It’s never too late for a New Beginning # 1

 Take that second chance! Be the comeback kid. You can begin again. You can rebuild your life! Here is part one.

 “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…” Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 KJV

“Turn! Turn! Turn!” by Pete Seeger

Know when it is your time to step up and shine. Then take that bow and go on to do great things!

“The winds of grace blow all the time – all we need to do is set our sails.” Ramakrishna

It is only when I am still and completely relaxed that I get my brightest inspirations. Then I can embrace the winds with my focus on the task at hand so intense that everything else around me loses traction.

“Take risks… If you win, you will be happy. If you loose, you will be wise.” Debby Witter

Be bold. Claim the victory before you start. Take responsibility. When you’re wrong, say you’re sorry - immediately.

“Play without fear of failure. When no one gives you a chance you may as well give it your best shot. Just relax the shackles and play with freedom. Just express yourself.” Herschelle Gibbs (175 runs from 111 balls) in world record 438 runs ODI (One Day International) win by South African Proteas against Australia on 12 March 2006

Enough said!

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.” Thoreau

The secret of achievement is to hold a picture of a successful outcome in mind. Start only once you have envisioned the victorious end result. Then forget about the difficulties in-between.

“It’s an attitude. A decision you make. A confidence.” Anonymous

Believe that you will always make the right decision. Courage isn’t the absence of fear, but acting in the midst of fear. Just pace yourself and tackle each obstacle as it comes. 

“Never, never, never, never give up!” Sir Winston Churchill, 1941

Keep on keeping on. Don’t give up. Ever. Don’t quit. Ever. Doubt your doubt. Take it one step at a time. Devise an action plan with dates and steps. Find out what resources you need in terms of skills, people, time, and money.

And how do you celebrate your new beginning? I’m biased of course, but believe there’s nothing better than sharing a glass of Champagne with your loved ones. Or else a glass of New Beginnings wine will do rather well. But do this realizing that each get-together is a unique once-off experience. Cherish it each time!

Rules to ride by # 2

Now let’s not stop at the first hurdle. Take a deep breath, be innovative, and rise up with the momentum of the horse; or your project… Here is part 2.

Use what you’ve got

“Make the most of what you have got.” Dr Murray Banks

Ask advice and search inside yourself for ideas, courage, and wisdom.  Talk to someone close to you whom you can trust, when you're not sure what next to do.

About to fly off to ProWein in Düsseldorf, Germany I ask a few friends to urgently put me in touch with an instructor. Kathleen comes back to me, “Lana knows about horses and riding. I couldn’t answer her questions. Call her.”

Do the work

“Try harder.” Anonymous

Nothing worthwhile is easy or quick. Be prepared to put in lots of effort. Then get stuck into what needs to be done, scheduling your whole project and breaking it up into manageable compartments.

It’s two days before my flight, with the shoot one month after I return. I call Joe: “I’ve arranged classes for six days a week for a full month. Joey-Marie at Paarl Diamant assured me that I’ll be able to do the rising trot by then.”

It’s all about prepping

“Be bold. Be helpful. Be a pleasure. Trust & act on your instinct.” Anton Blignault

Get to where you need to be in good time, and be well prepared. View your meeting / project from your client’s point of view – what would they want to get out of it? Then structure your answers / actions accordingly.

At first I’m a visitor, arriving when my horse is saddled up. But very soon I get to understand that I need to be there in advance of my lesson so that I can saddle up and bridle my own horse. Apart from getting into the mood and relaxing me completely, this becomes such a bonding experience with my horse, and indirectly with my coach.

Get back up

“Failing is a temporary condition; giving up makes it permanent.” Pierre Blignaut

Nothing is plain sailing, expect difficulties and handle it. Try a different approach: focus on other USP’s of your product, - on your POS and promotional programme, change your pricing structure; but don’t give up at the first barrier.

We’re three students in the ring doing jumps. This is a first for me and I’m totally lost. I’m just obeying instructions and letting the horse go, she’s a natural... The girls are experts too, and in front of me. To my right I see a whir of legs up in the air and hear a thud behind me. Everyone stops and Joey-Marie runs to check up on her. She gets up slowly and dusts herself off. “Ok, let’s get you back up there,” Joey-Marie says as she holds the reins.

Et après

“Be consistent. Do what you say. Follow your heart.” Anton Blignault

The meeting’s not over when it’s over. The most important part is your briefing afterwards, concluding your agreement, thanking your client for their time, and ensuring them of looking after their business.

It’s not long before that after my ride I need to take off the saddle, the blanket, the bridle, and brush my horse. This is actually incredibly relaxing, for both me and the horse; she absolutely loves the attention and I get to chat with whomever is around, feeling like a seasoned rider.

Get attitude

“It is the nature of man to rise to greatness if greatness is expected of him.” John Steinbeck

No one will take notice of you if you’re a wimp, neither will you get anywhere. Be sassy. Show some grit.

Céline tells me before our outride, “I’m putting on this helmet; but I have no intention of falling off.”

Laugh at yourself

“Don’t take yourself too seriously.” Anonymous

Take your work seriously, but never forget that you’re fallible and that failure is a necessary part of succeeding.

Our group is at the dam after a long time in the saddle. Joey-Marie’s mom says, “Let’s first stop to give the horses a drink.” We all wade into the water. A co-rider shouts at me as my horse rears up and thrashes with its hoofs, “Watch out! He’s going to go down!” Acting on instinct, I stand on my toes in the stirrups. The horse disappears under the water and I jump off, straddling him. I’m totally soaked up to my knees. With much joking of everyone around me I lead my horse to the shore and remount.

Laugh it off

“It isn’t worth winning if you don’t have to fight for it.” from ‘Cutting Edge 2: Going for the Gold’

You can’t win every account, so expect some hiccups. Cut prices but bargain for extra distribution outlets, increased volume, more shelf space... Listen to your client to know what’s important for him / her and offer that.

Back at the car we have a cold fruit juice before getting in, but Céline doesn’t say a word… I take my soggy boots and socks off, driving back home bare feet. 

Enjoy each moment

“Stay in the moment.” from ‘Cutting Edge 2: Going for the Gold’

Focus on where you’re at and enjoy the process. This is only truly possible when you’re relaxed. It’s only from this vantage point that you’re able to see the whole picture, direct where you need to be going and change course midway when your client’s directive changes.

During all these hours in the saddle I forget about everything else and live in the moment, connecting with my horse and reveling in its rhythm. It’s like a mini-holiday every day. What bliss!

Start all over

“To win, you have to be willing to fail.” from ‘Cutting Edge 2: Going for the Gold’

Strive to win another day. You can’t win every time; else it wouldn’t be a challenge. Accept defeat graciously and move on. You’ve given it your best shot, learned some new tricks, and are groomed for the next project that’s going to turn all the lights on.

After working out very early in the mornings, six days a week for one month and being able to gallop comfortably, I press Joe for a 2^nd audition. Finally he comes back to me, “Sorry, I’ve been in Durban. We got a long-distance endurance rider to do the shoot. We’ll be using many different horses and we can’t guarantee how they’ll react.” So now I can gallop without holding on for dear life, and it feels great!

Lately I’ve been thinking… I can act. I can sing. I can dance. Do I first have to be jobless before I can give “The Full Monty” a go? Fortunately a glass or two of wine puts most things in perspective, especially around sunset. What? I’m here on my own! Where have all the girls gone to? Is anyone out there?

Rules to ride by # 1

This story goes back some years over three exciting episodes engaging on horseback. Everyone learns by experience, some a little quicker than others. Carve out your own destiny by paying attention to the rules of the game. Enjoy part 1 now.

Go it alone

“Your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other thing.” Abraham Lincoln

At the start not everyone close to you will believe you. They all know you too well. Create a distance if you must, to be able to sustain your belief in yourself, but always protect and take care of your loved ones first.

We’re in Durban on holiday and when aunt Sienie tells me she would like to go to the Wild Coast Sun, I have a vision of horse riding again in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary in Swaziland. Before setting off for my first outride in many years I drop her off at reception, telling her to enjoy a waffle and cream on me.

Life happens

“When your foot is in the stirrup, you must ride.” Johan Kriegler

No one will give you carte blanche at first. Respect their concerns and live with it. Trust is earned.

It’s only me and the instructor riding on the beach at the Wild Coast. The horses go into a canter on the wet hard sand, but he insists on holding my horse’s reins. I’m happy just to have the experience of the horse under my bum, the surf in my ears, and the sea spray in my face.

Tell everyone about it

“You must engage in order to advance.”

When you’re stoked up about a great new venture, talk about it. Putting your dream out there puts you on the line, committing yourself to action and to reaching your goal.

Shortly before Caroline returns to France we talk about horse riding and I say that would’ve been nice. She says, “Sure, I can ride horses, it’s on my CV.”

Search for the fire inside you

“You can, because you think you can.”

Know your own strengths; but as important, know and use the strengths of everyone in your team. Not only learn from them, but champion them when they excel.

“This smells so good!” Anne-Sophie says when we walk into the stables. With the horses walking down the mountain trail at Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards in Franschhoek she rides with her feet out of the stirrups, totally at ease in the saddle.

Dress the part

“…stay in sync with the event, with a sense of style and occasion.” Lungile Kunene, Izembetho

Be aware of the occasion and your part in the show. If unsure, rather be overdressed. You can always dress down. What’s more, you’ll be certain to make an impression. Let it be the right one though.

I’m dressed in shorts and sandals, but my tog bag is in the boot. Anne-Sophie remarks “Oh, I wondered how you would ride in that outfit,” when I re-enter the stables in jeans and takkies.

Hold on tight

“The magic lies within you.”

When the team moves, stay in the bus. You’ve got to pick up speed when the project starts, else you’re going to stay behind, or fall off.

I’m last in the queue and Ray, the instructor, goes into a gallop up the mountain. My horse follows suit, and not ever having galloped before I grit my teeth and grip the reins tightly.

Fake it

“When you stop being afraid you feel good! Move with the cheese!” Dr Spencer Johnson

Display courage and do your best to stay on top of things. Even when you’re not sure what’s going to happen next, anticipate and go with the flow.

When the horses get to the last stretch before the stables, mine breaks out into a gallop and passes everyone. I’m petrified but hold on tight. When Ray asks me “Were you in control there?”, I say “Sure, I enjoyed this sprint.”

Take the chance

 “Success is often achieved by those who don’t know that failure is inevitable.” Coco Chanel

At first, a totally new opportunity is daunting. Weigh up the risks and the consequences, but once your gut instinct tells you it’s ok, embrace it without serious concern for the challenges.

Perchance I see a Filmmakers Guide SA post on Facebook to do a film shoot requiring a man who rides “English” well. Acting I can do, horse riding is another matter entirely; but one can learn, not so? 

“I’m an adventure girl!” Caroline tells me with pride before she embarks on a scuba diving course.

See the final result

“Expect to succeed.”

You will never succeed in any major project if you don’t at first see the final result in your mind. Believe this to be true before you start. After that it’s easy – you simply follow the blueprint in your mind.

At the audition Barry Armitage and Joe Dawson, the two directors of The Ride tell me, “You’re perfect for the part, absolutely the right build, exactly like Sir Harry Smith.” Ignoring that I can’t ride, I’m super charged to be the star of the movie.

Try it out

“Being offered chances is one thing; taking them another.” Angus Powers

Not all things work out at first, unless you’re naturally gifted in what you do. When trying something completely new it gets much more complicated, but never hesitate to give it a full go.

Joe phones me ½ hour later to arrange an outride with their horses at DelVera outside of Stellenbosch, that same afternoon. “Sure” I say, “I’ll be there.” He saddles up both horses and I’m happy to stand by. Once we’re on the hill my horse veers off in-between the vines. Embarrassed, I manage to turn him around. Next we go on a gallop, but I hop around in the saddle. Looking back, Joe remarks “Find the rhythm of the horse and go up and down with the flow.”

Savour those small victories and let-downs with a chuckle, a glass of good wine, and a few great friends.

Quotations to race by

Summer comes but once a year. Yachts from the Volvo Ocean Race arrive only every 3^rd year in Cape Town. So this time I told myself to get more involved.

The 1^st weekend I specially went to see the yachts on the dock while they're busy servicing them. The Race Village is a carnival atmosphere buzzing with foreign visitors, sailing crew and staff manning the many exhibits, working on the yachts, and fixing the sails.  

Thanks to the many friendly girls at the Volvo Pavilion I have a great time playing their interactive games:  loading a truck with an excavator, parking a motorized yacht, and driving a sailing yacht around the bouys. Later at the theatre I even get to physically wrench up a sail together with a team mate.  According to all my scores I think it is definitely best that I stay on land, and on foot.

It’s the 2^nd weekend and I’m determined to better my scores. Finding the port yacht race console unmanned my apprehension turns to excitement when I push the START button. The yacht moves off at speed.  Focusing intently, my eyes flick between the green needle at the bottom left and the yacht bearing down on the bouys in front of me. Moving at an incredible pace I pass through the 1^st green zone, swinging the wheel smoothly I make the 2^nd, turning the big wheel wildly I make the 3^rd narrowly. The time on top is 1:30:10 as I go through the 4^th. Elated I turn towards the checkered flag. My eyes veer down towards the needle and when I look up the bouy is directly in front me! Despite swerving violently I crash the yacht! There’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.  I feel drained and empty as my score appears on top: 70^th.

One of the last things my aunt Sienie told me was: 

“Jy moet fokus my kind.” 

“You must focus my child.”

Come race day I brave the peak traffic and get to the rise behind the V&A Waterfront overlooking Table Bay. The yachts slowly move up and down in anticipation of the starting gun at 18h00. With 2 sails hoisted they disappear towards Milnerton and come back in a light breeze before regrouping temporarily at the starting bouy. Each yacht slowly takes off in a different direction to try and catch the best wind which will take them out of the Bay and around Cape Point. I walk towards the Volvo Pavilion and am pleasantly surprised to be able to follow it close-up on a big wall screen, courtesy of 4 helicopters hovering around the yachts.

I still need to make amends, so my next move is directly to the yacht racing console. I’m hyped for action as the girl presses START. Focusing intently I steer confidently through the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th green zones. Tension mounts when the checkered flag appears in the distance. With my eyes fixed on it, the yacht closes in fast and I turn the wheel slightly, passing through the centre of the 2 bouys. Thrilled, I look up at the time and my score: 01:36:36 – 79^th! 

Quotations of each team member are posted on billboards on Quay 6 next to each yacht. Here are those of the skippers, listed in their order of arrival in Cape Town.

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing, Ian Walker

“I want my kids to be able to say that their Dad won the 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race!!”

Dongfeng Race Team, Charles CAUDRELIER

“J’éspere être fier un jour l’avoir fourné le Premier skipper Chinois de la VOR.”

“I hope I’ll be proud one day to have trained the first Chinese skipper of the Volvo Ocean Race.”

Team Brunel, Bouwe Bekking

“Know yourself, know each other!”

Team Vestas Wind, Chris Nicholson

“Enjoy the ride. Push yourself and those around you!”

Team Alvimedica, Charlie Enright

“If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen out there.”

Team SCA, Sam Davies

“We realise dreams, defy our fears and discover that our bodies are capable of doing far more than we thought possible. Racing around the world is a passion that I am lucky to share with this amazing team.”

MAPFRE, Iker Martínez

“Como para todo en la viola, un poco de suerte. De to demas ya nos ocupamos nos tros!!!”

“Like everything else in life, a bit of luck. And we’ll take care of the rest!!!”

This quote from Elodie-Jane METTRAUX, a crew member on Team SCA will certainly stay with me:

“N’ayez pas peur de faire des choix qui changeront votre vie”

“Don’t be afraid of making choices that will change your life”

Also very inspiring is a series of quotations on billboards spread outside the Race Village. These I arranged in order of my personal favourites.

“if your dreams don’t scare you they’re not big enough”

“do it with passion or not at all”

“in the end we only regret the chances we didn’t take”

“never give up never never never”

“pain is temporary giving up is forever”

“take the competition seriously but not yourself”

“if you obey all the rules you miss all the fun”

Right, so now you know my priorities and what I aspire to. So far my performance is somewhat disappointing. How about you? What are your preferences? What is your success rate? I’m seriously working on upping my score, but certainly also stopping more often for some fun under the sun. On dry land for the moment…

Look on www.volvooceanrace.com to follow the 7 yachts on leg 2 towards Abu Dhabi. As the VOR slogan says: 

“Only the bravest compete, and only the boldest finish.” 

Et bonne chance à vous aussi! 

Vodka & its glass coming together...

It is March 2012 and Marcel and I am in a supermarket in Warsaw looking at rows of wine bottles, searching for South African brands. He drifts off, directs my attention to the spirits aisle. 

“Do you drink vodka?” 

“Well, not really. Too much wine back home.” 

“Look at this, typical Polish. Bison.” 

“It has a grass inside! Lovely!” 

“I’ll get you one to take home.” 

“Thanks!”

It's August 2012 and I write a message of distress to a blonde that I’ve met through work. She’s normally very responsive and always invites herself for coffee, but now no reply. So I'll have to handle this on my own. No, there’s help in Warsaw! I tell Marcel of my flu.

“So what are you taking?” 

“None of the pills I've taken work.” 

“And what are you drinking?” 

“I’ve just got wine. Oh! There’s that vodka you gave me!” 

“Well, open the damn bottle and drink it!” 

“Really? Ok… Sure. Will do!”

Dressed in long pajamas, a tracksuit, long socks, and piled under ½ dozen blankets, I’m still shivering with cold. Drifting off to sleep I dream. My uncle Brian smiles at me, waving his arm as if beckoning me to join him. Ah, it’s his birthday today! But why are the lights so incredibly bright? Oh, he’s not with us anymore…

It's October 2014 and a girl from Poland calls me. Edyta tells me that she sells glasses. Very nice I say, but we sell wine. 

“We'll put your logo on. I’ll send you our presentation.” 

Very impressive, I think as I glance at it. But wait, I recognize this! Bison Grass Vodka!

And first thing she unpacks from her bag is a shot glass of Żubrówka, showing me the whole design process on her tablet. Tasting wine in a couple of branded wine glasses, I get to keep the ŻU glass and she leaves with a can of winesave for her boyfriend’s birthday.

Now if you need classy branded or moulded glasses wherever you are I can put you in touch. As for the ŻU vodka, my bottle is empty, but I know now where to get more... Oh, it’s traditionally drunk with unfiltered apple juice as a cocktail, the Szarlotka.

New Beginnings & Skipper's wines are going places

We're thrilled to announce that we've launched a new label and presented both brands at an exclusively invited wine tasting event.

During July the Skipper’s label was re-introduced as a tribute to the brothers featuring on the maiden vintage in 1998. This is on request of our importer in Japan who actively supports New Beginnings since its inception. 

New Beginnings are also exported to Germany since 1999, and to Poland since 2010. Wines from both labels remain popular with local and foreign clients. 

NBW 3-tier label vision

Skipper’s brothers logo – mid-level: blends. A tribute to the brothers featuring on the 1^st label in 1998.

Modern family logo – mid-level: single varietals. Will  revert to colour logo.

Renaissance sun logo – premium tier: Created in 2012 using 1999 label as base. Not yet launched.

On 25th August Philani Shongwe, a Cape Winemakers Guild protege, poured both brands at the Directorate of International Relations & Cooperation Heads Of Mission & Ministerial wine tasting event at their conference in Pretoria to 400 delegates. He says "The Expo was phenomenal with the superb setting and delicious food from the stalls... Those who tasted liked the Skippers classic red & white blends, followed by the Chenin Blanc and Pinotage." 
Here are brief wine notes on the seven wines that Philani poured. * indicates screwcap.

Family Collection

Chardonnay 2013: W.O. Klein Karoo *

Unoaked. Sur lie. 50% wild fermented. Green hu with fresh complexity of citrus, lime, quince & white pear on nose. Interlayed with a creamy buttery soft secondary flavour that erupts fresh and crisp with length on palate.

Chenin Blanc 2013: W.O. Paarl *

Fresh lime, Granny Smith apple & granadilla on nose and pallet. Tropical fruits, pineapple in after taste. On lees for 4 months.

Pinotage Rosé 2010: W.O. Paarl *

Cherry blush colour. Spicy, fruity, strawberry and cranberry with brisk, dry acidity.

Cabernet Sauvignon 2010: W.O. Stellenbosch

Cranberry, blueberry & cassis aromas combine with cigar box and hint of mint. A wine with structure and complexity. 12 months fermentation in French barrels.

Pinotage 2012: W.O. Darling

Ruby red colour with purple tinge. Intense nose of strawberries & cherries, enhanced by cinnamon & cloves. Soft tannins, concentrated pallet of ripe red fruit, plums, supported by spices & pepper.

Skipper’s Collection

Classic Dry White 2013: W.O. Darling *

50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir. Intense nose of ripe orange peel enhanced by ripe berries. Well rounded, medium bodied, crisp acidity, same on nose. Long  lingering finish.

Classic Dry Red 2010: W.O. Darling *

Inky concentration with an unparalleled richness in mouth. 45% Pinotage, 21% Shiraz, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cinsault.

Now it's your turn to enjoy these wonderful wines. Contact us at fmsmarketing@fms-wine-marketing.co.za 

Branded Cork Wine Charms for your party!

Now you can face the party season or any big function with confidence, knowing that everyone will have something to talk about. Natural branded corks are a great conversation opener, making it fun to identify your own glass.

Natural recycled corks taken from the cellars that FMS markets are used to create these quirky and unique wine charms. As a green product range it gives you as a host that extra wow factor.

Each used branded cork is linked with a silver chain onto a tiny silver clip which attaches to the stem of the wine glass. Six different branded corks are presented in a clear cellophane resealable bag.

It is the perfect gift for the festive party season, or as a memento at a large corporate function or wedding, creating special memories and great topics of conversation. A fun and exciting way to discover new wineries.

•         Create great topics of conversation
•         Natural corks are recycled from cellar doors
•         No more confusion in searching for your glass
•         A green product range
•         The perfect gift for an entertainer
•         A must-have for your own function
•         Fun way to identify your own glass
•         Great conversation opener
•         Perfect memento gift at weddings & functions
•         Fun way to discover new wineries
•       Extra wow factor at your function

               Order yours now and be the envy of your friends and colleagues. Be sure that your function will be talked about for weeks afterwards. If you want a specific theme, tell us which category of brands you would like featured. Even send us the corks of your choice.

            Chin!