TELL US ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE FROM?
My dad is African American, my mom is Puerto Rican, and I was born in New York. I grew up in San Francisco, which I think is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Napa Valley was in my backyard, so I visited often. In a way, wine has always been written in the stars for me. Home now is Los Angeles, but I also spend a lot of time in South Africa.
HOW DID YOUR LOVE AFFAIR WITH SOUTH AFRICA COME ABOUT?
In my mind, I chose South Africa, but the truth is it chose me. It found me at a time when I thought I knew everything about wine and spirits. I thought I was already innovating by way of the companies I had worked with for more than 20 years, like LVMH and Diageo. I first visited about five years ago with one of my friends, and I remember opening up a menu at a restaurant and seeing all the South African wines. I had travelled around the world, but I didn’t know that there was a beautiful wine region in South Africa. When I returned to launch a brand during Global Citizen, I took a few days to spend time in the wine region and that was it. I fell in love.
YOU’RE AN AVID ART COLLECTOR WITH SOME GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS IN YOUR COLLECTION. TELL US SOME OF THE WAYS YOU’RE INVESTED IN ART?
I started collecting some years ago and I’ve been blessed to acquire incredible pieces. I like to say my first ‘big girl’ piece was a Nelson Makamo, who has since become a dear friend and advisor. I now have four Makamos in my collection, which I would say are some of my most special pieces. Along with 10 other collectors, I recently acquired work by Bisa Butler and Harmonia Rosales, which we donated to the National Portrait Museum in Washington DC, so my name is on museum walls, and that’s special because I want to be a part of art history. One thing I’m truly invested in is culture. Wine, art, and community all fall under culture.
HOW DO YOU FUSE KINSHIP BETWEEN WINE AND ART?
IBest Wines is my art. We were recently asked to serve our wines on the opening night of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys’ Brooklyn exhibition. It was a dream come true because I’ve always wanted my wine to be poured in museums. The launch of IBest Wines at Southern Guild Gallery Cape Town was also surreal.
WHAT ARE YOUR BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL TO?
I’m biased, but South Africa is one of my favourites. I enjoy going to La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek where food is expressed as art. There’s a gallery next door, beautiful sculptures outside, and the mountains and vineyards are like art. I also fell in love with Egypt – whoever created the pyramids taught us luxury. I love the Caribbean, and the Turks and Caicos is another place I’d say is divinely luxurious.
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR MOST TREASURED WATCHES AND JEWELLERY PIECES?
I love vintage watches and jewellery. My 1980 Oyster Perpetual is vintage, as are some of my Arpel pieces [points to a vintage Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra yellow gold bracelet on her wrist]. I love antiquated art, and bought some vintage tapestry at the last Cape Town Art Fair.
YOU ALSO HAVE A SERIOUS LOVE OF SPAS…
I’m a big spa person. We all work so hard, so visits to a spa should be a staple. The spa at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff in Johannesburg is stunning. Their massages are the best I’ve ever had. IBest Wine’s can be purchased at Stellenbosch Vineyards or ordered from.
