WeeklySA_AdminCOLLECTOR’S DREAM: CWG wine auction event features newly released wines crafted by some of the country’s preeminent winemakers
By Len Maseko
One of the most anticipated events in South Africa’s wine calendar is undoubtedly the annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction, which features the best of the newly released wines from the crème de la crème of the country’s winemakers.
It is invariably awaited with much glee and suspense generated by intense competition between local and international bidders vying for the wines.
Last year, for the first in its history, the auction was held online in keeping with the Covid-19 lockdown and social distancing protocol. Again, this year, the auction returns live and online on October 2 2021, and will be preceded by a two-week online charity auction offering rare and unique wines to raise funds for winemaking students training under the Guild’s Protégé Programme.
This year, the line-up includes wines by Samantha O’Keefe, and JD Pretorius for the first time, while three long-time members will take their final bow. The three are Jeremy Walker, Jacques Borman and Jeff Grier.The auction brochure describes the wines as “outstanding cool climate white wines and stalwart reds that underpin excellence and consistent quality”.
We asked CWG Auction publicist Samarie Smith to provide a basic guide to the CWG auction. Following is the Q & A:
What is the CWG?
The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) was founded in 1982 to improve the quality of South African wine through the tasting of international benchmarks and the sharing of knowledge among its members.
The CWG is committed towards real and meaningful transformation in an industry that needs to work harder at creating equality. In 1999, realising there was a need for this, they founded the Cape winemakers Guild Development Trust. Through this Trust, the CWG empowers farm employees through further education and contributes towards transformation through its Protégé Programme. The project is funded by charity auctions throughout the year and donations from outside organisations.
How do members join the guild?
Membership is by invitation only and many of South Africa’s leading winemakers are members. Members meet regularly as a technical tasting group, providing its members with an opportunity to evaluate wines from around the world and to share their knowledge and ideas – ensuring that CWG members remain leaders in the art and science of winemaking. Members are responsible for the production of outstanding wines from harvesting to bottling. A member who is recognised by the CWG as a winemaker of outstanding wines for a minimum period of five years can be invited.
How are wines selected for the auction?
Members are invited to submit wines on an annual basis. All the wines are made exclusively for the Auction by CWG members. All wines are tasted blind and selected by specialist panels of Guild members to ensure that only wines of excellence are offered for the Auction.
How does the online auction process work?
The auction will be hosted live and online at 10:00 (London time) on Saturday, October 2 2021 by international auction house Bonhams, showcasing the immense diversity of world-class South African wines. Bidders will be able to bid via the Bonhams website and watch the auction real-time, bid by telephone, or place proxy commission bids with Bonhams in advance. Bonhams in London will also be open on the day for bidders wishing to attend and bid in person.
Note that there will be two separate and distinct auctions this year, and both will be hosted by international auction house Bonhams.
Can one attend the auction in person?
A small number of people will be allowed to attend the Auction in London, but following Covid protocol, the auction will only be held online for bidders residing in South Africa and elsewhere.
How does one register for the auction?
They can register via auctioneer Bonhams website www.bonhams.com
Do all CWG members submit their wines for selection for the auction?
No. They have the option to submit wines but, to remain an active member, they need to have a wine on auction at least once every four years.
Is there a reserve price of the auction wines?
No.
What makes the CWG Auction wines different from wines offered from other auctions like the Cape Wine Auction.
Note that the wines in the main auction are currently released and made exclusively for the auction. Although these wines can be enjoyed now, they are still young and offer buyers the opportunity to still age them. The Cape Wine Auction is a collection of older wines. The charity auction includes wines from previous auctions, whose proceeds will go towards funding the skills development programme.
If one is not successful in bidding for any of the wines at the online auction, where else can they purchase them?
These wines are only available at the auction.
What happens to the unsold wines?
Everything is sold.
Can one find these wines at the wineries involved?
No.
Is there a guarantee for the quality of the wines sold at the auction?
The members comprise of winemakers who have a solid trajectory of excellence, recognised by their peers. Like wine expert Michael Fridjhon, said: “There will never be any bad wines here.”
How does the charity auction work?
The auction excitement starts with the Protégé Programme Auction, which opens on Friday, September 17, and closes on Monday, October 4 2021. Items on offer include rare collections of past CWG Auction wines, flagship wines from the members of the Guild, collections of the wines produced from this year’s graduating protégés as well as bespoke wines and wine-related experiences donated by individual member properties. For this auction, the CWG introduced the hashtag #BuyForTheFuture. By participating in this auction, bidders will contribute towards a programme that nurtures young talent and enriches the lives of individuals who ordinarily would not have had the opportunity. Buyers will also be supporting the future of the South African wine industry.
Since the inception of the Protégé Programme in 2006, 24 protégés have completed the three-year winemaking internship and 13 are currently participating in this programme. Of those who have graduated, 16 are now either holding leading winemaking roles or have their own winemaking projects.
