Neighbourhood CT - 11 August 2019

Neighbourhood 11 AUGUST 2019

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Living the lifestyle Most South Africans prefer life in a safe, peaceful, natural environment with a community feel and all amenities close by, page 6

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CONSTANTIA COOL

yourneighbourhood.co.za

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PRESIDENTIAL PAIRING

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PROPERTY FOCUS: COUNTRY-STYLE ESTATES

Connecting homeowners with great communities

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

11 AUGUST 2019

Editor’s exclusive

Neighbourhood

In your hood:

CARLA REDELINGHUYS

Constantia

Blockhouse Kitchen | 021 794 3010 | blockhousekitchen.co.za

Rewriting the script

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ugust is Women’s Month and we started our celebration of the amazing, powerful females in our country last week when we did a profile on designer extraordinaire Andrea Brand. This week we’re raising a toast to three super successful women who kick butt in the property industry.

Alex Bolton, Greeff Christie’s International Real Estate agent, Vredehoek and Oranjezicht, says, “I would say the main challenge female agents face is gaining trust from clients. It immediately feels like you need to prove yourself and show that this is your profession and full-time job. You need to ‘disprove’ their misconception that you’re doing this as a ‘hobby’. As women, we have to work that much harder to prove ourselves, and as unfortunate as it is in the 21st century, we still face many clients who, despite our successful track record, only want to deal with a male agent.

This denies us the opportunity to show them the service we can provide.

Women are able to bring a different and often a more dynamic approach to real estate and that’s evident in the rising number of successful women brokers in the industry.”

Another stellar broker, Christine Charlton, describes career trajectory.

“I joined the company four years ago as the operations manager and assisted with everything, from choosing light fittings to registering the agency’s licence. Over the last two years I have played an integral part in assisting families and

investors to find their perfect asset.

Pulling a transaction together is such a heartwarming experience, as it brings so much joy, knowing that we’ve changed two families’ lives for the better, simultaneously.

Dale Gremels, Greeff veteran agent and Noordhoek area specialist, offers her sage advice to aspiring female agents: • Join an agency that will provide you with backup support and training.

• Learn how to manage your time effectively.

• Have a solid support system at home.

• Understand this is a lot of hard work that’s time-consuming.

• Have a good cash reserve when you start, as it may be some time before you see significant, consistent cash flow.

• Then learn to budget, as there will be good times and lean times.

• Look after your clients and build relationships with them.

• Network and actively be part of your community.

• Look after your physical health and know when to take a break.

The success stories of female agents are fast becoming the norm, rather than the exception. With their knowledge, skills and dedicated attitude, they’re a great example to all up-and-coming agents that the sky is the limit.

Chip off the old block The Blockhouse Kitchen is the new local hangout in Constantia Valley WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

IMAGES: PATRICK HEATHCOCK

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DALE GREMELS

CHRISTINE CHARLTON

ocals remember it fondly as The River Café, it spent four years as Open Door, now the old school house at the entrance to Constantia Uitsig wine estate has a new name, new chef, new menu, and it’s all about accessible, unpretentious food.

Chef Brad Ball – back in the restaurant business after three years private cheffing and catering – already loved the space from his time as executive chef at the River Café. “There’s such a rad connection with the building. I’ve come back and it’s like I never left,” he says. As a local with kids himself he knew exactly what the area needed. “Somewhere family-friendly to take the children, in the heart of the valley, with lekker chow and decent, reasonably-priced wine.”

ALEX BOLTON

PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING

Families with kids gravitate towards the open deck and dining room next to the playground, which has fabulous

mountain views and the bike park action to watch. That leaves the main dining room and conservatories for relaxed grown-up dining away from the playground activity.

It’s bistro fare designed with regulars in mind. “We’re all about doing simple food really well. We buy the best ingredients, do very little besides cook it well and treat it with respect,” says Brad. He started by designing the nicely varied kids’ and breakfast menus, and the rest all fell into place.

Comfort food basics include fish and chips, dry-aged steaks and hand-cut chips, salads, home-made fresh pastas, soups, beautiful burrata, and a full-on dirty cheeseburger of grass-fed beef from Bredasdorp, caramelised onions, and gloriously melting cheese.

Somehow in the busy all-day kitchen they make time to smoke

and ferment too, demonstrated in the delicious hot-smoked Chinese BBQ pork belly, sweet and succulent with sticky hoisin and ginger, served with tantalising cucumber pickles and crispy-atthe-edges smashed new potatoes.

A weekly chalkboard special menu rings the seasonal changes. We loved the fresh zest of a classic kingklip ceviche, thick-cut fish marinated in lime, and the rich oozy meatiness of arancini filled with beef mince and cheese, topped with a dollop of reduced Napolitana sauce. Ginger chicken was a spicelover’s treat – free-range breast stuffed with ginger and apple with a smoked jalapeno pepper “angry” barbeque sauce. A white chocolate crémeux was the final dessert flourish, meringue shards sprinkled with sumac, pistachios and berry sauce making a well-judged foil to the rich chocolate cream.

EDITORIAL TEAM:

ADVERTISING SALES:

Group Editor: Carla Redelinghuys carla@yourneighbourhood.co.za Senior Sub-Editor: Marana Brand Designers: Anja Bramley & Samantha Durand Visit yourneighbourhood.co.za

Call us for advertising opportunities on 087 828 0423 Production (Editorial & Property Advertising): Lucea Goosen capetown@yourneighbourhood.co.za Online coordinator: Chantelle Balsdon chantelle@augmentcreative.com

11 AUGUST 2019

Neighbourhood

In your hood:

Calitzdorp

In your hood:

Boplaas Winery | 044 213 3326 | boplaas.co.za

From the top Klein Karoo cellar Boplaas is showing it’s a dab hand at far more than its famous port-style wines WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES IMAGES: SUPPLIED

NEWS & LIFESTYLE

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Bantry Bay

UnWined and Dine at the President | WhatsApp: 060 664 9490 presidenthotel.co.za/unwined-dine

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hat springs to mind when you hear the name Boplaas?

Chances are it’s a bottle of port-style fortified wine, crafted from the Portuguese varietals this Calitzdorp estate has become famous for. But there’s far more to this family-owned cellar, as the Nel family spreads their wings through wine, whisky and gin.

The Nel family tree has deep roots in the Klein Karoo, with the first forefathers settling in the Klein Karoo in 1880.

Back then grapes were grown for the production of brandy, which was exported to England, and then raisins.

It took a full century before Boplaas wines made their appearance, with a new cellar built in 1981 and the first estate wines released the following year.

Since then Boplaas has grown a remarkable reputation for its Portuguese cultivars, with the likes of touriga naçional, tinta barocca and souzão turned into awardwinning Cape vintage ports.

But their still wines are also turning heads, with elegant expressions of these full-bodied cultivars sold at extremely pocket-friendly prices.

Their Cape Portuguese White and Red blends are both superb, relying on verdelho and tinta barocca respectively to craft quaffable everyday wines. The Family Reserve range is more serious, and at a slightly higher price point, tapping into vineyards from the Outeniqua Mountains and selected vineyards further afield.

But there’re more strings than just wine in the Boplaas bow.

Harking back to the early distilling days of the farm, Boplaas has long been known for its brandy. The Boplaas Five-Year-Old Pot Still brandy was even served at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration banquet in 1994.

They’ve now expanded that spirits repertoire to whisky, with the release of the Boplaas Small Batch Single Grain Whisky. Aged in ex-bourbon casks, and finished in old brandy maturation barrels, it’s an easy-drinking style of whisky at a decent price. Perfect for warding off the Klein Karoo chills.

The Boplaas gins, on the other hand, are best left for summer. Boplaas distiller Daniel Nel has released a trio of craft gins, but the standout is surely the Boplaas Eight Citrus Gin, which marries classical juniper notes with a tapestry of citrus, courtesy of citrus zest, tangerine, lime, blood orange and more. It’s happy with tonic, but is best sipped over a few large blocks of ice. Start stocking up for summer!

Unwined and dine

The monthly wine-pairing at the beautiful President Hotel in Bantry Bay is an intimate affair, engaging all the senses WORDS: MARANA BRAND

IMAGE: SUPPLIED

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e immediately knew we were at the right place – welcoming smiles, warm atmosphere, crisp white tablecloths, candle light...

And perfecting the romantic ambiance, we were elegantly ushered to our table with a glass of salmon-pink Pierre Jourdan Belle Rose MCC in hand, while soft music filled the cosy nook where the rest of the world faded away.

We were part of a smallish group of guests privileged enough to experience yet another of the President’s monthly UnWined and Dine wine-pairing evenings, where knowledgeable, charming waiters were at our beck and call. This time, the President’s executive chef Jacques Swart teamed up with Haute Cabrière head cellar master Tim Hook to spoil us with the best of both worlds – something they achieved exquisitely.

Tim explains Haute Cabrière focusses only on two cultivars – chardonnay and pinot noir. The MCCs and related wines are produced under Pierre Jourdan, the name of the French Huguenot and first owner of the over 300-year-old estate. The Belle Rose is testament to their “fruit-driven and approachable” style of MCC, as is the 2010 Pierre Jourdan Blanc de Blancs MCC which accompanies the amuse-bouche, a rich and creamy eryngii mushroom custard, served with other minute mushroom wonders, a walnut relish, and wild rocket adding a surprising sharpness to the velvety dish.

Next up, our starter of French onion soup was by no means ordinary – plated differently with a medley of cress and snow peas and accompanied by a delightful crispy bruschetta laden with Maldon salt, thyme and ricotta.

The Pierre Jourdan Tranquille was

the perfect partner to calm down the symphony of tastes on our plates.

Not always something to single out as memorable on a menu, the palate cleanser was in a different league. Delicate ice pickled pressed apple, and a cinnamon, nutmeg and star aniseed gel created a powerful explosion of freshness in the mouth, the sourness of the apple balanced beautifully by a glass of the pretty Haute Cabrière Pinot Noir Rosé.

This combination prepared us well for the main course – duck leg confit with a hint of citrus, served with a pistachio nut and cranberry streusel adding a bit of sweetness, accompanied by a basil spätzle surprise. This dish was honoured with the 2015 Haute Cabrière Pinot Noir Réserve, a phenomenal vintage, the combination celebrating the best of both.

To finish it all impeccably, the honey and white chocolate mousse mille-feuille was as pretty as it was super delicious, a piece of hazelnut praline adding some crisp to it. Together with the magnificent Pierre Jourdan Ratafia made from 1983 chardonnay vineyards, a fascinating alternative to the often heavy and sweet dessert wines, our gastronomical feast was concluded perfectly.

The Presidential pairing evenings are a monthly affair; each time Jacques conjure up the most delicious inventions with the wines of a different estate, and each time it’s an extraordinary culinary journey into new tastes and combinations, all gorgeously plated, and served with care in this Cape Town institution at the foot of Lion’s Head. Book online for the next one – this is not just eating out, it’s an opportunity to make memories.

LU X U R Y L I M I T E D E D I T I O N

CAKE-2-GO LOU HARVEY COOLERS

GAUTENG PÂTISSERIES:

KZN PÂTISSERIES:

Ballito Lifestyle Centre Durban North Gateway Theatre of Shopping Liberty Midlands Mall Morningside The Pavilion Shopping Centre

w w w. ch a t e a u g a t e a u x . co . z a # s h a re t h e m o m e n t # ch a t e a u g a t e a u x

Cresta Shopping Centre Glenfair Boulevard, Lynnwood Menlyn Park Shopping Centre Pineslopes Boulevard, Fourways Riverside Centre, Bryanston The Glen Shopping Centre The Zone, Rosebank Thrupps Centre, Illovo

WESTERN CAPE PÂTISSERIES:

The Village Square, Durbanville

Neighbourhood

11 AUGUST 2019

FOCUS ON: CHÂTEAU GÂTEAUX & LOU HARVEY

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Two iconic brands from Durban... have partnered to release an exquisite range of limited-edition cake bags

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he collaboration between Château Gâteaux and Lou Harvey began on the back of both brands’ expansion into the Middle East, when Château Gâteaux marketing manager Anna Kelly found herself on the same flight home from Dubai as friend Lou Harvey.

“It was totally coincidental that Anna and I ended up on the same flight,” explains Lou, “but as we got to talking, we began discussing opportunities to work together and do something unique.

We had discussed the notion of our two brands working together before, but it really took that flight to push this project into action.”

ANNA KELLY, MARKETING MANAGER, CHATEAU GATEAUX WITH LOU HARVEY

PAUL WIGGINS FROM BADGES AND SILVER ART

Over the years, many Château Gâteaux clients have expressed interest in having a cooler bag that would make transporting their cakes from A to B a lot easier. Anna quickly saw the opportunity to develop an innovative solution in collaboration with Lou Harvey’s expertise and creative insight.

“Partnering with Lou on this project was a dream,” says Anna. “She has the perfect combination of structural insight and material understanding to design a bag that will maintain the integrity of our cakes. Add to this her incredible flair and design talent, and we knew we had a winning recipe.”

A unique finishing touch was included by a third partner, Badges and Silver Art, a Durban-based company that manufactures medals, trophies, cufflinks and lapel pins for events such as the Comrades Marathon, the Seoul Winter Olympics and for Nelson Mandela.

The final touch was added by owner Paul Wiggins and came in the form of beautifully crafted Château Gâteaux zippers that replaced the iconic “LH” zips found on most Lou Harvey bags. The bags are uniquely designed to hold two Château Gâteaux 24cm cakes and are insulated like cooler bags to ensure the safety and integrity of the cakes inside.

“But I wouldn’t be surprised if people find other uses for the bags too,” chuckles Anna. “They are super stylish, and the unique square shape makes them ideal to pack cooldrinks or snacks for the beach or a trip to the park.

So, I expect we’re going to see a lot of excitement around these bags!”

The limited-edition bags come in three beautiful designs that are instantly recognisable as Lou Harvey creations.

Only 100 of each design will be released, and the bags will be available at any of the 15 Château Gâteaux Pâtisseries nationwide, from end July to coincide with their 22nd birthday. The bags will retail at R399 each.

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PROPERTY NEWS

11 AUGUST 2019

Neighbourhood

Property focus

Town & country Now you can have that countryside lifestyle but still be close to the conveniences of the big city

LAZULI LIFESTYLE & RETIREMENT ESTATE NEAR BALLITO

WORDS: KIM MAXWELL IMAGES: ROSS CHARNOCK PHOTOGRAPHY, SUPPLIED & SHUTTERSTOCK

STEYN CITY IN MIDRAND

SITARI COUNTRY ESTATE, SOMERSET WEST

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t’s an undeniable fact: South Africans are still opting to buy homes in secure estates. Of SA’s nearly 6.7m residential properties, Lightstone Property reports that these estates still hold nearly 20% of market share, with sectional title units just less than 15%.

“Security requirements are still the most important differentiator for estates fetching higher prices than homes in suburban areas because you can live carefree,” says Jessica Hofmeyr, sales, rentals, marketing and operations executive, Century Property Developments in Gauteng.

It’s no wonder then that the number of new residential estates being developed across the country keeps growing by the year.

Executive director of Sitari Country Estate in Somerset West Claudius Combrinck, agrees. “South African estates typically perform better than residential suburbs as they tend to offer higher security and more lifestyle perks for residents’ enjoyment.”

Why? “We believe it’s a combination of factors,” says Multi Spectrum Property spokesperson Werner Scheffer, summing up the appeal of popular BuhRein Estate in Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs. “A big driver is that people would like to stay in a safe environment that gives them great potential on their investment as well as the lifestyle they or their families would like to enjoy.”

VAL DE VIE ESTATE IN THE WINELANDS

Multifaceted security measures are what you’d expect of a modern estate.

Everything to everyone Many estates now also include multiple property types within their estates to suit buyer flexibility, says Rabie Property Group director John Chapman. A Reddam school, a clubhouse with tennis and squash courts, a 25m pool and a gym,

11 AUGUST 2019

Neighbourhood

PROPERTY NEWS

and “social hub” for teenagers are among the amenities.

I recently visited the top-10 estates in Florida and North Carolina. I can honestly say that we’re far ahead in lifestyle offerings.

Balwin Properties PR manager Lisa Sinclair says a good location is as important as on-site amenities.

Balwin’s many lifestyle estates are conveniently located near highways and main roads for easy access to malls, schools, medical centres, business hubs, airports and restaurants.

Developments in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape are close to beaches. “No matter the age or stage of life, Balwin developments deliver to all residents,” says Sinclair.

RYK NEETHLING, GROUP MARKETING DIRECTOR, VAL DE VIE

Urban jungle Century Property Developments’ The Hills Game Reserve Estate in Pretoria East also fits the country lifestyle in city proximity label nicely – it includes a game reserve with antelope and zebra for a Bushveld experience, yet modern conveniences are close.

ROYALSTON COASTAL WILDLIFE ESTATE, PE

Royalston Coastal Wildlife Estate in Port Elizabeth is a 1,000ha secured estate in the suburb of Colleen Glen. Currently comprising 185 residential properties over three estates, Royalston offers residents a fully-fledged game reserve with the conveniences of everyday city living, with a variety of shopping centres, schools, private medical facilities, golf courses and leisure opportunities a 10-minute drive away.

Multigenerations Also in PE, the first of nine villages are being built at Westbrook security estate, which is a mere 14km from the city centre. Developer Amdec Group uses the term “r-urban” to describe the trend of multigenerational estates that blend town and country.

At Val de Vie Estate in the Cape winelands, group marketing director Ryk Neethling notes that multigenerational estate living is important to the success of an estate and to the wellness of its

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residents. “Over the past seven years we’ve adapted our offering to cater to a wider range of clients and their changing needs,” he says.

Western Cape In Malmesbury in the Swartland, Klipfontein Farm Lifestyle Estate is introducing a rural living benchmark – a modern, farm-like estate environment with views of the Swartland mountains and Table Mountain. It caters to first-time buyers, larger families and retirees.

A bit further afield, Mzuri Residential Estate has a semicountry location below the Hottentots Holland Mountains, with sweeping views of False Bay. Spokesman Craig Page-Lee says their research showed five key specs local property investors look for in luxury developments – state-ofthe-art security; location in terms of schools, airports and work; good home design; layout and views; and a mix of residential options from apartments to townhouses, as well as homes with different room specs.

They also want lock-up-and-go convenience and built-in maintenance, as well as on-site facilities and activities, and a community aspect.

Community Closer to Joburg, the allure of Steyn City lies not only in its properties but in “the Steyn City lifestyle” thanks to a community rooted in neighbourly values, numerous recreational facilities and access for every property to an 800ha parkland, according to marketing and events group head Tammy Menton.

She says continually adding to the offerings is key to an estate’s success. “We recently launched an indoor aquatic centre; a dino park where children spend hours digging for fossils; and a landscaped amphitheatre, the perfect venue for picnics and outdoor concerts.”

KIKUYU IN WATERFALL, MIDRAND

ROYALSTON COASTAL WILDLIFE ESTATE, PE

SERENGETI ESTATES, EAST OF JOBURG