CWG Auction Showcase 2014
For the most part, I feel that day-to-day winos don’t really think much about wine auctions. Personally, I’m not too phased by the amounts spent on wine at auctions, it’s just that I don’t have that type of cash to spend (at least, not all at once), so the word “auction” inspires a mental separation of sorts. A bit of “that’s nice” and then I move on to something more relevant to me. Like the bottle of bubbly in my fridge. I started taking notice of the Cape Winemaker’s Guild auction last year when I attended my first CWG Auction Showcase. It was exciting, engaging and excellent. It’s almost time for the 2014 CWG Showcase, so let me tell you a bit more about what to expect.
But first, let me tell you about the Cape Winemakers Guild. It is made up of 45 members, representing arguably some of the top winemakers in the country. Not only are they often on the forefront of innovation and promotion of South African wines, but they also have a development trust supporting social development in the winelands, as well as a protégé programme which allows young, aspiring winemakers to work alongside the guild members, all masters in their field.
2014 will see the 30th CWG auction, so this has been around for a while. A well-known event in industry, the auction itself has enjoyed a growing popularity in the public eye over the past few years. This is likely due to the public tasting of the auctions wines, serving to not only introduce consumers to the guild and their wines but also drum up some excitement for the auction itself.
Last year’s auction smashed previous records, bringing in more than R8 million. 82% of the wines on offer were bought by local buyers, of which the biggest spender was Alan Pick of The Butcher Shop and Grill in Sandton. He shelled out R1 357 600 to claim his share of the loot. The auction also raised a shade under R200 000 on they day for their protégé programme, including a R60 000 price fetched for a special 18-litre once-off blend called the 2011 Members’ Reserve at the Charity Auction.
Some of my personal highlights from the 2013 showcase included the following wines:
- AA Badenhorst Family White Grenache – Vuilgoed 2012
- Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2008
- Saronsberg CWG Viognier 2011
- Mullineux Family White Blend 2011
- Boplaas Ox Wagon Auction Reserve Potstill Brandy 8 Year
The 2014 CWG Auction Showcase will be held in Cape Town on Thursday 21 August at the CTICC and in Johannesburg on Wednesday 27 August at The Atrium, Nedbank Head Offices. Tickets are R170 pp and includes a tasting glass. You can book for both events on WebTickets. Wines that have been selected for the auction will be on offer from the 45 member farms (see the full list below).
For more information, check out the Cape Winemakers Guild website or contact their head office on 021 852 0408. Images courtesy of GC Communications.
CWG member farms are: Kanonkop, AA Badenhorst Family Wines, Mullineux Family Wines, Paul Cluver Estate Wines, Hermanuspietersfontein, Nitida, Beyerskloof, Groot Constantia, Overgaauw, The Drift Fram, Boplaas, Hartenberg, De Grendel, Rust en Vrede, Kaapzicht, Edgbaston, Cederberg Private Cellar, De Trafford, Saronsberg Cellar, Cape Point Vineyards, Le Riche Wines, Spier, Jordan, Cape Chamonix, Boschkloof, Vriesenhof, Villiera, Grangehurst, Kleine Zalze, Simonsig, Steenberg, Waterford, Ataraxia, Louis Wines, Ernie Els, Boekenhoutskloof, Tokara, Neil Ellis, Lanner Hill, Luddite Wines, Bouchard Finlayson, Rijk’s Private Cellar, Graham Beck, Strydom Vineyards, Teddy Hall Wines.