Photos from the 2007 Les Fruits De La Vigne

Champagne Devaux Cuvee ‘D’ Brut, 1996, Bollinger NV

Yering Station, Reserve Chardonnay 2002

Service of the Château Leoville-Las Cases, 1985

Borgogno, Barolo Riserva, 1961

Guests enjoying Mr. James Halliday & Jose Manuel Ortega (O.Fournier Wines) commentary.

Mr. James Halliday trying on of the 18 fine wines served with the degustation meal.

Chef Emmanuel Stroobant preparing the St. Pierre Signature Black Cod.

The 24-Hour Roasted Wagyu Beef with Extract of Black Olive, Almond and Coffee

An Event Like No Other!

Hermitage Wine’s inaugural “The Fruits of the Vine” , was a wine event like no other, surprising and entertaining almost 100 guests on Thursday 29th November 2007.

Les Fruits De La Vigne, held in the premier, private main dining room of The Tower Club, Singapore provided guests with a journey of senses - surrounded by the striking artwork of surprise guest artist, Dr. Rajinder Singh, each guest was served 18 tasting glasses of rare and unique wines paired for contrast and comparison by the expertise of Mr. James Halliday (guest host on the evening), and Mr. Robert Joseph.

Vintage Wine highlights included:
The Chateau Doisy Daëne, 1953 from Sauterne/Bordeaux, France. Followed by the stand out, Yering Station, Reserve Chardonnay, 2002, Yarra Valley, Australia paired with the Domaine Leflaive, Pugliny Montrachet, 2003, Burgundy France.

The Rubicon Estate, Rubicon 2003, from Napa Valley, USA paired with the Parker Estate, First Growth 1998, Coonawarra, Australia and Château Leoville-Las Cases, 1985 from St. Julien/Bordeaux, France.

While the O.Fournier, Alfa Crux, 2002 from Medoza, Argentina and Marques de Murrieta, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva 1998, Rioja, Spain surprisingly, delighted guests by outshining the Vega Sicilia – Unico Blend (1985/1988/1990), Ribera del Duero, Spain.

Guests attending this event were able to indulge in this ambitious wine menu, whilst listening to Mr. Halliday and featured guest wine makers, Darren Rathbone – Technical Director, The Rathbone Wine Group and Jose Manuel Ortega, President of O.Fournier Wines discuss and debate both their own wines featured and the compelling pairings. There was even reminiscing to be shared between Iain Riggs - Chief Winemaker and Managing Director of Brokenwood Wines and James Halliday, over the Brokenwood, Graveyard Shiraz, 1998, from the Hunter Valley, Australia, the mythical “La Chapelle” from Jaboulet and their adventures together at the Brokenwood vineyard.

This indulgent night would not have been complete without St. Pierre Restaurant’s Chef Emmanuel Stroobant and his exciting degustation menu. 8 courses were enjoyed with highlights including the Lobster Bavarois with Atlantic Crab Salad and Avocado Mousse, and the 24-hour roasted Wagyu Beef with extract of Black Olive, Almond and Coffee – all serve with great efficiency by The Tower Club management and staff in the face of an extremely unique and one of kind, program.

The night was sent off with a grand note of charity, with Dr. Rajinder Singh auctioning one of his award winning masterpieces to a Les Fruits De La Vigne guest, raising SGD$7,000 for the M’Lap Tapang New Day Centre in Cambodia. A resounding finale shared by all, with Portuguese, Dow’s Vintage Port, 1977 as the evening wrapped up in the early hours!
An Event like no other…

(Pictures will follow!)

Surprise Guest Artist!

Hermitage are proud to announce the presence of extremely talented and globally recognised artist Dr. Rajinder Jit Singh at Les Fruits De La Vigne!

Dr. Raj Singh will be both displaying and creating his amazing artwork pieces live at Les Fruits De La Vigne, one of his pieces from the Faces series is inserted to the right:

About the artist
Visual artist, Rajinder Singh, lives and works in Singapore. He was born in Ipoh, Malaysia and lived in United Kingdom for a big part of his life, before moving to Singapore in 1995. He has been painting since an early age and won the first accolade for his work at the age of 12. After an intense tutorship under a veteran English artist, James Holdsworth in 2002, Rajinder made his comeback to painting.

Rajinder has been painting, sculpting and making films for several years now. He has had several successful exhibitions and his art has been purchased by prominent households and businesses from around the world. Major patrons of the artist are Farouk Khan of Malaysia, Baron Gonzalve Bich (of BIC conglomerate) and Franck Duboeuf (of George Duboeuf wines). He is represented by the prestigious Artfolio@ Raffles and Darling Muse@Bukit Pantai galleries in South Asia.

Rajinder has had a successful academic career with five academic degrees including a PhD in Engineering Mathematics. His background in Mathematics is the driving force behind his successful art practice. Rajinder hosts a popular Singapore art blog (http://sightoracle.blogpsot.com) which runs a commentary on the Singapore art scene with reviews, interviews and philosophical discourses and has been the unofficial site for the Singapore Biennale 2006. His work has been shown in contemporary, international art portals such as SPUNK and DUUDLE and has been described as modern and carries a message of change.

Rajinder is presently doing his postgraduate studies in Philosophy of Art. He has recently been selected as one of the top 20 emerging artists from Asia in a juried competition in Hong Kong which will be launched in London in 2008. He is also the artist ambassador for the super-premium wine from Tuscany, Cappannelle and a winner of the highly sought after Marina Mandarin artist residency program in Singapore. In 2007, Rajinder will be showing in London France, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Los Angeles, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Korea, New York and Argentina in 2007/2008.

Official Event Partners

The Tower Club – Official Event Host & Venue:

Opened in January 1997, Tower Club Singapore is a subsidiary of City Developments Limited and has been established as the nation’s premier private business club, it is situated on the 62nd – 64th penthouse floors of the award-winning Republic Plaza building, in the hub of the business district.
It is here that the prestige and value of international networking and the exchange of information is at its height. It is here where you’ll be proud to entertain.


Lexean Magazine – Official Media Partner

Lexean Magazine will participate in and support Les Fruit De La Vigne, this media company publishes a prestigious, intellectual and lifestyle magazine, which will provide pre and post-coverage of the event.

Schott-Zwiesel - Official Glass Partner

Schott Zwiesel: The "glass for professionals" - for everyone's enjoyment
The Schott Zwiesel brand has become established as the world market leader in top-class bars, hotels and restaurants











The Hidden Host – Official Event Organizer:

A boutique event management company based in Singapore. With several years experience throughout Asia, The Hidden Host deliver diverse events ranging from small private functions to large scale corporate dinners – Hidden Host’s featured Chef Rob Staedler will be present on the evening .

Official Sponsors

M’Lop Tapang New Day Centre – Selected Charity:

M'Lop Tapang was created with the goal of giving street children access to the learning tools, resources, and opportunities they need to empower themselves and become productive members of society. We do this by offering regular meals, shelter, medical care, education, counseling, and protection from all types of abuse.

M'Lop Tapang strives to provide a safe haven for all of the street living and street working children of Sihanoukville.

Bravo Lifestyle – Event Sponsor:

As distributors for premium golf and lifestyle products Bravo Lifestyle provide the Singapore consumer with quality and innovative technology in line with the today’s sophisticated Asian golf player.

Kitchen Culture – Event Sponsor:

Kitchen Culture are the retail outlets for KHL Marketing’s imported kitchen cabinetry and major appliances. Kitchen Culture provide state of the art, and the service the constant changes in kitchen technology and design to their clients. Often regarded as the kitchen architects in their industry – Kitchen Culture provide the environment and design for enjoy life’s finer things.. Particularly food and wine!

The 18 Fine Wines Announced.

The 18 fines wines to be featured in Les Fruits De La Vigne have been announced!
Please find below a list of the wines organised with the following details:

Producer, Region, Country, Name of Wine, Vintage

CHAMPAGNE

Bollinger, Champagne, France, Special Cuvee, NV
Veuve A Devaux, Champagne, France, Cuvee "D" Devaux Brut, 1996


WHITES (Old & New World)

O. Fournier, Chile, Centauri, 2007
Domaine de Chevalier, Pessac Leognan / Bordeaux, Domaine de Chevalier, 2000
Yering Station, Yarra Valley, Australia, Reserve Chardonnay, 2002
Domaine Leflaive, Burgundy, France, Puligny Montrachet Les Combettes, 2003
Chateau Doisy Daëne, Sauterne / Bordeaux, France, Chateau Doisy Daine, 1953


REDS

New World

Parker Estate, Coonawarra, Australia, Bordeaux Blend, 1998
Brokenwood, Hunter Valley, Australia, Graveyard Shiraz, 1998
Rubicon Estate, Napa Valley, USA, Rubicon, 2003
O. Fournier, Mendoza, Argentina, AlfaCrux blend, 2002

Old World

Marques de Murrieta, Rioja, Spain, Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva, 1998
Armand Rousseau, Burgundy, France, Clos de la Roche, 1996
Capannelle, Tuscany, Italy, Solare, 1997
Chateau Leoville Lascase, St Julien / Bordeaux, Chateau Leoville Lascase, 1985
Borgogno, Piedmont, Italy, Barolo Riserva, 1961
NV Vega Sicilia, Ribera del Duero, Spain, Unico NV, Blend: 85/88/90
Paul Jaboulet, Rhone, France, La Chapelle, 2000


OTHERS

Dow's, Douro Valley, Portugal, Port, 1977
Toro Albala, Montilla-Moriles/Andalusi, Spain, Pedro Ximenez Gran Reserva, 1971

The Important Event Details!

Les Fruits De La Vigne
An event like no other, Les Fruits De La Vigne is a wine dinner that aims to entertain and emphasize their guest’s high-end lifestyle and leisure predilection - by combining over 18 fine wines, paired with exquisite food and featuring globally recognized guest speakers in an elegant atmosphere.

To be held at The Tower Club,
Thursday, November 29th 2007.
18 wines will be paired with an option of two degustation menus:

The Western Experience; created by Tower Club Resident, Executive Chef Felicien Cueff.

The Orient Experience; created by Tower Club Resident Chef Wan Chung Hang.

With the influence and expertise of St. Pierre’s; Chef Emmanuel Stroobant, assisted by the Hidden Host’s; Chef Rob.

Tickets are available for purchase, SG$650++ per guest through info@thehiddenhost.com (Incentive prices can be provided for bookings for groups of 10 or more)

Tower Club members can proceed to purchase tickets with the Tower Club – please contact the Club directly for members-only ticket price.