The supermodel and the keeper: Chris Lekos strikes a pose with Gisele Bundchen at Healesville Sanctuary.By Melissa Donchi
BRAZILIAN supermodel Gisele Bundchen knows where to go when she’s in Melbourne.
In town on official business to launch her new line of footwear the supermodel, who no longer requires a surname, took some time out of her busy schedule to visit the Yarra Valley.
Accompanied by a frenzied press pack the supermodel took her entourage to Healesville Sanctuary and Domaine Chandon on a sunny Tuesday afternoon.
While she is believed to be the highest paid model in the world with a fortune estimated at $150 million, Gisele kept it surprisingly low-key in jeans and a tee shirt and a couple of burly bodyguards.
Healesville Sanctuary staff described her as an ‘absolute pleasure.’
“Not only was she gorgeous, but she was really sweet, chatty and genuinely excited to see all our native Australian animals,” Healesville Sanctuary’s communications manager Nicole Humble said.
“She was really keen to see our Tasmanian devils, koalas and kangaroos.”
Things were a lot more low-key at Domaine Chandon where Gisele and her entourage evaded the prying cameras to enjoy a glass of sparkling at sunset on the lawns overlooking the vineyards.
According to Domaine Chandon’s public relations coordinator Matt Janes, Gisele favoured the home grown wine over the international variety.
“She loves a good red and raved about the Green Point Shiraz and Chandon Sparkling Pinot Shiraz,” Mr Janes said.
“So much so that she and her party grabbed a couple of bottles of both Chandon Sparkling Pinot Shiraz and Green Point Reserve Shiraz before she left.”
The supermodel impressed Domaine’s staff with her knowledge of wine and was happy to pose for a few happy snaps with winemaker Andy Santarossa.
And then with a flick of her golden mane, the Brazilian bombshell was off again leaving behind a lovestruck Yarra Valley in her wake.
