The V Foundation Wine Celebration and The JG Black Book Collection

We are thrilled to welcome a new partner this year at The V Foundation Wine Celebration.

The JG Black Book Collection is a curated portfolio of the world’s most inspired travel experiences. These are uncommon journeys, places and adventures with the power to ignite the spirit and enrich the soul. The JG Black Book Collection promises discerning travelers the best in global travel.
Stretching across six continents, the Collection is an ensemble of sights, senses and stories. What unites them is a common commitment to excellence and a belief in the singular power of travel to surprise, to delight and to transform. They have carefully chosen their members to help you break through the noise that often comes with the decision to travel. They hope to be a trusted guide as you seek out tomorrow’s journeys and invite you to join them in their continuing pursuit of discovery.

Central to JG Black Book’s mission of leading the world to inspired destinations is the belief that travel leads to a more connected, tolerant and peaceful world. By working to harness the power of the tourism industry and travelers themselves, we can ensure that the natural and cultural wonders that make these destinations so special are sustained for future generations to experience and learn from.

http://jgblackbook.com

Many members of the JG Black Book Collection have donated wonderful trips for this year’s auction. These members include:

Ellerman House
Ellerman House is the quintessential urban retreat for discerning luxury travelers wanting complete exclusivity in Cape Town. Sprawled over one-and-a-half landscaped acres, this privately-owned hotel has been influential in redefining luxury accommodation in South Africa since opening just over two decades ago. Located in Bantry Bay, close to the city, Ellerman House offers spectacular Atlantic Ocean views. Originally built in 1906, the Cape Edwardian-style mansion was later the private residence of shipping magnate Sir John Ellerman and his wife. Acquired by the current owner in 1988, it has evolved into a boutique-sized hotel with 13 individually decorated rooms and suites and two ultra-modern, exclusive-use villas.

A highlight throughout the hotel is the owner’s extensive collection of South African art spanning original works from the turn of the last century to contemporary art. Tucked below the terraced gardens, the Ellerman House Contemporary Gallery showcases young and emerging South African artists. Ellerman House Spa has three luxe treatment rooms and includes a steam room, large sauna and sensation shower. The spa specializes in cutting-edge massage techniques and anti-aging beauty treatments. The House’s Wine Gallery is not only a spectacular cellar for the hotel’s 7,500-bottle wine collection but also offers guests an interactive, experiential journey into the world of wine.

http://www.ellerman.co.za

Hotel Fortyseven
Opened in 2004, Hotel Fortyseven is a luxury boutique hotel located in the archaeological heart of Rome. With 61 Art Deco-inspired rooms and suites and modern art by Italian artists placed throughout, Hotel Fortyseven offers an eclectic blend of classic and contemporary style. After a day of visiting the Colosseum, Domus Aurea, and the Church of San Giorgio, all within walking distance of the hotel, guests can enjoy panoramic views of the Eternal City from the roof-top restaurant or unwind during a romantic dinner for two on a private terrace. The hotel also offers meeting facilities for up to 50 attendees as well as a fitness center with relaxing sauna and steam bath.

http://www.fortysevenhotel.com/.

explora
Founded in 1993, explora is a travel company that owns and operates luxury lodges and Travesías, or nomadic journeys, in seven remote destinations of South America. explora offers its guests a new way of traveling based on in-depth exploration of the surroundings, the luxury of the essential and sustainable development. Recognizing that the explorations are what makes the company unique, explora is constantly developing new routes. explora currently offers over 2,200 miles of routes and more than 100 different explorations.

explora’s four one-of-a-kind lodges are located throughout the continent in unexpected and remote places. explora’s Valle Sagrado lodge is perched in the Sacred Valley of Peru at the heart of the Incan Empire, offering visitors unprecedented access to ancient ruins and panoramic views. explora’s Patagonia lodge is set in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, giving guests unique access to lakes, glaciers, and the majestic Andes. explora’s Atacama lodge is located in the mystical Atacama Desert of Chile where guests can explore on foot, bicycle, and horseback. explora’s final lodge, Rapa Nui, is located on Easter Island, offering guests the exclusive chance to delve into the island’s mysterious history and charm.

https://www.explora.com

Grace Bay Club & West Bay Club
Located on award-winning Grace Bay Beach in beautiful Turks & Caicos, Grace Bay Resorts is known for its luxury accommodations and breathtaking ocean views. Grace Bay Resorts consists of Grace Bay Club, West Bay Club, The Private Villa Collection and The Veranda. Grace Bay Club, Grace Bay’s flagship property, was one of the first luxury, all ocean-front suite resorts in the country. The property sits on 11 acres, offering over 1,100 feet of unspoiled beachfront. West Bay Club is a boutique property that sits along the widest section of Grace Bay Beach. With a blended style of charming Caribbean nuances and modern chic form, West Bay features extravagant suites and a variety of luxe boutique amenities. Grace Bay Resorts is home to a wide array of fresh and delicious culinary options; however, the star of Grace Bay cuisine is Infiniti Restaurant and Raw Bar, the island’s only oceanfront fine dining restaurant.

http://gracebayresorts.com/gracebayclub/

http://www.thewestbayclub.com

Inca Rail
Inca Rail is a Peruvian luxury train service offering transportation in style through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. The nine car train offers four different classes for a total of 360 passengers. The 90 minute trip from Ollantaytambo to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu is a destination in itself with spectacular views outside the car windows and the ultimate in comfort and style on the inside. Guests can choose between Tourist, Executive, First Class or Presidential Cars, each one offering another level of luxury amenities and services. Inca Rail depart three times daily to and from Machu Picchu.

http://www.incarail.com/

Le Soleil D’Or
Located just one hour from Miami on the beautiful Cayman Brac, Le Soleil D’Or is an ultra-private luxury resort focused on tranquility and whole body wellness. Blending Mediterranean, Caribbean, and European influences with five-star amenities and a 20 acre organic farm, Le Soleil provides a true beachside sanctuary for guests. The property offers guests the option of staying in one of four elegantly appointed suites in the Boutique Hotel or in one of four private luxury rentals. The rental options include a spacious Beach House, an intimate Beach Cottage perfect for honeymooners, a cozy Beach Studio with prime beach access and a sprawling Farm Lodge with majestic views of farm and sea. Le Soleil D’Or’s passion for holistic farm-to-table wellness extends beyond the fresh, vibrant cuisine of its restaurants and private culinary experiences to its seaside Spa Soleil. Unlike most spas, guests actually help harvest the organic ingredients comprising their spa treatments. In addition, guests can enjoy most spa treatments on the beautiful Beach Soleil while they listen to the waves crashing in and feel the Cayman breeze on their skin.
http://www.lesoleildor.com

Leopard’s Ridge
Located on a private concession just outside of the majestic Serengeti National Park, Leopard’s Ridge Tented Camp is comprised of 12 beautifully refurbished tents, a breathtaking infinity pool overlooking the savannah and a wide array of other luxe amenities. Formerly Buffalo Luxury Camp, this stunning property has not only been rebranded but has also been revamped to appeal to adventurous families with a discerning eye for luxury and comfort. The camp now includes a spacious 4-bedroom family tent. Leopard’s Ridge offers an amazing destination to both witness the world-renowned annual migration of wildebeests and zebras and spend some quality family time in a one-of-a-kind location.

http://leopardsridge.com

Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts
Founded in 2005 by Chitra and Roman Stern, Martinhal Family Hotels & Resorts was conceived with families in mind and aims to offer a luxury holiday experience with high class family-friendly facilities in some of the most prestigious areas of Portugal. Four properties make up the collection: Martinhal Sagres Beach Family Resort and Martinhal Quinta Family Golf Resort in the beautiful Algarve, and the Martinhal Cascais Family Hotel and soon-to-be-opened Martinhal Chiado Family Suites in historic Lisbon.

http://www.martinhal.com/

Palace Hotel Tokyo
Set on a stunning, moat-side plot adjacent to the Imperial Palace, this hotel opened in May 2012 after a $1.2 billion investment, and redefines the fine art of Japanese hospitality. With 290 rooms and suites, 10 restaurants and bars, including three with Michelin starred chefs, an evian SPA and incomparable views of the city’s most rarified green space – the Imperial Palace gardens – the latest addition to Tokyo’s luxury scene is a destination unto itself. Rebuilt from the ground-up and yet heir to a legacy that goes back more than half a century, the contemporary interpretation of Palace Hotel Tokyo presents travelers with an unfiltered celebration of the country’s culture and an unparalleled experience of Japan. The hotel is a 10-minute walk from landmark Tokyo Station and mere steps away from Marunouchi Naka Dori, one of Tokyo’s most upscale shopping and dining destinations.

http://en.palacehoteltokyo.com

Quasar Expeditions

Quasar Expeditions has been providing adventure enthusiasts with a unique luxury experience in South America for the past thirty years. Quasar inspires to encourage adventure-seekers all around the world to experience the mixture of extravagance and exploration they have to offer in some of the most remote places of the planet. The Quasar Expeditions’ portfolio includes Patagonia, the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Peru and the Amazon.

Quasar offers mainland expeditions as well as cruises to the Galapagos Islands. Quasar offers cruisers luxury trips aboard either the M/V Evolution or the M/Y Grace. The M/V Evolution is a 192 foot yacht designed to fit 32 guests comfortably. The M/Y Grace, famously known as Princess Grace Kelly’s royal honeymoon yacht, provides a more intimate experience with room for 18 guests. Both of the yachts operate within itineraries specially designed to show guests as much of the Galapagos as possible, including even the most remote of the islands.

https://www.quasarex.com

The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa
The Saxon Collection is a unique group of properties which provide the ultimate journey of discovery and exploration in Africa. Each of the exclusive destinations in this remarkable collection sets it apart from any other experience in the world. The Saxon Collection consists of The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg and Zulu Camp and The Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation at Shambala Private Game Reserve.

Located in the tranquil, tree-lined suburb of Sandhurst, within minutes of Johannesburg’s world-class shopping and business hub, The Saxon prides itself on continually being voted among the world’s leading hotels. An all-luxury, 53-suite hotel with six pools, a private library, wine cellar and piano lounge, The Saxon is internationally renowned for its accommodation and dining offerings. South African and global humanitarian, Nelson Mandela, chose these serene surroundings for editing his best-selling autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom. Many discerning travelers, including royalty, statesmen, Nobel prize-winners and best-selling authors have returned time and again to experience the unequalled qualities for which the Saxon has gained worldwide renown. Top-notch chefs, including the highly acclaimed Luke Dale-Roberts, create personalized cuisine, complimented by an outstanding selection of wines from award-winning restaurants. Completing the luxurious amenities of Saxon is the spa, consisting of six treatment rooms, a steam room, Rasul chamber, spa café and hair studio as well as a modern gym with kinesis.

http://www.saxon.co.za/


Zulu Camp, Shambala Private Game Reserve

Shambala Private Game Reserve is situated in the picturesque central region of the Waterberg mountain range, where the climate is sub-tropical and pleasantly temperate for most of the year. The Tibetan word ‘Shambala’ means ‘Paradise on Earth’. Whether you discover it in the bush, the mountains or the silence; whether you feel it in the air or see it in the magnificent, proud wildlife of this land, your own paradise is here – deep within the heart and soul of Shambala. In this idyllic setting, the Saxon Collection’s Zulu Camp allows guests to embrace the surrounding beauty in luxury chalets and partake in a variety of unforgettable experiences ranging from game drives, sundowner cruises, and volunteering with the camp’s Elephant Volunteer Program.

http://www.zulucamp.co.za

The Landings Resort and Spa, St. Lucia
More than an authentic St. Lucian experience, The Landings Resort and Spa St. Lucia, a AAA Four Diamond all-suite world luxury beach resort, is the perfect reflection of true villa luxury. Excellence is paramount at The Landings, both in service and amenities. The combination of a luxury beachfront resort with 85 spacious and fully-loaded designer suites, a private yacht marina, a 7,000 square foot signature spa and the genuine warmth of the St. Lucian people, leaves nothing to be desired. Located on the soft white sands of Rodney Bay, The Landings Resort and Spa caters to every whim on one of the most beautiful and unique islands in the Caribbean.

http://www.landingsstlucia.com

Volcanoes Safaris
Volcanoes specializes in mountain gorilla and chimpanzee trekking in Rwanda and Uganda and providing travelers a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey. Guests can experience a range of four- to 12-day luxury expeditions, all of which are highly customizable to the ability of the traveler. With four eco-safari lodges in the Volcanoes Collection, guests can enjoy all the highlights of Uganda and Rwanda in comfort and style while primate trekking through Africa. Volcanoes Safari guests can also experience and take part in the eco-tourism and conservation efforts within the local communities.
Volcanoes Safaris has three properties located in Uganda: Kyambura Gorge, the contemporary wildlife and chimpanzee lodge; Bwindi Lodge, a jungle haven perched above the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mount Gahinga, where guests can share the culture of the ancient Batwa pygmies, track the Golden Monkey and climb a volcano. The last of Volcanoes’ four properties is Virunga Lodge set in Rwanda. Virunga Lodge is the premier luxury destination for tracking and viewing the endangered mountain gorillas.

http://www.volcanoessafaris.com

You will find these amazing trips mixed throughout this year’s live and showcase auction offerings.
We are extremely grateful to JG Black Book and their remarkable member destinations.