Monthly Archives: January 2013
Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town 2013
The Veuve Clicquot Masters 2013, South Africa’s most glamorous polo event on the annual social calendar, is set to take place for the third year running on Saturday 23rd February 2013 at Val de Vie Estate outside Cape Town.
The prestigious Champagne House sponsors some of the world’s leading polo events such as the Manhattan Classic, the LA Polo Classic and the UK’s Gold Cup. Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town, one of five international tournaments, is their first and only on the African continent. Proven a resounding success and enjoyed by SA’s glamorous elite, guests include top celebrities, fashionable socialites and avid polo lovers.
The Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town has grown considerably since its first year and is expected to draw in more than 1200 guests this year. Val de Vie’s world-class polo fields and luxurious club house facilities provide the ideal venue to host an event of this caliber. VIP guests can expect a day out filled with champagne, gourmet canapés, sophisticated fashion, traditional games of pétanque, pamper lounges and of course a riveting game of world class polo.
Jenni Button and Hilton Weiner are the official Fashion Partners for the 2013 Veuve Clicqu
ot Masters. A Hilton Weiner & Jenni Button Fashion Show will form part of the day’s activities, while Creative Director for the brands, Warrick Gautier, will be a judge in the Best Dressed competition for the day.
SAVE THE DATE DIARY DETAILS:
Event: Veuve Clicquot Masters Cape Town 2013
Date: Saturday 23rd February 2013
Venue: Val de Vie Estate (Paarl-Franschhoek Valley)
Public Tickets: R390 per person which includes a refreshing drink and light lunch.
Available online via Val de Vie’s website: www.valdevie.co.za
Riesling Rocks Returns To Hartenberg Wine Estate Saturday, 9 February 2013
Make your way to Hartenberg Wine Estate for the second Riesling Rocks festival in the Stellenbosch Winelands on Saturday, 9 February 2013, and enjoy some of the finest flagship Rieslings from top cellars paired with superb deli fare.
Carl Schultz, celebrated Hartenberg winemaker and one of South Africa’s finest Riesling masters, has invited the crème de la crème of cellars to showcase their top Weisser/Rhine Rieslings at this fabulous food and wine celebration.
Possibly the most versatile of all wines, Riesling can be enjoyed with practically any food. Dry style Rieslings meld beautifully with a wide range of dishes from sushi and gravadlax to oysters and antipasti. Off-dry Rieslings make excellent pairings with spicier foods such as Thai prawns, chorizo or even herring and rollmops. The sweeter Rieslings are perfect for cutting through ultra-rich foods such as pates and terrines, duck and roast pork and are a perfect foil for curries. Rieslings also make fine dessert wines ideal with fruit tarts, cheeses, peacan nut pie and even tangy lemon tart.
Riesling Rocks at Hartenberg takes place on Saturday, 9 February 2013 from 12h00 noon until 17h00. Tickets cost R180 per person, including a wine glass and are available either directly from Hartenberg Estate or online at www.webtickets.co.za. For more information, call Tel: (+27)21-8652541, Email: info@hartenbergestate.com or visit www.hartenbergestate.com. Hartenberg Estate is situated on the Bottelary Road off the R304 to Stellenbosch.
The Robertson Small Hotel Celebrates Cupid’s Craft In February
Spoil your lover with a Midsummer’s Night Dream date on 14 Feb
If Romeo and Juliet had to pick a spot for Valentine’s Day, they would look no further than the enchanting Robertson Small Hotel, a five-star boutique hotel in the heart of Robertson, where a magical Month of Love, crowned with a Midsummer’s Night Dream date on the 14th of February 2013 awaits lovers.
This Valentine’s Day, connoisseurs of Cupid’s craft will be whisked away to the hotel’s mystical garden for a sensory five course Food & Wine feast with cuisines fashioned from food and perfectly paired potions that personify love. Couples and groups of friends will be seated at their own private tables for a romantic moonlit affair infused with delights and surprises for the senses.
“Shakespeare so aptly proclaimed ‘If music be the food of love, play on’, so in addition to this fairytale dinner under the stars we will also transport the lovebirds to a world of romantic wonder by an exclusive musical dance performance,” shares Executive Chef Tiaan van Greunen whose special interactive dessert indulgence promises a decadent high on the evening.
If a dinner is not enough to declare your love, The Robertson Small Hotel, voted South Africa’s Best Luxury Country Hotel for the second consecutive year at the 2012 World Luxury Hotel Awards, also bestows their guests with added Valentine’s treats should they be spending a night or two in one of its 10 spacious luxury en-suite rooms during the month of February.
These ‘Valentine’s touches’ include a complimentary bottle of wine for your table if you dine at the hotel’s signature restaurant – Reuben’s at The Robertson Small Hotel – during your stay; a special gift and romantic treats in your room, and a R100 voucher to use towards any spa treatment valued at R300 or more at the hotel’s Wellness Room.
The Midsummer’s Night Dream Valentine’s Dinner at The Robertson Small costs R240 per person which includes the wine/beverage pairing per course. Cupid will be ready with his bow at 19h00 and bookings are essentials as seating is limited.
To reserve your table or to book a room contact The Robertson Small Hotel at Tel: (+27)23 626 7200 or send an email to info@therobertsonsmallhotel.com.
The Robertson Small Hotel is located at 58 Van Reenen Street, Robertson, Western Cape.
New-Look Ten Day Stellenbosch Wine Festival Kicks Off In January
25 January to 3 February 2013
The Stellenbosch Wine Festival, the flagship event of South Africa’s iconic wine region, stomps its way into a new era this January with an expanded ten-day program designed to showcase in a bigger, better and bolder fashion the delightfully diverse town of Stellenbosch from 25 January until 3 February 2013.
The Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes moved this annual highlight event from its previous mid-winter schedule to the new dates in order to capitalise on the unique assets and attractions this historic oak-lined town and its more than 150 wineries has to offer during the height of summer.
“We realised that it makes sense to showcase our world-class wines during a period when everything that Stellenbosch offers – its natural beauty, unique cultural heritage, excellent academic institutions and vibrant agricultural industries – is at its best and brightest. Perfect summer weather, the buzz of a new University year and the bustling start of the harvest season will all add new dimensions to the Stellenbosch Wine Festival experience. Our member farms are excited, the whole town is mobilised and we are sure that wine lovers and lifestyle tourists from all over South Africa and the world are going to be thrilled with what Stellenbosch is bringing to the table this summer,” says Annareth Bolton, CEO of the Stellenbosch Wine Routes.
The new-look Stellenbosch Wine Festival, presented by Pick ‘n Pay, delivers a full flight of wine experiences for both casual fans and connoisseurs, including a ten-day promotion at many of the area’s award-winning restaurants, special cultivar evenings and wine farm tours.
Throughout the week, the public will be able to tailor-make their own festival experience by dining in town and estate restaurants offering special food and wine pairing menus as part of the festival’s “Wine & Dine” sensation or by visiting a myriad of farms offering unique tours and tasting programmes.
A festival highlight will be the Blessing of the Harvest and the Harvest Parade on Saturday, 26 January, as celebrants from Stellenbosch member farms march through the streets on a flotilla of tractors. For those more adventurous festivalgoers various sporting events will give enthusiasts a colourful taste of the Stellenbosch lifestyle.
It all culminates in a three-day Wine Expo, which will be located in the heart of the vibrant town, and feature interactive stands and tasting programmes from over 130 wine and gourmet food producers. The Wine Expo is set to take place from 1 to 3 February on Die Braak and will take full advantage of the beautiful natural surroundings with rustic tables, green décor and free-flowing Bedouin tents. A central stage will play host to Sunset Sounds Concerts to keep festivalgoers entertained as they enjoy the fabulous vintages on offer.
A full Festival Guide will be published by the organisers in early January and details of the entire programme will be made available on the Festival website over the coming months.
Follow us on twitter @StellWineFest with the hash tag #StellWineFest and on Facebook www.facebook.com/StellenboschWineFestival to find out more about the participating wine farms, restaurants and festival activities as well as promotions and giveaways.
For more information, visit www.stellenboschwinefestival.co.za
Feast Of The Grape 2 – 3 March 2013
Join in the fun as local wineries from the Durbanville Wine Valley celebrate the harvest season at its annual Feast of the Grape, which takes place at the Durbanville Race Course over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd March (12pm to 5pm daily).
Harvesting the bounty of the vineyards is regarded as one of the most important moments in the making of good wine. This event marks the end of the grape harvest and the arrival of autumn with a weekend feast filled with an array of activities and an abundance of seasonal wines to taste.
The bumper festival offers visitors the complete package from superb wine, live entertainment, to nonstop kiddies’ entertainment. Old school games will keep young and old entertained throughout the day, and kids can look forward to a jumping castle, face painting and so much more. While the kids are having fun the adults can sip and sample superb wines from the 11 wineries on show from the Durbanville region. Try your hand at grape stomping, milking a dairy cow, be amazed at the latest and greatest on offer at the tractor exhibition or simply browse the stalls for delectable local produce on offer. Local restaurants will ensure you’re kept well fed throughout the day.
What better way to celebrate and feast on the bounties of the Durbanville Wine region.
Tickets to the festival cost R100 for adults and R50 for children, which can be booked directly through www.webtickets.co.za. Your ticket allows you access to the venue, as well as a complimentary tasting glass and tasting coupons. Additional coupons can be purchased throughout the day.
For more information visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za.
Franschhoek Summer Wines 16 March 2013
Celebrate the last few days of summer in style and head off to Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards on 16 March, set in the picturesque Franschhoek Wine Valley, for the annual Franschhoek Summer Wines. Regarded as one of South Africa’s leading wine destinations, more than 30 of the Valley’s finest wineries will be showcasing their top summer wines at this exclusive event.
Participating wineries include, amongst others, La Bri, Morena, Colmant, Môreson, Anthonij Rupert’s Cape of Good Hope and Terra del Capo, Franschhoek Cellars, Bellingham, Noble Hill, Leopard’s Leap, La Motte, Solms-Delta and Haut Espoir. Wine lovers will have the opportunity to browse at their leisure or engage with the winemakers.
To ensure you don’t go hungry visitors will be able to purchase mouth-watering deli-style food from the Harvest Table, prepared by the chefs in the Leopard’s Leap Kitchen. Round off your meal with delicious ice cream from the Ice Cream Bar.
Relax and unwind, taking in the scenery of the valley as live entertainment ensures an unforgettable experience throughout the day.
Taking full advantage of the glorious summer days the festival will be open from 12pm until 5pm, and the theme for this year’s event is ‘elegantly white’. Tickets cost R180 per person which includes a tasting of all the wines on show. Wine aficionadas can look forward to tutored tastings which will take place at 1pm and 3pm on the day. As seating is limited visitors are requested to pre-book their seats which can be done via events@franschhoek.org.za.
Tickets can be purchased directly from www.webtickets.co.za and booking is essential as tickets are limited to 500 people only.
Make the most of the experience and book an overnight stay in one of Franschhoek’s fine accommodation establishments, ranging from the finest bed and breakfasts to luxurious boutique hotels, all nestling in a picturesque and safe environment.
For more information contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley offices on 021 876 2861.
Image Batonage.com
New-Look Healey’s Cheddar Leads The Whey
Waterkloof’s wheel of flavour gets a fresh new spin
Waterkloof Estate, the biodynamic wine and fine-dining marvel on the outskirts of Somerset West, has given its naturally matured Healey’s Cheddar a fresh makeover, with this distinguished wheel of flavour now flaunting a new cleaner look.
Its new refined pose in cleaner, contemporary packaging, lends a more sophisticated edge deserving of Healey’s status as one of the country’s finest cheddars.
Since its inception in 2005, Healey’s Cheddar has over the years garnered quality accolades worldwide for its cheddar cheese, aged anywhere from eight to 24 months. In 2006 Healey’s excelled at the coveted World Cheese Awards in London, bringing home Gold as well as Silver, and in 2009 it claimed Gold status at the World Cheese Canary Island Awards. More recently it churned out a Bronze medal at the 2011 World Cheese Awards.
Following the same traditional recipe of 150 years ago, Healey’s famous cheddar is made by hand with unpasteurised, free range Friesian milk and still matured with a muslin cloth in a natural cave like environment which encourages mould growth that enhances the flavour development over a period of time. These noble cheeses, which are clothed and greased to form a natural outer rind to harness its clean, full nutty flavour, contains no artificial colourants or preservatives.
Cheese aficionados can sample the slow matured Healey’s Cheddar (9-month, 12-month and 18-month matured) at Waterkloof Estate at R30 per person or indulge in a sensory cheese and wine tasting at R60 per person which includes six estate wines. In addition, Healey’s Cheddar takes pride on Waterkloof’s popular Ploughman’s Platter and Waterkloof Chef Grégory Czarnecki also combines it with his heavenly Spiced Pear Tarte Tatin on the restaurant’s new menu.
Get your Healey’s Cheddar at Waterkloof’s tasting lounge at R35 (for 200 grams) or at selected deli’s, restaurant, food stores and leading supermarkets including Giovanni’s, Carlucci’s, Food Lovers Market, Pick ‘n Pay, Spar and Checkers.
For more information contact Healey’s Cheddar at Tel: 021 847 0480 or visit www.healeys.co.za.
To reserve your table at Waterkloof’s stylish ‘restaurant in the sky’ contact Tel: 021 858 1491 or send an email to restaurant@waterkloofwines.co.za. Waterkloof restaurant serves lunch and dinner from Mondays to Saturdays and lunch only on Sundays.
Waterkloof Estate is located outside Somerset West on the M9 Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Road.
The new Healey’s packaging design was done by Cape Town based design company,
Room 13 Design (www.room13.co.za).
A Capacity Crowd At Nederburg’s New Years’s Eve Spectacular
More than 2 000 people gathered in song and cheer to welcome 2013 at Nederburg’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular, with renowned Richard Cock conducting the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) at the popular Paarl winery. The light classical and popular musical event also featured jazz vocalist Melanie Scholtz (named the Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz in 2010); exciting new tenor talent, Derick Ellis; classical-pop, cross-over singer Selim Kagee; as well as Heavenly Quartez, a popular male Afro-classic and jazz-infused quartet from Khayelitsha.
Said brand home manager of Nederburg, Fre-Nay Brown: “There was such excitement about the talented line-up of entertainers, we hosted about 600 more people than the previous year.”
“The scenic location and electric atmosphere made for a memorable start to the year”, added Richard Cock. “I was very impressed with the audience’s attentiveness and spirited responses to the CPO and soloists’ performances.”
Visit http://youtu.be/yjFj35qxuJc for a snippet of the performances and the countdown towards midnight at the Nederburg New Year’s Eve Spectacular.
Summer Sunset Supper Concerts At Solms-Delta In The Winelands
Each Saturday evening from 12 January to 9 March 2013 come to the Summer Sunset Supper Concerts at Solms-Delta wine estate. Enjoy a hearty Kaapse braai buffet while you listen to the sounds of local favourites such as Hannes Coetzee, Tribal Echo and Pieter van der Westhuizen, alongside the talented Music van de Caab musicians, Soetstemme and Delta Valley Entertainers.
From: 19h00 – music starts 19h30. R210 per person, children under 12yrs R100
Booking advised: restaurant@solms-delta.co.za. Tel: 021-874 3937 Ext 115.
Limited places will be available on the night.
