SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY

Can you make your wardrobe look younger and more stylish without buying anything new? In this episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, we're exploring how to embrace modern style while staying true to the principles of slow fashion, conscious consumption and timeless dressing. Rather than chasing every new trend, we'll discover how thoughtful styling, quality natural fibres, cleve...

What does it take to stand on top of the world? In this inspiring episode of Suitcase & Chardonnay, I sit down with entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Impilo Collection and the Impilo Foundation, Angela Yeung, to discuss her extraordinary journey to the summit of Mount Everest. A year after reaching the world's highest peak, Angela reflects on the physical, emotional, and mental...

In a world that often celebrates busy itineraries, packed schedules, and ticking destinations off a bucket list, a growing number of travellers are seeking something different. They're craving slower, more immersive journeys that allow them to be fully present, savour each moment, and experience destinations in a more meaningful way. It's a movement that's closely aligned with the rise...

With Father's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about something that often gets lost in the rush of gift buying and restaurant bookings — creating meaningful memories with the fathers and father figures in our lives. Because, often the moments we remember most are not the expensive gifts. They're the conversations, the shared experiences, and the fe...

Have you heard of the latest luxury safari offering under the Sabi Sabi Collection? Once a hunting ground, Sandringham is now protected for wildlife conservation, with its camps opening in August this year! In this episode, I chat to Managing Director, Rod Windham, about this exciting extension of the Sabi Sabi Collection. From this interview, you’ll see why this piece of wilderness along the Timb...

In this episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, we step into the refined world of Cyra Restaurant at The Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg for an inspiring conversation with Executive Chef, Candice Philip. Following an exceptional lunch experience, we chat about the artistry behind Cyra’s menu, the importance of storytelling through food, contemporary South African fine dining and how thoug...

Step into a world where heritage, innovation and sensory storytelling meet in the heart of the Cape Winelands . In this episode, I’m taking you back to Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate to experience the estate’s exciting new offerings - from the beautifully refurbished Geuwels Restaurant and its comforting yet elevated winter menu, to the elegant Farm Tea experience served inside the historic Homestead....

This Mother’s Day, lets' choose intention over expectation. In this episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, we celebrate motherhood in all its forms - from traditional moms to mother figures and nurturers who show up with love every day. You’ll discover a curated selection of Mother’s Day events across Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town , including brunches, experiences and family-...

In this reflective episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, we explore the deeper stories behind wine through the lens of this month’s theme: 'Sensitive Souls See More.' Host Renate Engelbrecht is joined by Mika Engelbrecht , winemaker at Neethlingshof Wine Estate , for a thoughtful conversation around the Short Story collection of wines -where each bottle captures more than just...

In this fashion episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, we explore this months' theme of “Sensitive Souls See More” through a thoughtful lens on Winter 2026 fashion trends , slow fashion and intentional style . We unpack how fashion goes beyond what we wear - it’s about the textures, details and timeless pieces we’re drawn to, and how they make us feel. In a fast-paced world of ever-...

In this episode of SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY , my guest, Chris Nader and I take you to Paje Beach for a glimpse of the soon-to-be-launched ENVI Paje - a luxury lodge centred around well-being, nature and effortless escape. Blending barefoot luxury with immersive experiences, this destination invites travellers to slow down, reconnect and experience travel in a more intentional way. If you love tra...

In this episode of SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY, we journey to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for an extraordinary conversation with the custodian of the lodge’s Vulture Culture experience. Together, we explore the powerful role vultures play in Africa’s ecosystems, the importance of conservation-driven tourism, and what it means to witness one of nature’s most misunderstood species up close. Set near t...

In this episode, we’re escaping to the quietly powerful beauty of the Overberg wine region, where cool-climate elegance meets thoughtful winemaking. I’m joined by winemaker and viticulturist, PJ Geyer of Thamnus Wines, and together, we explore the delicate artistry behind South African Chardonnay and Pinot Noir - two varietals that truly reward those who take the time to taste, feel, and experienc...

Have you ever bought something you loved … only to never wear it again? In this reflective and deeply relatable episode of SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY , we’re opening the wardrobe door on the pieces that didn’t quite work out — and the ones that truly stood the test of time. From impulse purchases and trend-driven buys to timeless wardrobe investments, this episode explores the quiet lessons fashion...

Good things take time. This SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast episode tells the story of a destination years in the making… Today, we explore the upcoming Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari resort on the beautiful Dolphin Coast in KwaZulu-Natal. Developed by the Collins Group, this landmark project will introduce South Africa’s first high-end, all-inclusive holiday resort - combining Indian...

Today, it’s just you and me - talking date nights, hidden bars, solo lunches and the restaurants that are quietly shaping South Africa’s culinary landscape. From a farm-to-fork bistro near the Constantia Winelands to a Japanese-inspired dining experience in the heart of Cape Town; from Greek elegance in Pretoria to a secret martini bar tucked between hotel floors in Rosebank - this episode is a lo...

What does luxury travel truly mean in 2026? In this episode, I’m joined by the Carlos Luis, the MD of TLC Vacations for a beautifully layered conversation about curated escapes, transformative journeys and the magic of intentional travel. Together, we explore the world of The Lux Collective, the rise of experiential luxury and why today’s traveller is seeking more than five-star accommodation - th...

In this episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, Renate Engelbrecht sits down with Barnard Beukman, editor of Die Papier, to talk about the bold and timely launch of a brand-new Afrikaans print newspaper in a fast-moving digital world. What does “slow journalism” really mean today? Why does print still matter - and who is it for? And how do storytelling, culture and community intersect in...

Valentine’s Day is almost here… and sometimes the most beautiful moments aren’t the ones planned months in advance, but the ones created spontaneously - with intention, creativity and a few well-chosen luxuries. In this episode of SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY , I share last-minute ideas to make Valentine’s Day feel beautiful and meaningful - from setting the mood at home and effortless fashion touche...

Luxury isn’t about price tags - it’s about intention, atmosphere and the small rituals that make everyday life feel beautiful. In this episode of the SUITCASE & CHARDONNAY podcast, we explore simple, affordable ways to turn your house into a home and romanticise your life through thoughtful details that don’t require a big budget. From creating quiet corners and sensory rituals to elevating yo...

This episode takes us into the heart of South Africa’s creative economy, because the things we wear, the objects we cherish, the spaces we curate, and the flavours we love all begin with a maker — a real human with a real story. And those stories are under threat. I’m joining you from the vibrant KAMERS/Makers market, a cornerstone of local craftsmanship and one of the most influential creative pl...

This episode is a little different… It’s just you and me, diving into the truth about working for yourself. Not the Instagram version, not the highlight reel — the real, layered, beautiful, messy, and wildly rewarding journey of building a creative business from scratch. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes, what no one tells you, or what I’ve learnt while juggling a blog, a podcast, a f...

The Taj Cape Town has a way of drawing one in, spoiling you to bits and then inspiring you to go out and explore. Its impressive façade is one that tells many a story of the Mother City, with the 5-star hotel occupying a building that used to be the South African Reserve Bank. I’ve stayed at this Taj Hotels property before, but following recent refurbishments of its rooms and suites, I couldn’t re...

Probably one of the most authentic ways in which to step back in time, Babylonstoren's Soetmelksvlei is a South African bucket list item like no other. This working farm - ultimately a living museum - showcases what farm life was like in the 19th century, allowing one to explore and learn more about various skills that have mostly been forgotten. From enjoying freshly baked roosterkoek and farm br...

Chef Michelle Theron from Vergenoegd Löw has come to understand the value of slowing down and now incorporates that into her approach when it comes to menu planning, plating and food and wine experiences. She explains that allowing the farm’s inner workings to dictate her pace has given her new perspective and she now sees things that might have previously gone unnoticed. In the end, it’s those th...