Contributors
Chief Winemaker Bruce Jack
A Capetonian whose curiosity and palette has taken him the length and breadth of the globe. Bruce completed his undergrad in Political Science and Literature at UCT and then read his Masters in Literature at St Andrew’s in Scotland. His subsequent winemaking degree came from the Roseworthy Campus at the University of Adelaide, Australia. Bruce is a pioneer, and in many respects a maverick, and what he brings to winemaking is an articulate opinion about his greatest passion.
Editor Andrew Arnott
Andrew studied Literature and Sociology at UCT before setting off on a global trek that saw him working under the seas of the Caribbean, on the snow covered slopes of the Canadian Rockies and writing for a variety of financial and travel institutions. Now at home in Cape Town, Andrew’s passion for wine and writing is married on this blog.
Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Reaches New Heights in 2011 Posted on October 03 2011 by
The 27th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction set several new records at the annual event held in the Stellenbosch Winelands. Recognised as South Africa’s leading wine auction open to the wine trade and the general public. Guild members craft wines exclusively for the auction to impart the upper echelons of excellence in South African winemaking, and this year’s exceptional wines showed great diversity and a distinct creative edge.
Besides a new record price for red wine and a dizzying turnover of R5 286 700, up R1,4 million from last year, the auction also saw overseas sales double. A new auction record, of R6 000 for a case of wine, was set by a Belgian collector for Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2009.
Chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild, Louis Strydom, said, “We got the balance right between the ratio of white and the red wines on offer this year and the great diversity of wines ensured keen bidding and interest from the floor right until the end. There was something for everyone with good value on offer as buyers snatched up wines at competitive prices on the one hand, with the more sought-after collector’s items fetching exceptionally good prices on the other.”
Henre’ Hablutzel of Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers conducted the auction for the 14th consecutive year. 2955 cases were sold at an average price of R1 798, attracting 122 buyers, 19 of which were from overseas. 38 red wines, 13 white wines, 2 Méthode Cap Classiques, a dessert wine, a port and a potstill brandy composed this years auction. 70% of these went to local buyers, while overseas collectors bought up R1,5 million worth of wine, led by United Kingdom investors spending R586 400. Bids also came from Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Namibia, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, The Netherlands and Canada. Alan Pick of The Butcher Shop and Grill was again, for the 10th consecutive year, the event’s biggest spender, exchanging R1,3 million for wine.
The following wines found themselves the subject of escalating bidding wars eventually selling for handsome amounts:
Reds Wines (average price per case)
- Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2009 at R3 843
- Hartenberg Estate Auction Shiraz 2009 at R3 264
- Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2008 at R3 237
- Bouchard Finlayson Pinot Noir 2009 at R3 212
- Neil Ellis Rodanos 2007 at R3 125
- Saronsberg Die Erf Grenache 2010 at R2 677
White Wines (average price per case)
- Jordan Chardonnay Auction Reserve 2010 at R2 285
- Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2009 at R2 100
- Cape Point Vineyards Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2010 at R1 822
The Cape Winemaker’s Guild Protégé Programme, a mentorship initiative for young, upcoming winemakers raised R132 600 at the auction. This amount was spearheaded by the purchase of a unique 18-litre 2009 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Reserve. For the 3rd year in succession the charity items was purchased by the Czech Republic’s Zdenek Lang, acquiring the Guild Member’s blend for R25 000. He subsequently donated the item back to the Guild for resale at the 2012 charity auction.
For further information visit www.capewinemakersguild.com or contact the Guild Office on Tel: 021 852 0408 or email info@capewinemakersguild.com.
