WeeklySA_AdminSHOWCASE: A Johannesburg preview of the 42nd Cape Winemakers Guild Auction revealed wines of finesse and individuality, setting the stage for keen bidding in October…
By Len Maseko
The wines had yet to go under the hammer, but they had already made their case. At the Cape Winemakers Guild’s Johannesburg pre-auction tasting on August 26, the selection revealed eye-catching gems likely to stir interest among South African collectors and international buyers alike.
Across the tasting, finesse and elegance were recurring impressions. These were wines with distinct identities, shaped by their places of origin and deft hand of the winemakers who created them. Taken together, they offered a persuasive reminder of South Africa’s standing among the world’s leading winemaking nations.
The 42nd Cape Winemakers Guild Auction will take place on October 2 and 3 at Strauss & Co’s Brickfield Canvas venue in Cape Town. Fifty-eight wines produced in small quantities exclusively for the auction have been selected: 34 reds, 22 whites and two Cap Classiques. The Guild describes the line-up as one of its most diverse yet.
That breadth was part of the excitement in Johannesburg. The selection stretches from a Grenache Blanc from the Swartland to a Syrah from the Ceres Plateau, giving bidders a chance to explore different regions, varieties and winemaking approaches within a single auction.
Several bottles carry the added appeal of a first or a return. Hamilton Russell Vineyards is represented for the first time in more than a decade, with winemaker Emul Ross’s CWG Chardonnay 2025. Kaapzicht returns with Danie Steytler’s The Auction 1947 Chenin Blanc 2025, while Lukas van Loggerenberg contributes his first Guild auction wines.
Other debuts include Samantha O’Keefe’s Lismore Child of Venus Viognier 2025 and Niels Verburg’s Luddite Glorious Confusion 2025, his first white wine at the auction. South Africa’s renowned sparkle wine crafter Pieter “Mr Bubbles” Ferreira presents his first Guild auction wine under his own label, a 2019 Blanc de Noirs Cap Classique made from Pinot Noir. David Finlayson also brings his first auction Grenache Noir, Sleepless Nights 2024.
For collectors, such details give the wines a story beyond the bottle. At the tasting, however, their strongest argument was in the glass: the sense of singularity across the range and the skill with which the winemakers had expressed it. It is that combination of rarity and quality that has made the Guild auction a fixture on the wine calendar since its launch in 1985.
The wines must pass independent quality testing and a blind tasting by specialist panels of Guild members before they earn an auction place.
Last year’s auction raised a record R17.215 million from 86 successful bidders. South African buyers accounted for 64% of sales, with 1,912 six-bottle cases sold at an average of R1,501 a bottle. Whether this year’s lineup reaches similar heights will be decided when bidding opens, but the Johannesburg preview offered ample reason to expect lively competition.
Bidding details
The auction is open to the public at R1 000 a person, per session (Friday or Saturday) via Quicket, with tickets required for in-person attendance. Registered bidders can participate at the venue or place bids online in real time, by telephone or through commission bids.
A walk-around tasting with the winemakers is scheduled for the morning of October 2, ahead of the first auction session.
Beyond the headline sale, the Guild’s separate Protégé Programme auction will raise funds to help develop emerging South African winemakers. It gives the occasion a forward-looking purpose: celebrating accomplished hands while helping new talent find its place in an industry whose finest wines already command global attention.
Bidding will take place in two sessions: from 12.30pm to 7pm, October 2, and from 10am to 5pm, October 3.
Collectors unable to attend the Cape Town venue may bid online in real time through the Strauss & Co website. Telephone and commission bids will also be accepted.
Prospective buyers must create a Strauss & Co bidding account and register for the auction. Registration opened in August, with assistance available from bids@straussart.co.za.
Meanwhile, the CWG will also host its annual 2026 CWG Bottle Share Dinner on October 2, at Tannin on Bree in Cape Town. Guests are invited to bring one bottle of wine each – something rare, cherished, which will be shared, discussed and enjoyed around communal tables, with a three-course sharing menu of small plates. Tickets cost R750 per person.
For more information, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com, email info@capewinemakersguild.com, or phone 021 852 0408
EVENTS
WineX returns to Sandton
Standard Bank Private WineX returns to Johannesburg from October 28 to 30, bringing more than 700 wines and brandies from over 120 exhibitors to the Sandton Convention Centre.
Now in its 25th year at the venue, the festival is expected to attract about 9,000 wine lovers for three evenings of tastings, art, music and entertainment. Visitors will meet winemakers and explore offerings from established award-winning cellars and emerging boutique producers.
Designed for newcomers and seasoned collectors alike, WineX offers opportunities to discover rare wines, limited releases and exclusive tastings while learning directly from producers. The festival runs from 5pm to 9pm, with no first entry after 8.30pm. Wednesday, October 28, is reserved for invited Standard Bank clients and guests, while public access is available on Thursday and Friday.
Early-bird tickets, available until October 18, cost R275 for Thursday and R325 for Friday. Thereafter, tickets rise to R325 and R395 respectively. Admission includes a tasting glass. Standard Bank credit and Evolve cardholders qualify for a 30% discount, while debit and cheque cardholders receive 10% off, subject to conditions. Tickets are available through Webtickets. Entry is restricted to guests aged 18 and older.
Franschhoek gets festive
The Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival returns to the Huguenot Monument on December 5 and 6, promising a stylish weekend of sparkling wine, food, fashion and music.
Presented by Capitec and Franschhoek Wine Valley under the theme “Step Into The Light”, the festival will showcase leading South African Cap Classique producers alongside selected imported Champagnes. A curated range of non-alcoholic alternatives will also make its debut.
Each ticket includes a commemorative wine flute and 10 tasting tokens. Guests may sample wines, buy them by the glass or bottle and enjoy dishes from gourmet food vendors.
Entertainment will include performances by Coda SA, Amy Jones and ShenFM, supported by DJs playing Deep House, Amapiano and Afro-electronic music.
This year also introduces the Crystal Lounge, an exclusive retreat offering a welcome cocktail, private lounge access and dedicated luxury restrooms.
Fashion lovers can enter the popular Best Dressed Competition, themed “Colours in Motion”. Entrants are encouraged to experiment with flowing fabrics, movement and reflective details, with prizes awaiting the most stylish guests.
The festival is open only to guests aged 18 and older. Tickets will be sold through Webtickets, with early booking strongly recommended.
Durbs Pick n’ Pay Fest
The Pick n Pay Wine & Food Festival Durban moves to its new home at Sugar Rush Park in Ballito on Saturday, October 3, for an afternoon of wine, food, music and entertainment.
Festivalgoers can sample wines from about 50 leading South African estates, ranging from elegant reds and crisp whites to rosés, Cap Classique and other sparkling wines. Wine-based cocktails will also be available.
Guests seeking a more intimate experience can book a Pick n Pay Tasting Room session, featuring guided wine-and-canapé pairings hosted by a chef, wine expert and featured producer. Limited to 40 guests, each session costs an additional R150.
The Fresh Food Market will offer nutritious bowls, lamb dishes, sushi, salads, cheese and charcuterie boards, while Burger & Pizza Trucks will serve festival favourites. Pre-packed picnic bags for two may be ordered for R350.
Early Access tickets cost R350 and include admission from noon, a tasting glass and 20 tasting vouchers. General Access, from 1pm, costs R350 with the same tasting benefits.
Designated-driver tickets cost R200 and include a R75 soft-drink or coffee voucher.
Wine bought at the festival cannot be taken off-site, but guests may arrange home delivery through Pick n Pay asap!
Lesotho Wine Fest
Wine enthusiasts from across Southern Africa will gather in Maseru on October 10, for the 13th edition of the Lesotho Wine Festival, one of the kingdom’s premier wine and lifestyle events. Hosted at the Maseru Club, the festival promises a day of tasting, entertainment and socialising, featuring more than 240 wines from over 45 producers. Since its launch in 2012, the event has grown into a celebrated showcase of wine culture, attracting both seasoned connoisseurs and curious newcomers.
Organised by Station Off-Sales (Liquor City Group), the festival operates on a non-profit basis and is dedicated to promoting a refined wine experience while supporting local talent and celebrating an elevated Lesotho lifestyle.
Running from 11am, the event offers an ideal opportunity to discover new favourites, meet producers and enjoy a memorable day in the Mountain Kingdom.
Tickets are available online via lesothowine.co.ls..– Compiled by Len Maseko: lenmaseko@weeklysamirror.news
