Posts in Category: Culture
Cape Town Wine Lovers to Taste SA’s Best Winesin One Place
Diners Club Winemaker of the Year finalists to pour at Cavendish Square
Cape Town, 4 October 2025: For the first time, Cape wine lovers can taste all the finalists of the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year awards in one place at Cavendish Square. Now in its 45th year, this iconic South African wine competition celebrates the country’s top winemakers, and on Saturday 25 October, the Cavendish centre court will become a playground for the senses.
A Rare Opportunity to Sample the Best
Hosted by Wine Tonight, Cavendish, this tasting offers the uniquechance to discover and savour all of the award finalists. Shopperscan purchase a glass for R50 to sample the selection and take home their personal favourites directly from the Wine Tonight shop. With no pre-booking required, adults over 18 can simply arrive at the mall between 11am and 2pm to join in the experience. Credit and debit cards and Snapscan are accepted (no cash), and the venue is wheelchair accessible.
Supporting Aspiring Winemakers
Beyond the tasting, Diners Club continues its commitment to the Dine for Change initiative, raising significant funds each year to support underprivileged aspirant winemakers in their studies. While the winners of the 2025 awards will be announced at a gala dinnerat Arabella Golf Estate later in November, this tasting provides a great opportunity to engage with the talent shaping South African wine today.
“Cabernet Sauvignon is often referred to as the King of cultivar and South Africa produces some of the best in the world. So, this is a special chance to taste the very best Cabernets South Africa has to offer, all in one place!” said Giscard Collard from Wine Tonight.
For more information on the Diners Club Winemaker of the Year awards, visit https://www.dinersclub.co.za/news-events/winemaker-of-the-year. For more details on Cavendish Square shopping centrestores and promotions, visit www.cavendish.co.za or follow the centre on social media for regular updates https://www.instagram.com/cavendishsquare/
Celebrate Heritage month with flavour, flair, and a well-deserved reset at The Capital Hotels, Apartments and Resorts
September is South Africa’s month-long excuse to eat, dance, laugh and celebrate our heritage. This month is about flavour and flair and this year The Capital Hotel Group plans to do it in style. Whether you’re craving a foodie adventure, a long weekend of luxury, or a little bit of both, The Capital Hotel Group has you covered.
A feast for the senses:
Every South African knows that the quickest way to connect with our heritage is through the kitchen. Every dish tells a story and every bite is a celebration. From Cape Malay curries simmering with spice in the Cape, to bunny chow that makes Durban proud, to Joburg’s unbeatable shisa nyama and street food scene. Food is where our cultures meet and where memories are made.
At The Capital Hotel Group, you can start your day with a breakfast of champions before heading out to taste the flavours of the city. Think of it as the launchpad for a foodie tour. One that begins with eggs and coffee and ends with smoky braais, bobotie and melktert. After all, Heritage Month is as much about eating as it is about remembering.
Celebrate, then reset:
Of course, no great celebration is complete without a little indulgence on the side. After the dancing, the laughter and the plates piled high with heritage flavours, you’ll want somewhere luxurious to recharge. That’s where The Capital Hotel Group steps in again.
In Johannesburg, The Capital On The Park and The Capital Empire are urban escapes that put you right in the heart of the city while still giving you space to breathe. For something chic and stylish, The Capital Melrose and The Capital On Bath have you covered. And if you’re looking to add pure indulgence to the mix, SEVEN Villa Hotel and Spa is your go-to for treatments that make relaxation an art form.
In Nelspruit, The Capital Mbombela offers the perfect break for those wanting to escape the bustle, while in Cape Town The Capital 15 on Orange and The Capital Mirage set the stage for a coastal celebration with a touch of glamour. Wherever you land, you’ll find more than a bed for the night, you’ll find the perfect reset button for a long weekend well spent.
Heritage generosity, The Capital style:
Heritage Month is about generosity and The Capital Hotel Group is serving it up with a smile. Book a three-night stay at any participating hotel between 19 and 28 September and your last night is on the house. That’s one extra evening of exploring, feasting, or simply unwinding by the pool, free of charge.
It’s the perfect excuse for a city escape, a stylish break, or a well-deserved long weekend. Add breakfast to the mix, and you’ve got yourself the kind of stay where both body and spirit get exactly what they need.
Where will you celebrate?
- In Joburg: Choose from The Capital On The Park, The Capital Empire, The Capital Melrose, The Capital On Bath or the 5-star SEVEN Villa Hotel & Spa.
- In Mbombela: The Capital Mbombela is ready to welcome you with comfort and charm.
- In Cape Town: Make it The Capital 15 on Orange or The Capital Mirage for a coastal celebration with flair.
Wherever you go, you’ll find modern comfort, vibrant energy, and the freedom to celebrate heritage your way.
Make Heritage Month count:
This September, why not make your holiday about more than a braai in the backyard? Give yourself the gift of flavour, flair and a well-earned reset. Whether it’s tucking into local delicacies, soaking up culture, or surrendering to a spa day, The Capital Hotel Group has the perfect stay waiting for you.
Book your Heritage Month escape today and let the celebrations begin. Breakfast and bliss are on the menu and if you stay three nights, so is an extra night on us.
WHISKY MEETS ART: MAIA LEHR-SACKS PARTNERS WITH THE BALVENIE TO BRING CRAFT TO LIFE THROUGH ART & LIGHT
In a refined union of heritage and contemporary creation, The Balvenie has partnered with sculptural paper artist Maia Lehr-Sacks to reveal a series of bespoke window installations at key Norman Goodfellows outlets. This is the first South African expression of The Makers Project, a global campaign honouring modern creatives who, like The Balvenie, bring deep intention, skill and patience to their craft.
The collaboration centres on a shared philosophy: that true luxury lies not in speed, but in the personal commitment to process, detail, and care. Just as The Balvenie upholds rare traditions like growing its own barley, malting by hand, and trusting a single Malt Master to guide every cask, Lehr-Sacks brings a tactile, meditative depth to her sculptural paper works.
A Dialogue Between Two Craft Philosophies
The Balvenie’s Five Rare Crafts: home grown barley, owned cooperage, working floor malting, copper stills and malt master remain the pillars of its distinctive character. Rather than recreating them literally, Maia Lehr-Sacks drew inspiration from this model of intentionality to define her own Five Pillars of Craft: process, material, memory & intention, repetition, and transformation.
“Each fold holds memory. Each crease is deliberate,” she reflects. “The hours of folding, the physical strain, and the quiet repetition all live inside the work. That’s the craft. That’s the soul of it.”
The resulting installation is a series of pleated paper sculptures, suspended, rhythmic forms that catch light and shadow in constant movement. The work captures a duality present in both art and whisky: the fragility of the medium, held together by the strength of discipline.
The Art of Display, The Poetry of Precision
Lehr-Sacks designed the installations with acute sensitivity to light, ensuring that each display would shift throughout the day. “Paper doesn’t just sit in space, it responds to it. Light becomes a collaborator. Shadow becomes the storyteller.”
This commitment to imperfection, intimacy and hand-finished variance is mirrored in The Balvenie’s approach. From its use of copper stills to its on-site coopers, every element of its whisky-making process is touched by human hands and time-honoured skill.
A Preview of the Makers Journey
The window displays mark the beginning of a journey that will unfold in the coming months, as South African makers, across culinary and visual disciplines share their own craft philosophies in response to The Balvenie’s heritage.
This is not a reinterpretation of The Balvenie’s Five Rare Crafts, but a celebration of parallel purpose: where each maker defines their own five pillars of personal craft, grounded in character, patience and passion.
Visit the installations now at:
- Norman Goodfellows Fourways
- Norman Goodfellows Kyalami
- Norman Goodfellows Melrose Arch
Glenfiddich Unveils its Limited Edition 16-Year-Old Whisky in Celebration of Aston Martin Formula One® Partnership
South Africa, 16th September 2025 – Glenfiddich, the World’s Most Awarded Single Malt Scotch Whisky, has launched a limited edition Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old Single Malt in honour of its multi-year global partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One® Team.
Crafted from a meticulous marriage of American oak wine casks, new American barrels, and second-fill bourbon casks, the Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old reflects the spirit of two iconic brands who share a deep commitment to precision, performance, and innovation.
With rich aromas of maple syrup, caramelised ginger, and biscuity cheesecake base, the Glenfiddich 16YO opens with indulgent sweetness before revealing layers of fresh fruit salad and Chantilly cream. It finishes with bold, smooth persistence, refined and exhilarating, much like an Aston Martin on the track.
“At Glenfiddich, we’re committed to creating exceptional whiskies that honor tradition while embracing innovation,” says Brian Kinsman, Glenfiddich’s Master Distiller. “The Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old is a true testament to this philosophy. It combines craftsmanship and precision in awhisky that invites exploration and discovery, much like the journey of our partnership with Aston Martin Formula One™ Team. It’s a celebration of blending tradition with the thrill of innovation.”
A Fusion of Craft and Character
The Speyside distillery announced an exclusive long-term partnership with Aston Martin Formula One™ Team in November 2024 – bringing together two timeless brands renowned for their heritage, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence. The partnership launched at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where Glenfiddich and Aston Martin Formula One™ Team toasted this new collaboration which celebrates mastery and design.
“We are thrilled to unveil this limited edition bottling in celebration of our partnership Aston Martin Formula One Team. Through this collaboration we invite enthusiasts worldwide to engage with these iconic brands in bold new ways and create memorable moments that reach far beyond the racetrack. This limited-edition bottling is just the beginning as we continue to write the next chapter together,” adds Claudia Falcone, Global Brand Director at Glenfiddich.
Locally, a Trophy Worth Chasing
In South Africa, the Glenfiddich 16YO will be activated through a targeted luxury campaign designed to celebrate the whisky’s rarity and racing spirit. This includes the highly anticipated Club 1959 lifestyle event, which will coincide with the Formula One semi-finals in October to celebrate Glenfiddich’s global partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One Team by bringing to life a local, highly anticipated lifestyle off track experience the night before the big race.
“South African whisky lovers are seeking brands with authenticity, craft, and a compelling story,” says Søren Hagh, CEO of William Grant & Sons. “This release delivers on all three. The Glenfiddich 16YO is a collector’s item and a celebration of excellence, purpose-built for those who live with passion and precision.”
Whether you’re a motorsport devotee or a whisky connoisseur, this limited edition Glenfiddich 16-Year-Old is an invitation to savour speed, spirit, and legacy, all in one unforgettable pour.
This exclusive release is available in South Africa at leading retail stores nationwide, at a recommended selling price of R1699.99 while stocks last.
Please enjoy Glenfiddich responsibly. Never drink and drive.
GLENFIDDICH AND ASTON MARTIN FORMULA ONE® ACCELERATE A NEW ERA OF LUXURY IN SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa, 4th September 2025 – Glenfiddich, the world’s most awarded single malt Scotch whisky, has officially launched its multi-year global partnership with the Aston Martin Formula One®Team in South Africa. This union of two heritage brands marks a bold celebration of excellence, innovation, and craftsmanship, now brought to life for South African whisky enthusiasts and F1 fans alike.
The campaign, under the global banner “Timeless Apart. Iconic Together,” brings Glenfiddich’s legacy of whisky-making mastery together with Aston Martin’s engineering precision, creating a powerful new expression of luxury that transcends borders.
“This partnership between Glenfiddich and the Aston Martin Formula One® Team is rooted in a shared passion for excellence and innovation,” says Søren Hagh, CEO of William Grant & Sons. “Glenfiddich’s whisky-making heritage meets Aston Martin’s iconic presence in motorsport, creating a timeless yet forward-thinking partnership. Together, we’re inspiring a global audience, inviting them to experience a legacy built on dedication and mastery.”
To honour this historic partnership in South Africa, this moment will be marked with an immersive lifestyle experience, Club 1959, a tribute to Aston Martin’s debut in Formula One brought to life at Daytona in Johannesburg this October, celebrating the spirit of craftsmanship, engineering, and elevated living.
In addition, Glenfiddich will release a limited-edition 16-Year-Old single malt, inspired by the spirit of Formula One which will be made available in leading retail stores at a recommend selling price of R1699.99 while stocks last, the bottling offers fans a collectible piece of this iconic partnership.
Throughout the coming months in South Africa, Glenfiddich will host a series of exclusive events, including a premium F1-themed experience and the launch of Club 1959, a high-touch celebration of engineering, elegance, and exceptional whisky, designed to immerse guests in the world of Glenfiddich and Aston Martin.
From the racetrack to the tasting room, Glenfiddich and Aston Martin Formula One® Team invite South Africans to experience a partnership defined by mastery, momentum, and meaning.
For more information visit: www.glenfiddich.com.
Please enjoy Glenfiddich responsibly. Never drink and drive.