The 33rd Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction held at Spier yesterday raised R13,2 million, and set a new record price for red wine, Kaapzicht Estate The Ultimate Vision Red Blend 2015 made by Danie Steytler, achieving R16600 for a case of six. 

The Auction proceeds was a little below that of 2016, and was achieved by auctioning 42 red wines, 19 white wines, and one Methodè Cap Classique. Only wines made exclusively by the Cape Winemakers Guild members for the Auction were sold at the Auction. A total of 2 962 cases of six was sold at an average price of R4464 per case, and an average price of R744 per bottle.

Just less than 80% of the wines sold went to local buyers. Top buyers were Tsogo Sun, with total purchases of close to R1,7 million, followed by Restaurant Mosaic, Grootbos, Singita, and Signature Restaurant.

The record price for a case of six red wines was achieved by the Kaapzicht Estate blend of 45% Pinotage, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot The Ultimate Vision 2015. The wine was made by Danie Steytler, for which he received a standing ovation, the last wine made by him as a Producing Member before retiring from the Cape Winemakers Guild.  Other top selling red wines included Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2015 at R12000 for a case of six, Leeu Passant Old Vines Cinsault 2015 at R10400, while Beyerskloof CWG Traildust Pinotage 2015 and Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2014 both sold at R9000.

The best-selling white wine, at R7000 for a case of six, was that of Ataraxia Under the Gavel Chardonnay 2016, made by winemaker Kevin Grant. Other top-selling  white wines included The Love Boat White 2016 from Adi Badenhorst and Duncan Savage and the Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2016 both sold at R5600 for a case of six, with Waterford Estate ‘1988 Kept Aside’ Chardonnay 2016 sold at R5200. The only Méthode Cap Classique on auction, Silverthorn Big Dog III 2012, was sold for R5200 for a case of six bottles.

‘The results of our 2017 auction, in light of the current economic climate, bode well for the South African wine industry as a whole and prove that there is still room for quality top tier wines that push the envelope in terms of innovation, creativity and diversity of styles‘, said Miles Mossop, Chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild.

Auction buyers showed great generosity in supporting the charity auction in aid of the Guild’s Protégé Programme for the development of talented young winemakers and viticulturists through the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust. The charity item of 44 magnum 1,5 litre bottles of wine from all the Guild members who had a wine on auction was purchased for R140000 by Ed Zeeman of Morukuru Family. In addition, a silent auction raised R282900

Cape Winemakers Guild. Tel (021) 852-0408. www.capewinemakersguild.com Twitter: @CapeWinemakersG

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein Instagram: @Chris_Ulmenstein