About town
Champagne Comte Audoin de Dampierre Takes off after Visit from Comte and Comtesse Audoin de Dampierre
Known as one of the most charismatic men in Champagne, Comte Audoin de Dampierre certainly created a stir during his visit to Auckland to promote his eponymous Champagne with his NZ Agent Champagne Lady. Owing to his association with Aston Martin, Independent Prestige gave him the latest DB9 for his use during the visit. He started off by taking the V8 Vantage for a drive, much to the dismay of Champagne Lady who was little concerned as to his reliability on the other side of the road. Having been instructed to keep the windows down so they could hear the noise, Monsieur le Comte roared off with Champagne Lady clinging to the seat, hoping to appear relaxed! All I can say is "He is certainly a DRIVER!"
A glamorous function for around 170 Aston Martin and Champagne enthusiasts was held at Independent Prestige on March 9, 2006 where the Champagne Dampierrre flowed like water and the V8 Vantage roared to the delight of the crowd. The rally driving Count, who is almost as well-known for his love of Vintage Cars as he is for his luxury does not make Champagne Ordinaire for Jean Ordinaire but Luxury Champagne for those who can afford it. The association with Aston Martin is a perfect combination.
Internationally acclaimed artist Peter O'Hagan, kindly donated a painting depicting the Dampierre's salon at their home in Champagne with their two labradors, Opium and Tequila taking pride of place. He had met the Dampierre's during his time in Champagne and fell in love with their Champagne. So "Champagne Amongst Friends- The Dampierre" was auctioned off to benefit Champagne Lady's favourite Charity, the SPCA, and in particular those animals less fortunate than those depicted in the painting who appear to be enjoying a glass of two of their Masters finest "Family Reserve"! $7800 was paid for the work of art and was presented this week to Bob Kerridge and Merlin, by Jonathan Gooderham from Jonathan Grant Gallery in Parnell who is the Dealer for Peter O'Hagan. Thanks so much for their generosity.
Shown above, unknown at this point! Bob Bangerter, Bert Batley (father and mentor of Champagne Lady (Anne Batley Burton), Bob Kerridge (where's Merlin?) and Mike Clark (CEO of Independent Prestige).
Champagne Lady Horse Races
Inspired by Rod and Anne Baulcomb's decision to name their new racehorse after Jacquart, Champagne Lady decided to go to the Races, sponsoring a Race at The Auckland Racing Club and inviting some of her esteemed clientele.
The Racing Club very kindly allowed her to park The Champagne Lady Bentley just opposite The Birdcage so she could see and more importantly BE SEEN! Proudly displaying the Champagne Jacquart Banner to get the horses off to a good start guests enjoyed a few glasses of Jacquart Mosaique NV prior to the www.champagnelady.co.nz race.
Sporting a new outfit purchased at the only store in town to get a good designer dress "Saks" of course, Champagne Lady looks set to take the racecourse by storm. The hat was from France made by "Paquita" from Bordeaux.
The photo above is particuarly special because it features the late Mick Shanahan on the right. Enjoying one of his last outings before a visit to Hospital for surgery where I'm very sad to say he passed away on December 29. A great friend in particular to Champagne Lady's mother, Lady Nesta, he is sadly missed. From the left we have Anne Baulcomb, Lady Nesta, John Milne and Mick.
Well who is this pair? The one on the left looks rather familiar and we've certainly seen the one on the right before today! Actually this pair are well known for their wild partying in California during the 80's particularly in "Blackie's Bar" The stories I've heard from a very reliable source would make your hair stand on end, although the one on the left (Bertie Batley- otherwise famous for being Champagne Lady's father!!) swears there is not a word of truth in it. Looking as if he's just flown in from St Tropez in a very smart white ensemble with an eggshell blue jacket he has certainly worn well however Max on the right looks as if he has had a few rugby games too many! Just kidding. .
You certainly can't keep this guy down! Pictured above, he may have started late in life but he really enjoys chatting with the dollies. Next to Champagne Lady we have Rebecca Eele recently emigrated from straight into a top role in the City and next to Bertie we have one of New Zealand's top interior designers, Debbie Cavit. Proprietor of our finest furniture store, together with her husband Ian, she always seems to be jetting off to another part of the world to either design and fit out yet another resort or to purchase more wonderful items for Cavit and Co. Situated at the Blind Institute Building on Parnell Road, if you're into seriously good quality furniture go and take a look . . . you won't be disappointed.
There's nothing like a day at The Races to get the ladies decked out in their finest! Champagne Lady with two close friends, May Kung, and Yoko Collins all look wonderful in their hats. We were lucky to have the pleasure of May's company since she is so often overseas overseeing latest developments on the property market. She really added some colour to the day in that gorgeous pink hat.
Well, surprise, surprise! And no, Max has NOT run off with a younger woman! The lovely young woman pictured above is none other than Melanie Tredrea, Max's daughter. Currently being trained as a Champagne Lady "Lady in Waiting", she is showing excellent signs of being suitable for the position. And on either side we have our two Young Men About Town who are loyal Champagne Lady supporters! Tony Mazuran who has just accepted an Award in the Wine Hall of Fame on behalf of his grandfather (or was it great grandfather??) is getting set for a great day whilst our famous Matt Clark (The Minder) is his usual attentive self. The pair managed to finish off the last couple of bottles of Jacquart relaxing at the wheel of the Bentley before leaving for a night on the town (by taxi of course !) We won't delve into that any further.
Well, handsome can you be? Pictured above is of my most favourite people none other than the owner of the BEST Italian Restaurant in town! Our dear friend Mimmo, from the famous Mamma Mia opposite the fountain in Mission Bay. One could call him Mission Bay's Mayor as everybody knows him not only for his wonderful food but the fact he is always to be seen talking, laughing, kissing and sometimes shouting at customers. No matter what it is we all love him! As always the women, old or young flock to his side and here is again with two lovely ladies, Sharon and May.
Now this is a pair you really have to watch! Particularly this lady on the right! A real Race goer and obviously a bit of an expert! None other than Margaret Burton (Champagne Lady's mother -in-law) who I've heard tell, is the grandaughter of a bookmaker! She flew up especially for the Race Day to offer a bit of advice to her son Richard.
She also seems to be doing a bit of consulting for Michael Collins so let's hope they did well.
Here we have another Lady! None other than the famous Lady Wendy Bloxham (ex- publisher of New Zealand Magazines) with her husband Bill Bornham. Champagne Lady seems to be in full flight no doubt extolling the virtues of yet another cuvee to Wendy, who quite frankly seems to rival Champagne Lady in her Champagne drinking abilities! So much so that she has gained the reputation of being Our Best Private Client! You know what they say" Champagne is the only drink a woman can drink and still remain beautiful" and Lady Bloxham can certainly bear testament to that! What a great advertisement for Jacquart.
Champagne Lady Launch Party
On November 3rd, 2004 "Champagne Lady" officially launched her new website with great panache and Champagne style thanks to Alex Witten-Hannah, well-known lawyer and Francophile. Attired in his 1850 French Cavalry cloak complete with sabre, he whipped the top off a bottle of Jacquart Mosaique with his usual expertise. Coincidentally but most appropriately straight into the glass of a gentleman who has just named his new racehorse "Jacquart" after our favourite drop! This is a good omen for "Jacquart" who is in the process of being broken in. Let's hope we will be celebrating his success with copious bottles of Jacquart in due course
Below we see up and coming young horse “Jacquart” and Anne and Rod Baulcomb, his owners! Harold Titter who with his wife is one of our longstanding Champagne Jacquart fans is on the left with our musician “Yogi” featured in the rear.
Julian and Raewyn Reynolds from Auckland’s long standing designer store “Saks” are pictured below with John and Judy Wrightson who have recently returned from our Villa in Provence! Having enjoyed numerous bottles of Jacquart at “Domaine des Abeilles” we are thrilled to say they have got the “Jacquart Bug”.
And who are these three renegades? Brian Monk to the left was just about to jet off to Europe to watch a few Rugby matches and catch up with family. Unbeknownst to him at this point, he was to receive a rather chilly reception when visiting our villa in Le Thoronet owing to the power lines being conveniently cut off!! Luckily Paco and Corinne were spurred into action scouring the village for extra blankets and firewood until the power was back on! Featured in the middle is “Champagne Lady’s” husband, Richard Burton looking set to enjoy the evening. On the right is Richard Cox, an old friend not seen for many years owing to his sojourn in Spain. Now safely installed at Government House we hope to see more of him! Perhaps we will have the chance to convert them to Champagne Jacquart for their more special occasions. . .
This trio are all smiles! The beautiful Senora Julia on the left has just come back – or was she just off ? –to purchase a wonderful villa in Italy. Husband Simon was left behind no doubt wondering just what they were acquiring . I’m pleased to say that not only was his confidence rewarded with a gorgeous property chosen by his lovely wife but the sweetheart has also taken on 5 kitties!! Being a passionate cat lover myself, I just can’t wait to see them! Her sister Sarah, in the middle, being head of “Healtheries” will be a great asset to visit as being an ex vet she will be able to give them a quick going over and if necessary a quick dose of vitamins when she visits next year!
Look who we have here! Hairdresser to the Stars!!! Pictured below, Gary Rogers from Parnell couldn’t miss the “Champagne Lady” Launch Party managing to drag himself away for a few glasses of Jacquart with his lovely partner Jane(or is that Paris Hilton??)
Looking beautiful as always these three successful women are all Champagne Jacquart supporters with Corallie Eagle (middle) from Eagle Technology and her late husband Trevor having been wonderful friends and clients for many years. Valerie Littlejohn of Sails Restaurant together with her son Bart are great friends and supporters with Champagne Jacquart being their House drop for many years. The restaurant is in a stunning location down at Westhaven Marina and coupled with excellent food and a wonderful team of dedicated staff they operate one of the best restaurants in the country.
Well here she is “Champagne Lady” with two old friends! Would you believe Peter Macky, a well-known Parnell lawyer, (a gauche) used to affectionately call her “Hippy Groover” during her university days owing to the vast number of wigs, hats and gear she used to wear to university! And Gary on the right actually taught her to play “pool” aged 10 at Waitangi Hotel!
Where would we have been without “Yogi” – this isn’t the first time he has livened up our Champagne parties having starred at St Heliers during the wine festivals on a number of occasions. An real expert on his accordian he certainly added some French flair to the evening even accompanying our famous neighbours who kindly agreed to give us some impromptu opera during the evening.
Les Andrews singing “Solo Mio” . Apparently during the war Les was caught raiding a chicken coop in a little Italian village. Unsure on how to extricate himself he launched into opera and discovered it to be a univeral language crossing all boundaries. More than 60 years later an Italian Opera singer came to NZ looking for this New Zealander who had inspired him to take up Opera! Needless to say it was Les and so Les and Sonia went back recently to Italy to revisit the village and his war days. What a wonderful story. . .
