GstaadLife

Due to the recent new snow and the current outstanding snow conditions in the region of Gstaad.The Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG today (Wednesday, 15.2.2012) decided that the operating period of the gondolas Schönried-Rellerli, Gstaad-Wispile and the territory Saanerslochgrat, and Hornberg will extend  this seson.

The gondolas Schönried-Rellerli and Gstaad-Wispile that usually operate until 11 March will remain in operation. The area Saanerslochgrat,
 Hornberg will be operating up until and including 15th April.  The slopes in the area Chaltebrunnen, St. Stephen are planned to be open until and including 9th April.

Current Snow Report
All periods of operation - including the new re-established - are dependent on the prevailing weather conditions. The snow report hotline is  033 748 82 82 or found on www.gstaad.ch.

Photo Credit: Pierre Khim-Tit. Art Photo Gstaad

Interview by Peter Sonnekus-Williams

Claudio De Giorgi is a well-known personality in Gstaad. He is Sommelier at Caveau de Bacchus Gstaad, a position he has held since 2004; prior to that he spent 10 years as Head Sommelier at the Gstaad Palace. Wine is Claudio’s passion and it has been ever since he left his formal studies at Italian hotel school.

 PSW: What is your understanding about the wine Palette of Gstaad, is it clear what the residents and guests of Gstaad prefer?

CDG: We of course cater for a broad range of customer choice however there are certainly preference trends that we recognise. Overall I would say in order of preference we see a lot of this: red Bordeaux, white Burgundy & Swiss white wines. Then Italian - Tuscany and Piedmont followed by Spanish red’s and finally a small amount of new world wines. 

PSW: Do you think that the Gstaad clientele are generally well learned about wine?

CDG: To be honest, I must say yes. First of all the region attracts a high level of gastronomic conscious clientele. Together with this will come an appreciation and knowledge of good wine. From the quality of the enquiry we usually can tell. A lot of people living or visiting Gstaad, I think, have good cellars themselves and they are often looking for a wine from a particular Chateau or a good vintage. One cannot generalize but overall it seems that our customers are well travelled, experience a good level of living and make a good selection of wine to accompany a good food occasion. 

PSW: With the massive range and availability of wine in the world today, how do you go about choosing what to stock? Is it a tricky process?

CDG: Yes it is complex but we do have our way of handling this. First of all we visit specific wine expositions around Europe. The year starts off with VinItaly in Verona, then Bordeaux Primeurs, Salon de Vins  Loire and finally Vinisud in Montpellier. We get good insight from these expositions, meet producers and understand their vintages. Next we visit individual producers throughout the year, developing key relationships, understanding their personalities as well as gather first-hand experience of what makes them special. This we can share with our customers. Next we look at strategy, a business like ours requires a balance of, what we buy to keep and what we buy for regular sales for that period. This process of recognising what we call’ “vin de garde” is a delicate one which requires a balanced view as well as a good knowledge.  Finally we must take a view on wine consumption trends of our customers and check if our selections are suitable. We ensure that we have a good balanced offer  in terms of our price range, we must have very good possibilities for entry, middle and premium prices. For instance we have wine with a very good ratio regarding quality to price.  In February “wine of the month” we have a Cotes-du -Rhone for SFr 12. - a bottle.

Caveau de Bacchus is also known for its good selection of superb wines in large bottles, (grand flacon age). This area we pay attention to and keep a good balance of stock between our shops here in Gstaad as well as in Lausanne and Geneva.

 PSW: There is a lot of different styles to making wines nowadays as well as different parts of the world where wine is made. For you what stands out regarding region or winemaking styles?

CDG:  The proliferation of wine bars, and the increase in repertoire of people drinking wine without a meal is influencing wine making and this is a point to consider. This essentially has broadened the range of wine possibilities available to the public. The development of organic styled vineyards, lightly carbonated and light in alcohol are all worth noting as influential trends.  Of course Swiss wines, often being lower in alcohol are an attractive find for tourists who often don’t find Swiss wines abroad.  For example Chasselas from Yvorne, Dezaley, Chardonne, Villette are very popular, and as some of us know, there is no better wine for a fondue!

 PSW: You must have met some very interesting characters, What are some of your most memorable experiences at Caveau de Bacchus Gstaad.

 CDG: Our shop is particularly special as we share a chalet with Chopard. Each year we collectively invite special winemakers, customers and friends to our unique environment to experience some of the world’s finest jewellery and finest wines. During these occasions I have been privileged to meet with some of the worlds most esteemed wine estate owners and for me in my profession these are some of my most memorable experiences. 

Adding to this is of course the large population of customers, each with their unique ways and stories, this is always a pleasure for me. One occasion I recall well is that of a regular customer from Bern who loves champagne. On arrival the customer chose a number of bottles of what I refer to as the best champagnes in the world. A Dom Perignon, A Crystal Roederer, A Krug Cuvee Brut and a Clos du Mesnil 96. The customer then asked us to prepare the champagne’s to taste.  We made the preparation in Riedel glasses which the customer now keeps as a private set in our shop. Quite memorable.

Gasthaus Rössli in Feutersoey reopened its doors at the beginning of the winter season. To the delight of many chalet owners and locals, Catherine Reichenbach is open again during the summer season, offering the same high standards as usual.

At the beginning of last year Catherine and Hubert Reichenbach sought a buyer for the Gasthaus Rössli. Kurt Glur, Matti Immobilien AG and  Bach Immobilien AG bought the property as Plot EC 277, which made it easier for couple Reichenbach-Rochat to adopt a futures view. Sadly Hubert Reichenbach died in July 2011, who for years held the future of the “Rössli” in his hands. Many locals and guests at the time thought that the Gasthaus was closed. Catherine Reichenbach still regularly hears that many regulars believe the restaurant is closed.

‘Catherine Reichenbach remains the manager of the Rössli. In addition to the long-term staff at the Gasthaus, the team has been lookingfor additional staff for the kitchen. This popular restaurant’s choice is still the same,” says Marcel Bach. ‘Before the winter season, the restaurant was refurbished. A new wooden floor was laid in the dining area, the rooms got a fresh coat of paint and new curtains were hung. Sheepskins, for comfort and warmth, cover the chairs on the terrace, so that guests can enjoy the winter sunshine. The kitchen facilities will be further modernized in the future. The continuation of the business is important for us. The Rössli is open until the end of the winter season and then again between mid-July and mid-September, then again for winter’ says Bach.

An interview by Peter Sonnekus-Williams with Martin Brand (MB) of AAS Security in Gstaad and James Otigbah (JO) of Excel Security Solutions in Gstaad.

PSW -There are quite a few private security companies working in the Saanenland area, is there enough task for everyone?

JO – By all indications, there are upwards of 40 real estate agencies in the region, this should be an indication of the type of clientele there is here. I know of 4 security companies that operate in the region, each one has their unique strengths while some areas overlap.

MB - To be exact there are four security companies (in personnel security) working regularly in the Saanenland. There is in general enough work for all in the region, but not in all specific areas of security. Overall I think these four companies have a good relation with each other, and often task together.

PSW - How far away from Gstaad do you operate?

MB - In personnel security we operate 99% in Saanenland, and don’t want to do more outside.

In technical security we work in Saanenland and Obersimmental. On the monitoring centre we have connected objects throughout the German area of Switzerland, but 95% also in Saanenland, some in Bern, Zurich and East Switzerland.

JO -We have operated all over Switzerland and abroad. This year we were at the WEF in Davos, we worked for the Zurich Film Festival, providing executive protection to the President of the Jury and we had several international business clients travelling around Switzerland.

Internationally, we have had security mandates in Africa. In Nigeria we were protecting a former Vice President during the Presidential elections. We also worked for a private family in the United Arab Emirates. In September of this year, we assisted an international hotel chain in extracting their expatriate employees and guests from Tripoli in Libya.

PSW -Would you say that in Gstaad the presence of your company is to display proactive prevention or are you about reaction.

JO - Good security is always proactive; this is the very essence of our company’s philosophy. Prevention is always much more effective and in the long run more cost-effective than reaction. It is also more discreet and professional.

MB – Both, we have patrols out each day and night, together with technical rounds, this forms a proactive presence. This is particularly important in the slower between season times when it becomes very quiet in the village.

PSW - Do you think that chalets in the area are secure enough for the present situation?

MB –It’s very individual, and there are a lot of different views. Security is an individual feeling at the end. And not everybody has the same measure. In general there is a good standard here. In most cases of a consulting, we don’t need to make a big concept. Sometimes the systems are old and need to be changed or we just need to consider some organisational measures.

JO -The level of security in each chalet depends on the person’s perception of security, how much they can afford and which security company has advised them. From my experience, the chalets range from one extreme to the other; from fortresses to people who have a false sense of security.

PSW -Not everybody can afford a top security package for their home. What can be engaged to ensure a good level of security at a reasonable price?

JO- The cornerstone of good security is awareness. Awareness is a mind-set which does not cost anything. Also, nowadays you can get reasonable priced systems, depending on the size of the property. What I find surprising is that even though chalets are built primarily of wood, many are not equipped with appropriate fire detecting systems. A fire will cause more damage and loss (of life) than a burglary.

MB- This is always depended how far you want to guarantee safety or security. For a few hundred Francs you can get a good safe/fire safe or a better lock on the door or a stand-alone fire detector. A security guard for one evening for an event also doesn’t cost a fortune. And in opposite to this, for sure, permanent protection 24/7 is very expensive.

PSW -Is theft from chalets something to be concerned about in Gstaad? Are there many incidents?

MB – Each year there are some incidents in the Saanenland, some in Chalets. But in view of how many, it is very few. But it would be wrong to say there is nothing. History has always shown that were there is
 wealth, there will be incidents. Also with the prolific use of modern communication technologies, the discretion of our patrons to Gstaad becomes more compromised. To this point everybody needs to be more sensible about posting their whereabouts on social networks. This is a new social phenomenon with risks.

JO- Although chalet incidents rarely come to light in the media, I know of several incidents. It would be in the interest of the media as a service to the community to report such incidents in order to make people more vigilant. Whenever there is an incident, people are quick to point their fingers at the police and the municipality, accusing them of not doing enough. The responsibility for security is generally placed on the police, which is not fair. If people spend several millions on buying a flat or a chalet, which in turn attracts criminals, they should share the responsibility. What we are being asked to protect against within the last few months is vandalism.

PSW -There was a recent robbery in a Jewellery store on the promenade in Gstaad, what is your view on this regarding how they get away.

JO-Everybody has this conception that a criminal will rob a shop/bank/chalet and then attempt to leave the region. I have always heard that Gstaad is safe, because in case of a robbery, the few ways in and out can rapidly be blocked by police road blocks. Criminals know this too. Professionals most probably rent a flat, commit the crime, return to the flat and stay low for a couple of days until the heat has died down, before leaving the area.

MB- It’s difficult to say. When you take a map and look how many options of going out of our region if it’s by car or even with backpack over the mountains and how many possibilities to hide it makes it difficult for the police to catch them direct after such an incident. Most often delinquents like this become arrested after they make more burglaries.

PSW -Do you think that the Promenade of Gstaad would benefit from a security camera system?

MB -To put cameras only in the promenade would not be a solution. It would be necessary to develop a complete concept with principal roads, railway stations, and a lot of important places. Before one speaks about cameras and solutions you need to have a concept what you want to achieve with the cameras. Is it prevention, do u want to be able to identify a person in a night while it’s snowing? Do u want just to evaluate after an incident, or monitoring in real time? Are there so many incidents that it’s necessary to invest so much money? Who is going to pay? Is it not cheaper to make two more security patrols every day? To make it short: At some point a camera for prevention may be a benefit. The current situation requires it not to be necessarily.

JO- Cameras alone: No. Cameras are only effective if constantly monitored and combined with a rapid intervention force. Anybody familiar with Monte Carlo will tell you that they have cameras everywhere. However, the true deterrent factors are the police officers strategically placed throughout the city. The cameras, which are monitored at all times, are used to pick out suspicious activities and persons and the police can react to the information that is relayed to them.

 
Markus S. Bach was born in Saanen and received his first musical training from his father. He recalls that this was a time when there was no organized music school in Saanen, just one or two locals who could play an instrument would help out when they could. Today Markus can be proud of how those early days influenced him to be the founder of what is the Saanen Obersimmental Music School, which now has 40 registered tutors and more than 500 pupils studying a broad variety of musical disciplines.

After a commercial education, Markus first studied music at the Conservatory of Berne, then with Professor Jules Philippe Godard in Lausanne and finally he went on to further his studies in London. Following this was a long career in Swiss Army Bands where one of his prestigious positions was President of the Swiss Army Bandmaster Association, which deals with the content and organization of Swiss Army Bands. For 22 years Markus led the Brass Band Berner Oberland, which he also founded and was several times Swiss champion and five times winner of the Swiss Entertainment contest.

 Markus has an impressive list of International accolades made up of recognitions and awards from various cultural and musical associations, who have lauded his dedication and commitment to the Musical arts. He has been officially recognized as the architect of the European Brass Band Championships and elected honorary president of its association.

 Today Markus is a regular jury member of music competitions throughout Europe and is a conductor of various orchestras and wind ensembles. He and his wife Margrith have two sons and two grandchildren. Music continues in the family with both sons following significant professional musical conductor careers.

 Asking Markus what he wishes to share with the readers of GstaadLife, he tells me that we should encourage exposure to our readers of the long established and cherished local musical concerts, such as the “Saaner Altjahrskonzerte” (Saaner Old year concerts) and the Saaner Easter concerts. As the President of the Cultural commission of Saanen, he further encourages our readers to visit the Saaner Proms and what is known in Swiss German as a Saaner Abesitz (evening to talk). This precious and insightful activity attracts large groups of locals who listen to stories of the region, its history and its people. Such activity perpetuates culture and firms the roots of a place with its people and is well worth getting to know.

February is the month that the schools in Switzerland take their mid term break to take advantage of the fine ski conditions.

Schuhhaus Romang has been a family business since 1913. In order to serve their valued customers better, they are rebuilding their shop on the Promenade in Gstaad this year, which will result in a refreshed retail experience.

 Although the shop will be fifty square meters bigger and still consists of one level, as it does now, customers will in future be able to access the shop without having to use the steps that front the store at present; the shop will be aligned with the Promenade level.  Storage space underground will be more open-planned and effective for staff. The interior will be updated to a stylish, modern, contemporary Gstaad finish – and should cater to the tastes of their diverse clientele which is made up of locals and visitors alike. Finding a balance is their aim. “In today’s business world, loyalty is a very powerful concept, therefore staff working at Schuhhaus Romang will be there to welcome back customers and fulfill their usual role,” says owner Christoph Romang.

Building will commence on 19 March 2012 and Schuhhaus Romang will be ready for their 100-year celebration in 2013. Meanwhile, you will find them in thier interim shop in the building “Brunnehus” on the Promenade. At the beginning of December 2012, they will be happy to welcome you back to
thier rebuilt shop. 

Opening hours and contact details remain the same for the rebiuld period:

Monday – Friday:08h30-12h30 / 13h30-18h30. Saturday: 08h30-17h00

Address as from 19.03.2012 until 08.12.2012: Postfach 372, Brunnehus, Promenade 17, 3780 Gstaad,

Tel. 033 744 15 23, Fax 033 744 99 83,

schuhhaus-romang@bluewin.ch

Two accidents that occurred on Eggli recently involving skiers and Piste grooming machine equipment led The Director of Bergbahnen Destination Gstaad AG, Mr Armon Cantieni, to issue an urgent warning to the public. He says in his press release, "After 17h00 the ski slopes are extremely dangerous and it is forbidden to ski after this time - the risk is enormous and should never be underestimated.' 

The potential danger lies less in the skiers own ability, but with the barely perceptible danger that emanates from the tension cable the piste machines use in their nightly operations on the slopes. This cable is used to anchor the large machines to anchor points on the slopes which are in varied positions depending on the conditions. The cable can reach up to 1 Km allowing the Piste grooming machines to work a large radius and steep terrain. It can sink below the snow unseen then suddenly pull taught, when the machine moves and create a deadly obstacle. "Depending on the force, it can split a man with a clean cut in half," says Armon Cantieni dramatic words.

Thankfully the two skiers involved in the accidents escaped relatively unscathed, one was ripped clean out of their ski bindings though. A narrow escape.

There are some occasions to ski in the evening, this must be checked with Gstaad Saanenland Tourism.
      

Long before a well-known French shoe designer immortalized women’s feet with red soles, the red Valentino dress had deified the women who wore them for several decades. 

Renowned couture designer Valentino Garavani practically had “red” named after him. “Valentino Red” is a source of reference among those in the know. According to the designer, the inspiration came to him when he was 18 at a Barcelona theater. The opera was La Traviata and everything he saw was red, from the theater’s interior to the flowers to the dresses. He decided it would be his signature color.

For roughly five decades, Valentino has been creating some of the world’s most exquisite clothes. A serious wardrobe, the likes of which women such as Jackie Onassis or Elizabeth Taylor possessed, always has one of his dresses among the heap. All the most glamorous celebrities, socialites, and grande dames have worn him. He is up there among the greats with Dior, Saint Laurent, Chanel, Balenciaga, and Schiaparelli.

Four years ago the Italian designer announced his retirement. His company had already been sold for almost a billion dollars. But his work continues online. Garavani and his longtime collaborator Giancarlo Giammetti launched the Valentino Virtual Museum late last year. While the concept might not mean much for people who don’t care about clothes or for whom women’s fashion holds little meaning, Valentino’s Virtual Museum is as worthy of admiration as any other exhibition room. It is the first of its kind, and like Valentino himself, rather exceptional.

Unlike a traditional museum, the VVM is not a traveling exhibit or a museum one must travel to visit or queue up to buy a ticket. The VVM is an easily downloadable show with free access for all. The museum has the added benefit of feeling like a private tour where one can languish on any piece uninterrupted. Valentino’s Virtual Museum provides a sweeping glimpse not only into the designer’s style and his most innovative achievements, but more importantly into the evolution of style between the 1960s and the 21st century.

Much like a film can be placed in time by its visual feel, so too can fashion, providing a winsome record of the world at large. In the 60s, we see the greater political outlook reflected in bohemian blouses and floral patterns. The 80s, with big shoulders and garish colors, evoked the revival of laissez-faire capitalism and political grandstanding. According to Garavani, fashion reflects the time in which we live. He says “it must also, like a movie or music, inspire and make people dream.” The museum is in this sense not only a source of inspiration but a visual tool for studying fashion and the last half-century’s social events. In a British Vogue article, Valentino refers to his museum’s concept as “future memory”—a glimpse of the past in an ultramodern medium. He says it is a way to “review the fashion that has shaped our lives.” 

Fashion and clothing are often considered superficially extravagant, but we all know the value of appearances. We live in a time when slobs are far too prevalent. The great hordes’ overall lack of finesse can be jarring. It is an unfortunate time for appearances, which is a shame because as Valentino points out, “today ready-to-wear has achieved a quality and sophistication that once belonged just to couture.” He says the only thing he would change about high street fashion would be to make things simpler: “Less va-va-voom…and more like an old American way to dress, a shirt…jeans…flat shoes.” If only more people took their cues from Mr. Valentino.

Valentino says he is most proud of the style and identity he created. Giammetti, ever the businessman, looks to the present. He is most pleased that retirement can include projects such as this museum. 

Garavani and Giammetti live privileged lives surrounded by exceptional beauty. Their houses in Italy, France, England, and Switzerland betray the fact that they are true aesthetes. While it might be easy to envy the grandeur with which Valentino and Giammetti are surrounded, they deserve it more than anything because they earned it. Valentino has been a true creator of beauty, which is its own reward. Unlike some modern designers, Valentino has always behaved like a gentleman of the old school. Aspiring designers and creative individuals starting out will do well to take inspiration from Garavani and Giammetti.

By: Mandolyna Throdoracopulos

This question can certainly be asked of a globalisation weary population. Where interaction and transaction have the potential of being mixed up, where reams of decisions regarding businesses, buildings and public spaces are taken by financially sensitive committee’s - and a busy internet platform consumes more and more of our time, having us spend many hours of our days in a virtual environment.

Charm is an effortless responsibility, you don’t have to smile, make eye contact, have a short conversation or even thank someone who serves you in a shop, café, restaurant or hotel but if you sincerely do, something nicer than a meaningless transaction takes place. Charm is entirely human and it’s this undertaking that results in something to which we all commonly connect with and enjoy.

Charm requires of us to not wear our heart on our sleeve, not make our problems someone else’s, to display empathy, tact and bring politeness and respect to our public places. It requires us to do all of this with a degree of integrity and honesty as charm is not something you can fake.

 Charm takes time to nurture and requires safeguard, because once lost, it’s near impossible to reinstate. We all have experienced somewhere that we have sworn to never return too, and so many times the reason is a lack of charm, be it the place itself, the people or both. Likewise we have all met charmless people who’s unfortunate image becomes an awkward obstacle for future interactions with them.

I guess charm is something that is bred. It’s what our parents and society instil within us, be it through example or tutorial. I do sometimes wonder whether the,’ let’s give our children the best there is’ parent population of today, give enough thought as to how charming they are bringing up their precious little ones. Are they really equipping them with what it takes to lead a societally comfortable life where charm is a two way street?

So the big question, in this context must be, is Gstaad a charming place filled with charming folk? This is something each and every one of us who have something to do with the place, be it work, play or simply breathing in and out, should consider as we are surely answerable to it.

By: Peter Sonnekus-Williams