LATEST NEWS & EVENTS

Delaire Graff Estate’s winemaker Morné Vrey will join fellow Stellenbosch winemakers and estate owners as they showcase and share more than 100 of Stellenbosch’s finest wines. Estate Executive Chef Christiaan Campbell, along with an esteemed group of Stellenbosch chefs will lend extra taste to this glitzy soiree with their signature dishes. This exclusive event also features live music performances and art enthusiasts will be able to appreciate rare pieces from the Sanlam Art Collection – one of South Africa’s finest and most extensive corporate art collections.

For more information on Stellenbosch at Summer Place 2012 contact Elmarie Rabe on E: events@wineroute.co.za or T: 021 886 8275 www.wineroute.co.za

The Parmigiani White Club will be hosting an exquisite wine event at the Delaire Graff Estate where some of the most exclusive wines will be presented and tasted. The wine line-up includes MR de Compostella 2008, Vergelegen V 2007, Vilafonte Series M 2009,Waterford Estate The Jem 2007, Epicurean 2006, Columella 2009, Sine Qua None, Ornellaia 2008, Chateau La Mission Haut Brion 1997, Vega Sicilia Unico 1998, Penfolds Grange 1998, Chateau Petrus.

For more information on this tasting please contact Shelley Webb on E: shelley@whiteroom.co.za or T: 0723866527.

Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is one of the select few (only 100 globally) to be featured among Robb Report’s Top100 Resort Award. The elite group worthy of this title has been handpicked by Robb Report’s editors who have spent the entire last year scouring the globe for the most exclusive retreats on earth. The Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is situated on the highest crest along the magnificent Helshoogte mountain pass with sweeping views over the Cape’s leading wine district, Stellenbosch. Consisting of ten lodges, each boasting their own private heated pool, breathtaking views and comforts including butler service, LED flat screens TVs, luxury bathroom amenities, iPod docking stations, wireless internet and Egyptian cotton linen. Lodges are centered around a main lodge comprising of a private cinema, meeting facilities, Indochine Restaurant and a state of the art spa and gym.

With sumptuous interiors, beautiful grounds and an art collection personally selected by Laurence Graff, the Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa offers one of the world’s most exceptional art, design, spa, cuisine and wine experiences in a naturally beautiful setting.

For press assistance and comment contact
Delaire Graff Estate PR Manager Tanja Mackay-Davidson
marketing@delaire.co.za

On Thursday, 24 November 2011, the Delaire Graff Estate hosted a charity art auction featuring the donated works of 15 leading South African artists to benefit FACET (For Africa’s Children Every Time), the charity set up by Laurence Graff in 2008. The evening was in support of FACET’s latest partnership with the Pebbles Project, a South African-based charity created to provide support to the vulnerable children of the Winelands. The funds raised on the night well exceeded expectations, with a grand total of R1.4 million being raised for a very good cause.

FACET aims to provide a crucial resource for the Pebbles Project through the development of a Graff Leadership Centre that will be built in the Stellenbosch Winelands. The Centre will support Pebbles in their mission to better the lives of children from disadvantaged backgrounds with special educational needs, through providing support and training to local children and establishing after-school provision for older children living in the Winelands. It is reported that a staggering 12% of children in the area suffer from Foetal Alcohol Syndrome.

The evening included a drinks reception, followed by a dinner featuring the work of culinary genius Chef Christaan Campbell paired with Delaire’s award-winning wines, with entertainment provided throughout the night by one of South Africa’s most celebrated female groups, 3 Tons of Fun. Former Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss officiated as Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s guests who included South Africa’s top philanthropists and art collectors.

The auction was presided over by renowned auctioneer Stephan Welz of Strauss & Co, and featured the work of the following artists: William Kentridge, Anton Smit, Deborah Bell, Cameron Platter, Dylan Lewis, Matthew Hindley, Colbert Mashile, Mikhael Subotzky, Lionel Smit, Gerhard Deetlefs, Ndikhumbule Ngqinambi, Barend de Wet, Anton Karstel, Sue Pam-Grant, and Johann Louw. Lionel Smit’s work Girl Submerged achieved the highest result of the evening of R190,000, a record for the artist in South Africa, followed closely by Deborah Bell and Dylan Lewis.

The evening also featured additional lots courtesy of Delaire Graff Estate, including two cases of Delaire’s Reserve wine range, two exceptional vintages created by the Estate’s award-winning winemaker Morné Vrey. The Reserve range includes the Delaire Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2008 and the Delaire Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009. The Delaire Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine reflecting the true expression of the Estate’s terroir, has gained the well deserved rating of 5 stars in the “2011 Platter’s Wine Guide”. An indulgent weekend for two at Delaire was also auctioned, as was a shopping experience at the 100% Capri boutique located on the Delaire Graff Estate. The final lot of the night was a beautiful diamond butterfly necklace courtesy of Graff Diamonds, featuring 49 stunning diamonds. A special prize draw featuring a variety of exclusive prizes was also held on the night.

To continue the fundraising activity, a special Tree of Hope from the evening will stay on display in the reception of Delaire Graff Estate. Envelopes are tied to the tree with coloured ribbon, each colour representing a donation level such as helping a child improve their literacy skills, and are available for purchase from Reception at Delaire Graff Estate. In addition, a voluntary donation of R10 will be added to every Delaire Graff Restaurant bill, and R5 of every bottle of Delaire Chenin Blanc 2010 sold from the Delaire Graff Estate will be donated to FACET.

The evening was a memorable showcase of incredible talent and treasures that South Africa has to offer, and raised a significant amount of funds for a very worthwhile cause. FACET is very grateful to all the artists and galleries who have donated work, including iART Gallery (now Brundyn + Gonsalves), SMAC Art Gallery and the Goodman Gallery.

Click here to download pdf

For further information please contact:
Tanja Mackay-Davidson
Marketing and PR Manager Delaire Graff Estate
marketing@delaire.co.za

Lily Liebel
PR & FACET Foundation Coordinator
lily@graffdiamonds.com
www.graffdiamonds.com
www.facet-foundation.org

Delaire Graff Estate is proud to have been awarded a trophy at the Old Mutual Wine Show for winning the Sauvignon Blanc category with the Delaire Coastal Cuvee 2010 (Scored 94 points out of 100). Overall, Delaire Graff Estate achieved the 6^th best producer in the shows Top Ten for 2011. The Old Mutual Wine Show has the reputation of being the most rigorous competition in South Africa. The judging panel is comprised of reputable wine judges, local as well as international. This year’s competition drew a total of 1062 entries and only 17 trophies were awarded. Winning the Sauvignon Blanc category carries a significant prestige, as it not only draws the highest number of entries, it is also South Africa's most favoured and consumed varietal.

The Delaire Coastal Cuvee 2010 was produced with meticulous care- hand sorting, refrigerated transportation and the application of delicate pressing techniques. The result is a wine that encapsulates the freshness of the harvest, which is rich in tropical fruit flavours. These are underpinned by layers of Gooseberry, Asparagus and a flinty minerality. Structured and complex, it finishes long and spicy. Delaire also took top honours in the Chenin Blanc and Blended Red categories for the Delaire Chenin Blanc 2010 (score 87, best in its category) and the Delaire Botmaskop 2008 (score 83, best in its category) and have been awarded silver medals. No gold or trophy medals were awarded in these categories.

This honour, together with the honour of winning the Wine Magazine Sauvignon Blanc Challenge in 2009 for the Delaire Sauvignon Blanc 2009, positions Delaire at the pinnacle of Sauvignon Blanc producers in South Africa. Dedicated and passionate, winemaker Morne Vrey and his team are deserving of the accolades. Morne Vrey says: “To have achieved these awards with two consecutive vintages is extraordinary and very gratifying. I am a great believer of Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc’s, as I very much enjoy the tropical fruit flavours and richness of these grapes. To then receive such a wonderful accolade continues to inspire me.”

For press assistance and comment contact

Delaire Graff Estate Wine Sales & Marketing Executive Katherine Harris

wine@delaire.co.za

Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is one of the select few to be featured by Conde Nast Traveler (US) for their 2011 Hot List which includes the 124 best new hotels in the world Spanning 43 countries and six continents. This year's Hot Hotels share a common standard in their artful blend of high style, a strong sense of place and showcase the best new exclusive and exotic hotels worldwide.

Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is unveiled as one of the World’s best new Hotels by Travel + Leisure in its sixth annual list of "IT" hotels around the globe to highlight what the magazine's editors consider the world's best new hotels. The Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is situated on the highest crest along the magnificent Helshoogte mountain pass with sweeping views over the Cape’s leading wine district, Stellenbosch. Consisting of ten lodges, each boasting their own private heated pool, breathtaking views and comforts including butler service, LED flat screens TVs, luxury bathroom amenities, iPod docking stations, wireless internet and Egyptian cotton linen. Lodges are centered around a main lodge comprising of a private cinema, meeting facilities, Indochine Restaurant and a state of the art spa and gym. With sumptuous interiors, beautiful grounds and an art collection personally selected by Laurence Graff.

The Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa offers one of the world’s most exceptional art, design, spa, cuisine and wine experiences in a naturally beautiful setting.

For press assistance and comment contact
Delaire Graff Estate PR Manager Tanja Mackay-Davidson
marketing@delaire.co.za

Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is one of the select few (only 65 globally) to be featured by Conde Nast Traveler (UK) for their annual Hot List, covering 31 countries from Argentina to Russia. The Hot List showcases the best new exclusive and exotic hotels worldwide.

The Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa is situated on the highest crest along the magnificent Helshoogte mountain pass with sweeping views over the Cape’s leading wine district, Stellenbosch. Consisting of ten lodges, each boasting their own private heated pool, breathtaking views and comforts including butler service, LED flat screens TVs, luxury bathroom amenities, iPod docking stations, wireless internet and Egyptian cotton linen. Lodges are centredaround a main lodge comprising of a private cinema, meeting facilities, Indochine Restaurant and a state of the art spa and gym. With sumptuous interiors, beautiful grounds and an art collection personally selected by Laurence Graff. The Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa offers one of the world’s most exceptional art, design, spa, cuisine and wine experiences in a naturally beautiful setting.

For press assistance and comment contact
Delaire Graff Estate PR Manager Tanja Mackay-Davidson
marketing@delaire.co.za