran; Hermanus local, Ryan Lawrence, whetting himself ahead of the Whale Festival and Ryk Neethling answering questions about the recent sale of the Val de Vie winery to Hein Koegelenberg and the Chineses. All-in-all we’ve had a busy month getting things ready for this spring edition, and if you look at the crammed What’s On? pages at the end of the mag, you’ll know we’re not out of the woods yet! There’s no doubt that ‘September’ and ‘the Winelands’ are bound together by the many celebrations that lie ahead. We hope you’ll enjoy every one of them and as you do, we hope that you’ll enjoy the read.

WHY ADVERTISE IN ‘THE MONTH’? The Team

The Month now offers Brand-Specific ‘Wraps’

Editor: Brett Garn er 083 2600 453 brett@themonth.co .za

The Month offers businesses, areas & nodes brand-specific ‘wraps’ to house The Month’s editorial as well as advertising pages. This unique concept offers businesses the privilege of taking ‘ownership’ of the publication and the ability to distribute copies directly to clients or distribution points of choice.

the month the month the month enjoyed where wine is

APRIL 2013

the FRANSChhOeK

AUGUST 2013

the PeARL VALLeY

enjoyed where wine is

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Publisher: David Foster Capvest Holdings CC 084 827 3986 david@themonth.co .za Marketing & Adve rtising Laurentia Barnard 083 306 9929 adver tising@themo nth.co.za laurentia@themonth .co.za Design by Tricky T design@trickyt.co.za Contributors: Reviews: Jim Waite jim@themonth.co.za Finance: Feiran Gr iede feiran@themonth.co .za

PEARL VALLEY GOLF ESTATES

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the month

personality

om for more Visit hopethroughaction.c copy of the est information, or read the lat u.com/ at Val de Vie magazine issu Green ilip Ph on valdevie for more

How Green is The Valley? The Month chats to Philip Green and discovers that The Valley of Life is tied to The Place of Respect

ead the CV of Val de Vie home owner, Philip Green (pictured right, in the picture top right), on Bloomberg’s Businessweek.com website and you’re likely to be impressed. He’s served as COO, CEO, director or equivalent in so many high-profile entities, that, if you were doing your reading with a glass of wine in hand, you’d need to call for a top-up. Google him, and it soon becomes clear that he is also well-connected (think the likes of the British Royal family, Nelson Mandela and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso), and rather well-travelled too. But it’s not the astounding list of things he’s done, the people he knows, or even the places he’s been to that got the attention of The Month’s editorial team – it’s his passion for people and his unassuming approach to making a difference. From his home abroad, we chatted to him via email and Skype, to get a sense of how that passion has been expressed here in the Winelands. “Why choose to live in South Africa,” we asked, “and more specifically, at Val de Vie?” What followed was the kind of heartfelt endorsement that those who live in the Winelands know well – it’s the most beautiful place in the world! Having travelled much of the world, Philip’s connection to SA dates back to ’76, when, on a three month stint in Johannesburg, he came face-to-face with a country quite different from the one he eventually chose to buy property in. he and his wife, Judy, built one of the first houses in Boschenmeer and then repeated the act by taking possession of “the finest stand” on the Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate. That every owner there says that, and seems to be right, is probably part of why Val de Vie so easily caught the Greens’ attention. “We visit South Africa about three times a year – which is not nearly enough,” Philip shrugs, “and every time we get to Cape Town International Judy asks me if we really have to return to the UK!” Sensing that the train of conversation is likely to introduce a damper on what is a sunny summer’s day for Philip, we change tack. We chat about his motivation to be involved in

‘community work’, and discover that he is the advisor to the British Prime Minister on Corporate Responsibility and is the Chair of the Bible Society. “From a corporate perspective, companies have a responsibility to be involved and,” he smiles, “doing good makes good business sense!” We ask about his personal involvement in the community of nearby Mbekweni - which means ‘a place of respect’ in isiXhosa - on the outskirts of Paarl. Having taken so much joy from living in the heart of the Winelands, and conscious that Mbekweni is often overlooked in favour of the more high-profile areas of

fall under the umbrella of the Hope Through Action foundation, an NGO which Philip formed to take care of his vision in South Africa, and chaired by Phil Bland. “Phil has made a massive commitment to this process,” he stresses. It’s clear that passionate people rely on passionate people, we sense, and almost in support of the idea, Philip informs us that Winelands locals, Ryk Neethling and Reuben Riffel, have recently been appointed as ambassadors of the organisation. It won’t take long for word to spread. “But it takes a lot of money to make a meaningful difference,” we suggest to Philip. His measured

What matters is focused giving. Choose something, and invest in it. That way you’ll see the difference your giving makes, and maximise your impact. Gugulethu, Philippi or Khayelitsha, it made sense for him to keep his attention close to home he explains. His first initiative there involved building an EduCare preschool to house a crèche run by a local teacher, who had been looking after 25 children in a shack. Today the Nompumelelo facility accommodates up to 200 children per day! Having been convinced of the positive role that sport has to play as an agent of change, Philip then set his sights on a somewhat more unrealistic goal – to build an indoor community sports centre in the same area, at a cost of US$ 2 million, within a year. “Crazy!” he laughs, before sharing that it was his wife’s idea. A year later, during the opening weekend of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Mbekweni Community Sports Centre was opened; astroturf pitch and all. And there’s another on its way. By mid-2014 the Franschhoek Valley is likely to boast a similar facility in Groendal, along with and Early Learning Centre to be run by the Kusasa organisation. Both the Mbekweni and Franschhoek Valley centres

response is a humbling wake-up call. “No,” he says, without hesitation. “We all have money enough to give. What matters is focused giving. Choose something, and invest in it. That way you’ll see the difference your giving makes, and maximise your impact.” To Philip, giving needs to be proportionate to wealth, and he is very much aware that a gift of just R10 is huge sacrifice for many. We’re looking forward to meeting Philip and Judy at the opening of the second Hope Through Action centre in Groendal, next year; or perhaps even sooner at the Polo Club Restaurant, at Val de Vie. Until then we’ll be regular visitors to the HopeThroughAction.com website, where Philip reminds us we can ‘Donate Now’. That we will!

THE MONTH

WINE

the month Everything comes

to those who wait

e live in a consumer-driven society, where ‘waiting’ is generally translated as ‘wasting time’. Few of us have the luxury of planning ahead. The wine industry is no different, with many estates plumping their portfolios with multiple ranges and different labels to ensure that you buy today what you drink today. And so the cogs spin inexorably on. We’d like to challenge the norm, here at The Vineyard Connection – and have selected a number of forthcoming wine releases that are well-worth planning for: Chris Keets’s ‘First Verse’ brand has a cult following with eager drinkers as far as Japan. He is a winemaker, viticulturist and consultant with many years’ experience, especially with elegant Bordeaux-styled wines. He was at the helm of the Cordoba cellar when their ‘Crescendo’ was elevated to the ‘wine hall of fame’ and his First Verse 2010 secured a Platter 5 star rating. The wine is a classic five-variety Bordeaux blend, with grapes sourced from small pockets of vines around the Stellenbosch area. Keets First Verse 2010, R341 per bottle A classic Bordeaux style red consisting of 30% Cabernet Franc, 28% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Verdot and 5% Malbec. Moderate weather conditions, warming up toward the end of harvest, produced ripe fruit bursting with flavour. The wines were matured in French oak barrels for 18 months, giving it ample time to extract oak flavours to complement the layered berry fruit flavours. Less than 2 years ago the name ‘Alheit’ would conjure up images of extravagant Winelands weddings, but today Suzaan and Chris are best known on the local and international wine stage. Their maiden wine, Cartology, has enjoyed overnight success with many claiming it to be one of the best wines to come out of South Africa in the last 20 years. Master of Wine, Tim Aktins hailed it as a ‘First Growth’ on his unofficial classification of South African wines. Little of the Cartology is made and those able to secure a case can count themselves lucky. This year also sees the release of a second wine named Radio Lazarus, which is a single vineyard dry-land Chenin Blanc, located under a radio mast on the Bottelary Hills. Alheit Cartology, R234 per bottle & Radio Lazarus, R455 per bottle Cartology: The wine is majority Chenin Blanc, with some Semillon. The nose is complex, earthy and bright, showing lemon peel, ripe stone fruits and ripe apple. The palate is taught and slightly saline, with very good concentration and depth. The wine has a fine form, without excess bulk. Radio Lazarus: This is the maiden vintage, from a single vineyard of Chenin Blanc atop the Bottelary Hills, with a large radio antenna that marks the spot. The nose is complex, showing ripe stone fruit and quince, punctuated by high notes of limey citrus and honey. The palate shows ample power, without excess weight. The wine will benefit from cellaring for a few years. Eben Sadie and family have had the Midas touch for the past few years and the demand for their wines never seems to slow down. The release of the ‘Ou Wingerdreeks’ has driven people into a type of vineous bloodlust and this year sees the release of eight wines, with cultivars reminiscent of yesteryear such as Cinsaut, Tinta Barocca and Muscat d’Alexandrie. The wines are interesting, rustic and complex, and each carries a distinctive name, related to its location and history.

SEPTEMBER 2013

Ou Wingerdreeks T’Voetpad 2012, R238 per bottle (One of the series of eight Ou Wingerdreeks wines) Named after a farm in the Piquetberg Mountains from which the grapes are sourced. The 1.4 hectares, estimated to have been planted in the early 1900s, include multiple grape varieties (field blend) not grafted onto other rootstock. The Chenin Blanc, Semillon, Palomino and Muscat d’Alexandrie components are all picked and pressed together to create a truly remarkable wine. The final producer on our list is Nick Christodoulou’s Ambeloui wine cellar in Hout Bay. Ambeloui means ‘little vineyard’ and is less than a hectare in size. Here Nick transforms Chardonnay and Pinot Noir into delicious Methode Cap Classiques – which he sells once a year from the cellar. Diehards get a notification and make their way for a space in the line early on a Saturday morning, which gives the family a chance to get to know their customers face to face, with the day taking on a festive atmosphere! For fairness, quantities per person are limited but it is no wonder that almost all the stock is sold out by the end of the day. In a market of agents, multiple supply chains and short lead times, one can take your hat off for the patience practiced by the Christodoulou family. Ambeloui Rosanne MCC Rosé (Non Vintage), R185 per bottle A rosé Champagne-styled wine, blended in almost equal parts from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. The wine is delicately oaked with a fine mousse and earthy, dusty berry fruit. The wines listed on this page are available from The Vineyard Connection, outside Stellenbosch; contact 021 884 4360

the month

GO GREEN

Eco at Heart

Visit ecoatlas.co.za and fairtradetourism.org.za for more information.

We find that choosing an ethical place to eat, play or stay just got easier!

ver been to a restaurant or guest house and wondered if their ‘eco-friendly’ claims are more than just hot, albeit recycled, air? Are your breakfast eggs really free range, and once that special dinner-time red is done, will the not so special bottle head to the dump or to the smelter? Wouldn’t it be nice to kick back, knowing that the establishment has practices in place that are good for both you and the planet? Well, a new concept in conscious consumerism has emerged to allow you to do just that, and more. Eco Atlas is a pioneering online directory which empowers you to make ethical and environmental choices through its clever use of a series of twenty clear eco icons. These ‘Eco Choices’ give consumers the opportunity to see, at a glance, whether service providers are, inter alia, recycling, serving sustainable fish or empowering their staff. The result allows potential patrons to make informed decisions about which places, products and services to support, with a conscience. There is also a unique search function to enable visitors to the site to source locally produced and earth-friendly products. The website features accommodation, restaurants, outdoor activities and goods providers. Featured places include a full spread of photos, write-ups, maps and a full list of eco-ethical practices. Importantly, visitors are able to review the listed entities and give them an eco-rating

based on their own experiences. We asked Rhian Berning, Eco Atlas founder, how he came about the concept. “If you want to change the world,” he states passionately, “start with your wallet and change the places you visit and support. We so often underestimate our power as consumers, but we are in fact extremely powerful.” Here are a few of the options we found via the site (and are happy to endorse): Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse is a charming small hotel, on a working wheat and sheep farm, just over an hour from Cape Town. It’s the ideal place from which to explore the Winelands, and takes only 16 guests. There is a 4000 hectare fynbos nature reserve, with a spectacular backdrop of mountains, to be explored via game drives or by mountain bike, and beautiful gardens, closer to home. The food is renowned, with lavish brunches and high teas, and a gourmet three-course dinner. But what of their eco and ethical practices? Eco Atlas attests that much of the produce is organically or locally grown, the meat is from predator friendly farms and their farmed earth worms process all organic leftovers into rich compost for the gardens. They employ water and energy saving practices, with solar geysers for both guests and staff. In addition, Bartholomeus Klip is Fair Trade accredited and recognised with the Biodiversity Eco Choice for its management of the one of the largest remaining tracts of the rare Swartland Alluvial Fynbos

and Renosterveld plant communities. Next up is AWOL Tours, who offer township cycle tours, on recycled bicycles. The tour allows guests to interact and engage with the local community from the bicycle seat, rather than from an air conditioned bus. It has a profound influence on stimulating the local economy when visitors support the small businesses, and fosters improved relationships and creates a personal insight into local urban South African life. Besides the obvious health and environmental benefits of cycling, AWOL Tours is also Fair Trade accredited and provides ethical choices by visiting wine farms that are members of the ‘Biodiversity Wine Initiative’. Back in the Mother City, The Kitchen is a bustling eatery on Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock, renowned for their legendary ‘Love Sandwich’ and a host of fresh and unusual salads. Owner Karen Dudley has made a point of providing free range and organic options and is passionate about supporting local suppliers and the empowerment of women staff. And even in Woodstock your leftovers will be transformed into liquid gold by her hardworking earthworms! According to the billion-dollar online behemoth that is TripAdvisor, a study done last year found that 71% of those surveyed would make environmentally friendly choices this year. Thanks to Eco Atlas the choices have become a little easier, and all that’s left is to put your money where your heart is.

Monneaux Restaurant winter menu

at the Franschhoek Country House & Villas

Join us for our delicious winter menu next to our cosy fireplace with two courses from R140

curry evenings

Our curry evenings can be enjoyed every Wednesday and Friday night during September. Enjoy a choice of three curries for R110

Tel: +27 (0)21 876 3386 email: info@fch.co.za www.fch.co.za

THE MONTH

FOOD AND WINE

the month

Discovering that I could try six quality wines for just R20 had me excited enough to sit through the tasting twice

Gunning for Pleasure

Jim Waite visits the Signal Gun winery and learns a new way to say “That’s good!”

ust off the Vissershok Road, in Durbanville, lies the Signal Gun wines property, Hooggelegen. A family-owned wine farm, with the fifth generation now at the helm, it is home to some stunning views, 95 hectares of vines, a function venue, a restaurant, the De Wit family and a number of signal gun canons. With an offer of the chance to escape the monotony of the drip in the office (You’re referring to the Publisher, right? – Ed), I wasted no time in making an early start from the city centre to enjoy a relaxed morning of picture taking, eating and drinking – with a lighter in my pocket lest I should find a fuse sticking out of one of the Signal Gun canons… Always be prepared, as mother used to say. I had forgotten that Durbanville is practically in the country, but a stone’s throw from Cape Town, and that rush hour traffic there is a bit like a cheap meal in Franschhoek; it doesn’t last long. Cut a long story short, I arrived early, and with time to kill called for a wine list. What a surprise! Signal Gun is not a name I’m familiar with, so discovering that I could try six quality wines for just R20 - and leave change enough from the R50 the Publisher had so generously offered for S&T (he’s always most charitable shortly before he sees the back of me) – had me excited enough to sit through the tasting twice. If you’re going to do it, do it well, as mother used to say.

SEPTEMBER 2013

Without going in to too much detail, I’d recommend the inexpensive rosé (R55) for its unashamed hints of berries and candy, that disappear with a crisp, sherbety finish. Even in cold weather, this is a lovely uncomplicated wine that’s relatively low in alcohol and should suit most palates. Their atypical Sauvignon Blanc has more fruit than I’m used to from Durbanville, with pineapple prominent. Choose it if you regard yourself as ‘not uptight’ when it comes to this particular variety, and keep a second bottle handy. The 2010 Shiraz (R90) is a full-bodied winner, with spicy fruit upfront, some pepper and black cherries and a mellow finish. It would be worth cellaring – but at the price probably too difficult to resist drinking now. “That’s really good,” I said to the friendly wine steward, making small talk and wondering if they ever ran a Clicks-style ‘Buy Two, Get the Third Free’ promotion. “Ah, you mean ‘Ke-Monate’ sir – ‘Dis lekker’ (Afrikaans for ‘It’s good’ – Ed). That’s just over there; and there’s still lots of time to tuck into a Signal Gun Breakfast,” he smiled, packing away the empty glasses. With time enough, but only R10, I fired up the camera and chatted to a couple of the patrons and can reliably report: The Ke-Monate Wine Bar and Bistro serves breakfast daily from 9am till noon, but the place is shut Mondays. The recommended Signal Gun Breakfast includes eggs,

bacon, chorizo, fries, mushrooms, tomato and toast with preserves and is very popular. It’s no wonder they keep the breakfast show running until 12! For those into pastries, they have decent croissants. For about R100 (to accommodate 2 or three menu options) the Ke-Monate tapas offering makes a great compliment to a bottle of Signal Gun wines. Try the (sesame) Chicken Spring Rolls, Chilli Feta Poppers and Diablos (deep fried bacon and dates) with a bottle of Chardonnay – you’ll be well-pleased. The small group surveyed rated the pizzas (“Pretty big! And two for a hundred bucks on Saturday nights.”), the roast veggie wrap (“For those who do meat free Monday, on Tuesday…”) and the chocolate almond brownie (“Heavenly”) as the choice items. The restaurant runs a special most nights; covering burgers, pasta, a Mexican theme (with live music) and pizzas in turn, and even a skinflint like the Publisher is sure to leave with a big smile, a bulging tummy and a similarly still-laden wallet. Remembering the lighter, I say my thankyous and make my way to the door. Now, where did I see that canon…?

the month

Guys’ Trends

He did what any sensible, level-headed man would do, he brought his Boran herd closer to home

Beau Vine Brilliance The Editor spends time with Tom, and Brigadier, Breytenbach at the Brenaissance Wine and Stud Estate

f your first glance at this particular page of The Month had you doing a double take, I understand; after all, this mag is enjoyed “where wine is”, not ‘where cattle are’… and no, there’s no Hitching Post overleaf. What then, you may ask, possessed us to feature a touch of the Bovine, rather than the expected Bordeaux? The short answer is Brenaissance. The somewhat longer answer follows. When Tom and Hayley Breytenbach bought High Mead farm in the Devon Valley in 2011, few would have seen fit to mention it. I, for one, couldn’t immediately place the property when discussing the purchase at the time, save that knew that I passed it often enough on my way to the Devon Valley Hotel, Clos Malverne, or the home of J.C. le Roux. Little did any of us imagine the tremendous changes that Tom and Hayley would ring in; not least of which would be the clang of a cow-bell or two. High Mead was renamed ‘Brenaissance’, to celebrate their Winelands renaissance, or ‘New Beginning’, in a typically playful, but carefully considered, manner and soon a wedding and accommodation venue, restaurant, orchards, vineyards and wine range marked their arrival and invited passers-by to take a closer look. It was, and remains, the kind of realisation of a dream that many more aspire to than are ever likely to realise. Except perhaps in one aspect – the cattle. Tom isn’t the kind of guy I imagine meeting donned in a two-tone outfit and ‘vellies’ from the KaapAgri, yet his passion for farming, and livestock in particular, is palpable. Chatting animatedly outside the Brenaissance Estate restaurant, Café Blanc de Noir, he recalls a trip up

to Reitz where he was first introduced to the Boran cattle breed and his immediate attraction to the aesthetically fascinating and stoic beasts. So taken was he with the animals that he left the auction with a number in tow and soon had the making of a viable farming concern. When Hayley and their Brenaissance dream demanded more of his attention, he did what any sensible, levelheaded man would do, he brought his Boran herd closer to home so that he could keep an eye on them, along with the other important loves in his life. The Boran breed itself has an important and long history (dating back almost 100 centuries!), which is especially significant because of its genetic purity and the animals’ hardiness. Boran cattle make for excellent, high value and long-serving stud animals. The females routinely supply large numbers of egg-cells, through a process of super-ovulation, for increasing fertility & optimizing quality genetic offspring. In addition Boran cattle are renowned for their high roughage-to-meat conversion rate, thus producing outstanding quality

beef. To top it all they’re happy to be left to themselves, don’t need expensive feeds and seem quite fond of people. The latter point is reassuring when Tom points to his first inaugural bull, Brigadier, and comments that it’ll weigh in at about a tonne, once mature. That’s a lot of steak, I think to myself, careful not to say anything, lest I offend either Tom or the bull. And, given the Breytenbach’s investment in their Devon Valley property, there’s a lot at stake too – but I can’t help but think they’re onto something at Brenaissance. Visit brenaissance.co.za or facebook.com/ brenaissance or call Café Blanc de Noir on 021 200 2644

Brigadier

THE MONTH

TRAVEL

the month

Rooms A

Ryan Lawrence suggests th charm of Hermanus is a bit of

uring my Cape Town days, I gave both the seaside town of Hermanus (which I now call home) and the beautiful whales that visit it, very little thought. I had never heard of Southern Rights, nor had I ever seriously considered taking the scenic drive up the coast to get a close-up glimpse of them from the shoreline. Naturally, when I moved to Hermanus and saw the first of these amazing creatures breaching and leaping out of the water right before my eyes, I was blown away. This truly is the best land-based viewing spot in the world. My first whale festival was a fluking* enlightening experience! The town transformed into a pulsating mardi-gras-type festival; everyone going out of their way to put on what seemed to be an equally spectacular show to that of their sea-bound visitors. It’s something I’ve grown to love about Hermanus, something truly special. As an insider I can vouch for the fact that the festival is well anticipated, not only for the income boost (which is always welcome in sleepy little villages such as ours), but also for being an effective platform for integrating awareness, education and some Southern-Right fun. The festival is well-known for being the only environmentally focused arts festival in South Africa; and this year’s festival promises to be the biggest, boldest and most entertaining one to date. Just the shark and whale exhibits alone have grown from 600 square meters to 900 square meters of educational fun. The Shark Lady cage-diving team offers adults and kids the opportunity to go on unbelievable, underwater excursions - showing how these incredible creatures live and what we can do to preserve and protect their homes. Between the Southern Rights dancing in the bay and the musical genius of Chris Chameleon in the forest, as well as ‘3 Tons Of Fun’ (not

SEPTEMBER 2013

the month

TRAVEL

A-whale-able

hat the f a fluke

My first whale festival was a fluking*

enlightening experience!

a whale reference, but a trio of singing divas determined to keep you grooving) there’s plenty to see. Car shows, fun fares, charity dog walks, hair shows, running, cycling, and swimming events and various arts and crafts; there really is something for everyone and the age old cliché ‘appropriate for kids of all ages’ in this case, is spot on. Everyone will be entertained and it’s all here in one place, waiting to be lapped up and enjoyed. This is only a drop in the bay of what’s on this year. We welcome all visitors to come and indulge in all we have to offer; from some of the best wine in South Africa to all our culinary delights. I suggest booking all your accommodation and shows as early as possible to avoid disappointment and check out the Whale Festival online at www.whalefestival.co.za. So much to see, so much to hear, so much to taste and do - we’re all waiting and preparing for your arrival, the whales included. * Fluking describes the whale’s act of raising its tale before diving down into the water.

THE MONTH

OPINION

the month

By the time the future king was born on Monday afternoon, on the hottest day of the year, only the staunchest of republicans had the inclination – or the energy – to grumble.

The madness

around Prince George Lest it noT be forgot, we share Adri Kotzé’s take on the birth of George with an article first published in the City Press, shortly after the event.

ate, the Duchess of Cambridge, confirmed conspiracy theories that she is not human and stayed pregnant for two years. Okay, I made that one up, but it sure feels like it. In the giant summer sauna that is London in the grip of a heat wave, it is easy to lose your temper – and your sanity. Prince William had barely popped the question when speculation started over whether Kate would secure the monarchy by producing an heir to the throne. (Bizarrely, given that the as-yet-to-beconceived princeling’s grandfather had been waiting a good century or so to become king). The royal wedding 27 months ago propelled the pregnancy rumour mill into overdrive. Hardly a day passed without some tabloid

. .. e r e h e r e w u o Wishing y

We’ll make it a reality! www.cjwproperty.co.za | Email: info@cjwproperty.co.za Office +27 (0) 21 843 3425

SEPTEMBER 2013

or gossip magazine commenting on Kate’s weight – one particularly distasteful and unsubstantiated headline two years ago shouted “Broody Kate’s Anorexia Nightmare” – and even the perfectly normal acquisition of the puppy they called Lupo was supposedly a practice run for motherhood. In the end, Prince George was only a few days overdue. But not before his future subjects had to endure endless televised discussions and reams of newspaper copy on his gender, possible name, whether Kate would breast-feed, artists’ composites of what he/she might look like and whether the new addition would inherit the wild ways of uncle Harry or, worse, great-uncle Gary Goldsmith (Kate’s self-made millionaire uncle who was allegedly caught doing cocaine in a sting operation). While the rest of Britain sought temporary refuge from the heat on the beaches, in fountains and in beer, the paparazzi, tourists and royalists descended on the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. A picture of a firmly shut hospital door dominated all news channels and was streamed online by newspaper websites, clocking up a record number of hits. By the time the future king was born on Monday afternoon, on the hottest day of the year, only the staunchest of republicans had the inclination – or the energy – to grumble. The emergence of a freshly coiffed Kate with an obvious post-birth tummy, a beaming Prince William and the new-born swayed many a cynic. On the train, men in suits read each of the 22 pages on the royal birth in the Daily Mail. On Facebook, a tough-talking friend confessed to a lump in the throat. In the local coffee shops, a group of obviously sleep-deprived new mums (sans personal hairdressers) loudly praised Kate for being “so normal” and at the newsagent on the corner all the talk was about how excellent a choice of name George was. If not exactly delirious with joy, the overwhelming feeling among Britons is one of relief. Relief that the picture of the hospital door is off the screens, relief that a birth under such intense scrutiny went smoothly, and relief that everyone can get back to their grumpy old selves.

INAUGURAL CELEBRITY GOLF DAY IN AID OF THE SUNFLOWER FUND 27 SEPTEMBER 2013

Join Paul Adams, Mark Bayly, Jeremy Fredericks, Jeremy Harris, Corné Krige, Brian McMillan, Michael Mol, Ryk Neethling, Ryan O’Connor, Breyton Paulse, Matthew Pearce, Barry Richards, Reuben Riffel, Jean Smyth, Benito Vergotine and many more!

R5 000 PER FOURBALL (THREE PLAYERS + ONE CELEB) • Fourball Alliance – 2 scores to count

• Halfway and dinner included

• 32 Fourballs available

• Great prizes!

• Auction and entertainment

• 12h30 Shotgun start FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT SHELLEY DIESEL ON 082 570 6037 OR SHELLEY@INGRIDDIESEL.CO.ZA

www.pearlvalley.co.za • info@pearlvalley.co.za • tel +27 21 867 8000 • come home to a legend • #PlaythePearl the month advert 220813.indd 1

2013/08/22 2:05 PM

THE MONTH

PROPERTY NEWS

the month

Stars in their eyes The Editor contemplates the impact of the sale of Val de Vie wines to Perfect China

y now it’s old news that “Perfect China, the 51% shareholding partner in Perfect Wines of South Africa, has purchased the wine cellar at well - known Val de Vie Estate in the heart of the Cape Winelands, between Paarl and Franschhoek.” The purchase includes the 25 ha wine farm (with 21 ha of vineyards) on the 250 ha estate, as well as the historic manor house dating back to 1783. The Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate itself wasn’t sold, but the impact on the estate is set to be massive – and very much related to the interest of the Chinese. In speaking to Money Web’s Hilton Tarrant, Hein Koegelenberg, the chairman of Perfect Wines of South Africa, pointed out that “Perfect China, is the second biggest direct organic product company in China. They have about 5 000 outlets with just more than one million salespeople working, buying and selling their products in their network. Part of our strategy is to put incentives in place and bring out between 700 and 1 000 Chinese people to experience South Africa such that they can be called ambassadors of South Africa when they go back to China. And we are bringing the first 700 of them to come and visit us the first week in September this year.” So the Chinese are coming, and that in numbers. It makes sense, then, to surmise that all of those 700 will visit Val de Vie and the surrounding Winelands and do the ‘tourist-thing’ – which generally involves spending

a little money. Other than one solitary comment on the news posted to the Decanter.com website, I’ve heard no complaints. But should there be? “Could this be the thin end of a wedge that may yet come back to bite us?” my cynical self wondered, as I read and reread the news of the sale and caught wind of news that there are plans of expanding the estate, and build a hotel and museum to keep up with the influx of well-heeled visitors to the Winelands. I gave Ryk Neethling, Val de Vie’s Marketing Director, a call and asked him just that. “What’s your take, Ryk?” I asked, wondering if he was likely to trade in his Jeep for a Geely sometime soon. Ryk reminded me that Val de Vie recently took home a 5 star award at the International Property Awards, for ‘Best Development’. The Val de Vie brand is a strong one internationally, and very important to the many locals who’ve made a direct investment in it by buying property there. To him the exposure due to the Perfect China deal is only a good thing – especially as that exposure has extended the world over, and is not just limited to China. In the global village, the demand for quality products, services and places is universal it seems; and higher the demand, the higher the selling price. He confirmed that the deal will result in the expansion of the estate’s facilities and its offering and that the details of the expansion will be made known soon. “It’s going to

Hein and Ryk

be big!” he assured me when pressed for the particulars, “all I can say right now it’s a massive investment and a very positive statement about the potential (value) and future of the Winelands and Val de Vie.” So it is just a matter of time then, and the sale of the Val de Vie Wines operation to the Chinese and Hein Koegelenberg of Leopard’s Leap indeed the thin edge of the wedge – but it’s likely a multinational wedge of wealth and prosperity that most of us local property owners had all but kissed goodbye. So I say, “Welcome, my Chinas, welcome; there’s wine and room enough here in the Valley of plenty!” For more information on Val de Vie, visit www.valdevie.co.za or contact Ryk Neethling at 021 863 6100 or ryk.neethling@valdevie.co.za

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BEST BRANDS, BEST PRICES

SEPTEMBER 2013

THE MARKET AT

E N J OY S

OPEN ON SUNDAYS

10 am to 3pm

15 13 & 26

10 & 17 1&8

SEPT OCT NOV DEC

KIDS CARNIVAL . FRESH FOOD . WINE TASTING . LIVE MUSIC . BAR HOME . DESIGN & TREND STALLS . POLO . CHOCOLATE & BUBBLY

www.valdevie.co.za

W he r e : Va l De Vie E s ta te (R 301 P a a rl) Da te : 15 S eptember 2013 T im e : F rom 8a m Dis ta nc e s : K iddies 3km, 30km, 60km E nte r o nline : www.a s gevents .co.z a

The Rudy Project De V ie M TB Challenge became a highlight on the mountain-bike calendar immediately after the inaugural event last year. It is regarded as an adventure race and the organisers are expecting significantly more participants this year than the more than 1 000 that took part in 2012. This year it takes place on Sunday September 15. The Val de Vie caters for the entire family and allows cyclists to experience the Paarl wine valley in all its glory. The riders follow a route over 21 wine farms and estates and have access to properties that they won’t be able to see at other times of the year. The race is aimed at providing fun and an exciting tour of the area. Every aspect is planned to add up to a social, fun-filled day: the routes, water points, and entertainment. A venue such as Val De Vie and other wine farms with their polo grounds and premier wines, the stunning landscape of manicured vineyards and homesteads and everything else just add to the exhilarating “ down and dirty” mountain-bike race. M any of the farms the that the riders will see are not usually open to the public but the organisers have built strong relationships with the owners and have been given access to the properties.

R OUTE S 5k m k iddies r a ce: The little ones take their bikes on a fun-filled adventure ride within the secure Val De Vie estate. Receiving their finisher’s medals will give them a reminder of a truly special day. 30k m ro u te: The 30km distance is an exciting event that incorporates some of the best trails the area has to offer. Special features and water points will bring out tons of fun. Cycling through vineyards, the riders will experience breathtaking views and negotiate features that add up to a sense of accomplishment and fun. 60 K m ro u te: This route incorporates the best of Paarl and will take cyclists on a journey never to be forgotten, winding through 21 wine farms and private estates that incorporate history as well as beauty. The organisers have ensured that, besides the amazing views, fun at the water points and excellent riding features, participants will face a challenge worth every drop of sweat. Excellent route marking, lead and sweep vehicles, medical staff and marshals are backed up by support staff along every section of the route to ensure all cyclists are safe and every need is attended to. M echanical issues will be sorted out within minutes by the technical support staff.

For further enquiries phone the race office on 076 621 1807 or email eventsupport@asgw orld.co.za

THE MONTH

WHAT’S ON

ER SEPTEMB

2013

the month

WHAT’S ON IN THE WINELANDS SEPTEMBER 2013

3 SEPT TUES / 3 SEPT / 6PM / NIETVOORBIJ CAMPUS STELLENBOSCH / DIPLOMA WINE COURSE. The Diploma course comprises

4 modules. On completion of Module 1, further modules can be completed in any order, over a 2 to 4 year period. The course is partly self-study. Each module requires that 3 course assignments be submitted, and concludes with a three hour written theory examination. After successful completion of the Certificate wine course you can start your Diploma in Wine journey. Cost: R 4, 995 Contact: Michelle 021-8898844 michelle@capewineacademy.co.za www.capewineacademy.co.za

TUES / 3 SEPT / 10AM / LEOPARD’S LEAP, FRANSCHHOEK / COOKING CLASSES – SLOW FOOD. Harvest your own meal

from our vegetable garden en learn about cooking methods that will make these ingredients shine. Starting with seared Franschhoek trout on a crisp spring salad with a refreshing citrus dressing. Then stuff a free-range chicken with Porcini from the Woods and serve it with a piquant sauce made from raisins, anchovy and capers. Local cheeses and the season’s preserves conclude the meal. Cost: R650 per person Contact : 021-8768002 cooking@leopardsleap.co.za www.leopards-leap.com/events/ french-inspiration

4 September

WED / 4 SEPT / SLALEY WINES, STELLENBOSCH / SPRING SPIRITUAL DAY @ SLALEY. Hosting of the first “Spring

SAT / 7 SEPT / 8AM / WINDMEUL KELDER, PAARL / FARMERS’ MARKET. The produce

on offer on that day includes organic vegetables, vegetables, fruit, beef, lamb & mutton, chicken, pork, freshly baked bread, droëwors & biltong, cheese, biscuits and cakes, free-range eggs, jams and preserves, olives and olive oil, buchu, braai-wood. Remember to bring your cooler box to keep your purchases fresh! Relax with good friends, good food and good wine. Contact: Windmeul Kelder 021-8698614 liezl@windmeul.com www.windmeulwinery.co.za

SEPTEMBER 2013

uncorked

Spiritual” at Slaley with Gretha Wiid. Tickets include tea and lunch. Avoid disappointment by booking online now - limited availability. Visit Gretha’s website to find out more about who she is. Cost: R275 per person Contact: Slaley Wines 021-8652123 Email: venue@slaley.co.za www.slaley.co.za .

daily

DAILY / SEPT – DEC / 9AM - 4PM / STRAWBERRY FARM, POLKA DRAAI STRAWBERRY FARM, STELLENBOSCH / STRAWBERRY PICKING. Fill your basket with freshly

hand-picked strawberries. Great fun for all ages! Cost: per kg. Contact: 021-8813854 www.polkadraaifarm.co.za

6&7

FRI & SAT / 6 & 7 SEPT / 9AM / NEDERBURG, PAARL / NEDERBURG WINE AUCTION. ‘Exclusivity’, ‘prestige’ and ‘ulti-

Sat 7

Franschhoek

mate indulgence’ are just some of the expressions that come to mind when a selection of more than 150 of South Africa’s finest wines come together with the sole purpose of going under the hammer at this year’s annual Nederburg Auction at Nederburg in Paarl. Contact: Dalene Steyn 082 336 6990 Email: info@nederburgauction.co.za www.nederburgauction.co.za

SAT / 7 – 8 SEPT / 11AM / SOLMS-DELTA, FRANSCHHOEK / FRANSCHOEK UNCORKED. Celebrate a unique local heritage in the true spirit of the Cape Wine-

lands with traditional Kaapse cuisine, lekker live music and award-winning wine for Franschhoek Uncorked 2013! On arrival guests will receive a complimentary glass of Solms Astor Cape Jazz Shiraz or Dik Delta Perry and will be welcomed by a host of proudly South African entertainment, including our very own Delta Valley Entertainers, Soetstemme Choir, Delta Optel Band and many more! Regular performances will take place throughout the day, while guests enjoy a wide selection of wine for tasting, as well as fabulous food from Fyndraai Restaurant in an authentic exploration of our diverse local culinary heritage. Cost: R 120 pp Booking: www.webtickets.co.za. Info: 021-8762861. Email : info@solms-delta.co.za. www.franschhoekuncorked.co.za www.solms-delta.co.za

20 – 24 FRI – TUES / 20 – 24 SEPT / HERMANUS / WHALE FESTIVAL. The Hermanus Whale Festival,

the only Enviro-Arts festival in South Africa, is held annually to celebrate the return of the Southern Right whales to the waters of Walker Bay. The whales are always the star performers at the Festival and will be joined on land by musicians, crafters, sports celebrities and thousands of people celebrating spring in the most beautiful place on earth, Hermanus. Contact: The Festival Office: 028-3130928.

SAT / 14 SEPT / 14 SEPT / 10AM / KLEINEVALLEIJ, WELLINGTON / FOOD & CORK WELLINGTON WINE FESTIVAL. This event

will boast wine, food, live entertainment and a fresh goods market with all Welllington’s specialities as well as a cook-off between celebrity chef Sonia Cabano and local chef, Johan van Schalkwyk. Children will be cared for in a child-friendly designated area, manned by responsible child minders. Child minding is free of charge. Cost: R 120 pp (incl. a tasting glass & 5 tasting vouchers. Children under 17 yrs. enter free). Tickets: Computicket Info: www.wellington.co.za

TUES / 24 SEPT / BLACK OYSTERCATCHER, ELIM / HERITAGE DAY 1 KM BRAAI DAY FOR CONSERVATION. Get involved; do your part for

conservation! Black Oystercatcher, part of the Nuwejaars Wetland Protected Environment (responsible for the introduction of hippos and buffalo into the area and hosting the quagga breeding project) is excited to host the first of what they hope will be annual Black Oystercatcher 1 km Heritage Day Braai for Conservation. Their goal is to have a 1 km continuous braai with 1 grid every 5 m. A 1 km x 10 m wide strip of alien trees has been cleared to supply braai wood for this fun-filled Heritage Braai. For R 60 (R10 donation to the Nuwejaars Wetland Protected Environment) you get: 1 Entrance Ticket, 1 Wine Glass

the month

WHAT’S ON

What’s On? GREATER CAPE TOWN AREA

1 september SUN / 1 SEPT / 3PM / FISH HOEK, CAPE TOWN / SPRING SPLASH

evita se perron 6 – 8 september

With September being the start of spring come and celebrate this season by swimming in the sea at Fish Hoek beach. Wave goodbye to winter! The swim will take place come rain or shine. The annual Spring Splash is held on Fish Hoek beach on the Sunday closest to the 1 September each year to celebrate spring on the Cape Point Route. At exactly 15:00, the signal sounds and the mad dash into the water begins. Cost: Free Contact Manu: 072 9804335

tuesdays

20-22 FRI – SUN / 6 – 8 SEPT / 6PM / EVITA SE PERRON, DARLING / VOORKAMERFEST.

Join the Darling community, during the first weekend of September, and be transported to a surprise world of enchanting theatre, music and dance. The annual Voorkamerfest promises to dazzle this year with a fabulous line-up of local and international artists, all performing in Darling locals’ ‘voorkamers’. A large part of the Voorkamerfest’s unique charm is the wonderful element of anticipation, as the venues and performers remain a complete surprise until the visitors arrive at each ‘voorkamer’! The houses range from the small and humble to elegant Victorian homes and the owners play host to this unique South African cultural experience. Cost : R195 - R225. Bookings: Chanda Barrows: 082 321 7542. Email: bookings@voorkamerfest-darling.co.za www.voorkamerfest-darling.co.za

THURS / 5 SEPT / 7PM / CAPE TOWN CITY HALL / CHEFS WHO SHARE. New food,

wine & art extravaganza for underprivileged children! A unique star studded gala evening destined to become the black tie event of the year, featuring 14 acclaimed South African chefs, seven adept sommeliers and seven celebrated artists all under one roof in aid of youth development. Chefs are from all over South Africa and will be divided into pairs to share their culinary genius and individual menus with limited groups of guests. The evening will culminate with an auction of original works of art donated by participating artists. Cost : R3,000 pp. Tel: 021-4331699. Email: tickets@chefswhoshare.com www.chefswhoshare.com

SAT & SUN / 14 & 15 SEPT / ALPHEN CENTRE, CONSTANTIA, CAPE TOWN / CAPE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY’S FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

The show offers large, varied and interesting displays of plants in the exhibition hall. All these plants are, for the most part, grown out-of-doors by members, who are private amateur gardeners living in the Cape Peninsula. This provides the public with an overview of what plants can be grown in ordinary Cape gardens. A good selection of plants, both indigenous and exotic will also be on sale. There will be talks and demonstration on diverse gardening subjects given by local gardening experts, and light refreshments will be on sale throughout the weekend. The venue is wheelchair friendly. Costs R15.00 per adult. Info: Glenda 021-5315713.

TUESDAYS / SEPT / 6:30 FOR 7PM / STEENBERG, TOKAI / MONTHLY MOVIE NIGHTS . Steenberg Vineyards contin-

ues its popular Tuesday Movie Nights between May and October, with a selection of classic musicals that will appeal to all fans of great cinema. 3 Sept: The Great Gatsby 17 Sept: New York New York The cosy winery boardroom with its roaring fireplace will set the scene for these fun evenings. Tickets include a delicious Movie Night meal. Cost: R130 per person. Contact : Chantelle 0217132211 chantelle@steenberg.co.za www.steenberg.co.za

14&15

7–11

SAT – WED / 7 – 11 SEPT / 4 – 6PM / HOMECOMING CENTRE, DISTRICT SIX, CAPE TOWN / OPEN BOOK LITERARY FESTIVAL. An exciting addition

to the 2013 Open Book Festival programme, Open Book Comics Fest, will run on the 7th and 8th of September at the Homecoming Centre. The public has a marketplace of over 40 tables as well as two days of events featuring some of the most exciting comic book artists and writers. Price: Free. RSVP: comics@openbookfestival. co.za. Info: www.openbookfestival.co.za

FRI – SUN / 20 – 22 SEPT / 9AM / SPORTS CLUB, DARLING / DARLING WILD FLOWER SHOW

Picture a hall, filled with Darling wildflowers, from the most fragile and rare to the ones easily found. Gain further knowledge of flowers and get up close to the blossoming beauties at the 96th Darling Wild Flower Show. Stalls with all sorts of interesting goodies await, while an exhibition tent will showcase all gardening, conservation and landscaping related goods. A variety of food stalls will be on offer throughout the course of the show. As part of your ticket you can gain a ride on the lazy tractor and will be taken into a private area in which you can view some of the most magnificent flowers in situ. Info: 084 9161111 for more information on the Wild Flower Show Darling info - Heidi Eloff: 082 9257546 THE FINE PRINT The views expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of The Month or its affiliates. Having said that, we generate practically all of the material printed in each edition ourselves; please don’t reproduce any part of it without the Editor or Publisher’s permission (we’re generally quite generous – so just ask). The Month subscribes to the South African Press Code and if you feel we’re not living up to that, please call the Press Ombudsman on 011 484 3612. We regard our sources as reliable and verify as much of what we print as we can, but inaccuracies can occur and readers using information in The Month do so at their own risk.

THE MONTH

SEPTEMBER 2013