That's Wild... and Some People Are Going to be Even Wilder!

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the change in the management of the Wild Card from Infinity with immediate effect. 

The Wild Card is a programme that provides nature lovers with unlimited access to some of Southern Africa’s premier conservation areas. 

According to Glenn Phillips, Managing Executive Tourism Development and Marketing at South African National Parks (SANParks), this move will enable SANParks and all its partners – Big Game Parks of Swaziland, CapeNature, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Msinsi Resorts and Reserves - to ensure more relevant benefits to our loyal Wild Card holders, as well as greater control of the Wild Card Programme itself. 

“Over the past year, through comprehensive research and customer feedback, it has become evident that we need to move the Wild Card Programme to more advanced technology that will enable SANParks and its partners to provide relevant benefits to our loyal card holders. 

Phillips said, the current Infinity Wild Card will be replaced with the distinctive New Wild Card, as the ‘old’ card will no longer be accepted at Wild Card partner parks and nature reserves, after 31 December 2010.
“It is against this background that we call upon all Wild Card holders to please update their membership details timeously, in order for them to receive the New Wild Card as well as continued access.
Updates must be completed at any one of the Wild Card partner websites, at www.wildcard.co.za or alternatively contact our call centre on 0861 GO WILD (46 9453). 

Applications for renewal of expired cards and new purchases may also be processed on-line,
Phillips further explained that the issuing of Infinity Cashback rewards will also cease with immediate effect. Wild Cardholders, who still have Cashback rewards, will be able to redeem their Cashback rewards, using the old Infinity Wild Card, at any of the current Infinity redemption partners. For more information on Infinity redeemable points or Cashback rewards, kindly contact Infinity directly on 0861 23 4002. 

SANParks had planned to ensure a seamless transition to the new programme, however the limited access to accurate cardholder records and personal contact details, has necessitated this urgent call to action. SANParks and its Conservation Partners appreciate the support of our most loyal customers. 

Partners to the Wild Card programme include SANParks (www.sanparks.org ), Big Game Parks of Swaziland (www.biggameparks.org ), CapeNature (www.capenature.co.za ), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (www.kznwildlife.com ) and Msinsi Resorts (www.msinsi.co.za ).

Saturday Summer Concerts at Solms-Delta

The Saturday Summer Concert season at Solms-Delta wine estate starts on 27 November and runs (excluding Christmas and New Year weekend and Sat 8 January) until 5 February 2011. Soak up the sun, scenery and sounds of this magical concert series while indulging in a glass of wine and a hearty Kaapse braai buffet.

Local favourites Delta Soetstemme, Delta Langbroeke and Lekker Lekker Delta will be joined by the popular Radio Kalahari Orkes and much loved Hannes Coetzee as well as Les Javan (Solms-Delta’s musician artist-in-residence). Go to events and summer concert updates on www.solms-delta.co.za for the latest programme information

Time: 6.30pm to 9.30pm. Bookings: Fyndraai 021-874 3937 ext 115 or restaurant@solms-delta.co.za
Cost: R170.00 p/p. Children under 12yrs – R85.00.

Jazz on Friday now at Col'Cacchio, Starts 29 October

The new season of Jazz on Friday, featuring the Cape Dutch Connection, kicks off on 29 October 2010 and continues every Friday until 1 April 2011 from 5.30pm - 8.30pm.

This season, the band will be playing at a new venue, Col'Cacchio Pizzeria in Huguenot Street, Franschhoek.

Band leader Derk Blaisse says the venue, which they tried out at a performance during the Bastille Festival in July, is perfect. "The garden at Col'Cacchio has a wonderful country feel and is set against the backdrop of the Franschhoek mountains. Being in the main road we have the advantage of attracting passers-by and the vibe of being in the middle of a cosmopolitan village. I think we are going to have a fantastic summer season."

The hugely popular Jazz on Friday is now in its 12th season and attracts hundreds of music lovers each week. Says Blaisse: "It is very much part of the Franschhoek tourist season and is the only place in the Winelands where you will find top jazz musicians from the Cape playing every week."

Cape Dutch Connection is a jazz quintet with vocalist Charlette Dickson, Wesley Rustin double bass, drummer Jack Momple, Derk Blaisse on piano and a guest soloist on saxophone, clarinet, flute, trumpet or trombone.

The band plays jazz in the style of Benny Goodman, George Gershwin and Cole Porter as well as Brazilian Bossa Nova's in the style of Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto, and even some Cape Goema.

Guest artist Willie van Zyl will join the band for the first Jazz on Friday session. A regular guest player with Cape Dutch Connection, Van Zyl is an acclaimed South African saxophonist and a member of the Navy Band in Simonstown and Gary Deacon's quartet. According to Blaisse, he has an exuberant style of play and a great sense of humour.

Col'Cacchio, at 66 Huguenot Street, has a fabulous menu of Italian food with all the familiar pizzas, as well as pasta and salads.

Tickets are R140 per couple and include a bottle of wine. To book call Andrew on 071 401 6054, or email franschhoek@colcacchio.co.za

For more information about Jazz on Friday go to www.capedutchconnection.co.za.

Free Piano Recital - JS Bach and Sons (Tuesday 16 November 7:30 pm)

Anthony Spiri – piano | Tuesday 16 November 7:30 pm | NG Church, Franschhoek

Donations collected toward concert expenses and  NG Church Piano Fund

 

Anthony Spiri is one of the most versatile and highly-regarded among lied accompanists, chamber music pianists and soloists of his generation. Born in the USA, he studied in Cleveland, Boston and at the ‘Mozarteum’ in Salzburg. From 1988 to 1993 he acted as assistant to Nikolaus Harnoncourt and since 2001 has been professor of piano chamber music at the Musikhochschule in Cologne. He gives master classes and lectures worldwide. Spiri's performance includes music by the great JS Bach (1685-1750) along with compositions by his lesser-known sons.

MCC Enthusiast, Pierre de Klerk, Joins Graham Beck Winemaking Team

The chance to work with “bubbles” under the tutelage of Pieter Ferreira was the driving interest behind Pierre de Klerk’s decision to apply at Graham Beck Wines for the position of Winemaker, Robertson: that, he says, and the flagship Robertson Syrah. Having started with the close-knit team on Monday 4 October, Pierre is effusive about the time he’s spent in the vineyards and cellar so far.

“Bubbles are by far my favourite white wine – and I can’t possibly be in a better place than this,” Pierre says. “Syrah is my choice of red and the way it’s done here speaks volumes about the terroir and the style of winemaking.”

Pierre’s extensive experience in the Napa Valley and Rhône, and with local cellars of the highest calibre, recommend him highly to the Graham Beck team. Coupled with this is his strong belief in seeking premium quality – which he feels can best be achieved by continual benchmarking.

“The best wine to me is the one that shows such balance that you can’t pinpoint the influence of any one thing. Tannins that are perfectly ripe and don’t overpower the fruit; and each component of the wine in perfect harmony - this is the benchmark that I always seek to achieve.”

Born and raised in Stellenbosch, Pierre began his career with a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture and Oenology. His first harvests were with Rust en Vrede and Chateau de Panery in the Rhône Valley in 2004; followed by Haskell Vineyards, Ernie Els and Duckhorn Vineyards in Napa Valley in 2005; and finally Zevenwacht Wines later the same year, where he remained until his appointment at Graham Beck Wines.

Pierre’s new role will involve operational work with the Graham Beck Robertson still wines, and Méthode Cap Classique. His appointment completes a three-strong team that includes Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira, and Graham Beck Franschhoek Winemaker Erika Obermeyer.

Cotage Fromage Christmas Hampers go on Sale

Buy a variety of goodies including Kloovenburg olive oil, balsamic vinegar and olives;  Tierhoek organic jam;  Karoo Gold honey; Onion marmalade; Tillys beetroot chutney and sweet and sour peppers; Spiced preserved oranges; Willow Creek tapenade; 375ml bottle of Vrede en Lust wine as well as homemade marshmallows and  a Christmas cake for two in the form of Cotage Fromage's Christmas Hamper.

R395 and stand a chance to win the a lucky draw to be done on 10 January 2011. The prize is one night's stay for two at Vrede en Lust, two bottles of Vrede and Lust wine and a complimentary breakfast for two at Cotage Fromage. (Terms and Conditions Apply).

Jozi gets Grapes, Glitz and Glamour with Stellenbosch at Summer Place

Teaming up with Sanlam Private Investments, the inaugural Stellenbosch at Summer Place brings grapes, glitz and glamour to the City of Gold, to showcase the finest wine, food, art and crème de la crème of the Stellenbosch winelands, on Wednesday 10 November 2010.

Savour the true spirit of Stellenbosch in style and rub shoulders with 50 top Stellenbosch winemakers. From De Toren to Dalla Cia, Kanonkop to Kleine Zalze, delight in 200 of the finest wines from the country’s premium wine region. 

Meet five of the finest Stellenbosch chefs who will lend their gourmet flair with their signature dishes :

• Bertus Basson, Overture
• Daniel Vercuiel, Volkskombuis
• George Jardine, The restaurant at Jordan Wine Estate
• Grégory Czarnecki, The restaurant at Waterkloof
• Michael Broughton, Terroir at Kleine Zalze

Talented Stellenbosch music sensation Zamar will add rhythm to this glamorous affair and art aficionados will be able to feast their eyes on select pieces exhibited by Stefan Hundt, curator of the Sanlam Art Collection – one of South Africa’s oldest and most extensive corporate art collections.

Tickets for Stellenbosch at Summer Place cost R395 per head and include wine tasting and gourmet delight throughout the evening. As tickets are limited, immediate booking is essential to avoid disappointment. The evening starts at 18:30 for 19:00. For more information and ticket sales contact Christa at Tel: (021) 886 8275, or click HERE.