Lock, stock and wine barrel

All eyes will be on Stellenbosch on September 30 for the Nedbank Cape Winemaker Guild auction – especially since the 33rd edition of the auction includes a diverse range of 61 wines.

Innovative winemaking is the hallmark of this South African wine industry showcase that features small volumes of unique collectors’ wines, all made exclusively for the auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild. Hosting their Johannebsurg event last month, what comes to the fore is the excitement these wines have. Wine lovers were again gushing praises to the winemakers.

The 2017 auction line-up comprises 42 red wines, 18 white wines and one Méthode Cap Classique, making up the tally of 2 962 cases.

Three Guild members, Bruwer Raats, Morne Vrey and Carl van der Merwe, make their auction debuts this year. Raats has submitted a 100% Cinsaut, B Vintners Inboet Storie Cinsaut 2016, as his first Guild Auction wine, while Vrey has opted for Chardonnay with his Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2016.

Van der Merwe will have two wines going under the hammer: DeMorgenzon Gravitas 2015, and DeMorgenzon Roussanne 2016. Sebastian Beaumont is also breaking new ground with the auction’s first Demi-Sec wine.

New vintages amongst established white wines include Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2016, Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc – Wooded 2016, Jordan CWG Chardonnay 2016, Mullineux Trifecta Chenin Blanc 2014, and Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2016.