Postively Overwhelmed
When did being overwhelmed turn from positive to negative? I know the word in the context of being overwhelmed with joy or love or support. ...Read More
Franschhoek – not going up in smoke
The Franschhoek Valley is used to making the headlines as a globally-acclaimed tourism destination. For the past two weeks, however, our bea...Read More
Take Your Time
Our wine grape harvest started this week - about ten days earlier than usual. Many questions have been asked about how important the timing ...Read More
Travel Trends II – Back to the Future in 2026?
I always find it interesting how new trends inspire some of us to embrace change while they motivate others to grab on tighter to the famili...Read More
A Lifetime’s Learnings
There are moments in life that are unavoidable for all of us, and I guess unconsciously, we are preparing for them throughout our lifetime. ...Read More
Influence vs Inspiration
Using influencers have become part of our marketing and PR plans. Much more than just someone with influence, "influencers" today are predom...Read More
The time has come for loving – and supporting – local
After returning from a visit to Europe where people take such price in their local culture and produce and also after this week’s Heritage...Read More
The Power Suit & Business Lessons from Fashion
Even although fashion is not a major focus in my life, business and brands are and when I read some of the obituaries after the news of Gior...Read More
Global perspective for local support
The Cape Winelands is a wonderful place to live. Much of its appeal is of course the beautiful setting, proximity to Cape Town, exceptional ...Read More
From Francophile to Global Citizen
Celebrating our French heritage this weekend, I was reminded about why I enjoy the idea of a global village. From the earliest days, explori...Read More
A Call to Action – from intention to implementation
The South African private sector makes an essential contribution to both the economy and society of South Africa. It plays a critical role i...Read More
Connecting the Dots
I will be retiring as CEO of La Motte and Leopard's Leap at the end of 2025. (Read more) It feels somewhat unreal and I reckon to contemplat...Read More
The Scarcity of Sound Sleep
Despite what is generally regarded as a modern-day increased focus on health and wellbeing, I often find myself in conversations where peopl...Read More
Ingest, but also Invest
There is an expression about not trusting a skinny chef, but most chefs I know are quite lean and their food is fabulous. We know it is abou...Read More
Hein on Coffee
What does it require to change habits and preferences? We've been talking a lot about wine and how it seems to be falling out of favour with...Read More
A Day for the Rose
7 February is Rose Day. And no, I didn't just forget the é. It is the start of Valentine's week and therefore a day celebrating the rose fl...Read More
Changing for Climate Change
Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is reversing the U.S. climate policy, but the topic of climate change didn't need the new Americ...Read More
Superhero Sommeliers
A Wine Enthusiast article on a new generation of sommeliers caught my eye. When last did you go to a restaurant with a sommelier? I find it ...Read More
Who’s the Boss?
We all have an opinion when it comes to The Boss. Whether you are the boss, have aspirations to become the boss or are just trying to plea...Read More
Is a dumbphone the smart choice?
Can you imagine going back to the mobile phone you used a decade ago? Now, go back even further to that first phone that allowed you to call...Read More
Follow the Leader
We've talked a lot about elections this year, but with the US Presidential election only a few weeks away, the dramatic race for leadership ...Read More
A Special Moment with Stemware
Sometimes we have a moment that feels like pure perfection. I had one this week at a rehearsal for JAN Franschhoek Season III. With the Fran...Read More
Brave & Businesslike – the success of The Cape Leopard Trust
The Cape Leopard Trust that we have supported since its inception, turns 20 this year. They have done exceptional work in protecting the l...Read More
Profit vs Politics & Policy
With an assassination attempt on Trump and Biden stepping out of the presidential race, America is making the headlines, but South Africans ...Read More
The Poetry of Fynbos
Terminology like biodiversity and sustainability are part of our everyday wine jargon and in the Cape Winelands, fynbos is at the essence of...Read More
The Enigma of the Economy
The Economy. What an enigmatic concept! Whether it is the global economy or the economic situation of your household, the economy determines...Read More
Shining the light on the Cape leopard
On 3 May we celebrate International Leopard Day. Many of us admire these magnificent creatures, but why do we have a specific day dedicated ...Read More
Custodians of Cape Winelands Culture
Following one of the windiest nights I've experienced while living in the Cape Winelands, we awoke on Sunday morning to social media sharing...Read More
Give good governance a go!
In an election year, governance is top of mind and while we often criticize the South African Government for everything from loadshedding to...Read More
A Round of Applause
One shouldn’t need a specific day like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day to love or appreciate but while there is no denying the commercial ...Read More
Partnering Up
We start the New Year with an eagerly anticipated wedding in our family. We are all very excited and a little nervous. At this late stage, t...Read More
Wine – its place, beauty and business
Here we are - at the end of 2023! I always love doing an overview of the top performing blogs to see what appealed most to readers in the pa...Read More
Mindful of beauty
Do you live and work in a beautiful place? Do you think the charm of your surroundings make a difference to your quality of life? It seems e...Read More
A fist pump for experience and enthusiasm
"The most experienced #Springboks team ever will line up for the #RWC2023 final against New Zealand in Paris on Saturday..." announced the S...Read More
The Power of Pressure
I think I speak for the majority of rugby-loving South Africans, when I say, it was close to impossible to sleep after last week's nerve-wra...Read More
The Beauty of a Building
When we opened La Motte's historic werf to the public earlier this year, it introduced a new era for the historic Cape Dutch buildings on th...Read More
Happy at work – to be or not to be
Some years ago, motivational speaker Gavin Sharples visited us in Franschhoek with his well-known presentation, Happyology. I remember him s...Read More
Staff vs Strategy
"Culture can eat strategy for breakfast every day." Is this really true in today's business environment? Will prioritising purpose and peopl...Read More
Preparation in Anticipation
"There's always a miracle coming. You just have to wait long enough. Some people get discouraged, but you just have to WAIT." - Madame May-...Read More
The Brand Being
In business, brand is always top of mind and for me, even more so after yesterday's Wine Tourism Conference with the theme Brands, Brand Bui...Read More
Lessons from an “energy” drink
PRIME hydration drinks have taken the South African youth by storm. Hyped up by celebrity influencers Logan Paul and Olajide "KSI" Olatunji,...Read More
A Job in Today’s World
1 May is Worker’s Day and I thought to have a look at what it really means to have a job today. South Africa is at an exasperating unemplo...Read More
The Company We Keep
Some sayings just always stay relevant. “You are the company you keep” refers to how the people you choose to associate with - as well a...Read More
Exhaustion & Expectations – challenges at work in 2023
I've always maintained that a company's workforce is one of its biggest assets, but managing a balance between productivity, overheads and a...Read More
Small Joys, Honest Pricing and a Human Touch – what consumers want in 2023
As we're taking on the new year, are we lacking a sense of optimism? Covid and the war in Europe are old news, but they are still shaping ou...Read More
Keeping the dream alive
This is the time of year to reflect on the biggest stories, events and highlights of 2022. At the beginning of 2020, we didn't expect a pand...Read More
Motivating Multitasking
We are currently caught in the mad end-of-year rush and it feels like there are just not enough hours in the day. My brain is trying to keep...Read More
Compliments to the Chef
We already celebrate Mother's and Father's Day, Secretary's Day, Boss's Day, Milk Tart Day, Shiraz Day... so why not have International Chef...Read More
Waste not, want not
With Cape Wine 2022 happening in a few weeks, its theme, Sustainability 360, has put responsible practices top of mind again. Going through ...Read More
A Toast to Texture
This week we celebrated Cap Classique Day and it made me think about the popularity of sparkling wines. What is it that distinguish them fro...Read More
The Sun Shines in Franschhoek
The Franschhoek Valley has just been announced as one of TIME's 2022 World's Greatest Places. What an honour for our small community and wha...Read More
Be a Smart Cookie
Have you noticed that logos are getting simpler? Less artistic elements, clearer and bigger fonts, fewer colours? They almost start to look ...Read More
Perhaps a plan for productivity
Are you working remotely nowadays or are you again driving to and from the office every day? A more lenient approach to where you work from,...Read More
Barriers for Business
Doing business isn't always easy. Sometimes you might just find yourself in the right place at the right time, but often, running a successf...Read More
Third is on the Podium
We have two guys from Washington state helping in the cellar during harvest time and they asked me about South Africa being a third world co...Read More
Allow for Magic
There is nothing that kills creativity like micromanagement. This might seem obvious, but it is not always easy not to do when you like thin...Read More
In our own backyard
Without the opportunity to travel as extensively as we usually do, my blogs for 2021 had a strong local flavour. Other than the lessons from...Read More
The Power of Peace
Former President of the Republic of South Africa, FW de Klerk, died on Thursday, 10 November 2021. Opinions of him vary significantly - from...Read More
Price – pointless or very powerful
Some things are priceless, but for most of the others... price is pretty important. As one of the four P's of marketing, price is a deciding...Read More
From expectations (via encouragement) to employment
I've always believed that expectations are a self-fulfilling prophecy. The lower the expectations, the lower the performance and the less-sa...Read More
Business over Politics
A headline about banks in Hong Kong investing in it's "unique position as a financial gateway to China" despite Beijing's political aspirati...Read More
A Matter of Urgency
Between Ramaphosa and Magashula suspending each other and Leo Prinsloo’s Chuck Norris performance, there is little room in the headlines f...Read More
Risk, Respect & Ridicule
The risk of developing a blood clot from your Covid vaccine was a top story this week after some vaccination programmes were halted because ...Read More
Riding the Wave
What a ride 2020 has been! Who would have thought that when we went into the initial three week lockdown that similar considerations would s...Read More
The Customer – your new partner in business
"The Customer is always right" - a truth we have learned from our grandparents. But in today's digital world, the status of the customer is...Read More
E-commerce & Entrepreneurs – not even the sky is the limit
In my last few blogs I have focused a lot on the new business landscape - how technology and trends have changed the way we sell, market, di...Read More
The New Selling – more science than skill
Selling has become more science than skill. No longer is it only about the quality of the product, the strength of the brand, the size of...Read More
Experience – the 5th P of Marketing
Marketing handbooks taught us about the 4 P's of marketing: Price, Product, Promotion, Place but in today's world it is missing one componen...Read More
In 2017 – Take Your Experience Virtual!
January is the month for trend forecasts and I always try to keep my finger on the pulse as to what is indicated for the new year – whethe...Read More
It is the Thought That Counts. But is That All?
The Christmas holidays are here and whether you believe in elaborate gifts or just something small and sentimental, wine often is a very goo...Read More
The Controversy of Colour
Today the internet was abuzz with a dress and its colour! In short it seems that while some people were convinced that the dress on a photo ...Read More
Art and Wine – A Relationship to Treasure
The relationship between art and wine is much celebrated. At the launch of a new contemporary exhibition in the La Motte Museum as well a...Read More
Agriculture – The Foundation of Development in Africa
Africa’s constant struggle with famine is a well-known fact and the importance of agriculture in the provision of food, creating jobs and ...Read More
Find A Mentor in The Madness
Some time ago in an interview with a local Afrikaans daily, I mentioned the important role my late father in law, Dr Anton Rupert, played in...Read More
Celebrate in Style, Whether It Is with Champagne, Cava, Prosecco or Méthode Cap Classique
This weekend, the Franschhoek Valley celebrates the 21st edition of its annual Bastille Festival, reminiscing on its French Huguenot heritag...Read More
The Buying Power of Women – A Force to Be Reckoned With!
For most of us men, women and their spending habits is a subject safer to steer away from. But, I read this interesting blog Does your brand...Read More
Golf and Wine – Two Similar Ways to Spend Your Time
My passion for and enjoyment of wine is of course no secret, but almost anyone that knows me will also tell you how much I love to play a ro...Read More
Status, Celebrity and Product Placement – Still Selling in China.
Next week we will host 240 delegates from the Perfect China Sales Team in the Cape Winelands to introduce them to the beautiful new cellar a...Read More
Language and Culture – Opening Trade Doors to China
On Tuesday, the Cape Argus reported on plans to introduce Mandarin to South African schools. And although we already have 11 languages of ou...Read More
Wishes for A Wonderful 2014!
How quickly 2013 has come and gone! Let’s not waste any of our precious moments in 2014 – let’s make them all count! My wish for yo...Read More
Cultural Bridge Building for Successful Business Relationships in China
On Tuesday morning, I addressed some industry players at a symposium on China and focused on Cultural bridge building for successful busines...Read More
Generations of Spending
I celebrated my birthday this week and that sparked my thoughts on growing older and belonging to a specific generation. I have also been pr...Read More
Nothing Old-Fashioned About Word of Mouth
Last week I shared a few thoughts on how I have experienced the changing of the communication landscape from the days when email was just in...Read More
Telling Your Story Amongst a Cacophony of Communication
remember when email was a new thing. It was amazing to type a message and a few moments later it would display halfway around the world. We ...Read More
South African Entertainment Inspiration for The Weekend
The weekend is here and we all have some kind of entertainment in mind. If you live in South Africa, there is an amazing sel...Read More
Taking Sustainability Seriously
My late father in law was an inspirational man and I have learned a lot from him. Internationally regarded as a businessman and industrialis...Read More
Wishes for 2013!
Thank you for all the friendship and support during 2012. May you have some beautiful Champagne or MCC to celebrate the end of a special yea...Read More
Dylan Lewis Leopard at Leopard’s Leap
Ahead of the annual Cape Leopard Trust fundraising event, a magnificent Dylan Lewis sculpture of a leopard was placed at the entrance to the...Read More
Chinese Agriculture Visit to La Motte
The Director General of the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture Zhang Tianzuo and his delegation visited La Motte yesterday as part of a visit t...Read More
Bordeaux Fireworks
The firework display at the end of the gala dinner of the Grand Conseil du Vin de Bordeaux. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5STwv3IjsFs...Read More
Meeting of the Commanderie De Bordeaux
My wife Hanneli and I are currently in France for a meeting of the Commanderie de Bordeaux, a global grouping of wine lovers interested in t...Read More
Leopard’s Leap Leopards on La Motte
As most readers of this blog will know, Leopard’s Leap is a major sponsor of the Cape Leopard Trust’s efforts to protect the magnificent...Read More
Three Generations of Koegelenbergs
I was privileged to spend Friday lunch with my father and son at the Father’s Day Chef’s Table demonstration meal at Liam Tomlin Food at...Read More