Lovingly-made Cape blends, new categories, first-of-their-kind wines and rare varietals will be coveted by buyers from far and wide at the annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction this October.
The 47 wines on offer have been specially crafted by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) and are only available at the annual Auction, taking place at Spier, Stellenbosch, on Saturday 5 October. Each of the unique wines has passed through a rigorous selection process, where the members of the Guild assess each masterpiece for quality and distinction.
David Nieuwoudt, Treasurer for the CWG and Cederberg Cellars owner and cellarmaster, says: “With a small selection from reputable Shiraz producers, Shiraz will stay one of the favourites at the Auction this year. There is a strong line up of great Chardonnay, followed by Bordeaux-style red blends which will also get a lot of attention. With a positive outlook in the wine industry and a fine selection of fewer and smaller lots, I do anticipate keen bidding this year.”
The 2019 auction line-up comprises 28 red wines, 12 white wines, three Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) wines, a brandy and one port-style wine, making up the tally of 1 932 cases (6 x 750ml case equivalent). Last year a total of 2 012 cases went under the hammer and brought a turnover of R10 592 800.
Something old, something new
Exciting offerings on this year’s Auction include several firsts. Frans K Smit’s Spier Farm House Organic Chenin Blanc 2017 is the first organic and naturally produced wine for Spier and is also the first organic wine to be offered on the Auction.
Frans says: “This wine was developed and made to really reflect our passion for natural winemaking with very little or no interference in the process. The wine was produced in an old historic building dated back more than 300 years.”
Pieter Ferreira’s innovative offering comprises six-bottle cases, each containing three bottles of Graham Beck Agrafe Fermented MCC 2014 and three bottles of Crown Cap Fermented MCC 2014. This is to show the difference between Agrafe (cork) Fermentation and that of the standard practice of Crown Cap Fermentation. This is the first of its kind on the CWG Auction.
In a new category of wine in South Africa, called “Extended Barrel Aged Wine”, Andrea Mullineux has entered her Leeu Passant Radicales Libres 2014. Leeu Passant Radicales Libres is an extended barrel age style Chardonnay, having spent five years maturing in oak wine.
Mullineux will also bring a touch of ‘old’ to the Auction, with her ‘The Gris’ Semillon Old Vines 2018. “This vineyard is a registered Heritage Vineyard as part of the Old Vine Project. Semillon Gris is an incredibly rare variety but used to make up 40% of Cape grape plantings in the 1850’s and was referred to as Rooi Groendruif (Red Green Grape),” she explains.
Continuing in the heritage of wine making, the Jordan CWG Chardonnay 2018 and the Jordan Sophia 2016 will be Gary Jordan’s 16th consecutive vintages for both wines on the CWG Auction. The Jordan Sophia has been rated as having secondary international investment potential and has previously been re-auctioned by Bonham’s in the UK.
Bringing a legacy to an end is Beyers Truter, who will be putting up his last wine for auction this year: a Beyerskloof CWG Traildust Pinotage 2017. He joined the Guild in 1985, the year of the first Auction.
Bringing down the hammer
On the rostrum for this year’s Auction are two internationally renowned auctioneers from Bonhams: Global Director of Fine Wine, Master of Wine Richard Harvey and Director of Modern and Contemporary African Art Giles Peppiatt.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewellery.
Richard Harvey, who in 2018 oversaw a record year for Bonhams Wine, Whisky and Spirits department, said: “It’s a great privilege to have been invited to act as auctioneer for this prestigious event. The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction is known throughout the wine world for its quality and exclusivity, and Giles and I are looking forward to playing our part in making this a memorable day.”
Sneak a sip before the event
The Cape Winemakers Guild Auction will take place on Saturday, 5 October 2019 at Spier, Stellenbosch. Registration for the auction will close on Wednesday, 18 September. Visit: www.capewinemakersguild.com for more information.
A selection of the 2019 CWG Auction wines will be available for tasting at:
Cape Town Nedbank CWG Auction Showcase
Thursday, 15 August 2019, 18:00 – 21:00
Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 – Hall 10
Johannesburg Nedbank CWG Showcase
Wednesday, 21 August 2019, 18:00 – 21:00
The Atrium, Nedbank Sandton, 135 Rivonia Road
Tickets at R400 per person including a tasting glass, can be purchased via www.webtickets.co.za.
