Wine enthusiasts spoilt for choice at 33rd Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction

Innovative winemaking is the hallmark of this South African wine industry showcase that features small volumes of unique collectors’ wines all made exclusively for the auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild.

The 2017 auction lineup is set to include 42 red wines, 18 white wines and one Méthode Cap Classique making up the tally of 2962 cases (6 x 750ml case equivalent).

“With greater variety on offer than ever before, our members continue to dig deep to find new varieties and exceptional parcels of vineyards to craft exciting wines. The strong category of red blends is particularly interesting this year and proof that we remain at the forefront of innovation in South African winemaking,” says Miles Mossop of Tokara, CWG chairman.

Auction debuts for 2017

Guild members, Bruwer Raats, Morne Vrey and Carl van der Merwe make their auction debuts this year. Raats has submitted a 100% Cinsaut, B Vintners Inboet Storie Cinsaut 2016, as his first Guild Auction wine, while Vrey has opted for Chardonnay with his Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2016. Van der Merwe will have two wines – a red blend and the Guild Auction’s first 100% Roussanne – going under the hammer: DeMorgenzon Gravitas 2015 and DeMorgenzon Roussanne 2016.

Sebastian Beaumont is also breaking new ground with the auction’s first Demi-Sec wine, his Beaumont Family Wines Chenin Blanc Demi-Sec 2016.

In the spirit of camaraderie, one of the cornerstones of the Cape Winemakers Guild, a collaboration between Adi Badenhorst and Duncan Savage – another auction first – will see two new blends under the quirky name, Love Boat, on auction this year. Love Boat White 2016 is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Semillon, Chenin Blanc and Viognier, whilst Love Boat Red 2016 is a blend Shiraz, Grenache and Cinsaut.

Collaborative winemaking blends

In the white wine lineup of 18 wines, Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc are the biggest single categories with five entries each, followed by Blends (three), Sauvignon Blanc (two), Semillon (one), Roussanne (one) and Viognier (one).

Blends are the strongest category with 17 wines in the red wine auction selection totaling 42 this year. Next in line are Pinot Noir (seven), Shiraz (six), Cabernet Sauvignon (five), Pinotage (three), Cinsaut (two), Cabernet Franc (one) and Barbera (one).

For stalwart Danie Steytler, this year holds great significance as his two auction red blends, Kaapzicht Estate Rouge de Kaap 2015 and Kaapzicht Estate The Ultimate Vision 2015, will be his last before he retires from winemaking and as a producing member of the Cape Winemakers Guild.

One of the flag bearers for innovation amongst the red blends is Bruce Jack’s The Drift Farm Comfort Zone “Whole Bunch Tinta” 2016, comprising Tinta Barocca, Barbera and Monastrell. The resurgence of Cinsaut is reflected in the auction red wine selection with two single varietal wines and the inclusion of the variety in three blends.

This year no less than six auction wines – five reds and a white wine – will be available in magnums. The red blends in magnums are David Trafford’s De Trafford Perspective 2015, Jeremy Walker’s Grangehurst Auction Blend 2014, and Coenie Snyman’s Rust en Vrede CWG Auction Estate 2014. Jan Boland Coetzee has included his Vriesenhof Pinot Noir 2015 in magnums, and Teddy Hall has two auction wines in magnums: Teddy Hall Wines ‘Nico Theunissen’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, and Teddy Hall Wines ‘Hendrik Biebouw’ Chenin Blanc 2015.

Heritage wines and new vintages

Whilst innovation is an important aspect of the auction, the selection of well-established wines of great lineage is a major draw card for collectors and influential wine buyers who return every year for a chance to purchase new vintages of these heritage wines.

Some of these auction faithfuls that are back with new vintages include Beyerskloof CWG Traildust Pinotage 2015, Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2015, Boschkloof Epilogue Syrah 2015, Cederberg Teen die Hoog Shiraz 2015, De Grendel Op Die Berg Pinot Noir 2015, Ernie Els CWG 2015, Etienne Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve 2014, Hartenberg Estate CWG Auction Shiraz 2014, Jordan Sophia 2014, Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2014, and Paul Cluver Auction Selection Pinot Noir 2015.

New vintages amongst established white wines include Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2016, Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc – Wooded 2016, Jordan CWG Chardonnay 2016, Mullineux Trifecta Chenin Blanc 2014, and Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2016.

The only MCC to go under the hammer this year is John Loubser’s Silverthorn Wines Big Dog III Méthode Cap Classique 2012. This is a new vintage of last year’s record breaker which fetched the highest price ever paid for an MCC at the auction.

One of a kind members collection

This year’s charity auction, in aid of the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme, will feature a one-of-a-kind Members’ Collection of 44 magnum 1,5l bottles – a wine from every Cape Winemakers Guild member with a wine on the 2017 auction.

All auction wines are selected after rigorous scrutiny in a blind tasting by the members of the guild and tested by an independent laboratory to ensure that they meet the highest standards of wine health measurement. Since its inception in 1985, the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has become a benchmark of excellence and the CWG label is widely held as an authentic assurance of quality and craftsmanship.

Registration for the auction and VIP lounge will close on Wednesday, 20 September. Telephonic and proxy bidding options are available to those unable to attend in person. To find out more, visit: Cape Winemakers Guild, email moc.dliugsrekameniwepac@ofni or call +27 21 852 0408.