Get ready for the Nederburg auction

Newly appointed GM De Bruyn Steenkamp, having been based at Distell's London office for just over three years, is pleased to be back in South Africa. “I'm thrilled to be working on such an established brand and look forward to September's event, which also heralds a few exciting changes to the existing format.”

This year's auction pays homage to its origins with a selection of 153 wines, including some rare 70's vintages. Buyers ranging from liquor licensees, restaurant owners, food and beverage buyers for hotels, guesthouses, game lodges and the supermarket retailers, will bid on a range of wines from 77 participants across various brands, estates and wineries. Five newcomers to the auction are Mountain Oaks, Ryk Tulbagh, Seven Oaks, Vrede en Lust and Vilafonté.

This year's pre-release wines - a category introduced at the 2002 auction - include the Kanu Viognier 2009 and the Speciosa 2006 from Nitida, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Panel notes

International wine expert Dave Hughes, one of the panel leaders during this year's selection process, says, “A number of astounding Shiraz wines stood out for me this year - the quality of the 1999, 2000 and 2001 vintages in particular is magnificent. I believe there are some really noteworthy wines in this category that buyers will find attractive.”

Margaret Fundira, business manager at Anchor Yeast and a member of the 2010 auction judging panel, tasted in the Chardonnay and red blend category. “I found the quality of most of the wines to be outstanding. I think winemakers put a lot of thought and effort into the wines that they enter for the Nederburg Auction,” she says.

De Bruyn adds, “In addition to the high number of award-winning wines that have already passed the selection criteria, we're pleased to welcome the 2005 winners of the Pinotage Association's ABSA Top Ten Pinotage competition, which has become a regular item on the auction since 2002.”

The auction catalogue will be available in July.