Gone: over R1m auction wines
HOTEL GROUP: NEW PORTFOLIO COMES AT A PRICE
Avaried selection of exceptional wines sold under the hammer at South Africa’s prestigious 2019 wine auctions will soon be available to discerning wine lovers at Tsogo Sun Hotels when the latest acquisitions by the group are released onto the wine lists of its restaurants and bars.
At a combined purchase price of over R1 million, Tsogo Sun Hotels’ new portfolio of auction wines represents successful bidding expeditions that place it in the top three purchasers at the Cape Winemakers Guild auction and top buyer at the Cape Fine and Rare Wine Auction.
Historically the top bidder at both auctions for several years, the hotels have an established reputation for its exceptional wine lists, under its Collector’s Wine brand, says Ravi Nadasen, COO of Tsogo Sun Hotels.
“At Tsogo Sun Hotels, we’re all about creating memorable experiences and that’s why we go out of our way to make sure we’re one of the biggest buyers of the country’s very best wine.
“It gives us the opportunity to bring the most exceptional, yet affordable, collection of local wines to our guests. Our buying strategy is informed by the changing needs of our market, which is driven primarily by our properties in Sandton, Johannesburg airport and Montecasino,” says Nadasen.
“Our purchases represent the categories with strong demand among our guests, with specific focus on Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc.”
These sought-after wines can easily be identified on Tsogo Sun Hotels’ wine lists through its Collector’s Wine’ icon.
The 35-year-old Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction showcases the finest and most exclusive wines produced by some of South Africa’s leading winemakers in small quantities. Tsogo Sun Hotels’ purchases at the auction amounted to just over R500 000 for 10 exceptional wines.
Among the finest were the Grangehurst Auction Reserve 2015, Edgebaston Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015, Spier Farm House Organic Chenin Blanc 2017 and De Grendel Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2019.
More intense bidding for top wines followed, this time at the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, which has a reputation comparable to that of the famous Hospices de Beaune auction in France and Kloster Eberbach in Germany.
Tsogo Sun Hotels’ purchases of 16 different wines out of 200 available in 124 lots, saw the group walking away with 146 cases to the value of R420 900. The outstanding selection purchased by the group amounts to 20,1% of the wines that were up for auction.
Says Miguel Chan, group sommelier: “We were fortunate to secure some exceptional wines at great prices, the majority of which will be available to our guests for under R1 000 a bottle.
“Among the remarkable wines we were able to secure are the Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 1997, De Toren Z 2010, Eikendal Infused by Earth Chardonnay 2016 (of which only 1 200 bottles were made), Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Allesverloren Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 and Plaisir de Merle Cabernet 2008.”
These outstanding auction wines will be available at selected Tsogo Sun Hotels’ destinations, contributing to the group’s vision of creating great experiences. They will also be available for retail purchase to enjoy at home from Southern Sun The Cullinan, Southern Sun Waterfront and Café Cru, Montecasino.