Neighbourhood CT - 21 April 2019

Neighbourhood 21 APRIL 2019

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

Street smart Salt River is a suburb re-imagined with movers and shakers entering the hip-and-happening spaces and streets adorned by street art, page 4 10

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KZN WINE WONDERS

yourneighbourhood.co.za

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LONG TABLE DINING

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SUBURB FOCUS: SALT RIVER

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NEWS & LIFESTYLE

21 APRIL 2019

Editor’s exclusive CARLA REDELINGHUYS

Neighbourhood

In your hood:

KwaZulu-Natal

Cathedral Peak Wines | 063 075 1123 | cathpeakwines.com Highgate Wine Estate | 033 234 2002 | highgatewineestate.co.za Abingdon Wine Estate | 083 463 8503 | abingdonestate.co.za

Piquant, palatable and pleasurable

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t’s a beautiful sunny autumn day as I make my way to the Boland town of Paarl. Usually Thursdays are deadline day, so I’m confined to a desk in the office. But not today. The prospect of tasting winemaker Izele van Blerk’s offerings, paired with chef Mynhardt Joubert’s four-course menu was just too good to pass up.

The day’s festivities are structured around the letter “P” – the three wines we’re tasting are all from Izele’s label, The Mentors: a 2013, 2014 and 2016 pinotage, 2011, 2015 and 2016 petit verdot, and the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Perold Tributum, with the food expertly matched.

To start is pot bread, pea soup and pork belly; then parmesan-fried gnocchi with puttanesca sauce, pancetta and pecorino and parsley emulsion; pinotage grape preserve with a platter of cheese; and we end with pinotage ice cream, peppered pavlova, pistachio and salted caramel brittle, and charcoal and Wilson toffee panna cotta. Need I say more?

Izele is perhaps the luckiest winemaker in town. KWV purchases grapes from dozens of producers farming thousands of hectares across the Western Cape winelands, allowing the winemaking team access to some of the most interesting sites South Africa has to offer – from specific blocks to the very best rows of vines in a sought-

after vineyard. “The Mentors cellar is a space for us to push the boundaries of our winemaking knowledge,” explains Izele. “A place to experiment with different coopers and winemaking techniques, to discover the best ways to work with new cultivars, or to try new yeasts and perfect natural ferments.”

The vineyards themselves provide the inspiration and guiding hand, the true mentorship, to the cellar. Whether they come from the wind-swept West Coast or sun-splashed Stellenbosch, the vine is the true muse for this handcrafted range of award-winning wines. “The vineyard is crucial. As a winemaker I can’t do anything if I don’t have the best grapes,” says Izele.

“It’s incredibly important to spend time in the vineyard. I visit each vineyard block at least three times during harvest, to taste the grapes and make sure we harvest the right rows at the right time. In the first few weeks of January you won’t see me in the winery, only in the vineyards.”

While a permanent portfolio of eight wines – chenin blanc, sauvignon blanc, grenache blanc, grenache noir, petit verdot, pinotage, Orchestra and Canvas – are released under The Mentors label each year, Izele and the winemaking team have the freedom of pursuing innovative new varietals and blends from every harvest.

“It could be a malbec. It could be tannat. It could be grenache noir.

Anything that stands out, we’ll try and get it in the bottle. But it has to be exceptional,” says Izele.

Exceptional. It’s a word that has long defined The Mentors.

Wines beneath the dragon Think wine only comes from the Cape?

Pack your corkscrew and head for KZN. WORDS: RICHARD HOLMES

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

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etter known for its babbling brooks than its sauvignon blanc, a handful of wineries are flying the flag for fine wines made amid the rolling green hills of KwaZulu-Natal.

wine room. Here tastings (R60 to R80pp) take in the estate’s syrah, pinotage and merlot. Also look out for the flagship, a dark and full-bodied Black Edition Cabernet Sauvignon.

The lush hills of KZN are not an easy place to grow grapes though, with searing heat and summer rainfall at harvest-time bringing the chance of downy mildew, and hailstorms threatening to hammer the fruit off the vine. On the plus side, the soils are fertile, water is plentiful, and the rump of the Drakensberg allows vineyards to be planted at altitude.

There’s more good cabernet down the road at family-run Abingdon Wine Estate which, back in 2007, was the first to produce a certified estate wine from KwaZulu-Natal grapes. Today the father-and-daughter team of Ian and Laurie Smorthwaite produce an intriguing range of cultivars available for tasting at the Abingdon Wine Bar. White wines form the backbone of the estate, with sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and viognier on offer. Also look out for the Abingdon Savoir Faire, a méthode traditionnelle sparkling wine, matured on the lees and disgorged and corked by hand at Abingdon.

Cathedral Peak Wines takes full advantage of its location in the Central Drakensberg, with cabernet sauvignon, pinotage, merlot, petit verdot and sauvignon blanc vineyards planted more than 1,100m above sea level. The first vineyards took root here in 2007, and today cellar master Flip Smith crafts a compact range of wines offered for sampling (R10 per tasting) at their charming tasting room. Their pinotage is particularly good, with a clutch of gold medals from the Michelangelo Awards.

In the heart of the bucolic KZN Midlands, a pair of wineries adds yet another reason to meander your way through the region.

At Highgate Wine Estate, which began 22 years ago as a small vegetable farm, five hectares of vineyards produce eight certified wines, all of which can be sipped and swirled in the charming brick-built cellar and PUBLISHED BY TIMES MEDIA PROPERTY PUBLISHING 1st Floor, Block H, Sable Square cnr Bosmansdam and Ratanga roads Milnerton, Cape Town

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21 APRIL 2019

Neighbourhood

In your hood:

Salt River

Table Seven | 082 588 7804 | tableseven.co.za

Lunch at a long table Lunch, chef’s tables and private dinners at Table Seven in Salt River WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

IMAGES: SUPPLIED

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vibey new development in Salt River, Salt Orchard, is becoming a hub of artisan food and other creative businesses. Table Seven, hidden down a colourful alleyway at the heart of the block, was one of the first tenants, setting up their kitchens and a home-from-home long dining table as a base for their versatile cheffing.

When Luke and Katie Wonnacott returned to Cape Town after four years in Dubai – Luke as head chef of awardwinning Ossiano at Atlantis The Palm, and Katie having moved from private cheffing into events management – they were ready to do their own thing. Table Seven has quickly evolved into a flexible and busy culinary operation – they cater for weddings and other events, consult for restaurants, host private dinners, masterclasses and chef’s tables, and from Tuesday to Friday (unless catering for a daytime event) you can get a taste of Luke’s cooking for lunch.

Lunch is an informal arrangement with a chalkboard menu of up to five dishes, customers grabbing a seat at either the long table or the kitchen bar and chatting while Luke cooks.

“It helps us stay creative and busy, try out new dishes we’re developing,” says Luke. “It’s very spontaneous, adapting to the days and seasons.”

I tasted rich duck rillettes studded with almonds and cranberries for a festive touch and topped with fresh fig, some home-made piccalilli and toasted bread on the side. Followed by tender char-

grilled octopus with smoky caponata – simple, well-balanced and delicious.

“The biggest education you can get is through travelling,” says Luke. “I’ve worked with Italian and French chefs, then my time in Dubai exposed me to Middle Eastern food, so I work with all those influences.” Through restaurant consulting he’s also steeped himself in Mexican and Asian cuisines, so his inspiration is widespread. On the menu that day was a superb tuna

tataki with an umami broth poured over and carrot and radish salad with ginger and spring onion. We finished off with luscious figs roasted on a rosemary twig skewer, a tang of balsamic vinegar and sweet caramel, plus creamy mascarpone ice cream.

Regulars can sign up for daily lunch menu alerts, and over winter look out for chef’s table evening events. There’s free street parking and 24-hour security around the Salt Orchard block.

NEWS & LIFESTYLE

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PROPERTY NEWS

21 APRIL 2019

Neighbourhood

Suburb focus

Salt River Sandwiched in between Woodstock and Observatory, Salt River is the next area to get the badge of upand-coming cool WORDS: KIT HEATHCOCK

*Map not to scale

IMAGES: NATASHA LASSEN, SUPPLIED & GOOGLE MAPS

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istorically Salt River was the epicentre of Cape Town’s light industry, with many clothing and textile factories, and is still home to many of the Cape Malay community’s longestablished family businesses.

When the local clothing industry faltered due to cheap foreign imports, Salt River gradually attracted other businesses which appreciated the proximity to the CBD, the major railway junction, and arterial roads.

Film production, set building, costume design and more, based themselves in the large industrial spaces here.

Over the last few years, stimulated by the same Urban Development Zone status that sparked the urban revival of Woodstock, new commercial developments have converted old factories and warehouses into magnets for small creative businesses.

“The advantage for people working in Salt River is that it saves 30 minutes’ driving time over travelling to the CBD,” says Eugene van der Westhuizen of Salisbury’s Eatery, who recently chose Salt River for their second deli. “We’re seeing fast development here with old buildings being renovated and everything from IT companies to artisan businesses moving in.”

Commercial property “Salt River has the advantage over Woodstock that property sizes are bigger, usually old factories and warehouses, offering more scope for developers,” says Andrew Dewey, Swindon Property, developers of Salt Orchard, already home to a wide variety of food and creative industry tenants.

They’ve bought up quite a few industrial buildings over the last three years and are developing them into multipurpose studios of 100m2 to 300m2. “They’re all entrepreneurial make-and-create type of tenants which leads to a feeling of community, and drives a creative environment spilling out on to the street front.” He envisages the area becoming a destination in its own right, with a tuk-tuk service connecting it to neighbouring creative nodes in Woodstock.

Other commercial developments attracting a similarly creative bunch of tenants are 13 Brickfield, a converted textile factory now home to Woodstock Bakery, Deckle Edge, Bootleggers and SA Chef Academy, and 97 Durham Avenue, with the Red & Yellow advertising school, Zando, The Creamery, Get Wine, and Devils Peak Taproom.

Residential While small businesses are driving the new creative vibe, residential development is quick to follow. “The good thing about having residential is that it brings traffic to the area on weekends and evenings, keeps it alive, and all the areas feed off each other,” says Andrew.

The next phase of Salt Orchard will have a residential component focussing on affordable small units for young professionals and recent graduates, and a sustainable urban lifestyle with communal spaces that has the same appeal as living in the CBD at a less hefty price tag. Urban Salt is planned as a mixed-use development at the lower end of Salt River. “By creating economically accessible homes at a multi-modal node adjacent to Salt River Station, we hope to stimulate something rather innovative and important: a fresh dialogue in citymaking!” says Salt architect Vernon Head.

He envisages a vibrant live-work-play precinct with bicycles and easy public transport connections to the whole city.

A mixed-use development with a significant social housing component is on the cards on the old Salt River Market land to address the issues that come with gentrification, the rising rents, rates and house prices of the original terraced cottages in the narrow streets behind Salt River’s industrial buildings.

Explore Salt River is becoming an area for foodies to dip into – from traditional Gatsbys (we were recommended those from Continental Café) to chef lunches at Table Seven, events at Food Jam, artisan breads at Loaves by Madame Baker and Woodstock Bakery, Dando Coffee Roastery and a whole variety of food businesses, not to mention chefs’ academies and culinary studios.

BRICKFIELD DECKLE EDGE

Street art has become a special feature of Salt River, driven by the annual International Public Art festival facilitated by Baz-Art, which aims to uplift and inspire, bringing communities together. Baz-Art has trained and qualified two local Salt River women as official Western Cape tour guides, who conduct tours of the many original artworks, which is a great way of getting to know the area and the local community.

21 APRIL 2019

Neighbourhood

EAT • Table Seven: working lunches and chef’s tables (see our review on page 3) • Reverie Social Table: wine-pairing dinners and casual lunches • Loaves by Madame Baker: breakfasts, sandwiches and artisan breads • Sepial’s Kitchen: tiny Asian-inspired eatery for lunch and dinner • Salisbury Eatery: deli lunches and coffee shop • Devils Peak Taproom: craft beer and bar food • Freddie Freeloader: cafe breakfasts and lunches

PLAY • Guided Street Art tour from Baz-Art • Hot Pod Yoga • Cape Sidecar Adventures: tours of Cape Town in vintage sidecars • Gin tasting at Hope Distillery on Saturdays • Neighbourgoods Market at Old Biscuit Mill on Saturdays

We didn’t really know the area, but it’s worked out perfectly. It’s so central; 10 minutes to CBD, 10 minutes to Southern Suburbs, so the ideal base for a catering business. Surrounded by creative industries, film and production, designers, bakeries and breweries, and set building, it’s the best place for us.

LUKE WONNACOTT, TABLE SEVEN

PROPERTY NEWS

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Neighbourhood

stneighbourhood.co.za | 21 APRIL 2019

AT L A N T I C B E A C H E S TAT E Atlantic Beach Estate: 021 201 8706 • pamgolding.co.za/atlantic-beach-estate

Atlantic Beach Estate / R10.5 million

Ref# 1TV1431394

Atlantic Beach Estate / R6.95 million

Ref# 1TV1390016

Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 3 / Garages 2 / When Atlantic Beach Estate was developed, the owners of this home seized the opportunity to buy a double plot and built their dream home with the help of an architect.

Bedrooms 5 / Bathrooms 4 / Garages 3 / Step into this family home and feel at home! This house is built around the family with comfortable living space and an easy-flow to the entertainment area and swimming pool.

Mandy Oschman 082 567 0398

Mandy Oschman 082 567 0398

Atlantic Beach Estate / R37 500 Per month

Ref# 1TV1431667

Atlantic Beach Estate / R26 000 Per month

Ref# 1TV1417932

Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 3 / Garages 2 / This large immaculate home is situated in a soughtafter address on Atlantic Beach Estate with views over a green belt and Blaauwberg Hill. The home has five bedrooms, four of which have en suite bathrooms.

Bedrooms 4 / Bathrooms 4 / Garages 2 / Large family home on sought-after Atlantic Beach Estate. The large home is positioned with a view over a green belt as well as views over the Estate.

One enters on the upper-level through a large enclosed courtyard.

Lynnette Lee 082 453 3266

Lynnette Lee 082 453 3266

A C C R E D I T E D A G E N T S F O R AT L A N T I C B E A C H E S TAT E OFFICE HOURS Mon - Fri: 09:00 - 16:00, Sat: 09:00 - 12:00, Sun: 14:00 - 17:00 (Sales office situated at the Golf Club entrance, Birkenhead Drive)

atlanticbeachestateofficial

ONE OF SA'S TOP 10 RESIDENTIAL ESTATES

Neighbourhood

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stneighbourhood.co.za | 21 APRIL 2019

WESTERN SEABOARD Blouberg: 021 557 1115 • Big Bay: 021 554 0033 • Milnerton: 021 551 8640 • Melkbosstrand: 021 553 1912 • Sunningdale: 021 556 2362 • Atlantic Beach Estate: 021 201 8706 • pamgolding.co.za/western-seaboard

Bloubergrant / R4.49 million

Ref# 1TV1425558

Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 2 / Garage 2 / Rarely do you find a large beachfront apartment that has the offerings of sea and Table Mountain views from all the bedrooms, as well as the living area.

Enjoy the unique lifestyle that comes with this beautifully renovated and very spacious unit. Follow PGP boards from Marine Drive at 18 Beach Boulevard.

Garth Marquard 083 655 4646

Bloubergrant / R2.995 million

Ref# 1TV1414201

Woodbridge Island / R2.995 million

Ref# 1TV1431309

Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 2 / Garages 2 / If location and security is what you are looking for, then look no further. This lovely panhandle property located close to many amenities. Follow PGP boards from Blaauwberg Road into Popham Road into Erica Road.

Bedrooms 3 / Bathrooms 2 / Garage 1 / This home is situated 30 meters from the beachfront and on the quiet side of the island. The property faces North-West which means that you are fully protected from the South-Easter. Follow PGP boards from R27 highway towards the Island and follow the boards.

Paolo Girardi 083 259 8245

Garth Viljoen 082 955 0287

~ WELL DONE TO ALL OUR AWARD WINNERS ~ Tel: 021 521 3100 | www.remaxpropertyassociates.co.za