A soft opening of the Pendock Wine Gallery @ Taj last night, fuelled by some of Razvan Macici’s toothsome wines that will be offered at the annual Nederburg Auction next week in Paarl saw the A-list of Cape Town’s vinosphere brave the biting cold of the last day of winter.

The Nederburg Merlot 2007 was my pick of the reds and her Britannic Majesty’s Consul General Chris Trott placed his order with Michael Pownall, Taj GM, who will be waving his paddle furiously on Friday. World Design Capital 2014 CEO Alayne Reesburg was so taken with the wine, she asked for and received a ticket to Saturday’s proceedings when the 2005 Nederburg Edelkeur will be offered.

Meanwhile the Gallery itself is something of a magnet for bright young things: opera divas, designers, our cups overflow.