Photo: Menuhin Festival Gstaad

By: Alexis Munier

NIng's Notes of Perfection

On August 8^th, renowned violinist Ning Feng wowed the packed pews with sonatas by Janacek, Prokofiev and Beethoven. 

It’s easy to see, and hear, why the Chinese-born Ning has a growing international career. From 100% marks on his exams at the Royal Academy of Music in London (a first in two centuries) he went on to win the 2006 Paganini Competition.

Ning seemed to possess a limitless energy that resonated in each of his expert strokes of the bow. He is clearly at ease in the Russian/Eastern European repertoire; notable moments were Ning’s remarkable playing of Prokofiev’s Violin Sonata No.1 op. 80. In the Allegro brusco, Ning brought a striking beauty that is not often heard to the coarse nature of the piece. 

At his side was pianist Igor Levit, who played with finesse, despite a touch well-earned fatigue that crept in towards the end of boisterous Prokofiev. 

Should he make a return appearance next year, be sure to reserve your tickets in advance – Ning Feng is simply not to be missed.

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Photo: Raphael Faux

By: Alexis Munier

The Rial Deal – Soprano Stars with Leipzig String Quartet

It’s no surprise that the Menuhin Festival Gstaad stays true to its roots with an abundance of string concerts, as founder Yehudi Menuhin is considered one of the finest violinists of the 20^th century. 

Photo: Fotolia

Four months in Gstaad and I’ve yet to get up close and personal with one of the Saanenland’s famous goats.  More than just a mascot, the Saanen breed is just one of the many fellow species with whom we share this beautiful landscape – especially in the summer, when we are most likely to encounter one high up at 2,000 metres and beyond. 

But as this hectic season winds down, I for one am looking forward to catching up on some much-needed R & R – Rest and Randonnée. First, a quick look at what might be our wildest edition yet

It’s a zoo in here

In this issue, journalist J. Piromallo talks to Saanenland resident Alessandra Vicedomini, who heads up a family business built on the most exclusive luxury goats can produce – they don’t call her the Queen of Cashmere for nothing.

In our Profile interview, the Gstaad Palace’s Andrea Scherz gives us the lowdown on how he earned his crown (hint: the hard way). But running a legendary hotel is no joke for this Scherz – it’s a lifetime commitment. His kingdom for a horse? He’s not likely to abdicate anytime soon, but perhaps for a polo pony?

No summer in the Saanenland would be complete without the spectacular Hublot Polo Gold Cup. This year’s matches saw the sport’s famous ponies get hot to trot; champion Team Gstaad Palace’s last-minute goals made 2013 one of the most thrilling tournaments in the event’s two decade history here. 

But polo isn’t the only animal-related summer event here in the Saanenland. Dog lover Tess Larosse tells us all about the Canine Alpine Challenge, a fun and furry hike up Wasserngrat with our four-legged friends. All proceeds go to charity and are used to help find loving homes for stray dogs in need.

Betting the farm on it

If iconic dairy farms dotting the Swiss hillsides are more your cup of tea, read about aspiring cowgirl Andrea Clarkson’s attempt at leading cows up to their summer alpine grazing areas. But if you’re looking for real cowgirls, you’ll have to wait until September 20^th to 22^nd, when Country Night Gstaad hosts a three-day honky-tonk extravaganza. 

Last but not least, columnist M. Theodoracopulos takes on organic farming in You Are Where You Eat. From fresh herbs to pickled vegetables, she does it all – and lets us know exactly why you should, too. 

The summer of 2013 and beyond

As your official zookeeper, I’d like to thank you, our readers, for your support during this summer season. GSTAADLIFE has seen quite a few changes in its print edition, changes we hope you’ve come to appreciate over the past few months. Our traditional off-season lasts through November, when our first issue of the winter will arrive. 

This year, however, we aim to keep you well-fed, even during Gstaad’s lean months. You’ll find all the news that’s fit to print on our website www.gstaadlife.com instead, where you can receive daily updates delivered straight to your inbox. What’s more, we’ll spend the fall tailoring a newly designed platform to make your GSTAADLIFE experience more user-friendly than ever.

Until we meet again – and the cows come home – enjoy the good life as it’s only experienced here in the Saanenland. 

Best regards,

Alexis Munier

Editor in Chief

Photo: Gstaad Palace, Interview: Alexis Munier

Profile Interview with Andrea Scherz

The legendary 100-year-old Gstaad Palace has been in the sure hands of the Scherz family for most of its celebrated history – starting with Ernst Scherz and his wife Silvia who came to manage the hotel in 1938 from the Hotel Carlton in St. Moritz. Now, having survived the tumultuous 20^th century with aplomb under the management of the Scherzes and their successors son Ernst Andrea and his wife Shiwa, this extraordinary establishment now relies on a third generation to survive and thrive over its next hundred years. 

Grandson Andrea Scherz took over the running of the fabled hotel in 2001 after first managing the rooms division for five years. Scherz has hôtellerie in his blood – and he’ll need it to ensure that the Gstaad Palace enjoys a future as bright and bold as that of its lauded past. In a recent interview with GSTAADLIFE, Andrea shared the secrets of the hotel’s success – and his plans to build on that same success. 

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GSTAADLIFE: What makes the Palace special?

Andrea Scherz: This is a good question for our guests, 80 per cent of whom are repeat customers. The Palace is like a family – and not just our family. Several members of our staff have been here for decades. Take Gildo, our maître d’hôtel, who has been with us since 1968! And there’s Peter Wyss, our chef, who has been serving up exquisite international and regional cuisine for 38 years. Guests come back to the Palace knowing exactly what to expect … they say it’s like visiting an old friend. 

GL: How did your family come to Gstaad?

 AS: It’s a funny story. My grandfather Ernst actually came to Gstaad as a Boy Scout in February 1922. To earn a little pocket money, he and the other boys sang scout carols on the old village square near Chesery, while gazing on the high-up Palace. This sight bewitched him forever. He was fascinated by the magical Palace, a fairy tale castle that he hoped to come back to someday. Years later, while running the Hotel Carlton in St. Moritz, he saw the Palace was recruiting a manager – and the rest is history.

GL: So the Gstaad Palace is home for you?

AS: Yes, indeed! My younger brother Thierry and I grew up in a chalet near the hotel grounds. Yet, my father was very strict; we were not allowed in the hotel except for occasional lunches with my parents. Usually, we spend midday meals with my grandparents, who also lived in an adjoining chalet. But during the off-season, that all changed. We used to sneak in and cycle in the halls of the empty hotel, playing hide-and-go-seek and screaming our heads off.

GL: Were you expected to take over the family hotel someday or was it an entirely personal choice?

AS: It was certainly not expected. I remember my father’s words when I told him I wanted to attend the International Hotel School in Lausanne: “It won’t be a Scherz who ruins the Palace.” Meaning, of course, that I couldn’t come to work for the hotel unless I knew what I was doing! After finishing my degree, I came home sooner than anticipated to manage the hotel, as my mother had passed away and my father was absorbed rebuilding his life. Plus he needed a replacement for Rooms Division Manager Victor Ferrari, who had recently left the hotel.

GL: How has luxury changed since your grandfather first managed the hotel in 1938?

AS: I can’t speak for the whole luxury hotel sector, but in our case the Palace has changed very little. Yes, today’s guests demand the latest in technology and a premiere spa experience, so of course we have kept the hotel as up-to-date as necessary. We installed wi-fi, for example, and spent 20 million francs on a complete renovation of the spa in 2007. It now includes a first-rate wellness and health centre as well as our “Hammam Experience” and a Pilates studio.

But despite the continual updates and cosmetic improvements, the spirit of the hotel hasn’t changed, which is quite rare for a luxury hotel of its stature. GreenGo, our nightclub, still boasts the same exact interior design that it did upon opening in 1971. In fact, it’s the oldest nightclub in Switzerland that is still in its completely original state.

GL: How has the profile of the luxury traveller changed since the crisis?

 AS: Last-minute has taken over hotel bookings. Even luxury travellers with money to spare book using the Internet and although their holidays are planned months in advance, they still prefer to scour last-minute deals just before heading out.

GL: Obviously keeping up with technology is a priority for you. What is your secret to maintaining a whopping 12.525 likes on your Facebook page? 

AS: The hotel has fully embraced 21st century communications, including Facebook and twitter. It makes sense to be active on the social networks – the Palace is like a friend, and we all know that Facebook friends are an important part of today’s lifestyle. On our page, guests can read about current events and specials, comment on activities, and stay in touch with each other as well.

GL: What about accusations of price gauging by Gstaad hotels – how do you see the hotel sector’s relationship with chalet providers and the town’s many private rental agencies?

AS: Price gauging? In the hotel industry we call it yield management. Yes, it is true that we adapt our prices according to demand. For example, at Christmas and New Year’s we have three times more demand then availability. During this period we raise our rates by about 20% and impose a minimum stay of 12 nights. 

The real estate agents like us very much, as we’re their prime suppliers of customers for chalets and apartments. We lose one or two top customers annual when they buy property in Gstaad. Nevertheless we are even good friends with some of the long-established agents and share a mutual understanding for our respective businesses 

GL: Rumour has it that you’re a workaholic. Is there any truth to that?

AS: I’ve never bothered to look up the definition of workaholic. I love my job and am passionate about what I do. Running the Palace is a dream come true for me – from early morning to late evening I am often managing the day to day activities of the hotel and entertaining guests. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I also sit on the board of the Leading Hotels of the World and the Swiss Deluxe Hotels, which takes up a fair chunk of my time and leads me to discover new hotels and gain a deep insight into our industry. 

GL: As for your two children, Alexandre and Sabrina, do they hope to follow in your footsteps and become the fourth generation of Scherzes to run the hotel?

AS: I think at 12 and 13, they’re as yet undecided about their future careers. The only advice I can give them is what my father gave me: “Do something you’re passionate about.” And if they are passionate about the hotel business, then so be it. If not, I’m sure they’ll make their mark in their chosen fields.

GL: You were born and raised in the Palace and it’s clear that you’re here for the long haul. That said, if you were forced to uproot and leave Gstaad, where would you go?

AS: This may sound silly, but I’d set up shop in Yvorne or on the shores of Lake Geneva, just 40 km from here over the Col du Pillon. I have always loved the Léman region, and discovered Yvorne while working with a winemaker on our 100^th anniversary vintage. It is made in Yvorne, where Philippe Gex produced a bespoke Chasselas that is exceptionally light and joyful, perfect for the occasion. 

After minor adjustments to the association articles, the organization Primary Care Simmental-Saanenland, Medizinische Grundversorgung Simmental-Saanenland, was officially founded this month. It’s an organisation that just might diminish some of the challenges surrounding the issue of local health care.

“The purpose of our group is ensuring the continuity of both outpatient and inpatient medical care,” says Hans Zimmerli, who led the meeting. “We’ll serve to optimize medical care in the entire region.” 

Healthcare around the water cooler

The issue of medical care has been a hot topic for the region since the only hospital in the area closed its doors in November 2012.  Since that time, Gstaad residents have had no choice but to make the 20-minute drive to Zweisimmen Hospital.  

Attempts to create a shared practice in the former Saanen hospital building – which would house several local doctors with varying specialities – are already underway. As of yet, no  terms have been finalised.  This future practice would not provide emergency care, but rather simply gather individual practitioners under one common roof.

In the past year, some parties have shown concern that such a joint practice would endanger the Zweisimmen Hospital, but the meeting attendees sought to clarify that such a project would not sabotage the hospital in any way.

At the meeting, members discussed the issues of mutual respect and appreciation in depth, deeming both qualities vital to bolstering any hopes for unification.  

Come one, come all

Many general practitioners and city officials from municipalities including Saanen, Gsteig, Lauenen, Lenk, Zweisimmen, St. Stephan,  Boltigen, Erlenbach and Diemtigen attended the meeting, which was held in Zweisimmen City Hall.  Representatives from home care organisations, emergency services, and retirement homes were also present.

Eleven board members were unanimously elected, including President Dr Beat Michel. Christian Gafner (Municipality of Saanen), Dr Philippe Ganz (Wimmis), Bruno Guggisberg (Spital STS AG), Dr Beat Hählen (Lenk), Irene Kung (Alterszentrum Lindenmatte Erlenbach and Pro Senectute Niedersimmental), Rolf Michel (Municipality of Zweisimmen), Gerhard Schuck (Spitexverein Saanen), André Streit (Alterswohnen STS AG), Anne Stucki (Municipality of Diemtigen) and Dr. Daniel Trötschler (Zweisimmen Hospital) make up the other ten seats.

First order of business

The group’s first task was voting on member-funding mechanisms. The members unanimously decided that, annually, the municipalities would pay fees of one franc per inhabitant, while the retirement homes would pay 10 francs per bed.  Physicians and rescue organisations would pay a flat fee of 200 francs, home care organisations 250 francs, and Spital STS AG the largest chunk at 15,000 francs. In total, the organisation has 60,000 franc annual budget. 

Johann Zahler of the retirement home (Alterspflegeheim) in Matten was selected as auditor and several urgent tasks and projects for the new group were laid out. This includes hiring a business director, Geschäftsführer, who would oversee administration.

With the organisation up and running, the prospect for health care in the Gstaad area seems a little brighter.

Time will tell.

Left to right: Steffi Siebenthal, Homayra Sellier and Carina Jones.

Photo: Blanca Burri

This year marked the tenth annual summer camp for sexually abused children hosted by the charity Innocence in Danger. Thirteen children aged 4 to 16, and five mothers attended the camp, which ran ten days in August.

The camp was held in Gstaad thanks to Le Rosey’s generous offering of Chalet Roberti. Various workshops took place throughout the week, including this year’s first-time offering of yoga by renowned yogi Yogeswari. The yoga classes were held outdoors, where the children and mothers could spread their mats on grassy meadows for some serious stretching – and healing. 

First, breathe

Many sufferers of abuse displace their memories as a form of self-protection. But yoga relaxes and opens up the body and mind, allowing even the worst memories to resurface – and the healing process to begin in earnest. 

“One mother could only breathe superficially,” says Steffi Siebenthal, Camp Supervisor. “During these ten days of yoga, she learned to breathe deeply again.”

The camp is designed to help children live happy, healthy lives despite the devastating abuse they have suffered. Counsellors and psychologists are on hand so that both the children and their mothers may work through past events. 

“Because all participants have a similar past, nobody needs to hide here. Children and adults can freely exchange ideas,” says Siebenthal.

Letting go of shame

The main goal of the camp is to alleviate the shame that typically accompanies sexual abuse. All participants are survivors, so they are encouraged to speak openly if they so choose. The camp provides a safe place for the children to relax and have fun, which can activate self-healing.  

Run mostly by local volunteers, the various workshops ranged from t-shirt spray-painting and rock climbing to a trip to Glacier 3000. At one point during the week, the group travelled to a well-kept, spacious property in Château d’Oex, thanks to the generosity of a devoted supporter. 

For the first time, the camp was held only in French, with participants hailing from Suisse-Romande and France. German–speaking sexually abused children from Switzerland visited Innocence in Danger’s camps in Germany this year instead. A monolingual group permitted the children to feel even more comfortable and at home at the camp.

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Innocence in Danger (IID) is one of the largest privately funded non-governmental organisations (NGO) in the world. With a presence in six countries – Switzerland, France, Germany, the USA, the UK and Colombia – IID provides legal, medical and social services to victims and their parents. In addition, IID concentrates on fostering real political change and awareness through its many advocacy and lobbying activities.

Photo: Maurizio Montani, Text: Januaria Piromallo

Alessandra Vicedomini is as beautiful and stylish as you’d expect the reigning Queen of Cashmere to be. Former model for Blumarine and Dolce & Gabbana, the 39-year-old Penelope Cruz look-alike heads the small fashion empire originally founded by her father some 50 years ago.

Under Alessandra’s stewardship, the embattled Vicedomini brand is experiencing a glamorous renaissance. Her collection graces stores in the most exclusive shopping malls of the planet – from Paris to Moscow and of course in the five-star Alpina Gstaad. She’ll open her first single-brand boutique in London’s trendy Chelsea district this year; she has also opened an intimate new showroom in Via Montenapoleone, in Milano’s high fashion district.

The Milanese beauty left the catwalk to take over the company ten years ago – and within a few seasons became the number one designer in Gstaad. Her first (and still loyal) clients read like a who’s who in the Saanenland: Laura Scherz, aka Lady Palace; Kirsty Bertarelli; Christine Juffali; Carol -Asscher; and Nora Al Howaish. So popular is the young designer that she’s been christened  “Chanel of the Saanenland”. 

Born to the cloth

Alessandra was born the youngest child of Giuseppe and Orietta Vicedomini, a power couple known for their ambition and style. The lovely Orietta made her living as a model after World War II. Giuseppe came from a military family on the front lines of political and armed conflicts, but he left the military to pursue a career in fashion. A clever businessman with a nose for talent, he partnered with designer Lino Pellizzoni in 1962, creating the iconic tubino – sheath – dress that remains a wardrobe staple for chic women everywhere even today. 

The overwhelming success of the tubino prompted Giuseppe to create his own line. The first Vicedomini collection consisted of only twelve pieces – a versatile mix of hand-embroidered tops and separates that revolutionized ready-to-wear. With the crème de la crème of Milano society and Harrods in London begging for more, a true fashion brand was born. 

With a staff of more than 100 employees and artisans and spreads in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Giuseppe was well on his way when he met the beautiful Orietta, a finalist in the Miss Italy beauty pageant. It was love at first sight. He hired her as his house model and they were immediately married. 

The design phoenix rises

The house of Vicedomini suffered a complicated downturn in 1984, when a blizzard damaged the factory, ruining most of the machinery, archives, and inventory. This setback drove Giuseppe to consider retirement – and then tragedy struck again in the 1990s, this time in the form of a car accident that severely injured his wife Orietta. This heartbreak shook both the family business and Alessandra’s teenage years. By the time the young model began her studies at university, she had taken over the brand so that her father could devote himself to her mother. 

Alessandra began with a few simple knits – and over the years she built on those basics, creating the luxury knit collection we know today. Happily married to Italian aristocrat Amedeo Serra, Vicedomini combines -raising her two boys with running her growing domain. Family is important to her, both at home and at work, a legacy she attributes to her father. 

“My father was respected and truly loved by his staff. Even at ninety, he was often visited by some of the head tailors who worked for him,” recalls Vicedomini. 

With homes in both Geneva and Gstaad, Vicedomini manages to juggle her roles as businesswoman, designer, mother, wife, friend and confidant with aplomb. Just more proof that she has mastered the ups and downs of hemlines – and of life.

“I just try to keep my head above the stormy weather we all must pass through,” Alessandra says with a smile.

Indeed.

Interview: Alexis Munier 

German pianist Sebastian Knauer is a familiar face at the Menuhin Festival. Following his recital on August 14^th, he was kind enough to sit for an interview with GSTAADLIFE.

GSTAADLIFE: After more than a decade of concerts at the Menuhin Festival, what keeps you coming back year after year? 

Sebastian Knauer: I’m fortunate enough to be invited back! The first several years I played in chamber ensembles, but it’s now my third year playing solo piano recitals at the festival. Old friends and fans always greet me warmly, and I feel quite at home here.

GL: Where do you stay while you’re in town and are you able to enjoy any holidays here your performances?

SK: I stayed two days at Le Grand Chalet and three days at the Grand Hotel Park – it’s quite luxurious compared to my usual choice of hotel, and a rare treat. I know the Saanenland well, as I spent a good deal of time in my family’s chalet in the mountains near Vevey as a boy. In winter I’m an avid skier and often came to Gstaad for the excellent slopes.

GL: How do you feel about performing in the church of Lauenen? 

SK: Playing in churches can be a bit tricky; the acoustics are sometimes too strong. But this church, with its warm and inviting atmosphere, is an exception to the rule. With around 300 seats, it’s just big enough. Not to mention that it’s exceptionally beautiful and playing in such a holy place has special meaning.

GL: You’re mostly dedicated to chamber music … why? 

SK: If by chamber music then you mean performing with other musicians, then yes, I am. It is always a pleasure to be on stage with friends and colleagues. Of course I also play many solo recitals and have branched out into other hybrid projects as well; I often perform with actors who give dramatic readings woven between pieces of music, which is a change from the standard repertoire. 

I’d like to invite the audience, and GSTAADLIFE readers, to hear me August 31^st to September 14^th in Augsburg, Germany. There I serve as Artistic Director of the -Mozart @ Augsburg festival (www.mozartaugsburg.com) , where I’ll perform, among many other concerts, with violinist Daniel Hope and actor Klaus Maria Brandauer in a programme featuring readings of Mozart letters.

GL: You’re clearly a Mendelssohn buff, and played his Lied ohne Worte op. 85, 4 as one of your encores. What attracts you to his music?

SK: Don’t forget that Mendelssohn is from Hamburg, like me! No, seriously, Mendelssohn’s piano music is not as famous as his violin concerto, for example, but there are many fantastic works just waiting to be discovered. His music has a reputation of being pleasant and perfunctory, but I believe it has great depth and soul. His melodies are very singable, while his unusual harmonies are anything but ’just nice’.

GL: Your programme tonight included only the most well-known pieces for piano. Why, and why the theme Alla Turca?

SK: You’re right … I just heard one of the Schubert Impromptu’s in an elevator. While I am a fan of promoting lesser-known music to audiences and expanding their musical horizons, there is something nice about playing music everyone knows and loves.

Remember these pieces have stood the test of time for a very good reason. The theme Alla Turca was chosen as it’s the last movement of the first piece on the programme, Mozart’s Sonata KV 331, and one that is instantly recognizable.

GL: What do you bring to these pieces personally, and as an artist?

 SK: I like to say I’m an ’honest’ musician – for me, the composer is king. I am not on stage as Sebatian Knauer, artist, but rather Sebastian Knauer, interpreter of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. Above all, the music is the star here – I simply try my best to present the music in a way that would make the composer proud. 

Photo and text by Mandolyna Theodoracopulos

I never much thought about ordering regional specialties until an American friend of mine brought her Italian husband to a roadside diner in Rhode Island, where he was ridiculed for requesting the local wine. Despite his absurd request, it makes perfect sense to order the local fare. That is of course unless you live in a mindless urban bubble or enjoy flying lobster on your private jet from Maine to Gstaad.

Eating local and organic produce isn’t so difficult if you have a garden or make the effort not to shop in ginormous chain supermarkets. Yet so-called “food-conscious” people still go nuts about organic produce and are willing to pay double for it. Never mind where it comes from so long as it is labeled “organic.” Everyone is up in arms about Monsanto, but I am more concerned with people thinking they can eat anything they want at any time of year.

The idea that we have to eat food with horrendous chemicals or genetic modifications grown on another continent is absurd, even for people who can’t necessarily afford anything that hasn’t been touched by Monsanto. Even in most cities, local farmers bring in regional fruits and vegetables and sell them at farmers’ markets. Pesticide-free products are widely available because people and farmers grow them just about everywhere. The trick is patronizing small farms, growing your own if you have a bit of soil, learning how to preserve things for consumption out of season, and not wanting to eat an avocado in Europe in the middle of winter.

Growing your own seems the most reasonable. According to Cicero, “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” I have both and I couldn’t be happier. My garden is recently acquired, and thanks to Maria my Ibicenco caretaker and expert gardener, I have it all: tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, radishes, lettuce, potatoes, onions, figs, almonds, asparagus, lemons, oranges, olives and cherries. All this is in addition to the rosemary, sage, thyme, bay, oregano and basil that grow wild or in pots. Everything is absolutely delicious and a far cry from the tasteless tomatoes one gets in America. 

I have a 100-year-old outdoor stone oven and can make bread, pizza and just about anything else – much like people used to do before eating out in fancy restaurants became the epitome of luxury. I have spent much of this summer eating directly from my garden and canning tomatoes, peppers and zucchini for the winter. I have become somewhat of an expert in recipes that include zucchini. Fried zucchini flowers are my favorite. My tomato sauce is outstanding and can be used in pastas, soups, on bread and much more. I dare you to challenge it! Sometimes I even eat it by itself straight out of the jar after it has been chopped and reduced in a big pot. I have also made basil oil, pesto and have turned my peppers into a variety of salsas which can be frozen and later eaten with almost anything. 

The beauty of having a garden, even a very small one, is that it allows you to eat healthfully without really needing anything but the occasional fish or hunk of beef. This is what I call luxury! It is also very healthy without being obsessively vegetarian. Now I scoff at every “organic” sign I pass along the road and curse the savvy food salesmen that have encouraged people to forget that old slogan, “Think globally, act locally.” 

Here in Gstaad my mother grows her own organic vegetables on a minuscule patch of land outside her kitchen. For everything else we need, the list of amazing local foods is long. Switzerland has cheese, chocolate and almost everything in between. My favorite is the local wine from grapes grown by a friend near Lake Geneva. Need a spot of protein? There is no shortage of beef. Plus we have our local trout farmer. To hell with tropical fruits and some Atlantic delicacy; we are in the Alps! 

They say you are what you eat. Perhaps it is more apt to say you are where you eat. And right now I feel distinctly Swiss.

Photo: Andrea Clarkson

By: Alexis Munier

Lerissa is a real beauty: medium height and build, good muscle tone, creamy white udders and eyes that could melt the heart of any farmer in the Saanenland. Add her excellent milk output and sweet-as-pie demeanour, and it’s no wonder she outsold all the other heifers at auction. With a selling price of 8000 francs, Lerissa took top honours at Alp Gumm’s annual cow sale Saturday, August 3.

But Lerissa was just one of approximately 50 young cows that were sold at the auction, held each year by Ueli Bach of Feutersoey. 

The Bach’s auction traditionally marks the opening of the cow auction series in the Saanenland and the Simmental. A farmer with a head for business, Bach buys up heifers (young cows who have yet to give birth) in the winter and early spring for his dairy farm high up at Alp Gumm. 

The 130 cows and some three dozen heifers spend the summer months grazing on sweet grass and herbs on Gumm’s meadows, producing vast amounts of milk. The cheese produced from this milk, known as Alpkäse, is typically aged three years to produce the region’s famous Hobelkäse. 

Alp Gumm is indeed one of the largest producers of cheese in the Saanenland, with 8 – 10 tonnes produced and sold to the Molkerei Gstaad at the end of each summer season. This year, due to a later summer season – snow until June – only about 6 tonnes were produced.

“It’s a tradition that started very small with my grandfather,” says Ueli Bach. “Over time, I’ve expanded the business to produce more cheese than any other local Alp. 

As the summer comes to a close, the cows are sold at auction to eager farmers. Some of the cows will remain on Alp Gumm until the ‘Ausfahrt’ at the end of August, while others will be immediately transported to their new homes. Cows that don’t sell at the auction will generally find buyers in the autumn.

If the 3000-franc average price tag seems steep, there’s a bonus – nearly all the cows are pregnant, making it a ‘two-for-one’ special of sorts. Bach spends much of the spring before the cows are taken to the Alp purchasing the best local bull sperm to insure Alp Gumm carries on producing fine lines of dairy cows. 

As for the Bach family line, will his three grown daughters who all work in other fields follow in his footsteps?

“I’d like to think at least one of them will,” laughs Bach, “but maybe one of them will find a man with a little cowboy in him!”

Photo: Country Night Gstaad

Some of Gstaad’s best non-sporting events are held in September and October. This fall will see plenty of off-season action, including the Gstaadermesse, Country Night and Gstaad Classic Audemars Piguet rally.   

Country Night Gstaad brings country music’s hottest stars to the town’s famous tent, where more than 10,000 expected fans will two-step to the sound of headliners LeAnn Rimes, Gretchen Wilson, The Time Jumpers featuring Vince Gill and Hoosier band The Flynnville Train. Celebrating its 25^th anniversary this year, the festival is the brainchild of country music fan and local businessman Marcel Bach, who founded the Country Night in 1989.  

The concerts will be held Friday to Sunday, September 20^th to 22^nd; all performers play Friday and Saturday nights, while Sunday hosts a slew lesser known and local performers during the daylong family-friendly fête. www.countrynight-gstaad.ch

September 25^th to 28^th will see vintage cars tour the Saanenland with the annual Gstaad Classic Audemars Piguet rally. These old-timers, which date from the 1970’s and earlier, will roll in ‘regularity’ mode, which means it’s no race to the finish – quite the contrary. Timekeeping loops are fixed in advance by rally officials and drivers must adhere to these times as precisely as possible. This system allows for even modest performers to come out on top. Please see www.gstaadclassic.com for more details on the event.

Gstaad’s busy networking event, the Gstaadermesse, is a perfect chance to discover the Saanenland’s businesses.  More than 50 exhibitors will host stands at the Sportzertrum, in addition to crowd-pleasing food, drinks and entertainment.  The Gstaadermesse, which runs October 24^th to 27^th is held bi-annually – miss it and you’ll have to wait until 2015 to get a glimpse into the heart of local business sector.  www.gstaadermesse.ch 

Photo and Text: Gstaad Yacht Club

World Championship Bronze 

By: GSTAADLIFE

There’s no need to scour the Alpine forests in search of this poacher – Le Braconnier is alive and well in the heart of Rougemont.

 Recently renovated and under new ownership, this cheery trattoria offers authentic Italian specialities from recipes handed down through generations of nonnas. The owners, Emidio Medda and Fabrizio Contu, bring their wealth of experience at Gstaad’s premier hotels to Rougemont’s quaint main street. With a “Come fatto da mamma” (like mom does it) philosophy, Medda and Contu go out of their way to provide a warm, friendly atmosphere and simple, delicious meals.

From one of the scenic terrace’s many tables or at the cosy bar, you’ll hear waiters switch happily from Italian to French to English to German and back again, often all in the same conversation. Need a wine recommendation or just want to chat about the current state of Italian politics? All banter is welcome here, where waiters are more than happy to welcome you as a guest of honour into their very delightful, very Italian world.

Despite a tiny, open kitchen, Le Braconnier serves up several plats du jour as well as tasty appetizers like Parma ham with juicy melon wedges and homemade potato gnocchi. With prices ranging from 8 to 35 francs, an evening full of food and fun won’t break the bank.

 Le Braconnier, rue du Village 20, Rougemont, is open daily from 8 am to 11 pm.

Singer-songwriter Leann Rimes performs at Country Night Gstaad. Photo: AvS

Local businessman Marcel Bach and his team have done it yet again. While Bach admits that attracting the best acts over the past 25 years of Country Night Gstaad hasn’t always been easy, this year’s event was a resounding success. Bringing together a savvy melange of returning favourites as well as new talent, the biggest attraction of its kind in Europe drew country music aficionados from Germany, England and beyond—all excited at the prospect of three days full of beer, burgers, and the best entertainment country western music has to offer.

Midnight train to Gstaad

Friday and Saturday night began and ended with industry newcomers Flynnville Train and Gretchen Wilson.  Flynnville Train, whose music is quickly gaining popularity in Europe, opened with an electrifying metal-influenced sound, proving they’ve got more to offer than their famous long locks.  In fact, the band’s founding brothers, Brian and Brent Flynn, announced at Saturday’s press conference that while they would continue to live in the US, they were focusing their career in Europe, where they feel the audiences best appreciate their unique sound.

Work hard, play harder, sing hardest

Gretchen Wilson, whose music was reminiscent of 1980s rock legend Joan Jett brought both nights to a close with her engaging performance style.  The seated, reserved crowd was clearly a challenge for the lively Wilson, whose act required a fair amount of interaction with the audience.   Still, the original Redneck Woman put on a show to remember.

How do I live with the tabloids?

But the real treat at Country Night Gstaad was not the opening and closing acts, but the creamy filling--the stars sandwiched between these two newbies.

First up, Leann Rimes showed she was still a hot commodity after two decades in the country music business.  After starting her career as a teen star with the album Blue, Rimes clearly hasn’t let her very public divorces and tabloid gossip hinder her work as an artist or her sweet-timbered, versatile voice. 

Her set included hits like “How do I live?” as well as material from her newest, critically acclaimed album, Spitfire.  She closed with an audience-favourite brought back to life by the Shrek films—a beautifully poignant but painfully slow cover of Leonard Cohen’s, Hallelujah. 

On the outskirts of Gstaad

Despite Rimes’ stellar performance, The Time Jumpers stole the show.  This group of 11 seasoned studio musicians—fiddler Kenny Sears and steel guitarist Paul Franklin among them—has been around for two decades. But their 2012 self-titled release earned two Grammy nominations including best album.

Legendary country heartthrob Vince Gill has officially joined the group, and now, even in his late fifties, still makes the ladies swoon.  His soft, easy tenor lends itself perfectly to the Grammy-nominated “On the outskirts of town”. Refreshingly, Gill is happy to check his ego at the door and sing backup harmonies on several other numbers. 

Last but not least, Gill’s former backup singer Dawn Sears shows she’s ready for her star turn. In the goose-bump-inducing highlight of the whole night, her beautifully sung ballad “So far apart” left both her fiddler husband and half the audience in tears. 

Bach to basics

Thanks to Marcel Bach and Country Night Gstaad, you don’t have to go to Nashville to hear the best that country music has to offer. You can enjoy the glorious twang of the best guitar slingers in the world right here in the Saanenland. Just keep your boots on!

Photo: AvS

Here come the cavalry of musicians

Gstaad gets the royal treatment on Friday, October 4, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s very own court orchestra will perform in the festival tent.  The Band of the Blues and Royals, a mounted military band, will be horseless tomorrow evening, but that won’t detract from the inspiring, energizing program of marches and jigs.

This event marks the first time that the cavalry band—famous throughout both the UK and the world—performs in Gstaad.  The lively concert will also feature locals Samuel and Cedric Gyger from Schönried, who have each won several awards in their disciplines.

“These really are two great musicians,” says de Vigier, who is passionate about helping young musicians thrive. “It’s important that we encourage and motivate young people--they are our future.”

Not a Queen’s ransom

With ticket prices at just 25 francs for adults and children free of charge, the cavalry band concert is one of the few truly family-friendly options in a region bursting with concerts and music festivals.

The concert is made possible by Jeanette de Vigier, a long-time guest of Gstaad who has long championed the arts in her beloved Saanenland.  Not just a fan of art and music, Mme de Vigier has generously supported a variety of local events, institutions, and clubs (including the Football Club Sarina and Gstaad Sports Centre).  De Vigier comes from a musical family; her grandmother, Berthe de Vigier, was an acclaimed operatic soprano, while her mother and her aunt played the saxophone and clarinet, respectively. Moving to the next generation, de Vigier brags that her nephew is also a very talented musician. Given the de Vigier family genes, this comes as no surprise.

The de Vigier family’s musical reach extends even further—the family has a particularly intimate relationship with Solothurn’s Stadtmusik (city orchestra).  Jeanette de Vigier’s father, industrialist Bill de Vigier, was a native of the Solothurn.  He sponsored the orchestra and even invited the group to play London’s Central Hall for his 50^th birthday in 1962.  Under the baton of Franz Königshofer, the orchestra performed the Vigier family march to the sold-out crowd. Though he passed away in 2003, last year would have marked Bill de Vigier’s 100^th birthday. For the occasion, Jeanette de Vigier invited The Band of the Blues and Royals to give a gala concert in Solothurn. This marked the beginning of a friendship that has culminated in the band’s return appearances in Switzerland this year.

Gala concert of The Band of the Blues and Royals:

Friday, October 4, 2013. 19:30 in Gstaad’s festival tent.

Adults: 25 francs, Children under 16: Free

The long-awaited bi-annual city fair is here again. Billing itself as 'The largest showcase in the Saanenland', the Gstaadermesse will host approximately 70 stands. From pharmacies to sportswear companies to banks, it's a chance to discover and meet personally with many local businesses and their staff.

This year's fair will feature several special events, inlcuding a fashion show by Vertex Sports and Schuhhaus Romang. The fun continues with a comedy/variety show 'Nuny' as well as a late-night animation with 'Pancho & Josefa'.  All weekend long kids will delight in the Kasperlitheater's youth production at a specially designated kid zone, and an Early Beck brunch will be held Sunday to the swinging sounds of the Alphorngruppe Saanenland starring xylophone virtuoso Sandro Frautschi. 

For the daring, Air Glaciers will offer short helicopter rides at a special price for guests both Saturday and Sunday. The less daring can check out a safer form of transportation at the Gstaadermesse's display of the Hornberg funicular, which ran until 1986. After decades of sitting at a local playground, the funicular was renovated with the help of Gstaad Saanenland Tourism, and is making one last appearance in town before heading to its final resting spot at Lucerne's famed transport museum.

................

Program

Thursday, October 24:

18:00                 Apero for exhibitors, press and guests

19:00 - 22:00       Stands open to the public

Friday, October 25:

18:00 - 22:00       Stands open to the public

19:30, 21:00       Fashion show by Vertex Sports and Schuhhaus Romang

Saturday, October 26:

11:00 - 22:00      Stands open to the public

from 14:00         Children's theater every hour on the hour

19:00, 21:00       Comedy/variety show with 'Nuny'

23:00                 Animation with 'Pancho & Josefa'

Sunday, October 27:

11:00 - 18:00      Stands open to the public

11:00                 Early Beck brunch (sign up at Early Beck by 2 pm Saturday to participate)

                         Concert Alphorngruppe with Sandro Frautschi

from 14:00         Children's theater every hour on the hour

Between the ages of 18 and 20, life is a market in which we buy values not with money, but with acts.  Most men don’t by anything.

--André Malraux 

These were the words that long-time Saanenland resident and my personal friend Debra Mimran lived by. Her passion and joie de vivre will always be remembered.

In a close-knit community like Gstaad, the death of one affects us all as if we have lost a member of our family. Gstaad adopted Debra decades ago, and Debra repaid with fidelity. She might have separated from sugar billionaire (and co-owner of the hotel Alpina Gstaad) husband Jean-Claude, but not from the Saanenland. Debra left the region for some years, but eventually homesickness drove her back again. She made her home in Gsteig, where she became a devoted follower of the Kabbalah.

Blondes mean business

But Debra was also a local businesswoman. More than a decade ago she and her friend Gabi Matti opened the first concept store in Gstaad. Befitting her trademark sense of humour, she named the store “Two Dumb Blondes.” It became THE place to shop—trendy, chic and über-stylish, as acknowledged in Vogue Italia.

Most of all, Debra loved being a mother and was extremely proud of her three sons. The eldest, Nachson, is Director of the Alpina Gstaad. She bragged about her youngest, Arieh, a model student at the Kennedy School and at Le Rosey. He graduated last year as valedictorian and was accepted to Princeton, one of the world’s best universities.  At the graduation ceremony, Debra sat in the first row next to Jean-Claude, clapping unabashedly and holding back tears.

But it was her middle child, Ben, who always made Debra smile. With matching big blue eyes, mother and son both beam from their wall of Facebook photos. A creative soul close to her own heart, Ben has inherited her determination not to miss a moment of this exciting journey Debra called life.

A long ride to the finish—and beyond

That journey took Debra to Patagonia, known as the “World’s End.”  Galloping on horseback through green grass and crystal-blue lakes, she had only one word for the region’s beauty: heavenly.  Even though a sudden fall would take her life, this last ride was undoubtedly fuelled by the same passion she had her whole life.  I like to imagine that after taking one last look at heaven on earth, she reopened her eyes in another paradise—one of infinite beauty and light—and that her life force continues to inspire. 

Verily, verily I say unto you,

Except if the grain of wheat falls

into the ground and dies, it abides alone:

but if it dies, it brings forth much fruit.

John 12:24

Buon cammino, mia cara.

Januaria Piromallo

Photo: Maurizio Montani, Text: Januaria Piromallo

Alessandra Vicedomini is as beautiful and stylish as you’d expect the reigning Queen of Cashmere to be. Former model for Blumarine and Dolce & Gabbana, the 39-year-old Penelope Cruz look-alike heads the small fashion empire originally founded by her father some 50 years ago.

Under Alessandra’s stewardship, the embattled Vicedomini brand is experiencing a glamorous renaissance. Her collection graces stores in the most exclusive shopping malls of the planet – from Paris to Moscow and of course in the five-star Alpina Gstaad. She’ll open her first single-brand boutique in London’s trendy Chelsea district this year; she has also opened an intimate new showroom in Via Montenapoleone, in Milano’s high fashion district.

The Milanese beauty left the catwalk to take over the company ten years ago – and within a few seasons became the number one designer in Gstaad. Her first (and still loyal) clients read like a who’s who in the Saanenland: Laura Scherz, aka Lady Palace; Kirsty Bertarelli; Christine Juffali; Carol -Asscher; and Nora Al Howaish. So popular is the young designer that she’s been christened  “Chanel of the Saanenland”. 

Born to the cloth

Alessandra was born the youngest child of Giuseppe and Orietta Vicedomini, a power couple known for their ambition and style. The lovely Orietta made her living as a model after World War II. Giuseppe came from a military family on the front lines of political and armed conflicts, but he left the military to pursue a career in fashion. A clever businessman with a nose for talent, he partnered with designer Lino Pellizzoni in 1962, creating the iconic tubino – sheath – dress that remains a wardrobe staple for chic women everywhere even today. 

The overwhelming success of the tubino prompted Giuseppe to create his own line. The first Vicedomini collection consisted of only twelve pieces – a versatile mix of hand-embroidered tops and separates that revolutionized ready-to-wear. With the crème de la crème of Milano society and Harrods in London begging for more, a true fashion brand was born. 

With a staff of more than 100 employees and artisans and spreads in Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, Giuseppe was well on his way when he met the beautiful Orietta, a finalist in the Miss Italy beauty pageant. It was love at first sight. He hired her as his house model and they were immediately married. 

The design phoenix rises

The house of Vicedomini suffered a complicated downturn in 1984, when a blizzard damaged the factory, ruining most of the machinery, archives, and inventory. This setback drove Giuseppe to consider retirement – and then tragedy struck again in the 1990s, this time in the form of a car accident that severely injured his wife Orietta. This heartbreak shook both the family business and Alessandra’s teenage years. By the time the young model began her studies at university, she had taken over the brand so that her father could devote himself to her mother. 

Alessandra began with a few simple knits – and over the years she built on those basics, creating the luxury knit collection we know today. Happily married to Italian aristocrat Amedeo Serra, Vicedomini combines -raising her two boys with running her growing domain. Family is important to her, both at home and at work, a legacy she attributes to her father. 

“My father was respected and truly loved by his staff. Even at ninety, he was often visited by some of the head tailors who worked for him,” recalls Vicedomini. 

With homes in both Geneva and Gstaad, Vicedomini manages to juggle her roles as businesswoman, designer, mother, wife, friend and confidant with aplomb. Just more proof that she has mastered the ups and downs of hemlines – and of life.

“I just try to keep my head above the stormy weather we all must pass through,” Alessandra says with a smile.

Indeed.

MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT WE'VE GOT

Congratulations! 

We’ve made it through that tricky in-between time of year again: November. Too late for most hiking, too early for most skiing. Too cold for that delicious Gstaad Mountain ice cream, too warm for fondue. Too empty for people-watching, yet still too many people in line at Coop. 

But even in this middling month, there was a lot to celebrate here in the Saanenland. 

Everything old Is news again

The off-season did prove especially busy for local news. We have two full pages dedicated to helping you catch up on any bulletins that you may have missed out, including Canton Bern’s approval of Le Rosey’s campus site in Schönried and new innovation prize. The Prix de Gessenay will be given to local projects which boost the Saanenland’s economy. Be sure to enter – thousands in prize money will be given out at a luxurious ceremony at the Gstaad Palace next spring. 

I am pleased to welcome talented artist DANO to GSTAADLIFE. DANO’s work is shown in L’Hebdo magazine and newspaper Le Régional, in addition to drawing live caricatures at events and seminars. Each issue he’ll provide a caricature of a well-known Gstaad personality; I personally thank those of you who will be mocked in advance for your excellent sense of humour.

Feast your eyes on Gstaad

Speaking of the Palace, don’t forget to wish a very happy birthday to the 100-year-old hotel.­
This grand dame, high on the hillside, welcomes readers to her open days December 7^th and 8^th. I hope to see you there for the gourmet food, fun and festivities. 

But that’s not all the food news in this issue. We visit the Saanenland “Gourmet Zone” label, in hommage to its stellar results on this year’s Gault Millau listings. Just when you thought he’d gone for good, chef extraordinaire Martin Dalsass teams with the Bernerhof to welcome a brand-new concept restaurant, Basta by Dalsass. 

Handsome is as handsome does

I’m especially proud that our cover and Profile interview feature my idea of superwoman – Homayra Sellier. The fascinating, passionate founder and director of Innocence in Danger, Sellier has woven the non-governmental organisation closely into the hearts of Saanenland residents. The charity works tirelessly with sexually abused children in six countries, in addition to doing high-level advocacy work for political and social change. Sellier took time out of her busy schedule to sit with GSTAAD­LIFE, hoping her interview might inspire you to get involved in the cause.

And if you do, your acts of kindness might be rewarded handsomely – Santa Claus, er, Samichlaus is coming to town. See our quick guide to celebrating the December 6^th holiday of St Nicholas Day, where good behaviour earns you a gift, and bad behaviour a spanking. Parents, this is your last chance to use idle threats without guilt before Christmas rolls around. You don’t even have to do the spanking – there’s Schmutzli for that!

A sparkling finish

Last Word columnist Mandolyna Theodoracopulos gives us a glimpse at why diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Just in time for the holiday season in Gstaad, where sparklers are sure to grace the necks of guests and Gstaaderinnen alike.

But diamonds aren’t the only sparklers around here. As grey November winds to a close and this issue goes off to the printers, I’m happy to report that it’s finally snowing. Not just a fine dusting but fat, wet snowflakes. Quick, somebody fire up the cacquelon and grate the Gruyère.

Fondue? Why certainly!

Alexis Munier

Editor in Chief

Arthur Reuteler, Heinz Brand and Manfred Weilguni celebrate the Parkhaus’ grand opening.

Photo: AvS

By: GSTAADLIFE

They say good things come to those who wait. They also say good things come in threes. For Saanen, this is doubly true.

The village celebrated the opening of its new Parkhaus, an underground parking garage, on October 8, 2013. It was the third step in a three-part transformation plan for Saanen. In the summer of 2010, the Saanen bypass was opened, which diverted through traffic through a tunnel. The main street was then closed to cars, making it a safe, traffic-free pedestrian zone.

A parking garage fit for a king

Boasting more than one hundred public parking places, the Parkhaus also contains private spaces that may be rented monthly or yearly. Drivers will appreciate their large width, at 2.6 metres each, and an overhead clearance of 2.55 metres, perfect for larger SUVs and the region’s ubiquitous Range Rovers. The Parkhaus is undoubtedly one of the biggest construction projects in Saanen’s history. Approximately 15,000m3 of land was excavated and 3500 tonnes of reinforced concrete were used for the garage. Costs amounted to a whopping 14.3 million francs, but this was fed back into the local economy – 80% of the contractors were from the Saanenland. The big day Opening festivities drew a crowd of hundreds to the village.

Emotions ran high as Heinz Brand, Gemeinderat (City Councilman), performed the ribbon-cutting ceremony with tears in his eyes. But Brand was just one of the project’s planners who were moved by the opening.

“I have been waiting eight years, four months and thirteen days for this moment,” says Aldo Kropf, Gemeindepräsident (City Council President), recalling the day the council approved the initial motion to create more public parking.

Still to come

As of opening day, there were still a few finishing touches left to put on the Parkhaus. The restrooms, while functional, were awaiting partitions between the toilets. The display cases and windows had not yet been filled, but were offered to the merchants of Saanen at a reduced rate for the first six months. This was to make up for some of the inconvenience they suffered due to the two years construction time. But that’s not all for the ambitious village of Saanen. The next project includes a further transformation of the main street into a true public space, replete with cobblestones, fountains and greenery. Small-town shoppers couldn’t ask for more