Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction: Buyers spend R14.788 on top South African wines

With tumbling sales records, delicious food, rare wines available for tasting and an all-around electric atmosphere, this weekend’s 39th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction was once again an event for the books.

Wine enthusiasts from far and wide raised a sum of R14 788 000 with a total of 1792 cases (6 x 750ml) sold. The average price per case amounted to R8 252, with an average price for red wines of R8 814 and R7 372 for white wines.

The annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction provides wine enthusiasts and investors with the ideal platform to purchase exclusive South African wines at primary market prices.

The Auction took place over two sessions on Friday, 6 and Saturday, 7 October at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West.

A total of 39 wines from 31 Guild members went under the hammer. These comprised 15 white wines and 24 red wines. All wines were exclusively produced for the auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild, a group of highly respected winemakers who hail from appellations across the length and breadth of the Cape winelands.

With prices reaching R25 000 per case (6 x 750ml), new records were set for:

• Cabernet Franc (Leeu Passant Franschhoek Hillside Cabernet Franc 2021 from Andrea Mullineux at R25 000)
• Cabernet Sauvignon (Hartenberg Wine Estate CWG Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 from Carl Schultz at R16 000)
• Cape Tawny (Boplaas Family Vineyards Cape Tawny Colheita 2007 from Carel Nel at R13 999)
• Cap Classique (Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Cuvée 108 Chardonnay 2014 from Pieter Ferreira at R10 000)
• Sauvignon Blanc (Bartho Eksteen Wine Estate Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc – Wooded 2022 at R10 000)
• Semillon Gris (Mullineux Swartland “The Gris” Old Vines Sémillon 2022 from Andrea Mullineux at R17 500)
• Tempranillo (David Finlayson Wines Inkunzi Tempranillo 2018 at R9 499)

There were a total of 96 successful bidders. 58% of sales went to South African bidders, with the balance of the wines going to overseas bidders, with 24% going to the UK, 3% to Denmark and 2% to the Netherlands.

Registered bidders hailed from far and wide, including Australia, Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Czechia (Czech Republic), Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Mauritius, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay and USA.

Gordon Newton-Johnson, Cape Winemakers Guild chair says: “Each member of the Cape Winemakers Guild consistently strives for excellence in the art of wine as individuals and together, uplifting each other as well as those who are the future of the wine industry. We are thrilled that this trajectory of excellence sparked the interest of buyers from 24 countries and continues to entice loyal support among South African wine-lovers.”

Taking place in a hybrid format – both in-person and online – the auction was facilitated by Strauss & Co. Directors and seasoned auctioneers, Susie Goodman and Bina Genovese were joined on the rostrum for the two-day sale by art expert colleague Dr Alistair Meredith and fine wine specialist Roland Peens.

“In the second year of the Strauss & Co Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction partnership, we are delighted by an even more successful auction in 2023,” says Peens.

“Prices were 12% up on last year, showing the incredible growth of the CWG brand. These wines are at the top of the industry, produced in small quantities and now have even higher international demand.”

“Bidding was frenetic, with bids coming through from the busy auction haul, via online in 20+ countries, along with telephone and commission bids. I think the auctioneers need a few days to recover! I do.”