Posts Tagged ‘Beaujolais Nouveau’

The 2013 St. Barth CataCup Guest Blog by 2016 Olympics Contender John Casey

Wednesday, November 27th, 2013

Bonjour Everyone,

As you prepare for Turkey Day, I thought you would enjoy today’s Guest Blog written by 2016 Olympics contender John Casey. St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty is proud to be a sponsor of his catamaran. Thank you John!

As I enjoy the back porch view from Villa Les Mouettes, I now have time to casually reflect on this year’s edition of the St. Barth CataCup. The current version of the CataCup, which has become one of the premier regattas of the world, is sailed on 18 foot beach catamarans. Our St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Sailing Team started three years ago, and we’ve watched this event grow from 35 entries to the maximum allowable 57 entries. This year the entry list was overfilled in just eight minutes after online entries were open! This is partially due to the quality of competition, but is undoubtedly due to the quality of St. Barth on and off the water. Some of my U.S. friends are, let me say, a little too spoiled by this regatta; it’s the only regatta they do every year! They just simply don’t feel the desire to sail anywhere else. I love sailing a bit more than that, but I see where they are coming from.

View from Villa Les Mouettes

View from Villa Les Mouettes

This year our Team was joined by more of the sport’s heavy hitters. There were multiple world champions, Olympic medalists and future Olympic hopefuls. I have many championships under my belt, but I’m also currently in the deep heat of an Olympic Campaign myself, so this year I teamed with our Canadian training Partner, Luke Ramsay, who actually went to The Games in 2012. As it turns out, our finish of 5th place of 57 wasn’t what we hoped for, but since we are a new team, we were happy with our competitiveness against the high level of competition. We had some podium finishes along the way, but also some setbacks that saw us held up in the pack.

John Casey giving an interview during the St. Barth CataCup 2013

John Casey giving an interview during the St. Barth CataCup 2013

Unlike any event I’ve been to around the world, I’ve been drawn to this island. What is it about this place? Is it how everything is impeccably clean? Is it the perfect sailing conditions around stunning rock faces and picturesque beaches? Is it the wonderful view from almost anywhere on this mountainous island? Or is it the easy feeling I get from the locals who have now become some of my best friends? YES, it is all of it…the perfect combination to keep me yearning for my return every year.

Photo Credit Pierrick Contin

John Casey and Luke Ramsay sailing behind the rocks of St. Barth- Photo Credit Pierrick Contin

We were also lucky enough to enjoy the 25-year anniversary party this month where I saw how far St. Barth Properties has come. We really enjoyed their Beaujolais Nouveau party too. I’m so proud to be part of the Team!

-John Casey-

Peg with Luke Ramsay (L) and John Casey (R) at our St. Barth Properties Beaujolais Nouveau party November 20, 2013

Peg with Luke Ramsay (L) and John Casey (R) at our St. Barth Properties Beaujolais Nouveau party November 20, 2013

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November 2013 Beachside Bash – Save the Date

Thursday, May 16th, 2013

One of our repeat guests contacted me to ask about the date of St. Barth Properties annual Beachside Bash before he finalized his villa reservation because he and his guests didn’t want to miss it. It’s official. We have set the date for our annual Beachside Bash. It will be held November 14th, 2013. So, if you have not done so already, it is time to book your villa or hotel accommodation.

Part of The SBP Team at the 2012 Beachside Bash: (L to R) Ted, Benoit, Magda. (Mai hidden) Connie, Nadine, Peg, Pascale, Kathy

Part of The SBP Team at the 2012 Beachside Bash: (L to R) Ted, Benoit, Magda. (Mai hidden) Connie, Nadine, Peg, Pascale, Kathy

For those of you who have never been to our Beachside Bash, it’s a fun evening party designed especially for you, our very special clients, our on-island partners and any of our villa owners who happen to be on-island at the time. It is hosted by St. Barth Properties and we use the occasion to launch the upcoming Season and unveil our latest Live your Dream catalogue. We’ll begin with an apéritif and hors d’œuvres followed by dinner and dancing. The ever popular Solely will be strumming his guitar as he sings to us.

Beachside Bash 2012 - Ted with Bob and Marilyn (Villa La Danse du Soleil)

Beachside Bash 2012 – Ted with Bob and Marilyn (Villa La Danse du Soleil)

This year’s Beachside Bash will be a very special one because the 2014 Season marks the 25th anniversary of when I founded St. Barth Properties and trademarked my mantra Live Your Dream®. When I first set foot on St. Barth for the very first time in 1986, I was living my dream and I hope all of you do the same.

logo-taiwana

What’s more? We are celebrating this special event at the elegant beachfront Hotel Taïwana. What a spot! It sits directly on one of St. Barth’s most gorgeous beaches – Flamands. It’s the perfect place to mingle while enjoying the ambience. We even offer valet parking!


Taïwana restaurant

Taïwana restaurant

The theme throughout the evening will be SBP’s 25th Anniversary, so if you want to wear something in silver you have plenty of time to shop for it. LOL – 7:00 PM is the start time. We can begin celebrating with une coupe de Champagne, a Planteur’s Punch or perhaps a Mojito.

I can’t wait to see you all on St. Barth and at the SBP Silver Anniversary Beachside Bash on November 14th 2013. If you want to make a reservation at one of our villas or hotels, just contact me at pegwalsh@stbarth.com or one of our St. Barth Specialists at reservations@stbarth.com. Our USA office concierge Julia Hurd will be sure to add you to our Guest List and send you an invitation. Please RSVP at your earliest convenience.

Part of the SBP Team at the 2012 Beaujolais Nouveau: Benoit, Peg, Ted, Mai, Magda, Nadine, Kathy

Part of the SBP Team at the 2012 Beaujolais Nouveau: Benoit, Peg, Ted, Mai, Magda, Nadine, Kathy

P.S. If you can, “Stay just a little bit longer”… our annual Beaujolais Nouveau wine tasting will begin precisely at 7:01 PM on November 20th at Le Cellier du Gouverneur wine shop in Gustavia…”Oh, won’t you stay just a little bit longer? Please let me hear you say that you will” and Julia will be pleased to send you an invitation to join us for a toast. We can be our own connoisseurs and critique the new vintage. As a bonus, the 2013 St Barth Cata Cup catamaran regatta is being held Nov 18-26 and we are hoping for first place for our sponsored boat captained by aspiring 2016 Olympic contender John Casey– What a month to be on St. Barth!

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Guest Blog – Kathy Schlitzer Trip Report

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012

I am in transit to St. Barth and am delighted to share Kathy Schlitzer’s trip report with you in this Guest Blog. Kathy is one of our very experienced and talented St. Barth Specialists. Rest assured that Kathy will be pleased to lend her expertise when helping you plan your trip so that you, too can Live Your Dream® in beautiful St. Barth.

St. Barth
November 9 – 16, 2012 Trip Report

Kathy Schlitzer
St Barth Specialist

Kathy Schlitzer

Kathy Schlitzer

Our November trips to St Barth are always exciting. The island is coming alive for the season, and there are new shops, restaurants, villas, and newly refurbished hotels to experience. Not to mention the annual St Barth Properties November BASH, held this year on November 10, and our Beaujolais Nouveau party on November 14. A great week to be in St Barth!

For this trip I decided to try the new Tradewind Aviation flight from St Thomas to St Barth. I flew direct from Boston to St Thomas on JetBlue then easily made the connection on Tradewind to St Barth. It worked perfectly and because the St Thomas airport is so small I breezed through the airport with time for a stop in the bar for a snack. Tradewind flies directly to St Barth from San Juan, Antigua, and St Thomas.

On arrival in St Barth my Gumbs car was waiting and I headed to my first accommodation, two nights at the Hotel Christopher. After settling in a was off to La Plage at the Tom Beach Hotel to join my colleagues for great food, music, and entertainment (pole dancing and fire juggling!) Always a nice way to spend a first night in St Barth.

The Christopher hotel’s new manager Sebastien Maingourd was pleased to show me further room refurbishment that had taken place since my last visit. My Ocean Terrace room was very comfortable and I slept well. At breakfast the next morning I watched an aqua biking class in the pool, had I not had appointments I would have joined in, it looked like fun. The manager joined me for coffee and I learned that the restaurant is featuring a new chef from Brazil who promises to shake up the menu with a Brazilian twist. Later I toured the new Sisley brand spa and the gym, no time for a treatment or workout today. C’est dommage. All in all I was pleased with the Christopher and look forward to recommending it to clients for the coming season. HINT: If you’re looking for a great place to have a cocktail and watch the sunset, the Christopher is the place to go. Stay for dinner at their restaurant Taïno then go up to Le Ti St Barth for the cabaret!

I spent the rest of the day looking at villas, notably Lys Blanc in Lurin. All I can say is what a view! This villa is newly renovated, comfortable, and very convenient to Gustavia, St Jean, and both Gouverneur and Saline beaches. The layout is good for kids too.

Villa Lys Blanc

Villa Lys Blanc

Villa Blue Diamond is under construction but even looking over an empty pool I was blown away by the view. Blue Diamond will be ready in mid January and will be spectacular. We have preliminary pictures on the website with more to come.

Villa Blue Diamond

Villa Blue Diamond

Villa Lilu is a two bedroom in Petite Saline. The view is beautiful with lush greenery and ocean views in a wide arc. The owner has designed the house for comfort and style. She mixed old and new successfully and result is brilliant.

Villa Lilu

Villa Lilu

Casa del Mar is a villa we represented in the past but a new owner has shaken it up – a lot! Massive work indoors and out has resulted in a truly spectacular result. While I was there the workers were everywhere, as well as piles of material and tons of shrubbery waiting to be planted. The owner showed me multiple new outdoor spaces for drinks and dining, as well as large Jacuzzi overlooking spectacular views. We’ll have pictures of the end product soon. Watch for them.

Villa Casa del Mar

Villa Casa del Mar

I don’t have space to mention all the villas I saw but special mention must be made of my other accommodations.

Two nights in Villa Nirvana was a treat. I’ve stayed at this villa in the past and I’ve never been disappointed. Clean and comfortable with an amazing sunset view, the owner has added everything to make her guests feel like home away from home. Two nights wasn’t enough.

Villa Nirvana

Villa Nirvana

Two nights in a Garden Bungalow at the Hotel Isle de France was a treat. After a great sleep I was treated to a massage at the spa by one of their highly trained therapists and it made for a wonderful start to my day. Later I had drinks by the beach and watched the weekly fashion show. Even if you aren’t staying at the Isle de France, don’t miss eating at their restaurant La Case de l’Isle right on Flamands Beach – dinner, or a long lunch on the beach, I opted for both!

My last night was spent in one of the newly renovated suites at the Hotel Carl Gustaf. Over the summer everything was refreshed and renewed with new furniture, linens and accessories to complete the transformation. By that time I needed a good sleep to get ready for a day of travel and that’s just what I got. A lovely breakfast overlooking the harbor and I was off the airport after another successful working (wink,wink) trip to paradise.

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The St. Barth Properties Beachside Bash November 10, 2012 – The Beaujolais Nouveau Tasting November 14, 2012

Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

I just left beautiful St. Barth so that I can host thanksgiving dinner for my family but, lucky me,  I will return for the winter in a few weeks. The island is gearing up for The Season and is ready to welcome you whenever you decide to visit.  My US staff and I were on the island to inspect our current villas as well as visit the new ones and to do site inspections at our hotels.  I always inspect prospective listings. Some make the cut; others do not. I liked what I saw and I am sure that you will too. More on all the new stuff in my future blogs…

St Barth Properties

Our annual Beachside Bash was held at Dð Brazil on Shell Beach November 10, 2012; I loved meeting both our repeat clients as well as our new clients. I always introduce our new Live Your Dream Catalogue at our Beachside Bash so our advertising partners were also invited. Christine Gordon sang beautifully all night long and bumped it up a bit as the evening wore on and the next thing we knew we were up and dancing. You should consider hiring her if you plan on hosting a party at your villa.

Here is the link to the electronic version of our Live Your Dream® catalogue http://issuu.com/st.barthpropertiesinc./docs/2013stbarthpropertiesportfoliovolume17/1

On November 14 at precisely 7:01 pm we had our first taste of the Beaujolais Nouveau at Le Cellier du Gouverneur in Gustavia. Once again we hosted our clients who by now were good friends. The verdict? This year’s vintage is “pretty good.” I hope that you can join us for these two events next year.

Wishing you all the Happiest of Thanksgivings

Peg

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Hurricane Sandy and the St Barts 2012 CataCup

Tuesday, November 6th, 2012

To those of you who suffered the wrath of Super-Storm Sandy, I am thinking of all of you and hope that the damage it caused can be repaired and that life will get back to normal in the coming days. We had clients that were scheduled to go to St. Barts this week and had to cancel because their house was flooded and they could not leave the country at this time. Unfortunately they did not take out the optional insurance that we offer. If they had, their trip would have been covered and their expenses would have been reimbursed by the insurance company. However, we at St. Barth Properties went to bat for them to see if the owner of Villa Enfin would agree to allow them to reschedule their stay to another date. He generously agreed. I am sure these clients will look forward to being able to relax in St. Barts once they have recovered from the storm damage. I hope that you will want to do the same when the time comes to start thinking about a vacation.

I am heading to St. Barts on Wednesday to attend meetings, do hotel and villa inspections and to host our annual Beachside Bash November 10 as well as our Beaujolais Nouveau tasting on November 14, 2012. The CataCup race will begin November 14. St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty is again sponsoring a fantastic catamaran that is captained by multi-hull champion, John Casey. Dalton Tebo will once more be his very talented sailing partner.

John has contributed this guest blog:

“The St. Barth CataCup, the most exciting catamaran event of the year, is right around the corner and our St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty Sailing Team has been training all year for this very moment. The container, full of fast, sleek catamarans, left Miami on October 29th and is bound for St. Barth. The sailing race will start at Nikki Beach on November 14th. This event is chock-full of world champions and Olympic athletes ready to make their mark in sailing history. Look for the St. Barth Properties Sotheby’s International Realty catamaran on the beach and come say hello.

Our team won two years ago and finished a close second last year. We have a new boat and are excited to come back to the window pane clear water to race, but just as excited to visit with Peg and the whole team!

Of course, we will be at the Beaujolais Nouveau Party on November 14th at 7:01 PM. We hope to see you at this very tasty event!”

Note from Peg: John Casey and Sarah Newberry are going for the Gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. Read all about it here http://www.usamultihull2016.com/. Why not support them in their endeavor and donate to the cause?

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St. Barth Properties’ Annual Beachside Bash set for November 10, 2012

Wednesday, October 10th, 2012

Join us at Dð Brazil on Shell Beach in beautiful St. Barts for drinks, dinner and music. All of our confirmed hotel and villa guests are invited.

We’ve set November 10, 2012 as the date to launch the 2012-13 season with our 4th annual beach party at Shell Beach’s Dõ Brazil. If you missed it last year, we hope you can join us this year. It promises to quite a party!

Enjoy drinks and dinner on Shell Beach

Enjoy drinks and dinner on Shell Beach

We call it the Beachside Bash and the idea came to us in 2009. That year, the iconic bar and burger shack Le Select was celebrating its 60th anniversary in early November, and its biggest fan, Jimmy Buffett, announced that he would give a free concert. Requests poured in from friends and clients who wanted to come down and join in. It was so much fun that we decided to have a pre-season party every year. And we have.

This year’s Bash will again include great food, wine and cocktails; the company of old and new friends and clients (who then become friends) and live entertainment that we hope will get everyone up dancing. The island’s favorite songstress, Christine Gordon, and the popular guitar-strumming vocalist Soley will be entertaining us!

Christine Gordon will get you to shake your booty!

Christine Gordon will get you to shake your booty!

You will love Soley!

You will love Soley!

Soley and Christine

Soley and Christine at St. Barth Properties Beachside Bash November 10, 2011

As is now our tradition, we will unveil the new issue of our Live Your Dream® publication. It’s our 17th edition and we hope you will be delighted with it.

If you are staying in St. Barts the following week, please join us at Le Cellier du Gouverneur wine shop in Gustavia on November 14 at exactly 7:01 pm where we will taste this year’s vintage of the Beaujolais Nouveau. (We are allowed to do it on Wednesday because it will be 12:01 am on Thursday in France which is the exact time that the first bottle can be opened). It will be a pleasure to see you there.

Beaujolais Nouveau

Join us for the Beaujolais Nouveau tasting
November 14, 2012 at precisely 7:01 p.m.

Actually, November is a great time to come to St. Barts. Everything is fresh and new, it’s not too crowded and Value Season pricing is in effect. The Beachside Bash and the Beaujolais Nouveau are two more reasons to come and are complimentary for our valued friends and clients.

Let it all hang out

Let it all hang out

If you have not booked your accommodation yet, please email reservations@stbarth.com. If you are already booked, please contact Julia Hurd at concierge@stbarth.com to RSVP to one and/or both events.

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What’s happening in St Barts? November 2011 events

Friday, October 21st, 2011

If you have not booked your villa or hotel yet, November is fast approaching. Don’t miss out on all of the fun events that are taking place next month!

St. Barts awakens and prepares for the season

November 10, 2011 – 7:00 pm: Let’s begin with our annual St. Barth Properties Beachside Bash. Join us at Dõ Brazil on Shell Beach for drinks, dinner and music. All of our confirmed hotel and villa guests are invited.

Do-Brazil

Dõ Brazil


November 11, 2011 – 7:00 pm: Rhum anyone? Join us for a Rhum Tasting of top quality rhum Agricole at R St Barth, the new rhum shop in Gustavia. This is a much smaller venue so RSVP to this one quickly before it fills up. (We may add a 2nd tasting November 12 if November 11 sells out).

Entrance-to-R-St.-Barth

Entrance to R St. Barth

If you have not booked your accommodation yet, please email reservations@stbarth.com. If you are already booked, please contact Julia Hurd at concierge@stbarth.com to RSVP.

November 11-14, 2011: Pitea Day – Various events take place commemorating St. Barth’s Swedish heritage. The celebration of the twin cities (St. Barth and Pitea in Sweden) includes a visit by the mayor of Pitea and his delegation.

Hurry! Are you looking for a place to stay between Nov 01 and Nov 12? I have the perfect one bedroom romantic retreat that boasts a private swimming pool and an extraordinary panoramic view. Villa Diaco is available during that period. If you book it for at least seven nights and mention Peg’s Blog to one of our St Barth Specialists, we can offer a “tax free” stay plus a 10% reduction on the published price. That is a 15% savings in all! Call 1-800-421-3396 or email reservations@stbarth.com.

November 13, 2011: Gustavialoppet (which means “Race of Gustavia” in Swedish) – This annual event is known as the Swedish marathon and includes a 3km health walk and a 13km race for local and visiting runners. It first took place in 1991 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. SBP’s very own St. Barth Specialist Anne-Cécile Bedford will be running in it. Let’s all cheer her on!

November 16, 2011: 7:01 pm. Join me as well as some of our US and St. Barth staff at Le Cellier du Gouverneur in Gustavia. Be one of the first to taste the 2011 Beaujolais Nouveau and let us know if you like it. We are only allowed to do this tasting at precisely one minute after 7:00 pm because St. Barts’ time zone is 5 hours earlier than 1 minute after midnight on the third Thursday of November (the 17th in France) which is the official time that the first bottle can be opened. Please RSVP to: concierge@stbarth.com or call our St. Barth office when you are on the island.

Outside-view-Beaujolais-Nouveau-2010

Le Cellier du Gouverneur outside view - Beaujolais Nouveau 2010

November 16-20, 2011: St. Barth CataCup is a sailing race for F18 class catamarans. St. Barth Properties is proud to be the sponsor of last year’s CataCup winners, the US team of John Casey and his one man crew, Dalton Tebo, a 22-year-old sailing instructor who raced with John last year; they look forward to the competition this year.

John told me that, “The CataCup is a four-day beach catamaran championship that attracts the best sailors in the world. Competitors in the event are champions in everything from around the world racing to the Olympics and world championships. However, the competition is open to beginners also, so there is a great mix of sailors taking advantage of the many pleasures of St. Barthélemy. It creates the distinct atmosphere of competition and a holiday wrapped in one amazing event. The racing isn’t typical either. Each race is different where we need to find rocks to go around, such as le Boeuf and Pain du Sucre. It makes it almost like a nautical treasure hunt”.

CataCup Imagine that!

CataCup Imagine that!

Don’t miss out! If you prefer to be in St. Barth for the Beaujolais Nouveau and the CataCup, you can stay in the beautiful 4 bedroom 4 bathroom Villa Kermao, a wonderful villa that can accommodate from two to eight guests. We can offer you our Drive, Dine and Relax Package that includes a car rental and an evening at home where a private chef will prepare and serve a set menu dinner which you can enjoy on the veranda that overlooks the pool and the starlit view beyond. How romantic! If you mention Peg’s blog, we can make this a tax free booking (-5%) as well. This offer is valid for any 7 night booking from October 20 to November 21, 2011.

See you in St. Barts!

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SBP Nov 10, 2011 Party – Save the Date!

Friday, July 15th, 2011

SAVE THE DATES!
The Annual St. Barth Properties Beachside Bash
Rhum Tasting with R St. Barth

Kick off the Season with St. Barth Properties

Now that the 4th of July and Bastille Day are behind us, it’s time to think about the next party! St. Barth Properties announces its annual beachside bash will take place November 10, 2011. It’s a casual, private party for our guests, owners and partners who will be on the island during that time. We value these relationships highly so, why not celebrate the start of the new season and the arrival of our new Live your Dream® Catalogue by throwing a party?

St Barth Properties Annual Beachside Bash
Drinks, snacks, light dinner and entertainment
7:00 pm to 11:00 pm Thursday November 10, 2011
Dõ Brazil on Shell Beach

Christine Gordon and Soley have signed on to entertain us so be ready to dance when the song inspires you to boogie (or slow dance if you are feeling romantic). Christine sings Jazz Favorites, R&B Classics, Motown Favorites, and is sure to bring you to your feet with her Dynamic Disco Set! Soley is a Spanish-French guitar player and singer. He often plays in different venues around St. Barth and people flock to see him. You will surely enjoy listening to him. He and Christine will also perform together which is a real treat.

Christine-Gordon-and-Soley-Performing-at-the-2011-Les-Voiles-de-St.-Barth

Christine Gordon and Soley Performing at the 2011 Les Voiles de St. Barth

Dõ Brazil

Many people plan their vacation a around the party so don’t miss out. It is always a great time!

Rhum Tasting and Demonstration at R. St. Barth
Gustavia

Would you like to learn about rhum? There is a new very sophisticated boutique in Gustavia that recently opened. The owner, Mikaël Silvestre is a professional soccer player who played for Manchester United and is presently playing for the German team Werder Bremen. He has taken the time to start a fascinating new business in order to cultivate the Guadeloupian rhum agricole enthusiast. (Stay tuned… I will be blogging about the amazing experience that he has created). But for now, plan on attending a rhum tasting event. The staff will speak about each of the rhums and offer tastings while educating you on their distillation process and what makes R. St Barth unique. We plan on hosting it November 11 and may add a second evening Nov 12 as we are limited to 40-50 people. Be sure to RSVP to both events as soon as you have arranged for your villa or hotel accommodation with us. To do so, just email reservations@stbarth.com.

The-Start-of-the-Bottling-process

The Start of the Bottling process

The-Barrels-of-Rhum-from-Guadeloupe-waiting-to-be-tapped-at-R.-St.-Barth

The Barrels of Rhum from Guadeloupe waiting to be tapped at R. St. Barth

If you have the time to extend your stay to the following week, please plan on attending our annual Beaujolais Nouveau party which will be held at precisely at 7:01 pm on November 16, 2011 at Le Cellier du Gouverneur in Gustavia. Be one of the first to taste it!

I hope to see you in November!

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NYC quick trip Nov 17 2010 and Beaujolais Nouveau

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU ALL!

If you still haven’t made your plans to spend Christmas and New Year’s in St. Barth, check out our availability online.

November 17, 2010 was an eventful day —

A mix-up regarding a St. Barth event being held in New York City made for a very hectic day last Wednesday. You see, I received an email at noon reconfirming a Champagne reception and dinner that was to take place at 6:30 pm that very night! What was this all about? I had heard rumors that some sort of gathering promoting St. Barth was going to take place but did not have the details.

I spoke with David Zara (one of the owners of Tradewind Aviation with shuttle service from San Juan to St Barth) who had organized the event and he did not understand why I had not received the invitation because every member of the St Barth Hotel Association of which SBP is a member, was invited. He proceeded to tell me that I was on the guest list and was hosting a table! Yikes! I had to go as I did not want to miss it. I booked a flight, secured a hotel room and packed a bag. (Lucky for me that my carry-on is always packed).

As I was scurrying around to get ready for the 1.5 hour trip from my house on Cape Cod to Logan airport, to catch a 4:30 pm flight to La Guardia, one of David’s partners, Eric Zipkin called me to say that he had heard about the snafu and that he was able to send a plane to pick me up in Hyannis at 5:00 pm and take me to White Plains New York! Needless to say, I jumped at the chance and asked them to arrange for a limo to take me from there to Villa Pacri restaurant where the cocktail reception and dinner was to take place.

Tradewind Aviation Pilatus

Tradewind Aviation Pilatus

Precisely at 5:00 pm I hopped one of their beautiful Pilatus planes and in an hour I was in White Plains, whisked to the restaurant and voilà I was there in time to meet people and talk-up our fabulous little island. Tradewind’s other partner David Zipkin as well as David Zara were there to greet me. Villa Pacri is a multi-level venue and due to officially open today, November 23, 2010 and Pascal Ramette who owns Pacri restaurant in St. Barth is one of the owners. The atmosphere was wonderful as was the food.

At the same time, the Beaujolais Nouveau tasting was taking place in St. Barth. Clients and invited guests of St Barth Properties had the opportunity to taste the 2010 vintage of the Beaujolais Nouveau five hours earlier than their friends in France! Thanks to the time difference, we did not have to wait until 1 second after midnight on November 18th to imbibe. On the contrary, the bottles of this very young wine were opened just one second after 7:00 pm on the 17th – and the tasting began. Clients and friends of St Barth Properties gathered at the Cellier du Gouverneur in Gustavia and were the first to enjoy the tasting.

Beaujolais Nouveau tasting - SBP clients

Beaujolais Nouveau tasting - SBP clients

Beaujolais Nouveau tasting - SBP staff

The verdict? Wonderful!…it was a good vintage with a nice strawberry flavor. I hope you will try it.

Santé!

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Beaujolais Nouveau 2010

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

If you are unable to attend our St. Barth Properties November Party, never fear, there is another celebration the following week! Celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau with St. Barth Properties November 17, 2010. It is one of the most lively rituals in the wine-lovers industry and oh so French!

Guests staying at any of St. Barth Properties’ villas or hotels will be able to participate in the St. Barth Beaujolais Nouveau celebration. A race to see who will be the first to serve Beaujolais Nouveau, a hugely popular wine, has become not only a global event but also a tradition on the island of St. Barth. The first taste of the Beaujolais harvest can only be served at one minute past midnight on the third Thursday in November. However, midnight in France is only 7 p.m. in St. Barth! The celebration begins in St. Barth precisely at 7:01 p.m. on Wednesday, November 17, 2010. By the time it’s over, more than 65 million bottles (worldwide) of the Beaujolais Nouveau will have been consumed.

Beaujolais Nouveau began as a local phenomenon in the bars, cafés and bistros of Beaujolais and Lyons. In 1938, regulations and restrictions were put in place to restrict where, when and how Beaujolais Nouveau was to be consumed. Beaujolais Nouveau is always released the third Thursday of November, regardless of the start of the harvest. Regulatory authorities permit the wine to be shipped to international destinations well in advance of the release date, so it will be in place and ready to sell on Nouveau Day.

All the grapes in the Beaujolais region must be picked by hand. These are the only vineyards, along with Champagne, where hand harvesting is mandatory.

Beaujolais grapes

Beaujolais grapes

Beaujolais Nouveau is made of grapes that were still on the vine only three months earlier (thus the “nouveau” which means new). Because it is harvested so soon, this wine is not one to keep for a long time; it must be consumed within a few months. When serving the wine, it should be slightly chilled (about 55 degrees), in order to enhance the taste and fruitiness.

If you are going to be in St. Barth during the week of Beaujolais Nouveau (November 17, 2010, the St. Barth Properties on-island staff will include, in your Welcome Packet, an invitation to attend a special Beaujolais Nouveau celebration on Wednesday evening. Everyone enjoys this fun event! What better place to experience this special occasion than on St. Barth.

A votre santé!

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