New Releases from Grande Provence

Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate unveils three new wines which add to the existing award-winning collection created by celebrated Winemaker, Jaco Marais.

The Grande Provence 2007- a complex full-bodied red wine has a distinct nose of mint and eucalyptus, followed by ripe plums. The wine is elegant with soft ripe tannins, ideal to be enjoyed with red meat, venison or rich poultry dishes.

Grande Provence Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 - A mature red wine aged in French oak barrels for fifteen months. Unique aromas of berries are complemented by a soft and elegant taste experience. A prominent flavour of mint sets this Cabernet apart from the rest. Perfect with meat, cheeses and rich chocolate desserts. Cellar aging: The grapes were hand picked and the wine was aged in first and second fill French oak barrels for fifteen months.

Grande Provence Pinot Noir 2010 - An elegant, silky red wine with a smooth tannin structure. Fresh flavours of berries and strawberries are prominent on the palate and leave a delicious lingering after taste. This Pinot Noir 2012 is ideal for meats, salads or simply on its own. Cellar aging: The grapes were hand picked and then went straight to fermentation. The wine was aged for nine months in second fill French oak barrels.

Winemaker Jaco Marais comments: “I’m still excited to make wine because in the process there are so many stages that lead to the final product. I enjoy the various building blocks and the trick is to be patient and allow the wine to finish ageing in the barrels. The end result is always something truly special. For the Pinot Noir, the colour of the wine is more intense than usual, which is an indication that the grapes were picked at optimal ripeness so I’m looking forward to seeing how the wine matures. Marry any or all of these three new wines with the menus that Executive Chef, Darren Roberts has created and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.”

The Gallery Presents ‘OF HONEY THIEVES AND EGG EATERS’ Exhibition

The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek, will present a solo exhibition, ‘Of Honey Thieves and Egg Eaters’, by well known Cape Town based artist, Jop Kunneke.  The exhibition will open on Sunday, 11 March 2012 at 11h00 until Wednesday, 25 April 2012.

Cape Town artist, Jop Kunneke’s latest collection delivers satirical social commentary, masked by his masterful depiction of creatures at the fringe of the animal kingdom. The quirky themes of ‘survival of the sneakiest’ and ‘adapt or die’ are presented through a narrative visual exploration of ‘pointed snouts, darting tongues and curving claws’.

Environmental strain forces species to clash as their ecosystems are encroached upon and overloaded and people face a similar plight as resources dwindle. Our primordial playmates reveal that the solution to survival is to innovate and adapt in order to salvage a relationship with the environment.

Jop Kunneke comments: “Out of the daily drama in nature, some ingenious and creative methods have evolved in order to get to the ‘honey’.”

For further information, a preview or to make an appointment please contact The Gallery at Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate at gallery@grandeprovence.co.za or 021 876 8630. The Gallery is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10h00 till 17h00.

Stellenbosch University Wordfest

The Stellenbosch University Wordfest, winner of the 2011 kykNET Fiesta award for the country’s most popular arts festival, will be held in Stellenbosch from 2 to 11 March this year.

While the Woordfees is primarily a literary and language fest with a focus on Afrikaans, a choice of superb English and indigenous language productions are on offer as well. This year’s festival boasts more than 250 productions, ranging from visual arts, music and drama to discourse and word art events, a student festival, kids entertainment and outdoor events such as moonlight walks and trial runs.

Translator and author Leon de Kock will be in conversation with multi-award winning poet and writer Mongane Wally Serote. This is a rare chance to meet the literary giant, Umkontho we Ziswe veteran and well-known Black Consciousness poet. Serote will give an account of his exceptional journey.

Another literary icon and internationally awarded author, Antjie Krog, presents a highlight on the writers programme with the multi-language and multidisciplinary production Inheems met Antjie Krog (“Indigenous with Antjie Krog”), where Afrikaans mingles freely with indigenous sister tongues such as Kwedam, isiXhosa and seSotho, accompanied by ethnic instruments.

The US Discussion Forum for the Humanities and Social Sciences present an intriguing visual lecture: Treasures of the Getty Villa, exploring the fascinating Californian museum developed by oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. Besides one of the finest art collections in the world, this museum boasts all the splendour, drama, controversy and court cases befitting a Los Angeles cultural gem.

On the drama front there’s Thom Pain (Based on Nothing),the hit play by Will Eno, considered by critics as the new Samuel Beckett. This Pulitzer Prize finalist is a sad and disturbingly funny exploration of the difficulties of mastering the basics of life. Albert Pretorius plays Thom Pain, an everyman trying to make sense of the world and his place in it.

·    The SU Wordfest takes place in Stellenbosch from 2 – 11 March 2012.

·    Bookings can be made at Computicket.

Winner of Fix It With Flair competition announced at Le Franschhoek Hotel

Tuis/Home Magazine, South Africa’s practical guide to beautiful living, converts boring home improvements into imaginative soul food! Their annual Fix it with Flair competition, which invites readers to enter any house revamp or restorative work, again proved to be a huge success. After months of judging, Tammy and Rob Foote from Port Elizabeth were crowned as the overall national winners.

Flip a Coin entertained the guests

The glamorous Fix it with Flair gala event was held at the elegant Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa in Franschhoek. Tammy and Rob clinched the top spot and impressed the judges with their innovative and imaginative renovations. The event was complete with glitz and glamour and guests were entertained by the talented a cappella group, Flip a Coin. Neil Stemmet, along with Tuis/Home’s very own Misi Overturf, Simone Borcherding and in-house DIY-guru Ashley Stemmet, offered guests some practical tips, do’s, don’ts and other inspiring ideas.

The Fix it with Flair competition got under way at the start of this year and do-it-yourself enthusiasts from across South Africa submitted their entries. Every entry had to be accompanied by a full breakdown of the costs of the renovations, before and after photographs of the project as well as a description and explanation of the work done.

Every month, the judges chose two finalists who were announced in the magazine between March and July and by August, the top ten semi-finalists had been selected. The readers then had the opportunity to vote for their favourite home improvement amongst the ten selected semi-finalists. Three finalists were then shortlisted who attended the final judging evening and the winner was announced during a glitzy gala event.

The most important judging criteria were the creative flair with which the improvement work had been carried out. The practicality as well as the amount of work done by the homeowners themselves, was also taken into account.

The home restorations undertaken by the competition winners, Tammy and Rob Foote, will appear in the February 2012 Fix It issue of Tuis/Home Magazine. The home improvements undertaken by the two runners up will also be featured. This issue will also announce the opening of entries for the 2012 Fix it With Flair competition. 

Grande Provence wins at the 2011 International Wine and Spirit Competition

Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate received further international recognition at the 2011 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) where the Estate was privileged to receive Gold for ‘The Grande Provence 2006’, ’Silver Best in Class’ for the Grande Provence Chardonnay 2010 and Grande Provence Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 and Silver for the Grande Provence Sauvignon Blanc 2011 as well as the Grande Provence Shiraz 2007, all of which are created by Winemaker, Jaco Marais.

Comments Winemaker, Jaco Marais: “It’s indeed an honour to receive not only one, but multiple awards from this prestigious international competition. To be selected from 82 countries worldwide is definitely a milestone for me as well as for Grande Provence.”

This competition aims at setting the international benchmark for the quality of wines and excellence in winemaking and is supported by many of the world’s top wine and spirits producers.

Handel's Messiah in Franschhoek

The beautiful grounds of Lac de la Lune in Franschhoek will be opened for the first time to host a special Christmas presentation of Handel’s Messiah on Sunday 4 December at 4.30pm

The Messiah, undoubtedly one of the most well loved pieces of sacred music, was also a favorite of the composer who wrote it in just 24 days. Handel is regarded as one of the most respected composers of all time, receiving recognition from the likes of Mozart, Beethoven and Haydn who said, “He is indeed, the father of us all.”
 

The Canticum Novum Choir will be accompanied by the University of Stellenbosch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Louis van der Watt alongside a stellar lineup of soloists: Louise Howlett, Jen Kummer, Siphesihe Mdena and Thesele Kemane.

Lac de La Lune (Lake of the Moon) is situated near the entrance to Franschhoek off Cabriere and Kruger Streets at 7 Anne Marie, and is surrounded by breathtaking views of the mountains. Gates open at 2.30 and the grounds are perfect for visitors to spread out blankets and enjoy their picnic before the concert begins at 4.30pm.  Tickets are R110 and R80 concessions. There is also a seated area available for R220 per ticket.

Tickets are available from Computicket 0861 915 8000 / www.computicket.com/ Checkers and Shoprite stores.  For more information contact Louise on 084 682 1337/howlett@sun.ac.za

Grande Provence wins at 2011 Mundus Vini

At the 11^th MUNDUS VINI International Wine Awards held in Germany this year, Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate, Franschhoek has once again been recognised for its outstanding efforts by receiving Gold for the Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 and ‘The Grande Provence 2006’ as well as Silver for the recently released, Sauvignon Blanc 2011.

Comments Winemaker, Jaco Marais: “It’s an absolute honour to once again be recognised on an international level for the wines we are passionate about creating here in the Franschhoek Valley. These wines are now available at The Tasting Room and The Restaurant at Grande Provence, all of which have been paired to complement the new menu created by Executive Chef, Darren Roberts.”

More than 6,000 wines from 42 countries entered into the 2011 awards and put under thorough examination by an international jury of wine experts.

These accolades stand tall next some of the Estate’s existing wines which have been privileged to receive local and international awards.