Saturday, September 14, 2024

2024 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Showcase, Cape Town

The annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction showcases rare and unique wines
produced in small quantities exclusively for the auction by the members of the Guild
The wines have undergone rigorous screening by an independent laboratory before being tasted blind
and selected by specialist panels of Guild members
Auction Date: 4 & 5 October 2024
Bidding takes place live and virtually on the Strauss & Co website once a year
Bidders will need to create a bidding account on Strauss & Co’s website

Three smiling faces
Andrea Mullineux (Mullineux and Leeuw), JD Pretorius (Warwick) and Andries Burger (Paul Cluver)


Fiona MacDonald and Winifred Bowman CWM

John Loubser
Silverthorn Big Dog Ten Cap Classique 2019
Silverthorn Green Man 2021

Hannes Storm
Storm Vrede Pinot Noir 2022
Storm Ridge Chardonnay 2022

Gottfried Mocke
Gottfried Mocke CWG Chardonnay
Cap Maritime Pinot Noir 2020

Gordon Newton Johnson in conversation with Winifred Bowman
Sandford Chardonnay 2019 (past CWG)

Sandford Chardonnay 2022

Jordan Cellarmaster Sjaak Nelson with Gary Jordan
Nine Yards Chardonnay 2023
Jordan CWG Sofia 2023
Jordan Assyrtiko 2024

Frans K Smit, CEO of Spier
Frans K Smit Heritage Reserve Red 2021
Frans K Smit Heritage Reserve White 2023

Erika Obermeyer
Erika Obermeyer Wines Fields of Gold 2021
Erika Obermeyer Wines Silver Linings 2022

Emul Ross
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2023
Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinotnoir 2023 

Duncan Savage
Savage Wines Auction Syrah 2022
Savage Wines White 2023

Donovan Rall
Rall Syrah 2023
Rall Grenache Blanc 2023

Dewaldt Heyns
Dewaldt Heyns Family Wines CWG Shiraz reserve 2021
Dewaldt Heyns Family Wines CWG Chenin Blanc 2021

David Trafford
De Trafford Perspective 2022
De Trafford Merlot 2020

David Sadie
David and Nadia Veiling Chenin Blanc 2023
David and Nadia Veiling Grenache Noir 2021

David Nieuwoudt
Cederberg CWG Auction Chenin Blanc 2023 Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2020


Warren Ellis
Neil Ellis Wines Abel 2020
Neil Ellis Cain 2020

Sebastian Beaumont in shades of grey
He had a mixture of red and green light shining on him. He looks better this way
Beaumont Family Wines GG's Single Vineyard Chenin blanc 2023
Beaumont Vitruvian 2019

Samantha O'Keefe
Lismore The Shattering Sky 2022
Lismore Valkyrie Chardonnay 2023

Richard Kershaw with his Sales Manager Sarah du Plessis
Kershaw Wines Ziggurat Chardonnay 2022 and
Kershaw Wines Vertiginous Pinot Noir 2022

Charles Hopkins
De Grendel Op Die Berg Pinot Noir 2022
De Grendel Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Carl Schultz with Heleen Rabe, Marketing & Sales, Hartenberg Estate
CWG Auction Amphora Merlot 2021
CWG Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Bruwer Raats with Gavin Bruwer
Stella Nova Cabernet Franc 2022
Raats Old Vine Chenin blanc 2023

Alex Starey with Nicole Kilian
Keermont Amphitheatre 2019
Keermont  Terrasse 2022

Abrie Bruwer with Suzaan Krige
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2017
Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2021

Bebnnie Howard CWM and Conrad Louw CWM with Dr Nicolas Engelbrecht

Rianie Strydom with her son Jean-Louis
Strydom Family Wines The Game Changer Cabernet Franc-Merlot 2020
Strydom Family Wines Siblings 2023

Reenen Borman CWG Epilogue Syrah 2023
 Boschkloof Syrah 2022 

Pieter Ferreira
Graham Beck CWG Extra Brut 2019 Chardonnay Cap Classique
Graham Beck Blanc de Blanc 2019

Niels Verburg
Luddite Hands Off Mourvèdre 2022
Luddite Tonto 2022

Miles Mossop
Miles Mossop Wines Maximiliam 2023
Miles Mossop Wine Saskia-Jo 2022

Morne Vrey
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Delaire Graff Botmaskop 2021

Louis Strydom
Ernie Els CWG 2023
Ernie Els CWG 2009 (past CWG wine)

JD Pretorrius with Norma Radcliffe
Warwick Auction Chardonnay 2022
Warwick Trilogy 2020

and Norma with wine writer Mike Froud

Wines to bid for on The Protégé Silent Auction
wines auctioned to raise money for the CWG Protégé Programme
The Programme educates young aspirant winermakers who would not otherwise be able to afford the education
Each bottle came with its own unique canvas print

The lady who makes it all happen
Kate Jonker, General Manager of the CWG

A special area set aside for anyone who needed a rest


All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

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Thursday, September 12, 2024

2024 Cape Wine Masters graduation lunch at KWV Cathedral Cellar

The headquarters of KWV in Paarl
John had to go solo to all events in August as Lynne was recovering from her bad fall and broken arm

The entrance to the Cathedral Cellar is through the KWV Emporium

followed by a walk through a barrel cellar full of large ±1000 litre barrels

to enjoy meeting old friends over a glass of KWV's Laborie Blanc de blanc in the Cathedral Cellar


One of the huge carved barrels which line the Cellar

Canapés were served

All the food was prepared by Chef Mynhardt Joubert,  the resident chef in the Cathedral Cellar


Delicious mini meatballs

The tables decorated with an impressive display of orchids and lilies

The event began with a tasting of iconic Roodeberg wines, 1975, 1985 and 2000 vintages
and the Dr Charles Niehaus 2020, named for the originator of the label


KWV Roodeberg cellarmaster James Ochse

who spoke about the Cellar and the experience of working there


The lunch menu

A buzz of anticipatory conversation


A delicious, traditional accompaniment to the first course
Sultana mosbolletjies with a nasturtium butter, preserved figs and watermelon konfyt

Waterblommetjie soup made with chicken stock and smoked guanciale (salt-cured pork cheeks)

 The three graduates, Liesl Richards, Linda Birch and Natalie van Rooyen
with Heidi Duminy, Principal of the Cape Wine Academy and Mark Philp, Chair of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters


Each new graduate spoke about her thesis
Linda Birch

Liezl Richards

and Natalie van Rooyen

KWV CEO John Loomes spoke about the history of the KWV and its role in forming the SA wine industry
which is under pressure to grow internationally
He also spoke of the influence of KWV people who were instrumental in founding the Cape Wine Academy
and the Institute of Cape Wine Masters

An attentive audience in an iconic space


Cathedral Cellar cabernet to be served with the main course

Bennie Howard CWM said a Grace and lunch could be served

Pressed lamb rib


A second main course: Kudu burger

Apple and quince tart in short crust pastry with a warm rooibos custard beautifully paired with KWV 15 year old brandy

A truly delicious meal  presented and served with appropriate style

The Cape Wine Masters who attended the lunch

All our stories can be seen in the Blog Archive near the top of the column on the right

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