EVENTSthe Grand conseil dU vin de bordeaux,CommanderIES, Wine brotherhoods

Here in South Africa the Commanderie de Bordeaux Afrique du Sud is fortunate to have a piece of veritable Bordeaux royalty on our doorstep. For in Stellenbosch lies Glenelly Estate, the magnificent property owned by the legendary May-Éliane de Lencquesaing, former matriarch of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac. Lady May bought Glenelly in 2003, creating a world-class wine farm on the slopes of Stellenbosch’s famous Simonsberg. In the process her reputation as one of the First Ladies in the world of wine added to South Africa’s image of being a New World wine country that prides itself on its classical approach to winemaking.

It was thus a tremendous honour for the Commanderie de Bordeaux Afrique du Sud to be hosted by Glenelly for our annual “Fête de la Fleur" celebration. Lady May was not present, currently residing in Switzerland, but her grandson Nicolas Bureau, who is the CEO of Glenelly, welcomed the Commanderie in the best way possible: a superlative tasting of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from five vintages. With his Glenelly winemaker Luke O' Cuinneagain at his side, Nicolas presented wines from the 1993, 1994 and 1995 vintages, finishing with 2000 and 2001 to illustrate the change in the style of winemaking between the two decades in question. For the Commandeurs present, this was a riveting journey into the soul of the Medoc through five wines of character, elegance and beauty.

During the "Fête de la Fleur" four new Commandeurs were welcomed into the Commanderie de Bordeaux Afrique du Sud.

Gregg Bayly, a blue-chip financial investment executive, grew up in the world of wine as son of the late Duimpie Bayly, also a Commandeur who sadly passed away earlier this year. With his father being production head of one of South Africa’s largest wineries, Gregg developed a life-long love of wine and is today a serious collector and promoter of the wine culture.

Natasha Mazzone hails from a famous Italian family of restaurateurs who since the 1960s have contributed to South Africa’s culinary offering. With an interest in food and wine, as well as an accomplished opera singer, Natasha chose a career in politics where she is today a Member of Parliament of the National Government of South Africa.

André Steyn, like Gregg a financial executive, developed an interest in wine from an early age and this interest grew while working in London and New York. Here he made a point of visiting the American and European wine regions, with Bordeaux maintaining a special place in his heart.

And last but not least, Nicolas Bureau was admitted to the Commanderie de Bordeaux Afrique du Sud, an accolade he surely deserves. As CEO of Glenelly, Nicolas has helped build Glenelly into a world-class South African wine estate by ensuring excellence in the wine offering as well as ensuring the farm’s status as one of the most beautiful wine estates for visitors with its glass museum, modern tasting facility and superb restaurant.

Bienvenue Commandeurs!