Thursday: 25 September 2003

This site will be updated on: 3 Oktober  2003 at 17:00

Business - Sakenuus

• Paarlite shines with herb farm
• Tactics transform wine industry
• Pearl Valley sales top R177 million
• Five star spa hotel opens
• Retirement village a hit

tunnel to produce herbs.

These were packed in her kitchen and supplied to restaurants in Paarl and Franschhoek.

Things progressed, the kitchen got too small, table grapes were grubbed, herbs were planted on empty land and by 1997 the herbs had ousted the cucumbers.

During this time the business grew from supplying direct to restaurants, to supplying a majority of production via small, normally one or two person enterprises that supplied a range of produce to the catering industry.

In 1994 Leslie persuaded Woolworths that they needed to introduce a herb range that included the then more exotic herbs such as rocket and coriander.

In 1997 Leslie and her husband purchased Dave Rennie's share in the farm. In 2002 a neighbouring farm was purchased to extend production. 

Leslie has managed the business since its inception and changed the traditional herb scene by introducing herbs little used by the general consumer, such as rocket, coriander, tat soi, mizuna, mibuna, wild rocket, radiccio, tarragon, lemon grass and chervil. The range extends to about 25 varieties.

The availability of these has, in a small way, enabled our top restaurants to reach the international recognition that they now enjoy.

All of this has been achieved by paying great attention to produce quality, planning for continuity of supply and innovation as well as by many hours of after hours and weekend working.

The use of selected seed and varieties and the introduction of equipment such as a pneumatic seed planter have improved production efficiency.

Leslie has achieved a high level of staff motivation with a very low turnover. The staff compliment peaks at 120.

There are 80 staff permanently employed and 40 employed on eight-month contracts during the summer season.

Joseph Parsley, who joined as a labourer in the early days, is the farm manager and his wife Mary is the assistant packhouse manageress.

While being kept busy with her business, Leslie has also been a "home executive" and mother to two daughters aged 15 and 13

THE South African wine industry is gearing up for what is expected to be one of the biggest events on the local calendar, an event that will change the face of the industry forever.

Spearheaded by the South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT) the much anticipated black economic empowerment (BEE) transformation conference is set to take place from 31 October to 1 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The prime objective of the two day SAWIT Empowerment Conference is the development of a Wine Industry BEE Charter, aligned to the national Government Global BEE charter.

The key focus will be on devising realistic transformation solutions that will ultimately deliver tangible empowerment results.

According to Gavin Pieterse, SAWIT chairman, less than one percent of South Africa's wine industry is currently black owned, an indication that transformation in this sector is long overdue.

"Actual transformation in this sector has been non-existent; the conference is the first serious step towards making this a reality.

"Transformation of this industry can only be achieved if proper governance is instituted, new ownership is encouraged and supported, and poverty alleviation is pro-actively addressed and if skills development is viewed as a critical imperative," he says.

Pieterse moves on to explain that the conference will be used as a platform to debate the successes and failures of black empowerment within the wine sector to date, and to devise workable, practical BEE and transformation solutions.

SAWIT believes that these activities will ultimately allow it to achieve one of its key goals: the entry of previously disadvantaged individuals and groups into the mainstream by providing them with the necessary step-up to proactively grasp economic opportunities and activities offered by the industry at large.

The conference will be well attended by 300 representatives from every level within the wine industry including related bodies and communities such as the South African Department of Agriculture, SAWIT and its section 21 companies, commercial representatives and black entrepreneurs in the wine industry

The conference will be jointly hosted and facilitated by SAWIT as well as the recently established SA Wine and Brandy Company which acts as an overall industry body.

SINCE August last year, 160 residential stands to the value of R177 million have been sold at the Pearl Valley Signature Golf Estate & Spa near Paarl.

In the month of June this year alone 38 sales at a total value of R48,85 million were concluded by Pam Golding Properties, sole agents. Prices range from R1,75 to R2,4 million per house.

Dr Andrew Golding, CE of the PGP group, says the strong demand for secure golf estate living - particularly for quality developments in scenic locations in the Western Cape, continues unabated.

The bulk of home buyers at Pearl Valley to date have been local investors from the Western Cape, followed by those from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, as well as overseas buyers - mostly from the UK, but also Germany, Mauritius, Spain, Namibia, Ireland, Zambia and the Netherlands.

Situated on 212 hectares, the residential development will comprise a total of 500 freestanding erven, ranging in size from 1 000 to 2 800sqm, an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and world-class spa. 

The golf course features a number of lakes, adding to the scenic and tranquil environment.

"The investment potential of the residential estate is a major attraction for buyers, and a strong advantage for all investors, whether buuying for permanent residence, for leisure uuse or for retirment," he said.

Phase one is completely sold out, as well as all released stands in phase one (a). In phase two, which consists of a total of 45 units, only two sites are left and in the 50-unit phase three, only seven stands are left.

Phase four, comprising 24 units, has just been launched, and four sites have already sold.

"The prices achieved reflect tremendous investor confidence in Pearl Valley, as well as the huge investment potential of this quality development, particularly as strong grwoth in capital value has already been seen over a short period of time."

THE new five star spa hotel, the Winelands Hotel and Wellness Centre, has opened outside Paarl. It is likely to draw an upmarket clientele to the centre, which features an exclusive housing development within its boundaries as well.

Those who cannot afford the luxury rates and health treatments, may perhaps venture a visit to the exclusive restaurants in the luxurious hotel.

The Sommelier's Table offers gourmet cuisine, while the Wellness Restaurant offers a healthy detox menu.

The hotel is marketed as South Africa's first destination wellness centre - dedicated exclusively to health, lifestyle and tourism.

Situated on a 190-hectare working wine estate south of Simonsvlei winery, the hotel is the flagship project of Original Developments (Odev), who specialise in unique lifestyle estate developments.

It is home to the country's first Santé Spa & Wellness Centre and to the five star deluxe hotel and conference centre operated by Southern Sun.

The Winelands Hotel and Wellness Centre is also the only centre in South Africa - and only the second in the world - to offer Vinotherapy, a specialised treatment that offers grape seed therapy, in the midst of the vineyards.

Grape seeds and grape seed oil are used for massages, hydrotherapy and body scrubs.

The wellness centre offers the world's best in terms of treatments and modern trends and features state of the art equipment imported from Germany as well as an indoor swimming pool.

Pilates, Tai Chi and Yoga classes are available to guests in addition to a modern gym and a range of outdoor activities, including bass fishing, horse riding, jogging, hiking and walking.

The hotel provides every service one would expect at a luxury hotel, including a library, 24-hour room service, valet parking, concierge, same-day laundry and dry-cleaning services, hairdresser, DVD players in each room, chauffeur driven vehicles and guided tours.

The conference centre can accommodate 180 delegates and has facilities for exhibitions, in addition to breakaway rooms and a boardroom - all with internet access and full business services.

Southern Sun's managing director, Helder Pereira says: "With its world class facilities and the superb service and expert attention to detail, the Winelands Hotel and Wellness Centre is set to become another jewel in the crown of the Western Cape."

"For guests who are seeking holistic wellbeing and want a sanctuary to relax and recuperate, or just a different place to work, meet or network, this complex offers tranquility, privacy and a distinctive, world class experience within the warm embrace of Boland hospitality."

A number of luxurious mansions in Tuscan style situated around the hotel have been sold.

Further erven are due to be released later, and a wine centre is planned at a future entrance to the development (where the Corobrik plant was previously located).

For dinner bookings or enquiries, phone 875-5357.

THE Serenata retirEment village in Wellington is nearly sold out and local residents will have to move fast to secure a unit. It will be the only retirement village in the town with high security.

The scenic development is set among a large number of trees on the site of the former Pinnie Joubert caravan park on the bank of the Krom River.

"Many of the purchasers are from outside the Boland. It appears as if the beautiful setting has stolen the hearts of Capetonians," says the selling agent, Sonja de Villiers of Property Power.

The development offers a variety of house sizes, ranging from small one-bedroom units of 45 square metres, selling for R195 000, to the largest house of 146 square metres, selling for R523 300.

Other units sell for R266 000, R286 000 and R439 000.

The houses are designed in a Tuscan style, with earth tones. Each house has an intercom link to the frail care centre and an emergency cord in the bathroom.

The sites have been serviced and the first houses should be completed by March.Construction of the frail care centre will start at the same time as the houses.

Levies will be fixed according to the size of the unit, ranging from R250 to R450 per month, including security and garden services.

There will be scenic walks within the centre along the bank of the river and residents may keep small pets.

The developer is the Japie de Vos Trust. For enquiries, phone 873-6000.