Quietly claim a stake in rare SA wines

The Auction Showcase, a preview of the 2007 CWG Auction to be held in October, gives wine enthusiasts the chance to meet the 37 winemakers that constitute the CWG and sample some of the finest locally produced wines in an informal and interactive environment. As well as being able to taste this year's auction wines, visitors can bid for individually signed bottles of exclusive CWG auction wines in the Silent Auction in aid of the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust. Founded in 1999, the Trust assists with education, training and empowerment of young people from previously disadvantaged wine farming communities.

From the acclaimed Boplaas Auction Reserve Port to the finest Auction Reserve vintages of some of the country's most famous wine cellars such as Engelbrecht Els, Vergelegen, Bouchard Finlayson, Simonsig, Thelema and Neil Ellis to name but a few, the Silent Auction offers visitors to the Auction Showcase a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire some of these otherwise unobtainable gems. Bidding in the Silent Auction is uncomplicated, and can be tendered in writing throughout the duration of the Auction Showcase.

The Nedbank CWG Auction Showcase offers wine lovers a preview of the wines made especially for the prestigious Nedbank CWG Auction, which takes place on Saturday, 6 October in Somerset West. Since its inception in 1985, the Nedbank CWG Auction has become a quality benchmark of what can be achieved by South African wine producers. The auction offers the public and the trade alike, both locally and from abroad, the opportunity of bidding for the crème de la crème of South African wines.

To make the auction more accessible to wine lovers and wine clubs in particular, the CWG has introduced a limited number of special mixed lots of auction wines that will be available on Auction day. This will enable the smaller buyer to bid for a wider selection of wines from various CWG members without having to buy the individual wines by the case lot. Prospective buyers who are unable to attend the auction on the day, can register in advance with the CWG and take advantage of their telephonic and proxy bidding facilities. Registration facilities will also be available at the Auction Showcase.

The wines on offer are only available at the Auction and are distinctly different from those bottled under the members' usual labels. All wines are selected at a blind tasting by the members of the CWG. Only those showing technical excellence and maturation potential are chosen for the auction.

For more information on the Nedbank CWG Auction Showcase or to make a booking, call 021 852 0408, email , or visit: www.capewinemakersguild.com.

Full list of Silent Auction wines:

1. Boekenhoutskloof CWG Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
2. Boplaas Auction Reserve Port
3. Boschkloof Auction Reserve 2004
4. Bouchard Finlayson Auction Reserve Pinot Noir 2001
5. Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2004
6. Cordoba CWG Auction Reserve 2001
7. De Grendel Koetshuis Semillon 2006
8. De Trafford Perspective 2002
9. CWG Engelbrecht Els 2004
10. CWG Flagstone Love Handles Shiraz 2004
11. Glen Carlou CWG Auction Reserve 2005
12. Graham Beck Barrel Selection Shiraz 2002
13. Grangehurst CWG Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
14. Hartenberg Gravel Hill Shiraz 2000
15. Bredell Cape Vintage Reserve 2003
16. Jean Daneel Auction Reserve 2000
17. Jordan Chardonnay Reserve 2004
18. Kaapzicht Cabernet Sauvignon 2001
19. Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
20. Lourensford Limited Release 2004
21. Luddite Shiraz 2003
22. Neil Ellis Auction Reserve 2000
23. Nitida CWG Selection Shiraz 2006
24. Overgaauw CWG Shiraz 2002
25. Rudera Chenin Blanc Noble Late Harvest 2006
26. Simonsig Auction reserve Shiraz 2003
27. Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc 2007
28. Thelema Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2003
29. Vergelegen Auction Reserve 2002
30. Villiera Handmade Merlot 2003
31. Vriesenhof CWG Cabernet Franc 2002
32. Warwick Auction Reserve 2004
33. Waterford Auction Reserve 2004

The following flagship wines from members who have not produced a CWG Auction wine to date have also been included in the Silent Auction selection:

Beyerskloof Pinotage 2006 1,5 litre
Ataraxia Serenity 2005
Rustenberg Peter Barlow 2004
Kumkani Lanner Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2006

The members of the Cape Winemakers Guild are: Kevin Grant, Ataraxia; Beyers Truter, Beyerskloof; Marc Kent, Boekenhoutskloof; Carel Nel, Boplaas; Jacques Borman, Boschkloof; Peter Finlayson, Bouchard Finlayson; David Nieuwoudt, Cederberg Private Cellar; Christopher Keet, Cordoba Winery; Charles Hopkins, De Grendel Wines; David Trafford, De Trafford Wines; Louis Strydom, Engelbrecht Els Vineyards; Etienne le Riche, Etienne le Riche Wines; Bruce Jack, Flagstone Winery; David Finlayson, Glen Carlou; Jeremy Walker, Grangehurst Winery; Pieter Ferreira, Graham Beck Robertson; Carl Schultz, Hartenberg Estate; Anton Bredell, J.P. Bredell Wines; Gary Jordan, Jordan Winery; Jean Daneel, Jean Daneel Wines; Danie Steytler, Kaapzicht Estate; Philip Costandius, Lourensford Winery; Niels Verburg, Luddite Wines; Neil Ellis, Neil Ellis Wines; Bernhard Veller, Nitída; Nicky Versfeld, The company of wine people; Braam van Velden, Overgaauw; Teddy Hall, Rudera; Adi Badenhorst, Rustenberg Wines; Johan Malan, Simonsig; John Loubser, Steenberg; Gyles Webb, Thelema; André van Rensburg, Vergelegen; Jeff Grier, Villiera; Jan Coetzee, Vriesenhof Vineyards; Louis Nel, Warwick Estate; and Kevin Arnold, Waterford Estate.