Tag Archives: Sir Richard Branson

Franschhoek to benefit from Leeu Indian hospitality investments!

Analjit Singh 2Indian businessman Analjit Singh has made a substantial investment in Franschhoek, buying three wine farms and a guest house. Last year Mr Singh bought a share in Mullineux Wines, now called Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines.

In Franschhoek Mr Singh has bought the wine estates Von Ortloff, Dieu Donné, and the neighbouring Dassenberg, which will be consolidated into Leeu Dassenberg Estates.  Fynbos is to be planted and alien vegetation to be removed.  This will become the foundation for  a new luxury boutique hotel, a spa, a winery, and a wine tasting facility, which will be run under the guidance of General Manager Matthew Smith.

Mr Singh has also bought the Rusthof guest house on the top of main road inRusthof Franschhoek, which will change its name to Leeu Rusthof Country Inn when it re-opens in summer, after refurbishments commence in July.

Mr Singh’s hospitality and property interests and new developments will be looked after for him by Hector de Galard.  Mr Singh founded The Max India Group, which has interests in life insurance, health insurance, and health care.  His local business investments have been made in his personal capacity, and he is using the ‘Leeu’ name, given that his surname means ‘lion’ in Sanskrit.  He first came to our country during the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and investigated investments at that time already.  This led to his Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 26 November

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Sir Richard Branson is said to have bought the Mont Rochelle wine estate and hotel in Franschhoek.

*  Tsogo Sun has announced that it plans to bid for a gambling licence for Cape Town, should a second casino be allowed.   The hotel group already has casinos at Club Mykonos, on the Garden Route,  and in Caledon.

*   A new reality TV cooking show called ‘Chopped South Africa’ , based on an American counterpart, is to be screened on local TV, and will feature chef judges Jenny Morris,  Siba Mtongana, Rebecca Hurst, and Lindsay Venn. Four contestants will feature in each episode, out of a total of 30 chefs.

*   Buitenverwachting’s Bayten Sauvignon Blanc 2012 has been recommended as one of ten wines for Thanksgiving dinner or to bring as a gift, the only South African wine on the list.

*   Tourism to South Africa is estimated to grow by 86% Continue reading →

Top Cape wines to be served to Prince Harry at charity dinner!

Jordan Estate and Graham Beck wines will be served at the Sentebale Gala Dinner at Summer Place in Johannesburg next Wednesday, launching a fundraising programme to build the Mamohato Centre for children and young persons in Lesotho.  Guest of honour will be Prince Harry.

The new Mamohato Centre is named after Lesotho’s late Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso, and will be built on what is said to be the birthplace of the Lesotho people.   The Centre will care for young persons whose lives have been affected by HIV, to build their self-confidence and improve their quality of life.

Prince Harry set up the Sentebale charity in 2006, in honour of his late mother Princess Diana and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso’s mother, the late Queen Mamohato.  Princess Diana was well-known for her charity work, especially for AIDS/HIV awareness and prevention.

Graham Beck Wines is the official Cap Classique sponsor for the Sentebale Gala Dinner, while Jordan will sponsor their Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2011, the Cobblers Hill 2009, and the Mellifera Noble Late Harvest 2011.

POSTSCRIPT 24/2: The Sunday Times reports today that Prince Harry’s girlfriend Cressida Bonas has accompanied the Prince on his visit, and may attend the dinner with him. ‘Top Billing’ presenter Bonang Matheba, wearing a Gavin Rajah creation encrusted with Swarovski crystals, will be the hostess for the evening, and singer Yvonne Chaka Chaka will entertain the 250 guests. ‘A five-course feast with an African feel’ will be served by caterer Vicky Crease, and will include crocodile, Karoo rack of lamb, and pistachio mousse.  Prince Harry may stay on to attend the South African wedding of Sir Richard Branson’s son Sam to the half-sister of Prince Harry’s girlfriend, Isabella Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, in two weeks time.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage

Cape Town 8th favourite travel city

Cape Town has been voted the 8th best city in the world by Conde Nast Traveller readers, behind New York, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Barcelona, Venice and San Francisco.

South Africa has been voted the 8th favourite country in the world by the Conde Nast Traveller readers, after Italy, New Zealand, Turkey, Australia, France, Egypt and the USA.   The main attraction to South Africa as a holiday destination is its variety of attractions.

In the Leisure Hotels in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean Island category , South African properties did exceptionally well, with Bushman’s Kloof near Clanwilliam having been voted 3rd best Leisure Hotel, followed by the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Camps Bay in 4th place, Singita in 10th place, Ulusaba Private Game Reserve (which belongs to Sir Richard Branson) in 16th place, and Sabi Sabi in 19th place.

The Pezula Spa in Knysna won the top vote for Spa in an overseas country, while the Sanctuary Spa at the Twelve Apostles Hotel was voted 11th best spa in the same category.

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio : www.whalecottage.com