Tag Archives: New Year’s Eve

Boschendal transforms itself into Boschendal Farm, with lots of new developments!

Boschendal Farm Stall & Deli Whale CottageBoschendal has been below the radar for the past year, the only news having been that the estate was closed while it transformed itself into a wedding function venue.  It appears that the wine estate is not only catering for weddings, but has a number of exciting restaurant developments up its sleeve too, some completed and some more to come.  Having new Chef Christiaan Campbell on board, formerly of Delaire Graff, the estate is transforming itself into Boschendal Farm, with a focus on ethical and sustainable sourcing of ingredients and preparation of food.Boschendal Chef Christiaan Campbell Whale Cottage

I visited Boschendal Farm yesterday, and was astounded at the energy, and part transformation which has already taken place.  Gone are the ‘cobwebs’ and the old fuddy-duddy feel which one experienced in the Buffet restaurant and the Café.  It started with me parking my car and Events and Functions Manager Aldo du Plessis (previously with La Motte and Grande Provence) driving past,  stopping immediately, and inviting me on a guided tour, an offer which I could not refuse!

We drove to the new wedding and conference venue The Olive Press, which is in a section of the more than 2000 ha farm which one has not seen Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 11/12 December

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Responsibility for SAA will be taken over by Nhlanhla Nene, Minister of Finance and National Treasury, from Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown, once it has been documented as a proclamation in the Government Gazette!

*   British wine writer Tim Atkin writes that our country’s white blends are the best, the release of the Chenin Blanc-dominant Cartology Alheit 2011 being the motivation for his praise, being a new benchmark for South African whites.  Our country has ‘some of the most exciting and best value wines in the New World‘, he wrote.

*    A new free App Sideways (likely to have been named after the famous movie set in Napa Valley) has been launched, designed by iKineo, as a guide to the Winelands. ‘Each wine farm’s profile page in Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 17 November

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines‘

*   The Western Cape government has committed R 2,4 million to ‘preserving the Western Cape’s culture and heritage and therefore is committed to providing continued support for them’, MEC Nomafrench Mbombo has said, supporting the Cape Minstrels and Malay and Christmas choirs, and their Christmas Choir Bands March on 24 December, The Nagtroupe March on New Years Eve, and the Tweede Nuwejaar Minstrel March.  The community will organise its own Cape Annual Minstrel Carnival next year, after the City of Cape Town’s interference in the past led to problems and poor publicity for the City.

*   Australia has been using its unique food and wine bounty to market tourism via the ‘Restaurant Australia‘ campaign to the country.  Last week it hosted some of the most important food and wine VIPs to its ‘Invite the World to Dinner‘ event in Hobart.  Different creative dishes were served in different artistic venues.  The organisers claim to have reached 400 million viewers through the event.

Haskell Vineyards celebrates 10th anniversary!

Haskell bottles Whale Cottage PorfolioDespite having made wine for ten years at Haskell Vineyards, previously named Dombeya Wines, no more than four vintages of Haskell wines have been made to date.  Yesterday we were invited to attend  a tasting of the complete range of Haskell wines at the home of American London-based owner Preston Haskell in Fresnaye.

Even though it was the coldest day this winter, the inside of the large house was warm and a fireplace added to a cosy feeling.  The Haskell house is right at the top of Fresnaye, with a beautiful view. Haskell said he fell in love with Cape Town and the winelands ten years ago, first buying his house and then investing in the Dombeya vineyard.  Rianie Strydom is a highly respected winemaker, and Haskell and his business associate Grant Dodd are very proud of her.

Haskell is very well connected and used to host Cape Town’s most famous New Year’s Eve party in Fresnaye, until he realised one year that he didn’t know most of the guest attending, and that was the last such party he hosted!  I remembered driving some guests from our Whale CottageHaskell Preston Haskell Whale Cottage Portfolio Camps Bay to his house for one such party about eight years ago, and our guests were very excited about Prince Albert attending with his new swimmer girlfriend none of us had heard of, now his wife Princess Charlène.  Haskell saw the couple about a month ago, and heard the good news then already, to explain why Princess Charlène was avoiding the limelight, as she did not want to be seen to not be drinking wine, as this would confirm her pregnancy.  Haskell provided a large quantity of Dombeya wine for the royal wedding three years ago, which he attended, and it has been used for other events too.  Haskell flew in from London directly to the event yesterday morning, and heads for Namibia later this week.  Grant is the Managing Partner of Haskell Vineyards, visiting regularly from the Hunter Valley in Australia, where he is based. Continue reading →