One-of-a-kind 18-litre blend at CWG Auction of rare and exclusive wines
A remarkable, one-of-a-kind 18-litre bottle of 2009 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Reserve will be amongst the line-up of rare and exclusive wines to go under the hammer at the 27th annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction to be held at Spier outside Stellenbosch on Saturday, 1 October. The proceeds of this exceptional collector’s wine will go towards the Guild’s Protégé Programme, a mentorship initiative for young, upcoming winemakers.
Every year a very special charity item is auctioned, and this year’s unique 18-litre bottle comprises a blend of top 2009 vintage wines from the members of the Guild. The only one of its kind, this wine has been skilfully blended by the Guild’s cellarmasters, Duncan Savage of Cape Point Vineyards and Andries Burger of Paul Cluver Estate Wines. The bottle embodies the craftsmanship and camaraderie of the members of the Guild and is a reflection of their combined passion for winemaking and the quest for perfection.
Exceptional wines with a creative edge and great diversity of styles is the hallmark of the Guild’s 2011 auction selection entrusted to auctioneer Henré Hablutzel of Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers for the 14th consecutive year. Recognised as South Africa’s leading wine auction open to the wine trade and the general public with an annual turnover of around R4 million, the prestigious Guild Auction features an impressive offering of 56 wines this year. All the wines are crafted exclusively for the Auction by members of the Guild to represent the pinnacle of what can be achieved in South African winemaking. This year’s auction wines, all poised to become rare collector’s items, include 38 red wines, 13 white wines, 2 Méthode Cap Classiques, a dessert wine, a port and a potstill brandy.
“The annual Guild Auction affords trade buyers and wine lovers the opportunity to obtain these investment wines at great prices. The recent success at the Nederburg Auction at a time of global recession, bodes well for our exciting offering this year. We are particularly pleased that the changes to our selection criteria in order to boost creativity for our auction wines has received really positive feedback from leading wine and media commentators,” says Guild Chairman Louis Strydom.
The Guild went to great lengths this year to enable leading wine critics to taste the auction line-up by showcasing the wines at specialist tastings both locally and abroad. In addition to a well-received blind tasting by top South African wine writers, nine leading wine protagonists in the United Kingdom including Jancis Robinson, Matthew Jukes and Neal Martin, attended a tasting in London, whilst USA wine scribes, Steve Tanzer and James Molesworth tasted the wines in New York.
While attracting a large number of local buyers, the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has developed a keen following of overseas trade buyers and collectors in recent years. Following on from the Guild’s hugely successful overseas tastings, registrations and proxy bids have started flowing in from Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
The 27th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction is open to the public and will be held at the Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands on Saturday, 1 October 2011. 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.
For further details and to attend the Auction, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com or contact the Guild Office on Phone: 021 852 0408 or info@capewinemakersguild.com.
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