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SAVE THE DATE:

25 November 2015


#Fireman's Arms
#Quiz Nite Cape Town
#Prizes Galore
Date:            25 November 2015

Time:            19h00 for 19h30

Venue:          Fireman's Arms, Cape Town CBD

Dress:            Up

Cost:             1%Club members - R180  
                      Non members - R250
                      The cost includes a pub meal, one drink, the quiz and a donation

Teams:          Max 8 people

Beneficiary:  Anna Foundation

For team bookings, all questions, copies of the menu, donations of prizes or anything else you can think of, please email Carolyn: 1percenters@annafoundation.com or call 021 - 885 1922

"PUB QUIZ FUNDRAISER"
Part 4: 26 November 2014

The 4th annual 1%Club Pub Quiz Fundraiser took place on 26 November with the Anna Foundation being the beneficiary for the event. The Fireman’s Arms Pub in Cape Town once again played host with Quiz Nite Cape Town taking care of the “quiz part” of the evening.

Guests of all ages attended with the Mad Hatters team being comprised of a family of 3 generations!  Many teams had gone to great lengths in terms of outfits, and for the prize it was a tossup between “SPECTRE” (think “James Bond”) and team “And the Quiz?”. Despite there being no obvious connection between the team name and the badminton/tennis outfits, the latter walked away with the title of “Best Dressed”.

A wide range of topics were covered with all questions appearing on the overhead TV screens.  In between answering questions and polishing off pre-ordered pub meals, spot prizes were drawn at random intervals, as well as a raffle draw (which was very well supported!) where the winner walked away with a two-night getaway to the Wildekrans luxury cottages in Bot River (ideal for an end-of-year break!). The “Bright Sparks” won the quiz, walking away with 1st prize, with “Revenge of the Nerds” in 2nd (almost winners every year, but not quite!) and “No White and the 7 Lords” finishing in 3rd place.  Each team was given a mix of prizes including bottles of wine or bubbly, physio vouchers, Canal Walk vouchers, Biltong hampers as well as other wine estate treats (sundowner concert tickets, olive oil, flammekuchen, chocolate/wine parings etcetera).  

A great deal of fun was had by all who attended the evening with a whopping total of R14 060 being raised for the Anna Foundation!  Thank you to everyone who supported us!!  See you next year?!

THANK YOU to all our prize sponsors without whom, the fundraiser wouldn’t be what it has become!: Arabella Wines, Dornier Wines, ElJoSa, Graham Beck Wines, Hill & Dale, J&M Biltong, Ooh! Box, Pacmar, Simonsig Wines, Solms-Delta, Tamsin Hodgson Physiotherapy, The Misting Company, Waterford Estate and Wildekrans Boutique Wine Estate

 
 

"D'Vine Wine Tour"
Cruising through the Vineyards: 30 August 2014

When the ‘point’ of a 1%Club event is to meet new people, socialise, network and have fun at the same time, then the club most certainly met its objectives on the recent “D’Vine Wine Tour”. We have now proven that ‘less is more’ when talking Wine Tours and with eight members and guests coming along for the day, the group was the perfect size. Weather-wise, we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day, especially after just having left a chilly week of snow and rain behind us. The mode of transport for the day was the Anna Foundation's minibus, enabling everyone to just sit back and enjoy the ride. It was only once everyone was on board that the day’s agenda was revealed.

First stop: Simonsig Wines.  After a brief history about the farm given by Jackie from the tasting room, the group was taken into the cellar for a brief, yet informative tour. Hereafter we were seated on a beautiful, shady veranda and Jackie barely flinched as she dramatically opened the first bottle for tasting, using a saber. The Simonsig’s Kaapse Vonkel is the first Méthode Cap Classique (the beverage formally known in SA as Champagne) which was produced South Africa 40-odd years ago and the first flute-full really kicked off the wine tasting tour with a bang. Six varietals were tasted from a wine list with a total of thirty or so wines, including Simonsig’s Chenin Blanc and Pinotage which have both recently been awarded “Top 10” statuses in various national competitions.  

After lingering at Simonsig we then moved on to Villiera Wines where a bubbly and nougat pairing had been prepared for the group in Villiera’s “Wine Sanctuary”. Four MCC Sparkling Wines produced by Villiera have been specially partnered with Sally Williams nougat and these included flavours of honey, almonds and cranberries, macadamia nuts and also some Turkish Delight. And what a delight it was!  “Every Saturday morning should start like this!” and “I’ll never be able to look at nougat the same way again!” were some of the comments heard during this tasting session.  If you haven’t yet done it, the Villiera experience is definitely not one to be missed.

Our last stop was Neethlingshof Wine Estate. We were making the most of our visit to the Winelands and by the time we eventually had ourselves seated in the tasting room it was already 14h30. Everyone was pleased to see some solid sustenance set before them!  Again, we had another fantastic and totally different tasting experience: the Neethlingshof “Flash Food and Slow Wine” pairing is comprised of six different bite-sized (very tasty!!) foods partnered with wines that have been slowly crafted and matured to match the spiciness, savoury or sweetness of each dish.  Once all the plates had been cleaned and the wine finished, the 1%Club group made their way, between the historical Cape Dutch buildings, to the Lord Neethling restaurant where everyone shared a variety of delicious platters complete with white wine which one would normally associate with a “summery” vibe. A beautiful view over the town of Stellenbosch provided the perfect setting to the end of a lazy, fun-filled afternoon. Everyone was in high spirits and happy to just chill, with conversations continuing to flow, keeping in mind that the chatting started well before the first sip that morning!  The general consensus at the end of the day:  we have to do this again… soon! Say no more.
 
Tremendous thanks to Simonsig, Villiera and Neethlingshof Wines,  not only for providing such unique ways in which to taste your wines but also for the fantastic hospitality and complimentary or discounted rates offered to the 1%Club. We truly value your support.
 
 
 
 
 
 

PUB QUIZ FUNDRAISER
"The Third" 20 November 2013

The 3rd annual 1%Club Pub Quiz Fundraiser was once again held at the historical Fireman’s Arms Pub in Cape Town.  With 15 teams comprised of 1%Club members and non-members, we were looking forward to a fantastic evening, and that’s exactly what it was!

There were a number of teams who had returned to defend their title from previous years arriving in  appropriate getup: there was “Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs”, “Who the Heff are Hugh?!?!”, “The Revenge of the Nerds” and “It” (a la Stephen King) representing the team from the Anna Foundation.  The prize for best outfit went to “The Wallies” (you know, as in “Where’s Wally?”). They were not difficult to spot!

The quiz was one again hosted by Quintin from “Quiz Nite Cape Town” who had a tough job, doing all the evening’s announcing over the zealous nattering.  A variety of categories were covered, including the old, school favourites, sport and music (which required some serious listening skills), as well as general knowledge questions, current affairs and film. All questions conveniently appeared on one of the many TV screens around the venue making it easier to mull over the answers.  After each round the correct answers and team scores were read out giving teams an idea as to where on the ‘podium’ they ranked at that point in time.

Throughout the evening, waiters brought out the pre-ordered meals, table by table. Each dish was (as usual!) beautifully presented and tasted out of this world! 

After 10 categories of questions, it was time to see who would walk away with the title of Quiz Champion. The team and spot prizes for this year’s Pub Quiz Fundraiser most certainly raised the bar: there were game drives, picnic, physio and cranial massage vouchers up for grabs, J & M Biltong hampers, vouchers for top-notch restaurants in the Winelands including Bodega (Dornier Wines), Cuvée (Simonsig Wines), and the Lord Neethling (Neethlingshof), not to mention plenty of wine and even an outdoor misting kit.

Team “Figure of Eight” came in 1st place (49 points), while the nerds from “Master Class” were hot on their heels in 2nd with 48.5 points.  In third place with 45.5 points was “My Wife Can’t Wrestle but you should see her Box”.  For all team’s details, click here.

Yet another successful 1%Club Pub Quiz Fundraiser and not only from the quiz point of view – an astonishing R13 220 was raised for the 1%Club’s beneficiary: Anna Foundation!  Thank you to all teams who supported the evening and thank you to all sponsors for being so willing to contribute such magnificent prizes. See you all next year!

THANK YOU, PRIZE SPONSORS: Arabella Wines, Dornier Wines, ElJoSa Travel and Tours, Joubert & Monty Biltong, Kaapzicht Wines, Neethlingshof Wines, Simonsig Wines, Solms-Delta Wines, Tamsin Hodgson Physiotherapy, The Misting Company, Villiera Wines

 

HILL & DALE SUNDOWNER PICNIC CONCERT

25 October 2013

If you were in Cape Town and surrounds on 25 October, you’ll remember that we were experiencing a rather odd bout of weather and on this particular day we weren’t sure whether the ‘murky-looking’ clouds would clear or if they would open up and the rain would start bucketing down.  They did both.  But not enough rain to call off the Hill & Dale Sundowner Picnic Concert featuring SAMA award winning singer and songwriter, Lionel Bastos.

For this event, 1%Club members were free to invite their friends and just enjoy the evening together, bringing their own picnic spread and Hill & Dale wines available, a stone's throw away. Stretch tents had been erected on the lawns of the wine estate so that there was partial cover, creating a cosy, warm atmosphere. After a little rearranging of the stage in order to accommodate the last drops of rain, picnic benches and blankets were in place for an ideal evening.  The vibe was totally 'Friday' (ie. chilled) and people were laid back as the music created the ideal mood with children entertaining themselves by rolling down the grassy ‘hill’ nearby.  Perhaps the weather did have something to do with the tranquillity in the air after all.  But hey, what’s a little drizzle between friends?!

Thank you, Guy Webber for the invitation to your farm and for offering 1%Club members free entry to this gem of an event. Hill & Dale Sundowner Picnic Concerts take place on the last Friday of every month.

For enquiries/to be added to their event mailing list: info@hillanddale.co.za

Follow Hill & Dale: Facebook  and Twitter @HillandDaleWine
 

 

WINELANDS EXPERIENCE
"Winter Wine Tour with all the Frills":1 June 2013

A cold and grey morning greeted us but this just made a day of wine tasting all the more appropriate. With limited seating in the mini bus this is the smallest group at any of the 1%Club events held thus far and with all nine members and invited guests on board, we were ready to hit the road!

The first stop was Waterford Estate for a chocolate and wine pairing. If you’ve never been to Waterford then it’s time to do yourself a favour and pay them a visit.  Escorted by a row of clementine trees and lavender hedges, one is lead to the estate building with a striking mountain backdrop. In the cosy, toasty tasting room a wine steward   informed guests of the various wines and the chocolates which had been specially paired with each: Kevin Arnold Shiraz with Masala Chai, the Waterford Estate Cab Sauv brilliantly matched with a dark, rock salt choccy, while the Noble Late Harvest (Waterford Heatherleigh) went perfectly with a delicately-flavoured Rose Geranium Milk Chocolate.  After the tasting the group was taken on a cellar tour where we learned about the harvest process, tanks, barrels and a number of frilly facts about wine-making.  The highlight of the cellar tour was a visit to “The Cathedral”: the home of Waterford’s red wine barrels and a spectacular cellar indeed.  With the lights dimmed, it was clear why it had been given this appropriate title.  After experiencing the wonderful Waterford Estate hospitality, we popped next door to one of the neighbouring farms in the area.

Dornier Wines has its own unique history, including a connection with an airplane designer, an artist and even stories of pirates! We were seated at a table which conveniently happened to stand alongside a very lively fireplace. On the cards for this stop: a tasting of 5 wines and Flammkuchen.  In layman’s terms Flammkuchen can be likened to a very crispy, thinly based, rectangular-shaped, wood-fired, out-of-this-world pizza (without the tomato base and all the cheese).  We could choose between one of 3 delicious combos of toppings and when these arrived at the table, they went down like a bomb!  In between the noshing, wines were poured and guests discussed the nose and food-pairing ability of each one. By this stage everyone was very laid back and relaxed, and ready for the next farm.

Two of the 1%Club’s previous, very popular, events have been hosted by Stellenzicht and this wine tasting experience was not to be any different.  Shortly after being seated in the cellar, who should pop in to welcome us but none other than winemaker, Guy Webber.  If anyone knows hospitality, it’s Guy and his team!  We were left in the capable hands of Zoliswa, who led an informative tasting to a, by now, rather chatty group.  She poured samples of both the Stellenzicht and well known Hill and Dale (2nd label) range and was ready to answer all questions. Once wine purchases had been made the 1%Club guests made their way to the nearby Buena Vista Social Club where platters were shared and tummies were filled.  An ideal way to round off a most enjoyable event!

Thank you to the owners and staff of Waterford Estate, Dornier Wines and Stellenzicht Wines for the wonderful hospitality and service with a smile

PUB QUIZ FUN(D)RAISER
"Ending the year with a BANG":17 October 2012

The 2nd successful 1%Club Pub Quiz was held on 17 October, once again hosted by the historical Fireman’s Arms pub in Cape Town.  This year’s event was slightly different in that it served as the 1%Club’s end of year fundraiser for the Anna Foundation, open to all club members, friends and anyone else keen to join in the fun.  And fun it was!

Seventeen teams entered, each with a catchy name and many arriving in crazy, co-ordinating costumes.  A brief parade around the pub was given by teams vying for the ”Best Dressed” award.  In the hopes of coming out tops, team “Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner” even enacted the Patrick Swayze/Jen Grey ‘dancing jump-lift in the river’ scene, (complete with backing vocals from team mates)!  But it was team “Kiss and Tell” who walked away with 1st prize, clearly having put some time and thought into their outfit, with tied 2nd place being shared between “Please Evacuate the Pub This Is Not A Fire Drill!" and the “Quizz Queens”. 

The quiz was operated by “Quiz Nite Cape Town” and with the evening’s theme being Proudly South African all category questions (including film, geography, current affairs and general knowledge, to mention a few) had a local flair to them.  After each round the correct answers were read out.  This lead to many disappointed “aaaaww”s and delighted “yesssss”-es among team members as they realised where they had lost and scored points, all the while devouring the delicious pre-ordered pub meals which were served table by table during the course of the evening.  After the last round of questions, two teams finished neck and neck and left to battle it out in a nail-biting tiebreaker.  In the end “The Dyslexic Brians” were crowned ultimate quiz champions for the night, leaving “Die Antwoord” not far behind in second place.  Both winning teams walked away with marvellous prizes and some very broad smiles (“Die Antwoord” also won the award for “Best Spirit”)!

Through this event R8 820 has been raised with all proceeds going to the Anna Foundation's education, sports and life skills programmes!  Watch this space because the 1%Club Pub Quiz Fundraiser 2013 is going to be bigger and better!


Thank you to our prize sponsors: Joubert & Monty Biltong, ElJoSa Bus Services, Waterford Wines, Simonsig Wine Estate, Solms-Delta, Kaapzicht Wines, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Wines with Heart and Alluvia.  Thank you also to Johnny Brom and our other overseas sponsors – we missed you!  Thanks to our hosts, Fireman’s Arms and Quintin Smith for the professionally run quiz. Thanks also to Wilhelm Conradie for being snap-happy!


Click below to see the final team scores (and all the team names):
Evening Score (3).pdf Evening Score (3).pdf
Size : 28.085 Kb
Type : pdf

WINE BLENDING #2
"Blend & Mingle at Hill & Dale": 31 August 2012

Due to its popularity last year, the 1%Club held another wine blending evening on 31 August 2012 hosted by wine maker, Guy Webber of Stellenzicht Wines (also known for their Hill & Dale range). One of the objectives of 1%Club events is to provide an opportunity for members to meet new people and network, and the wine blending evening could not have offered a more ideal platform for this.  

With limited space available, sixteen 1%Club members and invited guests were welcomed to Stellenzicht Estate with a glass of wine and snacks before Guy gave the low down on the basics of wine blending.  Guests were randomly placed into teams with each group being stationed at a table  equipped with a bottle of Merlot, Shiraz and Pinotage and the tools needed for the blending (and of course, tasting)!  Experimenting with a variety of wine combinations, each team was required to produce what they believed was their best blend.  Before submitting a 100ml sample of this final blend for judging, every team was told to select a name for their wine.  After winemaker Guy had tasted all four team’s creations, a critique was given on each one based on what wine makers aim for when creating a blended wine.  But in the end, there could be only one winner and team “Wild Card” was pronounced champion with a combination of 70% Pinotage, 20% Merlot and 10% Shiraz.  Congratulations to Hannes Pienaar, Mart-Mari du Preez, Monique Mitton and Rochelle Langeveld!

Following the judging of the wines, guests could help themselves to pizza while Guy prepared a batch of the winning wine for bottling.  Each person had the unique opportunity to fill their own bottle with the final blend, cork it, seal with wax and finish with a label - a photo of the entire group which had been taken at the start of the evening – with the name of the blend.  A thoroughly enjoyable, sociable and enlightening evening was had by all.

A big thank you to Guy Webber for once again playing host to the 1%Club.  We are certain this exceptional experience will not be forgotten any time soon!


Hill & Dale on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hillanddalewines

Visit: www.hillanddale.co.za


BEHIND THE SCENES AT HARVEST TIME
"Down 'n Dirty at Kaapzicht Wine Estate": 21 March 2012

The 1%Club spent Human Rights (21 March ) day getting “Down and Dirty at Kaapzicht” Wine Estate, getting a chance to see what goes on in a wine cellar during harvest time.

Hosted by Kaapzicht wine maker and fellow 1%Club member, Danie Steytler Jnr., club members and invited guests were transported by means of the farm truck to one of the highest points on the estate for a magnificent outlook over the Bottelary wine region and beyond.   After Danie’s interesting lowdown on the history of the farm, 1%Club ambassador Kyle Kristal, gave a brief welcome after which time a few corks of Cap Classique were popped, and guests casually introduced themselves to one another and nattered whilst enjoying the bubbles and glorious weather.

Upon returning to the farm guests congregated in the cellar for a tasting of recently-harvested wines, direct from the tanks.  The ‘tour’ served as an informative “crash course” into the world of wine making and highlighted just how intricate the process of producing a quality wine really is.  Before leaving the cellar, the ladies in particular, delighted in the opportunity to discover what grape stomping is all about and wasted no time in rolling up trouser-legs and climbing into crates filled with freshly picked, red grapes.  There were a couple of shrieks as the grape tramplers swore a mouse had decided to join in on the mulching business but it turned out to be a nervous-looking gecko who was busy contemplating his fate.  He was quickly rescued.  

Seated on picnic benches in the beautiful function area, guests did a tasting of seven of Kaapzicht’s outstanding wines during which time the fire was lit in preparation for lunch and the packets of snacks were passed around.  As the coals readied themselves for the braai meat the air was truly that of a ‘rustige kuier’.  By this stage the initial group of guests had grown to 30+ and everyone moved freely to chat to one another.   We couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather or a more ideal setting for the day.

PS. A "run-in" with the Kaapzicht farm truck  forced Lynda Voges to leave the event and see a doctor but six hand stitches and a fractured foot bone later Lynda returned. Despite being in a lot of pain, she was all smiles and absolutely determined to satisfy her life-long desire to stomp grapes!  It was a little tricky with one foot in the air, but she did it!  Kudos Lynda, for your contagious cheerfulness and for returning to the event to enjoy the remainder of the day with us!

Thank you Danie, for an unforgettable, informative and fun day!  You were an excellent host! For those who have not yet visited Kaapzicht, you are really missing out.

Visit:  www.kaapzicht.co.za

BATTLE OF THE BRAINS
"Pub Quiz Night": 12 October 2011

On Wednesday, 12 October the 1%Club hosted a pub quiz at one of the oldest pubs in Cape Town.  The Fireman’s Arms was the perfect venue to accommodate the 100 plus club members and invited guests and together with the professionally run “Quiz Nite Cape Town”, a most entertaining evening lay in store.

Prior to the quiz, each team was required to give themselves a name while teams dressed up in co-ordinated outfits.  Amongst the best dressed were Die Antwoord, a very bright-looking bunch donned with thick-rimmed glasses and pigtailed hair, the masked Uncredibles, and the team which won the prize for best costume, complete with cut-out parrots: Pirates Rrrrrs Hole.

The Pub Quiz consisted of numerous categories, including current affairs, film, geography, art and general knowledge.  Each team could also choose their “bonus category” – one in which all team members excel.  Quinton Smith of Quiz Nite Cape Town, marked every team’s answers after completing each round of questions giving guests a chance to mingle.  In between the questions and throughout the course of the evening, everyone’s hunger was satisfied as pub staff smoothly moved from table to table serving appetising pre-ordered meals.  Before the start of each new category the correct answers and team scores were read out, leading to much cheering and “high-fiving” amongst the various teams.  It was a race to the finish but in the end The Warthog Eight's Candle walked away with first prize with a total of 51 points, Die Antwoord came a close second (47 points) and Team Kazakhstan took 3rd position (46 points).  After the prize giving, teams mingled (some even danced) and enjoyed a natter for a good few hours.   A most enjoyable evening was had by all.


Thank you to prize sponsors: Element Investment Managers, Joubert and Monty Biltong, Kaapzicht Wines and Natural Medicine Magazine.  A big thank you to The Fireman’s Arms for hosting the evening and to Quiz Nite Cape Town's Quintin Smith for the professionally run quiz.  Thanks also to Terrence Coombes and Chantelle Mitton for giving of your time to do the photography.

WINE BLENDING WITH WINE MAKER, GUY WEBBER
"Blend & Mingle at Hill & Dale": 27 May 2011

Most people have done a wine tasting.  Many people have also been to a food and wine pairing.  But few can say that they have blended their own wine!  For 1%Club members, the unique "Blend & Mingle at Hill & Dale" experience is not one they will forget any time soon. 

Guy Webber is the winemaker at Stellenzicht (also known for their Hill & Dale range of wines) and on Friday, 27 May 2011 an evening of “Blending & Mingling” took place in the Stellenzicht cellar. 1%Club members were invited on a “first come, first served” basis as there were only 20 spots available. On arrival, guests were welcomed with a glass of wine and snacks, and club members were given a chance to catch up with one another, and also meet the new members who have joined the 1%Club in recent months. Once everyone had arrived Guy Webber briefed guests about the wines provided for the blending and gave a few guidelines as to how to calculate the percentages of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinotage to be used in each blend.  After club members were randomly put into groups, the blending process began. Each person had the opportunity to try their hand at creating a masterpiece wine and after 45 minutes of tasting numerous combinations, each team put forward 100ml of their favourite blend for judging. Guy then gave feedback about each wine and deemed the winner to be Team 2 with their blend of 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Merlot and 30% Pinotage.  Congratulations to Eric Rose-Innes, Angela Joyner, Beth Knoesen and Pierre Henri Olivier! The prize: to have their winning blend bottled and labeled for each person to take home. After enjoying slices of pizza and a chance to chat, 1%Club members were given the opportunity to cork their own bottles of the winning team’s wine, seal with wax and finish off with a one-of-a-kind label. The finished product should mature nicely and one day upon opening, bring back fantastic memories of a most enjoyable evening with the 1%Club.

Thank you Guy for a tremendously fun and most enjoyable evening and for hosting this 1%Club event at Hill & Dale!

Hill & Dale Facebook Page: http://ow.ly/55V0S

Anna Foundation Facebook Page:  http://ow.ly/55V46   


CROQUET, BADMINTON, BOULES and GOLF CHIPPING
"Civilised at Solms": 5 March 2011

Picture this: Croquet Hoops, Badminton Nets, Boules and Golf Clubs… A beautiful Franschhoek Wine Estate,  beautiful weather, a picnic under the oaks, green grass, wine tasting, a light summer’s breeze and a chance to meet some really great people.

On 5 March 2011, the 1%Club hosted an event entitled “Civilised at Solms”.  Donned with bowties, hats and summery frocks, 1%Club members and invited guests gathered on Solms-Delta’s Oesfees lawn to revel in a variety of ‘civilised’ games.  Boules, croquet, badminton and golf chipping were the order of the day and guests had an opportunity to meet new people while participating in whichever games tickled their fancy.  Freddie Simpson (the Bastille Festival boules champion) and Dianne de Villiers (croquet player extraordinaire) along with two youngsters from Somerset College, shared their expertise and advised players as to the game’s rules and gave a few tips on technique.  Club ambassadors Johnny Brom and Kyle Kristal, manned the golf chipping with a few ladies showing of their prowess on the green.  The badminton court saw the rules of this refined game depending on whoever had the racquets in hand but the shuttlecock always made it over the net and the players had a blast (thanks to our helpers, Vida Ryan and Carla Koch)!

After trying their hand at each sport, visitors gathered around a table on the lawn to enjoy an informative wine tasting.  One of the farm’s local residents conducted the formal tasting and gave the (often entertaining) story about each wine’s history and details regarding and the unique varietals used in Solms-Delta’s extensive range of wines.
A prize giving followed, with a number of fabulous awards being given for the “Most Civilized”  (Malan Botha), “Least Civilized” (Tjaart Lötter and Francois van der Merwe for their topless badminton - it was hot but utterly uncivilised!) amongst other great spot prizes.  For the remainder of the afternoon guests perfected their croquet skills and shattered a few shuttlecocks, taking a break from the sports only to tuck into their picnic baskets.

Thank You: Freddie Simpson, Dianne de Villiers, Jason and Amira (Somerset College) for the loaning of your equipment and assistance with the games.   Boland Badminton Association (Equipment); Terrence Coombes (Photography); MFM (Sound equipment)

Donation of prizes: Chenin Restaurant and Wine Bar, Nederburg, Van Ryn, JC le Roux, Builder’s Express.  Gerhard du Toit - for organising so many great prizes!

A big, big thank you to Solms-Delta for hosting this event at your most beautiful venue!  Thanks also for the wine tasting and hospitality which you showed towards us.

Visit: www.solms-delta.co.za


FOOD & WINE PAIRING EVENING
Chenin Restaurant and Wine Bar: 15 May 2010

On 15 May 2010, the 1%Club held another successful and fun-filled event.  The Chenin Restaurant and Wine Bar played host to the 1%Club guests where members and invited guests were treated to a special 6-course meal paired with a variety of top class wines.

Chenin's head chef, Kevin Salazar, worked with wine partners from Cape Exclusive Wines to create a perfect marriage of food and wine. The selected wines came from various farms in Stellenbosch and as far afield as Walker Bay, while Rustenberg’s John X Merriman ‘07 Bordeaux Blend was informally voted the top wine of the evening. Enlightening information about the paired wines was given before each course so that guests could appreciate the delicate tastes which had been carefully created.

In between courses there was plenty of time to socialise and meet new people. For most, a rather late but thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Visit: www.thenose.co.za


BRANDY, CHOCOLATE & COFFEE TASTING
Van Ryn Distillery: 13 February 2010

The 1%Club hosted its second successful event on Saturday 13 February 2010 at the Van Ryn Brandy Distillery in Stellenbosch. As the 1%Club is still relatively young (but rapidly growing), club members were permitted to invite a few of their own guests to this normally 'members only’ affair.On arrival the 50 guests were welcomed with a brandy-enriched cocktail and were given a chance to catch up with other members whom they'd met at the launch.  Once all invitees had arrived, everyone was taken on a tour of the distillery which was led by one of Van Ryn’s most animated guides!  The pot stills and cellar tour were fascinating and even the non-brandy drinkers ended the tour looking forward to the tasting which was to follow.  The 1%Club members and invited guests were then seated at 2 long tables in a beautiful room where each setting had a variety of brandies, chocolates and coffees laid in front of them.

Before the tasting, the club Ambassadors introduced themselves and gave a brief explanation about the 1%Club. Guests then tasted three award winning brandies paired with the Belgian chocolates and coffee which had been very tempting to taste ahead of time! For the remainder of the afternoon guests were treated to some very tasty snacks, (kindly organised by Van Ryn) and were given a chance to mingle and meet other members.  Many invited guests signed up to become members at the event in order to not miss out on future events.   And the club continues to grow... 

Thank you to Van Ryn Distillery for sponsoring the memorable afternoon.     For many people, it was their first visit to the cellar and no doubt, they will be returning. 

Visit: www.vanryn.co.za

 

OFFICIAL 1%CLUB LAUNCH
De Meye Wines: 13 November 2009

The official launch of the 1% Club was held on Friday, 13 November at De Meye Wines in Stellenbosch.  Guests were welcomed with a wonderfully dry glass of De Meye Rosé and later congregated in the cosy tasting room.  As this was the first of many events, an introduction to the 1%Club, together with a light presentation, was given to invited guests by club Ambassadors Johnny Brom and Kyle Kristal, the brains behind the concept. This was followed by an informative wine tasting led by award winning wine maker Marcus Milner, allowing the young people a chance to mingle and network while many guests took the opportunity to sign up as 1% Club members.

Thank you to De Meye Wines: to Philip Myburgh for sponsoring the successful launch party and Marcus for your informative (and delicious!) wine tasting.

Visit:  www.demeye.co.za