In 1995, Nedbank became the official sponsor of the guild and its auction and in 2000 it changed its name to CWG, allowing top winemakers employed by the larger organisations to become members. Etienne le Riche, founding member, states that it was not intended for the guild to have any commercial function and that the auction was secondary to the primary objectives, which was to elevate the quality standards of South African winemaking and to gain international recognition.
Kate Jonker celebrates her 10th anniversary as the guild's GM, during which time she has seen the guild's remarkable growth both in stature and auction sales. Over the past 10 years the auction turnover increased by a remarkable 150% from R2 million to almost R5 million in 2008, thereby establishing itself one of the country's definitive wine auction.
Membership of the guild is by invitation only and is extended to winemakers who have been responsible for the production of outstanding wines for a minimum of five years, and who continue to do so. There are currently 36 winemakers in the guild.
CWG and Nedbank have also introduced various programs such as the Protégé Programme and Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust in aid of the winemaking community.
For more details on the auction, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com, email or tel: +27 (0) 21 852 0408.
