This year’s Cape Winemakers Guild Auction was held online. We missed the atmosphere of the live auction we have always enjoyed at Spier in Stellenbosch and, like almost everyone involved, had to watch it on our computers. Like last year’s auction, it was conducted by Bonhams, but this time it was from their premises in London, where it was, apparently, attended by a few bidders in the room. There was an unfortunate blip, seemingly from their sound system and we had to wait about 40 minutes while the Bonhams technicians sorted it out. It is a pity they did not have the technology sorted before the event. But it is the first time
and Richard Harvey MW
The on-screen information was well presented and one could scroll between images of the winemakers as their wines were presented. In the live auction, one was able to track progress of the bids and the amounts achieved as the auction progressed. This information was not available and there was no tally given at the end of the auction, so one had to wait for the results
As we cannot tell our usual tale about the event and its people and atmosphere, we can do no better than to pass on the report from the Cape Winemakers Guild, which follows:
October 3rd, 2020: The 36th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction
hosted by Bonhams made
history today with record average prices per case being achieved across the
board. An unprecedented and challenging year called for an innovative and
charitable approach that resulted in two separate and distinctive online
auctions raising a staggering total of R5.15 million.
The Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction alone raised R4.1
million. Vastly different to previous years, the 2020 Auction included only 564
cases (6 x 750ml). This comprised 17 red wines, one fortified wine (a Cape
Vintage); and 11 white wines that included two Méthode Cap Classique wines. New
record average case prices were reached for both white wine (R5 887 per case)
and red wine (R8 225 per case). A record R5 450 was paid for the Cape Vintage
fortified.
The Vinotheque Auction had a two-week run-up to Auction day
and concluded with an incredible total of R816 100 being raised to support wine
industry jobs. All the wines for this Auction comprised previous CWG Auction
greats donated from members’ personal cellars.
In support of fellow Guild member Samantha O’Keefe who lost
her home, winery, and vineyards in a devastating fire earlier this year, the
Guild members donated the income from the first case of each of their wines on
Auction to her. This gesture raised an amount of R223 300.
CWG Chair Andrea Mullineux said that that this could only
have been possible with the team spirit so evident amongst those involved in
the Guild.
“It is vital to work toward a common goal together and to
support each other, especially through these unprecedented times, for the
greater good of our beautiful South African wine industry.”
Mullineux added that the exceptional quality of South
African wines is highlighted by the Guild members’ pursuit of excellence.
“The increase in positive international recognition and
desirability with regard to this year’s CWG Auction selection has set a new
standard for high-end wines from our corner of the world.”
The top performing red wines were indicative of South
Africa’s success with red varietals across different regions. The Kanonkop CWG
Paul Sauer 2017, a classic Bordeaux-style blend was the top achiever with an
average price of R13 667 per case. Tight on its heels were the Cederberg Teen
Die Hoog Shiraz 2018 with an average case price of R12 190 and the Rust en
Vrede CWG Auction Estate 2017 at an average of R10 952. Both the latter two
figures were record average prices for these wines.
White wines did not lag behind in price and Chardonnay,
especially, has become a revered contender on the international wine stage. The
Leeu Passant Radicales Libres 2015 with grapes hailing from the Little Karoo
earned an average of R9 905 per case. The Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail
Chardonnay 2018 with wine of origin Elgin, reached an average per case of R6
833. Also joining them was the Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2019 from
Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge that sold for an average case price of R6 405.
The Auction started with an enthusiastic Giles Peppiatt,
Bonhams Director of Modern and Contemporary African Art, taking up the gavel
just after noon London-time. This was the first time that oenophiles could
attend this Auction in London, while other bidders stayed glued to their
computer screens across the gobe.
Peppiatt said: “It was a great privilege to take part in
this year’s sale. I am delighted that the auction was so successful, and it was
good to see such a substantial sum raised for the Guild’s Fund for Samantha
O’Keefe – some heart-warming news in difficult times.”
The interest in South African wines was widespread this
year. 65% of sales went to South African bidders with the balance of the wine
going to bidders in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Hong
Kong, USA, Germany, The Netherlands, Singapore and Belgium. A record number of
163 bidders registered this year, with 82 from South Africa and 81 buyers from
across the globe.
According to Bonhams Global Director of Wine and Master of
Wine, Richard Harvey, an important aim of the annual Nedbank CWG Auction is to
raise international awareness of the outstanding quality of Cape wines. “I’m
very pleased to say that by attracting a host of new bidders from around the
world, we’ve been able to extend the auction’s international reach even further
this year,” Harvey said.
This success highlights the heart of South African wine buyers
and wine appreciators from around the world who have been supportive of the
dedication and commitment of Guild members.
The results achieved are a good indication of the world class quality of wines produced by the Guild members, the immense diversity of South African wines and the continued commitment towards producing classic, characterful and innovative wines.
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