The 37th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction will take place live and online Saturday, October 2, 2021, at 10:00 GMT. Following the successful transition to a live-hosted event last year, the 2021 auction will again be held in London, England, in partnership with international auction house Bonhams.
Long regarded as South Africa’s leading wine auction, the annual Cape Winemakers Guild Auction offers the wine trade and general public the opportunity to acquire limited-edition and small-batch selections produced exclusively for the event by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG), an association of 43 of South Africa’s best winemakers.
Established in 1982, the CWG was formed to promote education, exploration and collaboration among South African winemakers. Membership is by invitation, and only extended to established winemakers recognized for their high standards and consistent quality of wine.
With 73 lots on auction, including library, vertical and large-format releases, there are plenty of special selections to snag for a good cause.
While last year’s auction was limited in scope, with only 28 lots available, this year’s event has a more traditional lineup of 45 wines available for bidding. As always, quality and craftsmanship is on display, with selections across red, white and sparkling wine styles. From single-variety gems, like Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc to Shiraz and Pinot Noir, to stunning red and white blends, there are plenty of one-of-a-kind, world-class wines to try to get your hands on.
The 2021 CWG Auction is the last for three admired members: Jeremy Walker of Grangehurst Winery, Jacques Borman of Boschkloof and Jeff Grier of Villiera Wines. All of these winemakers’ swansongs are exceptional, and sure to be in high demand.
But 2021 is also the inaugural year for two CWG members, JD Pretorius and Samantha O’Keefe. Both produced a white wine for the auction. O’Keefe’s offering, a 2020 Chenin Blanc-Viognier blend called Here Comes The Sun, is particularly heartwarming—when she lost her home and cellar in a devastating fire in 2019, fellow CWG members donated the first lot of every wine in the 2020 Auction to her rebuilding efforts.
Also new this year is a two-week online charity auction of rare and unique wine collections to benefit the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme. Started in 2006 as a part of the Cape Winemakers Guild Development Trust, the program provides experiences and opportunities to rising talent in the South African wine industry. To date, 24 Protégés have completed the three-year internship, while another 13 are currently in the skills development program.
With 73 lots on auction, including library, vertical and large-format releases, there are plenty of special selections to snag for a good cause. Bidding for the Protégé Auction runs through Monday, October 4, 2021.
“Working together towards excellence and uplifting not only our fellow members, but those who want to prosper within the wine industry today and into the future, is the ethos that defines the Cape Winemakers Guild,” says Andrea Mullineux, winemaker at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines and current CWG Chair.
To bid on items from either the Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction or the Protégé Auction, visit Bonhams at bonhams.com/register. Check out our top 2021 Auction red and white wines below, or read all scores and reviews of this year’s releases.
Top Red Wines
Saronsberg 2018 Cape Winemakers Guild Die Erf Shiraz (Tulbagh)
Bouchard Finlayson 2019 Cape Winemakers Guild Pinot Noir (Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
Kanonkop 2018 Cape Winemakers Guild CWG Paul Sauer (Simongberg-Stellenbosch)
Savage 2019 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction Syrah (Swartland)
Boschkloof 2019 Cape Winemakers Guild Epilogue Syrah (Stellenbosch)
Delaire Graff 2017 Cape Winemakers Guild Banghoek Cabernet Sauvignon-Cabernet Franc (Banghoek)
Top White Wines
Paul Cluver 2020 Cape Winemakers Guild The Wagon Trail Chardonnay (Elgin)
Raats Family 2020 Cape Winemakers Guild The Fountain Terroir Specific Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch)
Lismore 2020 Cape Winemakers Guild Here Comes The Sun Chenin Blanc-Viognier (Cape South Coast)
Ataraxia 2020 Cape Winemakers Guild Under the Gavel Chardonnay (Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge)
Simonsig 2019 Cape Winemakers Guild Die Dop Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch)
Click here to read all reviews of the CWG 2021 Auction Wines.
Published: September 28, 2021
