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 The preliminary agreement has been signed through Sir Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition which has a worldwide collection of award-winning luxury retreats and the purchase is expected to add value to the Portfolio and it will be a ‘must visit’ winelands experience in South Africa, according to Branson.
Mont Rochelle is perched on top of a unique hilltop setting and has a private vineyard encompassing 40 hectares. The property comprises a picturesque 22-bedroom hotel set against a mountain backdrop, in the heart of the Franschhoek Valley, barely 45 minutes from Cape Town. The hotel is anticipated to undergo refurbishment and re-open for business in August after the deal is closed financially.
The two billionaires bought the property with different objectives. While Singh bought it ostensibly to produce wine and perhaps export to India, Branson has wine tourism in mind- both big tourist attractions in South Africa. Branson already owns a number of luxury retreats around the world including a private Game Reserve near the Kruger National Park. Wine and Culinary tourism is a growing niche sector of the tourism market and South Africa is gaining recognition as possessing some of the most beautiful winelands and wines that compare very favourably with the best in the world and the Virgin Limited Edition hopes to benefit from the trend.
Analjit Singh invested in the winery set up in 2007 by Andrea and Chris Mullineux with business partners Keith Prothero and Peter Dart. It has been renamed Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, reflecting the purchase of Prothero’s shares by Leeu International Investments Limited owned by Singh.
Focused on producing a select portfolio of handcrafted wines from granite and shale vineyards, Mullineux Family Wines have established themselves as one of the celebrated wineries in a very short time. Besides several accolades it has earned within a very short time, it has established itself as one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine brands, with numerous Platter's five star ratings and the prestigious Platter's Red Wine of the Year 2013 recognition to its credit.
Analjit Singh is the son of late Bhai Mohan Singh who purchased the now much-in-the-news Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals Company he bought from his cousins and turned into a multinational company. Analjit founded Max India, and later Max Healthcare among many business ventures that include insurance and luxury lifestyles and wellness projects-the latest being a health Spa he opened last month in Dehradun, on the foothills of the hill town of Mussoorie.
He has reportedly also placed a bid to acquire 33% stake in India's largest producer Nashik Vintners, which makes Sula brand of wines and imports wines too, indicating he is keen to integrate  his South African business with the Indian wine market. He was also a high profiled shareholder of Vodafone India and recently sold off his share to them reportedly for Rs.1241 crores (Rs.12.41 billion). He has been scouting around for investment opportunities in the lifestyle and leisure businesses, which include setting up of the project in Dehradun.
The property purchased by Sir Branson reportedly charges £546 a night for its top-end Cap Classic Suite. Singh’s resort in Dehradun would perhaps make a similar dent in your pocket except it would perhaps be better for your health and well-being.
The Investments in the two different projects by two different billionaire visionary entrepreneurs from different parts of the world bode well for South Africa as a thriving tourist destination and for its ever improving quality of wines.
Subhash Arora
South Africa celebrates its Freedom Day on April 27, signifying its independence 20 years ago in 1994. In Delhi, it’s being celebrated on Sunday, April 27 too. DelWine congratulates all our South African subscribers on this important day-editor
Tags: Analjit Singh, Mullineux Family Wines, South Africa, Sir Richard Branson, Mont Rochelle Hotel and Mountain Vineyard, Virgin Limited Edition, Franschhoek Valley, Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, Nashik Vintners, Sula |