A very succinct comment from a highly regarded local film critic! We participated in the Semi-Soet Johannesburg Premier at Monte Casino (2nd of Feb) and last night’s Cape Town Premier at the Atholl Fugard Theatre. “The best South African movie yet” was the typical response heard from most of the premiere guests. Both events were packed and the guests were in high spirits, mixing with many local entertainment celebrities. The main actors – Anel Alexander, Nico Panagio, Sandra Vaughn, Louw Venter, Diaan Lawrenson, Paul du Toit and Corine du Toit - were at both the premieres where they stayed till the last guests went home.

When we were first approached about Vrede en Lust being the wine farm in the movie we had a few concerns. Not least being that one’s brand could suffer collateral damage in the event of a poor movie. We watched the DVD of Anel and James’s movie Discreet, which convinced us that the risks on the downside were less than the benefits on the upside. We had high hopes for Semi-Soet, but I suspect the movie will do much better than our wildest expectations. Semi-Soet will launch at 70 movie theaters across South Africa on the 17th of February 2012.

Everyone agreed that it was very funny, classy, gripping, professionally produced and shows that Afrikaans movies can be successful without being slapstick and musician centric. Anel and James Alexander from Scramble Productions put their heart and soul into this project and made a great movie on a $ budget that would any producer in Hollywood’s mind! They put together a strong cast backed by a professional production team. Most importantly, they got everyone to believe in what was possible and that the movie would change the direction of local movies going forward.

A big thanks on our side to the cast and crew of Semi-Soet for the great job done and for allowing Vrede en Lust to participate to the extent we do! Thanks also to Janina Otto for all her work with Semi-Soet and the premieres, and to my wife Anneke and her team who worked so hard to ensure everyone had enough wine to taste and enjoy at the premieres. The photo above was taken at the Cape Town event with the cast and some of the Vrede en Lust team.

There is an interesting connection that goes back to 2003, with Corine du Toit, one of the stars of Semi-Soet. Corine was the model we had selected for the very first Vrede en Lust advertisement! We used the ad for about a year, by which time Corine had moved on from modeling to a role in the TV series Egoli. She had done numerous other TV series and movies over the last 9 years. Great to do something together again Corine!

Our wines and marketing have also moved forward a long way since then! To celebrate the release of Semi-Soet, we are launching a very limited release wine – the ‘Vryersvoetpad 2008‘, as featured in the movie. It is a smooth, sophisticated, Merlot dominant, Bordeaux blend. Only 1,450 bottles were produced. Each bottle is numbered and the Vryersvoetpad will be available exclusively from Makro fine wine departments country wide, as well as from our cellardoor and eStore.

You can also visit Semi-Soet on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2012/02/09/semi-soet-movie-premieres-done-and-dusted/

Treat your loved one with a divine picnic basket under our immense trees while sipping on a glass of our full flavored 2011 Cape Robin Rose.

Picnic baskets will include the following:
Freshly baked ciabatta bread
Olive Tapenade
Venison Meatballs
Mini Cheese Board
Smoked Chicken Wrap
Rice Snacks and Dip
Potato Salad
Something Sweet
Only R180.00 plus a free bottle of wine with every basket.

Special baskets will be available for the little ones on request.

If you are not one for a picnic, you are welcome to visit our Tasting Room Restaurant which will serve a small a la carte menu beneath our oak trees.

Complimentary Wine Tastings will be available along with brilliant special on our superb wines.

Booking is essential due to limited availability.
For more information contact Susan Smit.
wine@doolhof.com or 021 873 6911

Invite our Three Ladies for dinner this Valentines day.

Purchase a mixed case of our Labyrinth range including 2 bottles of each of our mysterious Ladies for only R330.00, saving you R90.00.

Our three ladies are:
Lady in White with her Subtle, elegant citrus flavors
Lady in Red being a Garnet red wine with an intense perfumed mélange of red and black fruits
And The Dark Lady who will leave you with intense chocolate/mocha aromas

Contact Susan Smit for more details or to place your order.
wine@doolhof.com or 021 873 6911

This special will only be available for Denizen members, so join now to be able to enjoy the Ladies of leisure.

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Article source: http://www.doolhof.com/blog/latest-news/valentines-day-at-doolhof/

The 11th harvest in Vrede en Lust’s modern cellar is now fully underway! The team started bringing in the first batch of Chardonnay destined for the Vrede en Lust Sarah 2012 wine this morning.

In the winery we have from left to right: Melvin August (cellar worker), Susas Erasmus (winemaker), Anthony Mbombo (cellar worker), Ellen Lubbe (intern winemaker), Danel Morkel (intern winemaker), Baron Willemse (South Africa’s cellar worker of the year 2011), Chris Spurdens (intern winemaker) , Ansonè Stoffberg (assistant winemaker) and Etienne Buys (viticulturist).

The intern winemakers are all South Africans this year. Ellen was the Dux (top) graduate from Elsenburg in 2011. Chris graduated from the University of Brighton in 2009 with a BSc Hons in Viticulture / Oenology. Danel graduated from the University of Stellenbosch in 2010 with a Bsc in Viticulture / Oenology. We sincerely hope they really enjoy their harvest at Vrede en Lust and make a big contribution to the team overall.

No, Susan did not develop a ‘boep’ during the summer holidays, she is 6 months pregnant! Congratulations to her and Arnè ; we hope her 6th full harvest at Vrede en Lust is kind to her and the unborn little Erasmus. With a viticulturist (at Plaisir de Merle next door) as dad and winemaker mother, the little one is really born into wine.

I was lucky to take this photo of 2 Kaapse grysbokke in one of the Cabernet blocks on Ricton this morning. The block is in veraison and I hope they were more interested in the leaves than the green berries!

These are two females but there was also a male deeper into the bloc. It is always great to see them around! Lets hope they do not end in some-one’s sights.

The Chardonnay grapes harvested today comes from a 3.5H (nearly 9 acres) block at our Ricton vineyard. The Ricton vineyard is located next to Babylonstoren, about 2 km up the road from the winery. We expect the Vrede en Lust Chardonnay that goes into Marguerite to start coming in next week.

Ricton is also classified as Wine of Origin Simonsberg-Paarl, with a more uniform, lighter,  decomposed granite soil that is well drained, lighter soils. We also grow Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage (for Jess rosè ) and Cincaut on the farm.

We harvest the grapes by hard into plastic lugs. The lugs are emptied into half-ton plastic bins and then transported to the winery. At the winery, the bins are stored under-roof and out the sun. The bins are next rotated into the receiving hopper, where the grapes are weighed prior to release to the automatic sorting machine.

In the sorting machine, the bunches are destemmed (the bunches for Marguerite will undergo whole-bunch press) and the berries sorted. The berries that make it through the sorting machine then gets pumped though the mash cooler and into one of our two presses.

The pressing process takes nearly 6 hours under low pressure. Next the press juice gets pumped into the selected fermenter, in the white wine section of the winery. Susan will decide when to kick off fermentation, which will take place at low temperatures for nearly 3 weeks in order to preserve the more delicate flavours of the white wines.

The harvest starts today with the Chardonnay and will end in early April, probably with the Cabernet Sauvignon from our Elgin vineyard. A long harvest ahead – we hope and pray it will be a great one!

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2012/02/01/harvest-team/

Healthy Grenache during Veraison 26 Jan 2012. Note the sandy soils!

The 2012 harvest is rapidly approaching. We expect to start harvesting the first grapes during early February. The first grapes in are normally Chardonnay from the Simonsberg-Paarl vineyards and Pinotage for our Jess Rosè, also from our Simonsberg-Paarl vineyard. The harvest will most likely end in April, with Cabernet Sauvignon from our Elgin vineyards; thus a long harvest window if the weather does not change dramatically.

At present we are optimistic about both the quality and quantity of the 2012 harvest, but berry sorting will significantly reduce the volume of grapes reaching the fermenters. We had a cold winter in 2011, cool spring and cool early summer. The first real heat waves hit in mid January. While some areas are concerned about rainfall and water reserves, we fortunately received sufficient rains during winter and spring.

Our major concerns at present are re some sunburn damage and the unevenness of some cultivar’s bunches, due to volatile weather conditions in the late spring. The photo on the right shows a Grenache bunch with both raisin berries from sunburn during last week’s heatwave, as well as uneven berry development.

Small unripe berries, premature raisin berries, rotten berries and MOG (matter other than grapes) such as leaves, small pieces of stem as well as a lot of pips, will be rejected during the berry sorting process. The toughest tannins come from the stems and pips, so quality of the resultant wine goes up! See Below.

Pinotage Reject Matter Harvest 2011

The automatic berry sorting machine will have to work hard and earn its keep this harvest. I am sure Susan and Ansone are both very happy that we have the Pellenc Selectiv in place to ensure that raisins and unripe, small berries do not make it into the winery! The quality improvement from the first full harvest using the automatic sorting machine in 2011 has been significant.

We have a few new cultivars and vineyards coming into production this harvest. The first Grenache Noir grapes from the 2.5Ha (6.25 acres) block planted on Vrede en Lust in 2009. The vineyard was planted in a sandy, old riverbed section of the farm, in order to help tame Grenache’s natural vigor. Excess vigor is bad for quality grape production. Susan and Ans will have new options with Grenache as cultivar.

The Grenache vineyard has established itself well and Etienne’s team have had to drop at least 50% of the first crop, in order to help protect the younger vines. We will harvest every second bunch for potential use as rosè component, leaving the other bunches to enjoy extra hang time for red wine production.

In Elgin we have the Merlot and Cabernet Franc blocks planted in 2008, now coming into first production. Both blocks are only 1Ha (2.5 acres) in extent and planted along the warmer, north facing Bokkeveldt Skalie (an ancient shale) slopes. The soils have a 70% gravel content, are very deep and it takes the vines longer establish themselves. Once their roots get down to rock beds with more water retention, they take off. We expect small maiden crops from both these blocks, similar to the maiden harvest of 1.5 tons Casey’s Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon last year.

I am very excited about the quality of the 4 barrels of Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2011 harvest. Bright red fruit, elegant, no green characters and very smooth tannins. If the Merlot and Cab Franc develop in similar style and quality, we will have some really exceptional grapes to work with in the cellar.

There has recently been a lot (two Grape blogs, Pendock, Eedes et al) written about the green character in some Cape Bordeaux style red wines, due to elevated levels of 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine (or IBMP),  resulting in Cabernet Sauvignon with an excessive ‘green’ character.

Hats off to Charles Hopkins from De Grendel for highlighting this important issue and also for giving the local wine press something really useful to write about. It is going to be interesting to see how winemakers tackle issue this harvest. I suspect lots of IBMP level tests running through the labs right now!

Looking out over the Casey’s Ridge vineyard in Elgin towards the Palmiet river and Kogelberg mountains

The interesting fact, is that Elgin’s degree days (at around 1,500) or heat summation (pg 35) is closer to Bordeaux’s degree days (mid 1,400?s) than any other  major region in South Africa, with a lot of summer cloud cover due to the South Easterly winds. Obviously the meso climates will vary depending on a number of factors such as proximity to the cold oceans, other large water bodies, elevation, slopes etc.

While Elgin’s early acclaim has come from the high quality white wines from wineries like Paul Cluver and Iona, I suspect that in the medium term, the real game changers will come from Elgin red wines, especially where the right soils have been carefully matched to the correct grape cultivars, clones and rootstocks. Our near-neighbor Shannon, a bit higher up the Palmiet river, has already surprised wine critics internationally with their Mount Bullet Merlot.

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2012/01/27/getting-ready-for-harvest-2012/

The theme was cheese and wine, which blended well with the wine lands indeed.  Vrede and Lust wish Abigail and Gareth a prosperous future together, and may your love age like good wine.

Service Providers:

Photographer: Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen

DJ: Cape Town DJ’s

Florist: Leipzig

Lighting: Something Different

Bar: Urban Tonic

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2012/01/25/abigail-gareth/

The décor looked amazing, with detail in every bit.  The instant cameras on the tables ensured some great memories for the newlyweds and their guests as well.  We adored the couple’s fun loving sense of humour.  May the joy in their hearts and laughter on their lips remind them that this is a sign of a pretty good grasp of life.

Service Providers:

Florist Décor: Leipzig

Catering: Vrede en Lust

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2012/01/25/nikki-peter/

Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors is one of the world’s largest philanthropic service organisations and manages over US$200 million in grants each year to nearly 70 countries. The non-profit organisation was developed by the Rockefeller family as its private philanthropy service, and traces its roots to John D. Rockefeller, Sr., who in 1891 began to professionally manage his philanthropy “as if it were a business.”

Philanthropy has attracted much international interest and prominence since high profile American billionaires Warren Buffet and Bill Gates pledged to commit more than half their fortunes to good causes. Their campaign to convince others to do the same has created an awareness around the world and philanthropic activity is now becoming an integral part of financial planning.

The aim of the Inyathelo symposium is to discuss the new global culture of giving, philanthropic trends and how to encourage clients to become active in philanthropy.

John D. Rockefeller, Sr.: America’s First Billionaire (Titans of Fortune)

Biographical profile of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. America’s first billionaire. Rockefeller established Standard Oil and built it into an oil empire that controlled the oil industry. Standard Oil was the nation’s most powerful trust, a progenitor of other major monopolistic trusts and one that would help launch Teddy Roosevelt’s attack on the “malefactors of great wealth.” In the process of amassing great wealth, Rockefeller’s reputation developed more facets than a diamond. Few could agree on whether he was, as many called him, “the world’s most hated man,” or as the New York Times labeled him: “the world’s greatest giver.” Public opinion ran the gamut. He contributed more than $531 million to charities and educational institutions and founded the University of Chicago. Ida M. Tarbell vilified him in a series of articles and books. And the Supreme Court ordered Standard to dissolve due to restraint of trade. The dissolution resulted in 34 companies including Exxon, Mobil, Conoco, Chevron, Amoco, Sohio, Socony, Atlantic, Richfield, Esso, Marathon and 23 other smaller entities. The New York Times called Rockefeller’s story the “outstanding example of the romance of American business, the most dramatic illustration of the opportunity for amassing wealth which was a part of the era of rugged individualism.” Award-winning author Daniel Alef tells his fascinating story and the conundrums faced in appraising his legacy. [6,449-word Titans of Fortune article with timeline, bibliography and links to videos]]Biographical profile of John D. Rockefeller, Sr. America’s first billionaire. Rockefeller established Standard Oil and built it into an oil empire that controlled the oil industry. Standard Oil was the nation’s most powerful trust, a progenitor of other major monopolistic trusts and one that would help launch Teddy Roosevelt’s attack on the “malefactors of great wealth.” In the process of amassing great wealth, Rockefeller’s reputation developed more facets than a diamond. Few could agree on whether he was, as many called him, “the world’s most hated man,” or as the New York Times labeled him: “the world’s greatest giver.” Public opinion ran the gamut. He contributed more than $531 million to charities and educational institutions and founded the University of Chicago. Ida M. Tarbell vilified him in a series of articles and books. And the Supreme Court ordered Standard to dissolve due to restraint of trade. The dissolution resulted in 34 companies including Exxon, Mobil, Conoco, Chevron, Amoco, Sohio, Socony, Atlantic, Richfield, Esso, Marathon and 23 other smaller entities. The New York Times called Rockefeller’s story the “outstanding example of the romance of American business, the most dramatic illustration of the opportunity for amassing wealth which was a part of the era of rugged individualism.” Award-winning author Daniel Alef tells his fascinating story and the conundrums faced in appraising his legacy. [6,449-word Titans of Fortune article with timeline, bibliography and links to videos]]

Price:

In his “More Down to Earth” section, Martin focused on wines that are commercially available and can be considered as good value.  Bruwer Raats and Mzokhona Mvemve’s 2008 MR De Compostella made the list, which covered wines from across the globe.  Other South African wines to be included were the 2006 Tierhoek Straw Wine, 2006 Klein Constantia Vin de Constance Natural Sweet Wine and 2009 Tokara Reserve Collection Stellenbosch Chardonnay.

After his South African visit, Martin commented on the diversity of the local wine industry and saw huge potential in South African wines.  He claimed a 1961 Lanzarac Pinotage as the Surprise of the Year and added the 2010 Ken Forrester Petit Cabernet/Merlot and 2010 Cape Point Isliedh Sauvignon Blanc as the value red and white wines of the year respectively.

“I think it is a really great reflection on the South African industry as a whole to have so many wines included in this list, which will literally be read by wine lovers across the world.  To have our wines stand alongside some of the greatest Pomerol estates and iconic Burgundies from France, award-winning Madeiras and Ports from Portugal, Spanish Riojas, German Rieslings and New World Wines from the Napa Valley and Chile should really be a huge encouragement for local winemakers.  I certainly feel this is an indication that we’re being taken seriously as a winemaking region and making a place for South African wines on the international wine stage,” mentions Bruwer Raats.

Mzokhona Mvemve and Bruwer Raats celebrate being 'More Down to Earth'

First Steps in Winemaking

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This book sets out in metric, imperial and American measures some 150 detailed winemaking recipes, all arranged in month-by-month order so the reader can pursue winemaking all the year round.

List Price: £5.95

Price: £1.68

At least two Cape Town establishments have been approached to take bookings for large groups from someone purporting to be “Chair, Organising Committee, SARU”.

In one instance a Cape Town restaurant received a booking for a meal for 27 people on the strength of an apparently forged “proof of payment”. In the other a booking was made for 36 people.

The “proof of payment” is then used to claim overpayment for the forthcoming booking. The fraudster requests reimbursement into his account in order to ensure his party is able to pay for transport to fulfill the booking.

Businesses are advised to beware of a person calling himself Craig Adams, claiming to be “Chair, Organising Committee, SARU”. He uses the email address theboks@therugby.co.za (The Rugby web site is a free e-mail provider) in an attempt to lend credibility to his scam. SARU has no such employee and does not operate such an email domain.

SARU is making further inquiries with a view to referring the matter to the South African Police Services.

Between the Lines: The Spirit of South African Rugby

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Takes you on a journey to the heart of South Africa’s rugby spirit. This title lets you join the author as he travels from Bishops in Cape Town – the birthplace of rugby in South Africa – to the hallowed corridors of Hilton College and Michaelhouse in KwaZulu-Natal, to Adelaide Gymnasium in the Eastern Cape.

List Price: £12.99

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Kevin Kinyanjui, CIO at Kenya Airways; Malcolm Laing, Group CIO at Investec; and Colin Prince, CIO at Petro SA, are among the delegates scheduled to attend the upcoming summit. IT leaders from First National Bank, GE, De Beers, SAB Miller and Absa Bank are also attending.

Samuel Phogishio, Kenyan Minister of Information and Communication, attended the previous event at the Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi. “This kind of conference is very important for networking, and is something that Africa needs to do more of,” he said. “CIOs will definitely benefit from this, and knowing that CIOs from major – if not mega – companies are in attendance really gives us a benchmark and sets the standard.”

The event is designed specifically to help forward-thinking CIOs meet today’s IT challenges while planning for those of tomorrow. As well as comprehensive workshops, the summit will involve panel discussions offering delegates moderated, peer-led discussions on major industry issues. One-to-one meetings give delegates the chance to meet with business analysts and solution providers to discuss strategy and technology demands in a rapidly evolving business climate.

Alastair O’Hara, Director at GDS International – the global business event company behind CIO Africa – believes the summit’s high calibre of speakers and exciting content, combined with fantastic opportunities for networking, give delegates and sponsors real value for money and return on their investment and ensures that CIO Africa stands out against other events.

“This year’s CIO Africa Summit is designed specifically with the CIO in mind – exploring and defining the emerging disciplines critical to organisational effectiveness,” he says. “Now more than ever, CIOs will only respond and commit to those solution providers who can link tangible cost benefits with the solutions they provide. The CIO Africa Summit will provide a vital forum for communication and the ideal framework for new business relationships to flourish.”

Professional Issues in Information Technology

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This book explores the relationship between technological change, society and the law, and the powerful role that computers and computer professionals play in a technological society. It is designed to accompany the BCS Professional Examination Core Diploma Module: Professional Issues in Information Systems Practice.

List Price: £26.99

Price: £17.38

A ribbon symbolized their union to one another, which was also resembled in their bold decor.   Vrede en Lust would like to send our best wishes and may their marriage always feel like that exhilarating first date.

Service Providers:

Florist/Decor: Michelle, Kaleidescope

Catering: Vrede en Lust

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2011/12/30/chloe-thomas/

” A long marriage is two people trying to dance a duet and two solos at the same time.” 

~Anne Taylor Fleming

Here is to Leanne and Lynton, and may they never stop dancing to life’s harmonies.  It was a pleasure to host this lovely couple at Vrede and Lust.

Service Porividers:

Minister: Geoff Jamieson

Photographer: Gareth Hubbard

Videographer: KarenGermishuys

Florist: Heike le Cordeur

Music: Simply Strings, Me Mr. Brown

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2011/12/30/leanne-lynton/

Natalie and Travis simbolized their love through white doves during the ceremony, which was also included in the décor.  This was a beautiful way in which to celebrate the serenity and faithfulness of love.

We at Vrede en Lust, want to wish Natalie and Travis a full and prosperous life together.
 

Service Providers:

Sound, lighting and DJ: Kilowatt AV

Décor: Hireworx

Photographer: Sarah Wood

Waiters: West Staff Services

Catering: Vrede en Lust

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2011/12/18/natalie-travis/

The diversity of their guests accentuated the crisp, fresh and vibrancy of their wedding.  The energy of this unforgettable couple shone through the colours on their special day and it was a day which would be remembered at Vrede en Lust for seasons to come.  We hope that Nonye and Tunji continue to spread their light wherever the road may take them.

Service providers:

Photographer: Henk Hatting

Catering: Vrede en Lust

Accomodation: Vrede en Lust

Article source: http://www.vnl.co.za/2011/12/18/nonye-tunji/

TNPA hopes to attract ambitious and eager learners to the dynamic maritime industry in an attempt to address and rectify the skills shortage which exists within South Africa.

TNPA has already made great strides in encouraging young Black females to achieve their dreams and become pioneers within the once male-dominated industry. (See: From Soweto to Under the Sea)

“We are searching for young blood to drive TNPA forward and become leaders of the maritime industry. As you know the ports are the backbone of the economy of this country. The Exhibitions will therefore provide a platform for the youth and the general public to understand how this industry works and how TNPA makes South Africa tick.

“We are committed to inspiring and encouraging the youth to embark on a fulfilling and challenging career that will nurture and grow them in every way,” says Tau Morwe Chief Executive of TNPA.

The exhibitions will take place at Sandton City in Johannesburg, Hemmingways Mall in East London, Greenacres in Port Elizabeth, Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban, and at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. TNPA personnel will be available at the exhibitions to answer all queries and expose ambitious learners to the daring and unique career opportunities offered by TNPA.

The spectacular exhibits will have informative and interactive touch screens which will give in-depth information on the operations of TNPA, and will take prospective job-seekers on a tour of the ports, which will be displayed throughout the duration of the exhibition.

The exciting careers that will be showcased include how to become a tugmaster, marine pilot, port planner, marine engineer and port engineer at TNPA. Interested visitors will be able to register their details electronically on site, and TNPA will be in contact with them regarding their interests.

Hugo recently finished second in the XTERRA world championships in Hawaii and will compete in the South African leg of the global series in February 2012. Hugo spends six months a year in South Africa and the other half in the United States, while training for the gruelling XTERRA series. While in South Africa, he lives in Stellenbosch and enjoys the unique lifestyle of this town in the heart of the Cape winelands.

“I like experimenting with different lifestyle elements, especially good food and wine and first tried the Raats’ wines with assistant winemaker Gavin Slabbert. There are many similarities between Bruwer’s approach to winemaking and my life as a triathlete. We’re both operating in a niche environment – him as a Cabernet Franc and Chenin Blanc specialist and me as a multi-discipline athlete. That is one of the main reasons that the idea of being a Raats brand ambassador appealed to me as it is a small, intimate brand and I think I can add value to promoting the brand. I’ve always believed that the core of a man’s strength comes from new experiences – and this will definitely be one of those,” mentions Hugo.

Raats first met Hugo while he was doing a motivational speech at Somerset House, where his sons go to school and was immediately impressed with his attitude to life. “Dan sets an exceptional example both on and off the racing circuit. He is immensely humble about his achievements and remains hard-working and committed to following his passion. There are many parallels between his approach to his life as a XTERRA athlete and my winemaking philosophy and I realise that we could foster an organic collaboration. He strives to be the world’s best and although XTERRA is not a mainstream sport, it has not stopped his absolute dedication to the sport. In the same way, I follow a fairly unorthodox approach to winemaking, but still aims to create world-class wines. By being a brand ambassador for my wines, Dan will introduce it to a completely different audience, which is always a fantastic opportunity,” states Raats.

In the States, Hugo resides in Colorado and hopes to explore further markets for Raats Family Wines as they have an extensive American distribution network. “The fact that his wines are relatively widely available, means that I can introduce more people to the brand and they will be able to get hold of Raats wines fairly easily,” says Hugo.

Dan Hugo and Bruwer Raats Contribute to Angel's Tears

Training Plans for Multisport Athletes: Your Essential Guide to Triathlon, Duathlon, Xterra, Ironman and Endurance Racing

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Velopress Fitness By Velopress

List Price: £16.00

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