Ayama Wines Celebrates the Opening of their Farm Store

Ayama Wines celebrates the official opening of its’ Ayamateca Farm Store, by hosting a family open day on Saturday, 8 September 2018, 10:00-17:00.

The Ayamateca will stock all Ayama Wines, a wide range of imported Italian Wines and locally made Grappa & Limoncello. Adorned in authentic Italian olive oil, fresh vegetables and wheats of Durum, Manitoba and Marano Vincentino, all which are grown, cultivated and hand harvested on the farm.

The Enoteca will house locally produced arts and crafts as well as a wide range of tasty Italian treats. The Ayamateca promises to provide a truly Italian- South African experience straight from the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain.

The open day will also see the introduction of the new Ayama Tasting Room, where guests will have the chance to taste various delectable Ayama Wine Ranges, while enjoying a unique tasting atmosphere of rich panoramic views of Table Mountain and the Winelands. The Ayama Vermentino, one-of a kind to South Africa and exclusive to Ayama, will also be available for tasting on the day,

“After years of planning, hard work and unforeseen delays, we are excited to Ayamateca in the very final stages of completion,” says Michela Dalpiaz, owner of Ayama Wines. “We are eager to be filling the shelves with many surprises to delight all Ayama fanatics and we cannot wait to share.”

Nestled in the scenic slopes of the Voor-Paardeberg region, Slent Farm is ideal for weddings, year-end functions, birthdays, family outings and much more. For more information visit http://ayama.co.za/ and stay up to date with news on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AyamaSlent/.
For wine orders or to join their wine club contact: +27 (0)21 8698313 info@slentfarms.com. 

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Sanlam Top Destination Awards Honours Hospitality Establishments for Tourism Month

Discount Traveler celebrates National Tourism month this September by honouring South Africa’s leading hospitality establishments with the fourth annual Sanlam Top Destination Awards. The awards have been specifically designed to honour South Africa’s key players within the South African Tourism sector and serve as a platform for nominees to compete for the title of Top Destination in ten categories and five Star Gradings respectively, as voted for by the public. Winners will be announced at a Gala Award Ceremony held at The Bay Hotel in Camps Bay on Thursday, 20 September.

Votes are now closed and the finalist establishments across the categories and star grading are being contacted. Jonathan Pepler, Managing Director of Discount Traveler and Founder of the Sanlam Top Destination Awards explains, “The support for this year’s awards has been incredible, with more nominees than ever before.”

This year the Sanlam Top Destination Awards has added the Water Sustainability Award. The award has been created in conjunction with Water 4 Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism to reward the country’s most water conscious establishment.

The prestigious ceremony will be hosted by radio and TV heavyweight, Tracey Lange – presenter of kykNET’s Bravo! and KFM’s mid-morning show. Tracey will be joined by voice over artist, MC and fellow KFM presenter, Mamohau Seseane.

Title sponsor of the awards is financial giant Sanlam, while finalists can expect treats from David Green, Disaronno, Carabao, Ayama Wines, Romatex Hospitality Textiles, Healing Earth, Sir Juice, Zang Chocolate, Foxbox and Jekyll & Hide SA to name a few. Additional sponsors include Santam, Phangela Group, Cape Town Tourism, Water4CapeTown, 3-D Virtual Africa, Travel Africa TV and Magic 828am.

For those who didn’t manage to get a ticket to this year’s award ceremony, the evening will be streamed live via facebook.com/sanlamtopdestinationawards. Alongside the winners’ announcements, viewers can expect live performances by Ricky Botsis, Danielle Bitton and an authentically African dance presentation by Blush Productions.

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Jekyll & Hide Bags: Where Tech Meets Tradition

Despite being a fashion brand that prides itself on timeless design and authentic craftsmanship, Jekyll & Hide offers a range of avant-garde laptop, tablet, and cellphone bags and covers for both men and women. Tech bags and covers are no longer the velcro things you get free in the box; they’re staple accessories as essential as a crisp white shirt or an LBD. After all, we’re all glued to our tech. Whether you’re a travelling freelancer, working student or a budding entrepreneur, chances are, you stay ‘plugged in’ to your devices 24/7. So you can’t have entangled cords, scuffed screens or naff, IT Crowd props. You need to stay organised while looking, dare we say it on fleek and fire. 

The Jekyll and Hide range of bags, covers and slips is all about functional fashion that suits every occasion and trend. And although you’re bound to replace your devices with smaller, faster and smarter options in the future, a Jekyll & Hide product will carry them with unique style for years to come.   

Whether you’re looking for a compact backpack to carry your laptop while you travel the world, a briefcase to go from the boardroom to the bar, or a beautiful cellphone cover with added card slots, Jekyll & Hide has something for every item and occasion:  “At Jekyll and Hide, we know that trends come and go. What stays behind? What’s always in style? Authentic quality. Good design. Craft. That’s what we’ve always offered, that’s what we always will offer.” - Bernard

Shop Jekyll & Hide product online via their website or instore:

https://www.jekyllandhide.co.za/pages/stockists

Jazz up this Winter at The 41 Camps Bay

As the days start to get a little longer, The 41 celebrates the end of winter with the final edition of their festive Jazz on the Bay series on Thursday, 16 August, giving guest reason to celebrate in style whilst sipping on the finest wines, enjoying a beachfront cuisine second to none.

Master cuisine extraordinaire, Chef Aristotle, and International hospitality tycoon, Gilles Blanc, together present a winter set menu of five delectable courses, paired perfectly with the yields of Accolade Wines. Live Jazz performances by the Michael Bester’s acclaimed jazz trio will set the evening’s ambience for the grand finale.

The next jazzy evening will present an American-style menu. Guests will enjoy a glass of Da Lucca Prosecco upon arrival with Foie Slider burgers paired with the Free Run Sauvignon Blanc. The second course adds a touch of spice with a Sugar Snap and Green Pea Soup spiked with Tabasco paired with the Two Roads Chardonnay before moving on to the Salmon and Shrimp Fishcake with a Creole Butter Emulsion and a glass of the Treay Tree Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend. Next up is the Braised Beef Short rib with Broccoli Fondue and Kansas City BBQ sauce perfectly paired with the Mud House Pinot Noir. Dessert is served in the form of a Caramel Banana Cheesecake Pie with a White & Dark Chocolate sauce enjoyed with the Bees Knees Sauvignon Blanc.

At R 295 per person, this jazzy event on the Bay offers a fruitful amass of flavour combinations for the discerning diner. Bookings in advance essential via info@the41.co.za or 021 437 0558.

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EmpowerMe Celebrates Women at Shimmy Beach Club this Women’s Day

Over two hundred women joined together this past Women’s Day at Shimmy Beach Club to celebrate their empowered inner queen. Inspirational talks, delicious cocktails, live music and good food; combined with the incredible spirit of feminine unity, encompassed this more-than-memorable occasion set in Cape Town’s premium water-side venue.

Arriving to uplifting beats played by DJ Rene, guests enjoyed delectable sushi and welcome canapes that circulated throughout the venue. With an abundance of cocktail options, guests had their pick of Chambord Kir Royal, Tia Maria, Disaronno Sour cocktails, Graham Beck MCC or a zero alcohol option of The Duchess drink. Furthermore, guests were able to indulge in a few luxury brand pop-up stores, namely Lolaromon, Alessia Boutique, Beach Cult, Kokodakota, Pure Romance, Olivia Lincoln Leather Handbags, Gypsy Collection Jewellery and Princess D.

This one-of-a-kind event, hosted by KFM’s charismatic Mamohau Seseane, celebrated the multi-faceted modern female with an afternoon of inspiring talks by experts in their field. Each speaker came with a message to inspire, motivate and empower. Together they aimed at touching on each aspect that makes up an empowered woman’s life.

The topics ranged from health, beauty and fitness, the power of positivity and confidence, to personal style, finance and productivity. Speakers included: Skin Renewal’s aesthetic specialist, Dr Shahra Sattar; health and fitness guru and owner of Warrior Warehouse, Emma Jooste; personal styling team, Beautifullyou; NLP practitioner Nepheritie Jade; confidence coach, Abigail K, and ending with financial advisor and also the ‘Empower Me’ founder - Janine Brink. 

Set in Cape Town’s most picturesque seaside venue, guests enjoyed a two-course lunch while overlooking the glistening ocean. The perfect sunshine weather complimented the all-white feminine outfits which sparkled with a royal touch of gold.

All the women, including special guests, media and celebrity attendees, shone like queens at the event.

Guests were spoilt with the chance to win in the luxury lucky-draws. Over and above this they all went home with goodie-bags filled with gifts and vouchers from Dr Organic, the Red Gallery, Versace, Pure Romance, BOS ice tea, Choose Me Intimates, MUD make-up, Beach Cult, Zando, Chocolate by Tomes, Jekyll & Hide, Beautifullyou, Shimmy, Fairlady, True Love and Sarie magazines.

The highlight of this grand occasion is that R10,000.00 was raised through ticket sales by ‘Empower Me’ in aid of their ‘Princess D Menstrual Cup’ outreach programme. Menstrual cups and other female necessities will be donated to underprivileged girls who are missing on average 20% of their school year due to being unable to afford basic sanitary necessities.

To join the ‘Empower Me’ network and for more information on upcoming events check out their website: www.empower-me.co.za 

JEKYLL & HIDE IS FULL OF THE JOYS OF SPRING

Jekyll & Hide compliments the spring/summer trends with classically crafted leather bags, purses, wallets and accessories for the modern adventurer, business person and student.  This spring/summer season promises to add a contemporary flair to traditional pastel tones and floaty fabrics by combining unexpected colours with a mix of modern technology and the natural world. As a nod to the current trend of season-less, genderless fashion, light colours and textures will accompany darker shades and thicker, more rugged weights. 

These trends are embodied by the Jekyll & Hide range, which includes both timeless pieces like creamy-soft leather jackets in burnt ambers and jet blacks, as well as cheeky modern pieces like banana-yellow purses, red-hot handbags and hipster crossover bags. 

The four key themes for this season are: 

Sweet Candy

Spring enters sweetly and slowly with silky, buttery textures and pure colours. Sport this trend with a classic Jekyll & Hide leather jacket or American ladies' handbag. 

Pure Spring

With the air abuzz with blooms and bees, vibrant colours of yellow, green and blue will welcome rising temperatures with a warm smile. Wear it your way with a Jekyll & Hide Colorful Caribbean purse that’ll keep countless cards and notes safe while you strut your summer stuff.

Intense Style

Go bold with authentic, pure maritime colours of coral red and blue. We think this Ladies Amsterdam Handbag will pair perfectly with your beachy tan.

Deep Summer 

Intense, saturated hues of vanilla sweet ice cream and strong blue volcano silhouettes are as striking and abundant as the cloudless summer skies. Mix these eye-catching colours with something classic, like a Jekyll & Hide Slimline Montana Crossbody bag that will hold your essentials while you hold a cold beer.  

Whether you’re a regular trendsetter or a minimalist classic-lover, Jekyll & Hide has a timeless, elegantly-crafted leather item for you. 

Shop all the spring/summer trends and more online or instore:  

https://www.jekyllandhide.co.za/pages/stockists 

About Jekyll & Hide 

Founded in 2003, Jekyll & Hide is a bespoke leather fashion brand based in the seaside town of Cape Town, South Africa. With a dedication to timeless leather craft and design, the Jekyll & Hide team travels far and wide across South America, Asia, Africa and Europe to source the finest leather the world has to offer. The result? A bespoke range of timeless yet modern travel and business bags, handbags, belts, jackets, wallets and purses that are as functional as they are fashionable.   

Website: https://www.jekyllandhide.co.za/

Facebook: @JekyllAndHideLeather

Twitter: @JekyllandHide_

Instagram: jekyll_and_hide

Receive a complimentary Nespresso Coffee with your Winter Set Menu at The 41

Embrace this winter with The 41’s indulgent lunch or dinner menus and receive a complimentary Nespresso coffee, either an Americano, Espresso, Cappuccino and a glass of red or white wine.

Guests will be served delicious Mediterranean style dishes like Chefs creation, crispy spiced calamari with smokey, pureed hummus and the Herb-roasted free-range chicken with smashed baby potatoes and mushroom ragout. For dessert, delve into their Vanilla Panna Cotta served with fresh strawberries, balsamic and basil syrup. 

Whether you’re looking for a lunchtime pick-me-up or an after-dinner refreshment, The 41 has it covered.

The Winter Set Menus are available at The 41 every day for lunch or dinner until end of August and is subject to availability. Chef Aristotle may change items on the menu depending on the availability of fresh products and occasionally we sell out of some of the more popular dishes. If they do, they do their very best to offer you the nearest alternative.

Order two courses and receive a complimentary glass of wine and a Nespresso coffee at R180 or three Courses and receive a complimentary glass of wine and a Nespresso coffee at R220.

Red Wine Options: Cape Uncorked Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2015

White Wine Options: Durbanville Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2017

Nespresso coffee: Espresso, Cappuccino or Americano

Ayama Introduces Second Vintage Vermentino

Mangia bene, ridi spesso, ama molto – Eat well, laugh often, love much.

AYAMA Wine founders and proud Italian owners of Slent Farm, Michela and Attilio Dalpiaz, have brought a true taste of Italy to our South African soils. Being the very first Vermentino to be grown and harvested in South Africa, the Italian couple, with a serious love for viniculture, have seen their dreams come true. The first official South African Vermentino harvest took place in 2016, accruing incredible local and international uptake.

The second batch of Vermentino has now been harvested, bottled and has been released on Mandela Day, 18th of July 2018. Green almond, pear, white peach, lime and pink grapefruit zest with subtle notes of crushed rock minerality and saltiness best describes a glass of classic Sardinia Vermentino.

“It is always a heart-warming moment when you can finally announce your wine is available for many to buy and enjoy. This is the second vintage of Ayama Vermentino and it has been aging for more than a year in barrels,” says Michela. “We wanted the wine to be perfectly balanced before sealing its flavours into the beautiful bottle.”

The 2017 vintage is limited with only 5 350 750ml bottles, 100 magnums, 24 double magnums and 12 jeroboams available, each labelled nursed with love and labelled by hand, many already sold at auction and making their way to their final destination across the globe.

After six long years of propagation in quarantine, 2014 saw the first hectare comprising 3360 vines of Vermentino di Gallura finally certified and released from the nursery for planting at AYAMA. This historical year also signified a decade of memories for the Dalpiaz family, celebrating 10 years of living in South Africa.

“We are extremely proud of this wine. Tasting richer and more exotic than last year. It is an exemplary of how the South African soul and climate can be generous to new varieties introduced by passioned viticulturist and winemakers,” says Michela.

Taking into account the growing conditions of Vermentino in Sardinia, the rocky granitic outcrop and dry drained soils, surrounded by the Tyrrhenian sea, being accompanied by salty winds, the Voor Paardeberg Region proved to be geographically suited for this vigorous grower. The Voor Paardeberg Area has long and warm summers with little rainfall. This unique climate receives prevailing winds from the coast which has a cooling effect on the vineyard.

The Dalpiaz family also have another grape delight about to infiltrate the local market. Carignan, a red grape varietal of Spanish roots, often found in French wine and widely planted throughout the western Mediterranean regions. Both the Vermentino and Carignan are produced in impressive magnum bottles for maximum impact at any celebratory occasion.  

Una cena senza vino e come un giorno senza sole – A meal without wine is a day without sunshine.

For updates on the new releases stay tuned to the Slent Farm, Ayama Wine website http://ayama.co.za/our-wines/ - www.ayamavermetino.com and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AyamaSlent/

FAMILY, HISTORY AND VISION, THE TALE OF AYAMA WINES

 “It was a beautiful sunny day, when we first saw the farm. It was love at first sight: we knew this place was special and would mean so much to us. Both passionate about agriculture and wine, proudly Italian but in love with South Africa, with its history, its people and its awesome natural environment, we were looking for a farm to buy and live.” Michela and Attilio Dalpiaz, owners of Ayama Wines.

The Italian couple, Michela and Attilio, were brought together in Italy though the mutual affinity for wine production. They met, fell in love and moved to South Africa to create their own Italian world of wine on the slopes of the Paardeberg Mountain.

Just an hour’s drive out of Cape Town, the couple and very good friends purchased Slent Farm in 2005, where a large portion of the farm was dedicated to vineyards, naming the wine produced there ‘AYAMA’, meaning ‘someone to lean on’ in its Xhosa translation. “The land, people and passion of Slent leans on friendship and love” explains Michela.  Slent comprises an amass of 55 people sharing a passion for wine, respect for each other and for the environment. In addition to the 65 hectares of vineyards, Slent farm is also allotted to 2.5ha of pears, 9ha of olives, 2ha artichokes, and 4ha dedicated to special wheat and vegetables. 

The Dalpiaz family worked diligently towards understanding the micro-climates, soils, varietals, bio-diversity and different cultures of the land. Paarl summers are long and warm with rainfall being scarce. Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Shiraz and Chenin Blanc have the greatest area-related thriving potential with high quality yield.  In 2012 Viognier, Grenache blanc, and Grenache Noir were added to the bouquet, and in 2014 Carignan and Petite Syrah were planted.

“With a familial background in wine and connections with Italian viniculture, we sourced a very specific white grape from Sardinia to add a unique varietal to our range, Vermentino!” Michela elaborates. Planted in 2014, with its first harvest in 2016, AYAMA Vermentino is the first of its kind in South Africa. “The launch of our Vermentino was incredibly successful and we just released the 2017 harvest to the market, along with the introduction of our Carignan varietal this September.”

Both bottled in impressive magnums, these Italian cultivars will coincide the grand opening of the new Ayama cellar venue (phenomenal for small weddings and special occasions), the Slent farm store: stocking a range of wheats, vegetables and olive oils produced on the estate, artisanal hand-crafted goods, together with Ayama wines and a sought-after collection of imported Italian wines and Limoncello.

Further developments into summer 2018 include the pizza oven and picnic area for live bands and family outings, additional accommodation developments on the farm and a plethora of exciting must-attend events, placing Ayama Wines and Slent Farm firmly on the garden route map!

For more information visit http://ayama.co.za/ and stay up to date with news on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AyamaSlent/.

For wine orders or to join their wine club contact: +27 (0)21 8698313 info@slentfarms.com.

The 41 Celebrates Women's Day

The 41 will be celebrating this Women’s Day with a brunch on 12 August. Close off this Women’s Day weekend with the ultimate leisurely Sunday afternoon.

For R 195, guests can enjoy a three-course tapas meal while enjoying Ibiza Beach Bar Beats by DJ Anthea Scholtz. To make sure that ladies feel extra special, The 41 has teamed up with Veuve Clicquot, offering all a glass of bubbly on arrival. The 41’s happy hour starts from 15:00 until 17:00, so extend the celebrations watch the sunset while sipping on The 41’s bespoke sundowners.

The 41 is a premium restaurant based on the Camps Bay strip, offers unsurpassed vistas across the white sandy beach and glistening ocean. With an extensive, multifaceted menu, the restaurant offers a diverse culinary experience. The chic, minimalist setting with dark hues creates an atmosphere of understated opulence.

Bookings for the Women’s Day Brunch at The 41 are essential and can be made via info@the41.co.za or by calling 021 437 0558.