Events - Inspired Living SA

Events, Lifestyle, Out & About, Travel, Wine Farms

South African Wine Index Awards 2014

I recently attended the South African Wine Index Awards 2014, which acknowledges South African wine excellence. The South African Wine Index{SAWi} gala awards were held at the luxurious Grootbos Private Nature Reserve near Gansbaai.

Grootbos not only sponsored the event but also entered into a partnership with SAWi, to exclusively offer the complete range of the ‘SAWi Grand Wines Collection’ (wines scoring 93+ points through the unique SAWi Algorithm of Excellence) at this world renowned Reserve.

For those of you who are not familar with the SAWi wine judging Algorithm of Excellence (Arabic tenfold system), it is based on the combined results a wine has achieved over multi vintages, in any of 84 different multi-national wine competitions or reviews (each weighted according to the compilation of judging panels and the number of medals on offer).

Consistency in results, top 10 mentions and trophies won are also taken into account during these calculations. As such, a wine is not judged on one occasion only but its consistency is tracked over a period and built out to a 10 year quality window.

SAWi Platinum is the highest accolade that may be achieved by any single wine. A score of 95 or more, out of a possible 100, will secure this award. These wines are referred to as the ‘SAWI Ambassadors Club’ the top end of the ‘SAWi Grand Wines Collection’ which also include wines which received Grand Gold status for scoring 93 and 94. No score below this attracts any accolades, ensuring that SAWi decorations are aspirational and really the cream of the crop.

The day started off with a lovely lunch at the Forest Lodge, giving wine makers and invited guests the opportunity of socialising and getting to know one another.The rest of the afternoon was spent at leisure exploring the beauty of the reserve, indulging in the luxuries of the Grootbos Estate or watching a bit of rugby!

In the evening all the guests, producers and wine makers were treated to a tasting of the winning wines, before the presentation of the awards got under way. The event was a showcase of South African ‘Grand Wines’ – highlighting the value of the SAWi principles and methodology.

Constantia Glen took top honors on the night, receiving the SAWi Trophy for Wine Producer of the Year, with Justin van Wyk (Winemaker) and Ettiene Southey (Vineyard Manager) and his team acknowledged as top achievers for 2014.

De Morgenzon received the 2014 SAWi Trophy for White Wine Producer of the Year. The Trophy for the 2014 SAWi Red Wine Producer of the Year went to Kanonkop Estate, also from Stellenbosch.

The inaugural Trophy for Best South African Brandy Producer was awarded to KWV.

Chardonnay dominated, with 17 accolades, followed by Shiraz wines with 12, Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux Blends with 10 each, Pinotage 8, Pinot Noir 6 and Red Blends 5.

Hemel and Aarde Valley had 14 wine accolades, followed by Constantia with 10 and Tulbach with 7, whilst Elgin, Franshhoek, Paarl, Stellenbosch Kloof, Blaauwklippen and Idas Valley had 5 each. Wines from Stellenbosch West, , Blaauwklippen, Cederberg, Somerset West, Franshhoek and Durbanville made up the rest.

Once again, outlying wine pockets like Cederberg, Tulbach, and even Barrydale featured prominently.

Since the start of the SAWi Ratings four years ago, only 32 wines out of a total of 914 which were rated have scored 95+ points, with repeated good performances by the majority of these wines. This year another 13 wines were added to this category.

SAWi also welcomed a number of new wineries to its honors list in 2014, including Constantia Glen, De Morgenzon, De Grendel and Journeys End Vineyards.

What an amazing evening spent enjoying and celebrating some of the most accomplished wines offered in South Africa, in one of the most beautiful settings in the Cape!

AWARD HIGHLIGHTS
Top scoring wines
99 points – Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay, Saronsberg Cellar Full Circle, Rijks Private Cellar Pinotage and Kanonkop Estate Paul Sauer

98 points – Eagles’ Nest Shiraz and Stellenrust Wine Estate “48” Chenin Blanc

97 points – Bouchard Finlayson Galpin Peak Pinot Noir, Diemersdal Wine Estate Pinotage Reserve, Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir, Spier Wines Creative Block 3 Rhone Blend and KWV The Mentors Shiraz and Raats Mvemve Raats de Compostella Bordeaux Blend.

Top Wine Producers
Constantia Glen
Kanonkop Estate
Groot Constantia
Bouchard Finlayson
Saronsberg
De Morgenzon
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Rustenburg Wines
De Grendel
Cederberg Private Cellar
Joubert Tradouw
Cape Chamonix
Eagles Nest
Raats Family Wines

Images: Event ~ [email protected], Grootbos Villa ©FAR Photography

Disclosure Ranking: 4

Events, Fashion, Jewellery, Lifestyle

The Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels

As part of their Centenary Year celebrations, Kirstenbosch Gardens, with the help of South African award winning jewellers, have created the Kirstenbosch Crown Jewels. The jewellery collection is inspired by the biodiversity found in Kirstenbosch; the flora and fauna, which have made the gardens famous.

The Crown Jewels have been created, by seven of South Africa’s leading awarding winning jewellers, which include Uwe Koetter; Platandia; Prins and Prins; Peter Gilder; Cari Mari; Vijay Shah and Kirti Jewellers. This is a one of a kind collection!

I was invited to attend the unveiling of these gorgeous creations, which you can see below:

…this is so beautiful, don’t you agree!

There is even something for the guys!

Last but not least the most stunning Tiara, if you are getting married then this could be just the piece for you!

The Crown Jewels are currently on show at the Cape Grace Hotel, at the V&A Waterfront. The jewels will go on auction on the 17th June 2014 at the Old Mutual Conference Centre, Kirstenbosch. Before the bidding begins, guests will be treated to canapes and cocktails, followed by a short speech and then the auction will begin. Funds raised at the auction will be going towards educational projects that SANBI and BotSoc present, the collection is ‘one of a kind’ and bound to be envied and coveted by those who miss out.

Please contact the auctioneers if you are an interested buyer wishing to attend this auction. To attend this auction and for enquiries regarding absentee or telephone bids, please contact Strauss & Co: [email protected] or call 072 337 8405.

For further information contact the project originator – Christopher Reader on 021 762 2739 or 082 491 0344

Cape Town Lifestyle, Events, Lifestyle, Out & About

Women’s Lifestyle Expo 2014 Highlights

Cape Town has a fabulous new event on its annual social calendar, an opportunity to celebrate what being a woman is all about! The inaugural Women’s Lifestyle Expo took place at The Lookout, V&A Waterfront over the weekend of 18-20 April, with an array of luxury lifestyle brands on show.

The weekend kicked off with a media brunch, which I was invited to attend. With food by Dish Food & Social, bubbly by Rhebokskloof, hosted by the hilarious Irit Noble. This was a great way to find out exaclty what the expo had to offer.

We got to meet a rather special young woman, 19 year old, Jenna Lowe, who has been living with Primary Pulmonary Hypertension since her diagnosis at age 17. PH is a degenerative, life-threatening condition, which has changed Jenna’s life forever. Jenna is an amazing inspiration and despite her condition continues to inspire others, with her maturity and zest for life. The Women’s Lifestyle Expo donated 8% of ticket sales from the expo, to the Jenna Lowe Trust!

Sally Creed, Jonno Proudfoot and David Grier, co-authors of the Real Meal Revolution, gave us a brief intro to the book and the philosophy behind it, as well as some practical “banting “ advice.

With over 800 visitors a day, Capetonians were encouraged to take time out to relax and enjoy the spoils on offer. En Masse were on hand to help you de-stress, while Eye Candy Brows simultaneously helped you redefine those brows, with the ancient technique of threading. Fashionistas were spoiled for choice with a variety of stylish ensembles on offer – MilQ & Honey, Jo Carlin, Spilt Milk, Miglio Designer Jewellery and Poppy Divine were some of the beautiful brands showcasing their collections.

I returned to the expo on the Sunday with my family in tow! My girls were not going to miss out on the opportunity to be pampered!

While the girls indulged in a bit of pampering, my hubby made himself very comfortable on the amazing outside deck.

Below are a few of the highlights we experienced at the Women’s Lifestyle Expo:

We had a fabulous afternoon at the expo! With over 60 curated exhibitors, showcasing the latest in fashion, beauty, wellness and business, you really can’t afford to miss out on next year’s expo!

For more details and to view more images from the expo please visit Women’s Lifestyle Expo Facebook Page.

Image Source: ©FARPhotography, unmarked image WLE Facebook Page

Disclosure Ranking: 2

Cape Town Lifestyle, Events, Lifestyle, Out & About, Wine Farms

Elgin Cool Wine and Country Festival 2014

The annual Elgin Cool Wine and Country Festival returns to Cape Town on Saturday 3 May 2014. Wine estates of the Elgin Valley will be open for wine tastings throughout the day and will offer mouth-watering luncheons and top class entertainment.

The festival, sponsored by Nedbank and Orchard Suppliers, offers wine enthusiasts and leisure seekers the chance to enjoy the beauty of the Elgin Valley while discovering a vast variety of fine wines from the unique wine route, which lies just an hour outside of Cape Town. Festival goers can look forward to a day filled with fine wines, good food and plenty of entertainment for all ages.

The Elgin Cool Wine & Country Festival is divided into three sections- morning, lunch and afternoon -starting from 09h30 and coming to an end at17h00. Each estate offers not just the chance to experience the wines produced, but also the rich culture and heritage that is part and parcel of the Elgin Wine Route.

The morning session: From 09h30 – 11h30and will see all the estates participating in the festival open for tasting. Visitors are welcome to move freely from one estate to the next.

The Lunch Session: From 11h30 – 14h30. This session consists of each estate offering a unique lunch experience, highlighting their estate and wine selection. Visitors select the lunch destination and offering they like and book accordingly. Bookings are essential via the Elgin Valley Wine Guild Website. Space is limited per estate and prices will vary per estate offering.

Afternoon session: From 14h30 – 17h00: All participating estates are open for wine tastings. Visitors are welcome to move freely between estates.

What to expect:
As well as amazing wine and food, different kinds of entertainment will be on offer at each participating winery during the day to appeal to all ages, ranging from live bands to amazing art collections, tractor rides and kiddies playgrounds. During the pre-booked lunch session, visitors can choose from a number of estates to enjoy their world-class dining experience, explore the estate grounds and meet the renowned wine maker or estate owner.

For wine lovers and those in need of a rewarding day out, the Elgin Cool Wine and Country Festival offers the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and indulge in a memorable day of wine, entertainment and spectacular natural beauty. Day passes can be purchased at any participating wine farm on the day of the festival for just R50 per pass; however lunch sessions must be pre-booked in advance. Please note that the festival promotes designated drives and the responsible use of alcohol.

Times:
• Morning:09h30 to 11h30 (open format)
• Lunch:11h30 to 14h30 (bookings required for lunch)
• Afternoon:14h30 to 17h00 (open format)

Please visit the Elgin Wine Guild Website for more details hope to see you there!

Disclosure Ranking: 1

Cape Town Lifestyle, Competitions, Events, Lifestyle, Out & About

Win Tickets to The Women’s Lifestyle Expo

This Competition Has Ended

As a modern woman and a full-time mom, there is often very little time, to spend on celebrating simply being a women! That is why I am particularly excited about The Women’s Lifestyle Expo, which is taking place from 18th – 20th April 2014. The expo will be held at The Lookout, the V&A Waterfront’s hot new outside entertainment/function venue.

You will be able to enjoy anti-ageing and pampering treatments, shopping, beauty, health, nutrition and other spoils – all under one roof. This is a not-to-be-missed, luxury lifestyle event, where every aspect of the super mom, career girl, domestic goddess, and fashionista in you, can be validated and celebrated. So take some time out from your hectic life and join the girls for a glass of bubbly and oysters.

There will be over 100 curated exhibitors, at the expo, showcasing the latest products and services in fashion, beauty, wellness and business. Companies and brands exhibiting, include: Rhebokskloof, who will be sponsoring the champagne and oyster bar, Rubybox, Jo Carlin, Lisa King, Poppy Divine, Adventure Bootcamp, Tim Noakes and Larry Soffer – to name but a few.

I know I am excited about attending the expo and cannot wait to take time out and celebrate my inner goddess!

Well readers, I have some exciting news! We are giving away two sets of double tickets, for you and a friend to attend The Women’s Lifestyle Expo!

To enter:

Tweet this sentence ~ ” @Inspired_lifeSA & @WomensExpoSA the thing I love most about being a woman is……{your answer here} #WLE2014 ”

Please remember to follow @WomensExpoSA and @inspired_lifeSA on Twiter – to ensure you find out if you are a lucky winner!

To find out more event details visit the Women’s Lifestyle Expo Website or to book tickets, pop over to Web Tickets. Standard event tickets R90 – R120 or a VIP Weekend Pass R350.

*Terms & Conditions:

Entries are open from 7th April 2014 until midnight on the 13th April 2014, winners will be announced on Twitter on 14th April 2014.
Enter as per the instructions above.
Please remember to leave a comment below telling me that you have completed the above and what your Twitter handle is.
To ensure that your entry in processed correctly (please use a valid email address). Your details will only be used to validate your entry and inform you, if you are selected as a winner.
Prizes may not be exchanged for cash.
This competition is open to South African residents only.The Women’s Lifestyle Expo is being held in Cape Town, so the winner will need to be in Cape Town to claim their prize. This prize does not include any travel costs, if the winner is not from Cape Town, they will have to travel at their own expense.

*This Competition Has Ended*

This Competition Has Ended