Last Saturday morning saw us up bright and early to get to the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction at Spier for 8 am
The roads were so empty at that time of the day that we arrived at 7.30!
A welcoming glass of bubbly at that time of the day
We did a quick inspection of the Silent Auction as Lynne likes to bid on a few of the lots
Bartho Eksteen's offering of three signed magnums, including one of his Blom Rosé, which we love, caught our attention
Fitting a magnum into a fridge can be a challenge
On the centre table, a special large bottle from each Guild member. All the proceeds of the Silent Auction go towards the Protégé Programme which is a three year skills development programme launched in 2006 to cultivate the next generation of award winning winemakers. Members of the Guild mentor and inspire the protégés to strive for perfection, passion and excellence in winemaking. They get to work on some of the top farms in the country. 20 protégés have graduated and are now working in the South African wine industry, another 10 are currently participating in the programme
Another special lot
Gary Jordan's lot, magnums of 2009 Jordan Sophia red blend
A double magnum of GS from David Finlayson
and from his uncle Peter Finlayson, a nice collection of Auction wines from Bouchard Finlayson
Time for some breakfast and a tasting before the auction
Leaving Cape Town so early, we had not had anything to eat or drink, so this was much appreciated
Some small bacon and egg frittatas
Smoked salmon and cream cheese on a spoon, with a sprinkling of dill
Buns might have been nice, but the food this year was all carb free
Some Koftas
"Not you again", says Benny Howard to John who was capturing Warren Ellis, Benny, Morne Vrey and JD Pretorius
Boschkloof owner/cellarmaster Jacques Borman chats to Nick van Huyssteen, owner of Saronsberg
Giles Peppiat and Richard Harvey, Master of Wine from Bonhams are the new Auctioneers this year
Boela Gerber, this year’s Chairman, got the auction out of the starting gate
And the first lot was Beyerskloof CWG Traildust Pinotage 2017 from Beyers Truter. It made an average of R7477 a case
The room was also occupied by a couple of energetic sparrows
The bidders filled the room and the auction proceeded at a stately pace
The auctioneers went steadily through the lots and the spotters try to make sure they see all the bids. Perhaps a couple more might be useful? Lynne used to work for Phillips Auctioneers in London and is used to seeing one or two stationed in the room
Giles Peppiat checks with the spotter to determine which person bid for a Marc Kent lot
Beyers Truter, Barney van Straten, Abrie Beeslaar and Gary Jordan discuss what the lots are making
Niels Verburg, James Browne and Pieter Ferreira, looking a bit anxious
Blogger Roxy Amy La Vita, The Witty Wine Woman with Brad O'Neill,
who was visiting from his Natal North Coast sugar farm and rum distillery
Gordon Newton Johnson signs his bottle which was on the Silent Auction
That auction made R275 000 this year, a very respectable amount
The final lot was sold at 3.42 pm and the total sales at the CWG Auction 2019 were R 9 405 200
The last lot was Spier's 20 Years of Celebration Bordeaux Blend made by their Cellarmaster, Frans Smit
Time for a late lunch. Niels Verburg helps himself to some of the twice cooked pork ribs with a teriyaki glaze
They were delicious but rather messy to eat
wild mushroom arancini, shiitake velouté
Peppered mackerel poke bowls
Filo parcels with egg, tomato and cheese
Panko crumbed chicken sliders on charcoal buns
Some spoons of shredded pork
We sat on the terrace and enjoyed the fresh air before driving home
All content © John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
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