Unique wines go under hammer

RARE STUFF: EACH CHARITY LOT COMPRISES 12 BOTTLES

The connoisseurs will get the opportunity to own otherwise unobtainable wines.

Eight unique lots of previous Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines will go under the hammer as individual charity items at the 34th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction to be held at Spier in Stellenbosch tomorrow.

This year marks the first time that auctiongoers will be able to bid on multiple charity lots and pay it forward for the development of young winemakers and viticulturists; and the transformation of the South African wine industry.

Each charity lot comprises 12 bottles – two bottles each of six different Cape Winemakers Guild wines from previous auctions selected from the Guild’s temperature-controlled vinoteque and presented in wooden boxes.

These rare, individually crafted collectors’ items give wine connoisseurs the opportunity to get their hands on otherwise unobtainable wines.

Every year, the Guild members contribute towards charity items to be auctioned off in aid of the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust, sponsors of the Protégé Programme, a mentorship scheme for talented winemakers and viticulturists.

Final-year Protégés have the opportunity to plough back into the programme with their own protégé wines sold at gala dinners in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

At this year’s Johannesburg gala dinner, Protégé Banele Vakele’s Tembela 2017 red blend raised an masive R50 000 for two bottles. Fellow third-year Protégé, Sydney Mello’s The Custodian Chardonnay 2017 Méthode Cap Classique brought in R27 000, while Maryna Huysamen’s Longshot Semillon 2017 was sold for R25 000.

In addition to the Guild’s own fundraising initiatives, Nedbank, a longstanding partner, donated R750 000 through the Nedbank Eyethu Community Trust to the Protégé Programme this year. Other organisations supporting the programme include Amorim Cork, the Cape Cooperage Group, African Cellar Suppliers, Vinpro, Consol Glass, and Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers.

Established in 2006 under the auspices of the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust, the CWG Protégé Programme gives aspirant winemakers and viticulturists the opportunity of working side by side with members of the Guild. By cultivating, nurturing, and empowering promising individuals to become winemakers and viticulturists, the programme plays an active role in the long-term health and sustainability of the industry. To date, 17 winemakers and viticulturists have come through the ranks, holding successful careers.

The one-of-a-kind charity lots will be sold amongst the finetuned 2018 auction line-up of 48 uniquely crafted wines comprising 31 reds, 14 whites, two Méthode Cap Classique wines and one portstyle wine at the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction.

Since its inception in 1985, this annual South African wine industry showcase has become the archetype of winemaking prowess.

Innovative winemaking, craftsmanship and consistency of quality is the hallmark of the auction that is open to the public and enjoys a loyal following of wine buyers and private collectors.

Since its inception in 1985, this annual South African wine industry showcase has become the archetype of winemaking prowess. For more information visit

or e-mail info@capewinemakersguild.com or call 021 852 0408