Global and local wine commentators are unanimous in their enthusiasm for the high quality of wines South African winemakers have achieved in the past few years. Nowhere was this unstinting fervour more adequately captured than this weekend’s Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, formerly known as the Nederburg Auction. At the end of play on Saturday 19 October 2019, collective hammer prices were captured totalling R 2 623 000.*

The new-format auction aims to create an industry-led platform showcasing the finest and rarest South African wines to wine enthusiasts, investors and collectors worldwide. The auction was held in association with acclaimed auction house, Christie’s. This year, the enigmatic Charlie Foley brought down the gavel on 124 of SA’s finest wines during an impressive showcase of spirited bidding

Auction highlights

With a reputation comparable to that of the famous Hospices de Beaune auction in France and Kloster Eberbach in Germany, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction further embedded its status as South Africa’s leading wine auction with impressive numbers to match. On Saturday afternoon, the unaudited results showed that just under 3 000 litres of wine was sold, with an all-time auction high rand per bottle of R660 on average for 750ml – a 12% increase on last year’s R590. The average price per bottle of white wine was R471 for a 750 ml bottle. Illustrating the growing popularity of Chenin Blanc, the biggest white wine performers were David & Nadia Hoë-Steen Chenin Blanc 2015, De Morgenzon The Divas Chenin Blanc 2013 and Alheit Vineyards Magnetic North Mountain Makstok 2015 which all received the highest bid at R1 000 per bottle. For red wines, Vilafonté Series C 2005 in 5ℓ Jeroboam landed the gavel at an impressive R22 000 – which equates to R3 303 for a 750ml bottle. The average price per bottle for red wines was R733.

Other popular lots on the day were:

• For MCC: Highest bid received was for Le Lude Agrafe 2012, which sold for R1 034 per bottle. The average for MCC was R510 per bottle.

• Fortified: Highest bid received was for KWV Tawny Port at R3 000 per bottle. The average for fortified was R415 per bottle.

• Noble Late Harvest or sweet wines: Highest bid received was for the Nederburg Wines Private Bin Edelkeur 1979 at R2 089 per bottle of 750ml (sold as 375ml). The average on sweet wines was R9 41 per bottle.

Reflecting the collectable value of unbroken verticals, this year’s auction included a rare double vertical of The Sadie Family Wines Columella 2001-2012 (750mls) and 2005-2016 (1.5ℓ). This fine collection sparked competitive bidding, finally collecting a hammer price of R75 000, sold to Conservation Company, Singita, one of the biggest buyers at this year’s auction collecting 10.8% of total sales.

Other top buyers were Tsogo Sun (20.1%), Big Five Duty Free (7.4%) and the Spar Group (2.8%). This shows an exciting range of buyers from important retailers, luxury hospitality buyers and private individuals who are increasingly seeing the advantages of investing in rare South African wines. Interestingly, 95% of all sales by value went to South African buyers.

This year’s catalogue was curated by wine critic Michael Fridjhon, Singita wine buyer and wine judge François Rautenbach, and Cathy van Zyl, MW. Rautenbach, who is also a regular buyer at the auction, commented on the new format: “Overall, the entire auction is more tightly focused, more business orientated and considerate of the buyers. Importantly, it represents the product on a better platform than ever before. The venue raised the game and changed the conversation, the superb auctioneer was really focused and fun but extremely professional. Overall, considering the state of the economy, the auction achieved brilliant results.”

"Today was a piece of theatre, the wines were the actors – and the buyers got them!" – Charlie Foley

New destination

The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction is valued as a destination auction and Stellenbosch was a fitting host to its bidders this year. Over the course of two days, the auction treated its buyers to an elegant affair at the Rupert Museum, an exclusive exhibition space for acclaimed African contemporary artists. On Friday 18 October, producers showcased their various vinous treasures to potential auction buyers – familiarity is key. Saturday’s proceedings commenced early with Kanonkop Paul Sauer 1995 setting the tone as the opening lot.

Charity auction

Since its inception in 1975, the auction has supported philanthropic initiatives in the Cape winelands through its network of bidders and patrons. It was heart-warming to once again experience the generosity of buyers who managed to raise more than R223 000 for this year’s beneficiary, sp(i)eel. sp(i)eel’s recent projects include arts therapy sessions to children in schools who may struggle with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Under the knowledgeable guidance and sharp wit of Michael Fridjhon, buyers were treated to truly exceptional international and local lots.

Marlize Swanepoel, managing director of sp(i)eel was delighted at the result: “We call ourselves a collective because we believe that the healing and change we seek for those communities impacted by trauma can only happen in partnerships. Our partnership with the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction strengthens the safety net we aim to create for children and their families in the Cape winelands. It brings us closer to our ultimate goal of resilient communities that can enable its children to thrive.”

"South Africa has triggered the imagination of wine collectors who appreciate the extreme value proposition of its wines." – Kay Nash

Closing sentiments

Kay Nash, CEO of Libertas Vineyards and Estates, thanked bidders and donors for contributing to the auction in such a phenomenal way. “Through our partnership with Christie’s, and with the constant feedback from international wine writers and critics, we are aware of the incredibly favourable global reputation of South African wines. With a collective drive from its winemakers to present the world with high quality wines, South Africa has triggered the imagination of wine collectors who appreciate the extreme value proposition of its wines. We are incredibly proud to be able to offer a platform where collectors can actively capitalise on this prestige by securing investments for their cellars.”

Foley, only the fifth auctioneer to take up the gavel since the inception of the auction in 1975, adequately captured this global passion for South African wines: “It was an amazing experience. There was so much energy in the room. The wines from South Africa are beautiful. I came here expecting the Cabernet Sauvignons to be beautiful, which they were, but the Shiraz and Chenin Blanc shocked me with their amazing quality. You can tell that South African winemakers have a real passion for their product. Today was a piece of theatre, the wines were the actors – and the buyers got them!”

*All figures above are unaudited and exclude VAT.

Since its inception in 1975, the Nederburg Auction, now known as the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, has supported philanthropic initiatives in the Cape winelands through its network of bidders and patrons. On 19 October 2019, auction guests will once again have the opportunity to honour this tradition when they raise their paddles for charity at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch

The charity auction is a highlight at the annual Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction; auction attendees can relax and bid during a lunch and network event on the Saturday after concluding a day of private bidding in the auction hall.

This year, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction is proud to announce sp(i)eel, an arts therapies collective and non-profit organisation working throughout the greater Cape winelands, as the beneficiary of its charity auction. sp(i)eel’s recent projects include art therapy sessions to children in schools who may struggle with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Last year, more than R1.2 million was raised for charity. This year, the auction again presents philanthropic bidders with an incredible line-up of exceptional lots donated by its generous patrons. With a collective reserve estimate of R245 000, the line-up of charity items is set to make a real impact on those who benefit from sp(i)eel’s rehabilitation programmes.

Michael Fridjhon, internationally renowned wine critic and writer, will be the auctioneer at the charity auction. Commenting on the lots on offer he said: “The charity auction contains that rare combination of highly collectable local and international wines which offer great value to the buyer as well as to the charity benefiting from the sale. These are all true vinous rarities from which the purchasers can derive enjoyment as well as the satisfaction of supporting sp(i)eel.”

Fridjhon is also the patron donator of an iconic charity item: a Château Mouton Rothschild 2016 with a label designed and signed by South African artist William Kentridge. In the nexus between art and wine, the artist label series of Mouton Rothschild stands comfortably at the apex. Kentridge is the first South African artist to be invited to produce a label for Mouton Rothschild adorning this 2016 vintage.

It certainly is in good company. Other lots that have been included in this year’s charity auction are:

• Château Palmer Margaux 1978, one of the great vintages of this Bordeaux producer.

• Unbroken vertical of David & Nadia Elpidios and Aristargos by eponymous husband-and-wife duo.

• A Jeroboam of Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Pinot Noir 2014 from Hemel-en-Aarde producer Newton Johnson, famed for their delicate Pinot Noir.

• A trio of signed wines from Lebanon’s most famous vineyards, Château Musar (1979, 1989 & 1999), generously donated by Piet Beyers.

• A limited edition of 40-year-old trio of Chateau Libertas Magnums 1979.

• A selection of some the finest premier cru from the Côtes de Nuits, a Burgundian collection of Remoissenet Vosne Romanee Les Malconsorts 1969, Remoissenet Beaune 1er Marconnets 1971, and Jacques Prieur Musigny 1989.

• From the best vintage of the mid-1960s, the Château Pichon Lalande Pauillac 1966.

• Château Cheval Blanc St Emilion 1971, one of the Bordeaux greats.

Those who follow wealth reports will know that whisky is increasingly being seen as an investment of passion by high-net-worth collectors. To ignite this passion, two lots in this year’s charity auction are from famous whisky distilleries. The Ledaig Dùsgadh 42-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky is the oldest Ledaig bottled since the distillery reopened in 1972, and therefore one of their most significant. Another whisky lot on offer, the Scottish Tobermory 42-year-old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, is the rarest whisky ever made at this distillery.

Appropriately capturing the spirit of the Rugby World Cup, bidders can bid on the Vin de Trois, three Magnums produced by three famous Springbok rugby legends (1993): Jan Boland Coetzee, Hempies du Toit and Jannie Engelbrecht.

Knowing the value of experiences in the Cape winelands, the Le Lude Cap Classique Experience lot will ensure the generous bidder enjoys an all-things-bubbly experience at this famous Franschhoek Cap Classique producer.

Bidders interested in attending this exclusive wine event are urged to register on the auction website. Those unable to attend but still looking to bid, can do so by phone, proxy or mandate bidding

The colourful Charlie Foley (29) takes up the gavel for the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction – only the fifth auctioneer to do so since the auction’s establishment 45 years ago. Founded as the Nederburg Auction in 1975, the auction’s very first auctioneer, Patrick Grubb (1975 to 2005), holds a Guinness Book of Records record for hosting an auction for 31 consecutive years.

October marks the time of year South African winemakers showcase some of their best work on the auction block. The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, considered similar in stature to famous auctions such as Hospices de Beaune in France and Kloster Eberbach in Germany, will pay homage to SA’s fine wines in an exciting new format at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch on 18 and 19 October.

In total, 124 wines from 64 of South Africa’s best producers are featured in this year’s auction catalogue, and bidding will be conducted by the celebrated auction house, Christie’s – a partner to the auction since 2017.

Foley brings extensive wine knowledge and a passion SA’s wines to the bidding hall. This vibrant auctioneer shares his insights and thrills of buying wine at an auction:

What is the perception of South Africa’s wines in international circles? I think South Africa is in a great place wine-wise. It’s where the Old World meets the New World; with ripeness and complexity twirling around one other in your glass. There is so much diversity, from chewy Cabernets, to complex Chenins, to sublime Sauvignons… The Rainbow Nation has it all. The wines of the Cape should be splashed into glasses the world over and shared around to spread the message: sunshine and smiling winemakers make stunning wines.

Have you seen an increase in wine auctions internationally? What does this trend tell you? The wine auction market is huge and growing every year. At Christie’s it is an exciting hook. People who have not dealt with Christie’s before, often come to us through a wine purchase or a wine tasting and then get a taste for collecting and end up with a Picasso or a Monet! Across the world, there is a growing trend for lifestyle events – sharing food and wine in a restaurant is one of the only things you cannot do on the internet now and this sense of the ‘real’ resonates. People want to be entertained and wine is the most entertaining liquid going!

What makes wine auctions intriguing? Diversity. You can come away beaming with a collection of the most intriguing wines on the planet. Sitting in the auction room, clutching your paddle is your chance to think of the steak sauces you will match your Syrah with, the puddings you will plump for your Port, the friends you will invite to share your Frappato or the cheese you will munch with your Cap Classique.

Would you advise people buy wine at auction? Why? Yes, yes and yes. It’s the most theatrical way to buy wine and the best possible way to get friendly with the most knowledgeable and entertaining wine lovers. You will have the opportunity to taste, try and buy a wealth of diverse wines and you will learn so much in the process.

Any tips for first-time auction goers? If you have chance to make friends with the auctioneer, do it! They will love a familiar face and some banter. Know which lots you would kill for and which you would rather die if you missed out on. Go for it. You may never see them again and you only live once.

How do wine auctions compare to other auctions, for example art auctions? An auction is an event, and the art departments have long understood the need to make a piece of theatre. The wine sales have begun to reflect this. From the dramatic gavel hammer of Christie’s $450 million Da Vinci last year to the mammoth barrel sale at Beaune in November every year, Christie’s draws in people who love the lots on offer. We entertain and intrigue them. These people become the proud new owners of the fantastic pieces on offer.

Do buyers perceive South African wines as investment pieces? We recently collaborated with the Cabernet Collective for our Dylan Lewis sculpture sale and the chance to show some of the Cape’s top wines to our clients was amazing. The reaction was fantastic. Buyers like to discover new things and be ahead of the curve. The opportunity for buyers to try older vintages of South African wines will be interesting as Christie’s buyers like to see a wine unfurl over the years, gain complexity and blossom into an intriguing mature wine. The maturity of South Africa’s top wines will be the key to buyers appreciating them as investment wines.

Have you studied the upcoming auction lots for the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction? What are your thoughts? What a fantastic offering, you couldn’t ask for a more intriguing smorgasbord of wines. I have visited the Cape this year already and spent time with many estates listed in these exceptional lots. The winemakers have a devotion to their vines that is touching. They are so happy to be swirling their wines around their own glasses and now buyers get the chance to bid and buy and taste some of the best wines they have made. Wines they have kept secret, that have lain in cellars, gaining extra aroma and added complexity.

Are you a wine collector? Any particular lots you would’ve bid on, if you could? Why? I’ve planned myself an imaginary dinner. I begin with Ken’s FMC 2009, I match it with a light and delicate cheese souffle. Next up, I’ve nabbed the Kaapzicht 1947 Chenin and I splash it into a glass alongside a lemon drizzled cod. My steak is sizzling – it’s going to be medium rare and my red is equally as rare. It’s the Rubicon 1989 and it’s singing with my steak. A plate of cheese is waiting. I have decanted the Rustenberg 1974 and it’s sensational, the cheese is aged and mature, the wine is complex and evolved. Finally, my sweet tooth needs feeding. I have a malva pudding and I can’t resist… It’s Vin de Constance 2001. I’m in a sugar saturated heaven. Who’s joining me at the table?

An auctioneer brings an important energy to the auction hall. What would you say is your personal approach? Colour. I cannot pass a suit shop without seeing if they have vibrant hued tailoring inside. However, the suit only does half the job, the rest is up to me. My grandfather auctioned cattle many moons ago and I have grown up trying to ape his precision, knowledge, speed, authority and general charm when wielding a gavel.

Christie's has included a South African ‘super lot’ in their Fine & Rare Wine Auction later this year in London. Do tell us more. We are delighted to partner with the auction on this lot. It will be a fantastic feature in our catalogue and allow our buyers the chance to learn about, experience and bid on the best wines the Cape cultivates. I worked in South Africa for Steenberg some years ago and since then, I have been banging the drum for South African wines. There is special magic in those hills: it rolls in on the Cape Doctor, settles quietly over the vines and seeps through the verdant leaves into the grapes, swelling them into a fizzing energy that will excite the taste-buds of anyone who believes in the magic of wine.

This is your first South African auction and you’re only the 5th auctioneer in the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction’s 45-year history, with the first auctioneer, Patrick Grubb (1975 to 2005), holding a Guinness Book of Records record for hosting an auction for 31 consecutive years. Are you open to a 31-year challenge? I am honoured to have the opportunity and the challenge is accepted. I would love a Guinness World Record. All that would be left to achieve then is a Nobel Peace Prize and my life would be complete.

South Africa’s proud wine heritage was recently highlighted when one of our most celebrated wines was recorked to prolong its already venerable lifespan of 198 years. At such an age, the Grand Constance 1821 dessert wine stands amongst some of the Old-World stalwarts and demonstrates South Africa’s comparable winemaking, even 198 years ago.

This noble sweet wine was once known as one of the world’s finest wines and enjoyed acclaim among emperors, kings and soon became a regular feature in 19th century literature. Production of this famous South African wine ceased towards the end of that century when a massive outbreak of the dreaded phylloxera virus caused devastation throughout the wine producing world. Today, only a precious few bottles of the original Grand Constance are guarded in cellars worldwide – making the complex process of furnishing one of these rare bottles with a new cork an incredibly important moment in the preservation of its heritage.

The certified process was conducted by Libertas Vineyards and Estates in association with the world’s leading cork producer, Amorim Cork. Both Libertas and Amorim wanted to focus their attention on safeguarding the Cape Winelands’ proud legacy of fine winemaking for future generations. A legacy at the very core of the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction to be held on the 18 and 19 October in Stellenbosch this year.

Although the Grand Constance 1821, once a coveted item at auctions attended by Europe’s elite, is too scarce to be included as an auction item, curators have ensured that the noble era of South Africa’s most famous wine lives on in the fine heritage wines that have been included in the auction catalogue – expertly curated by Master of Wine (MW) Cathy van Zyl, wine critic and columnist Michael Fridjhon, and wine judge and Singita wine buyer François Rautenbach.

Bidders and investors seeking collectable vintages of Klein Constantia’s Vin de Constance, the modern reincarnation of the famous Grand Constance first introduced in 1986, will have the opportunity to bid on the following lots:

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1993
Reserve price: R45,000
No. of lots: 2. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 3 x 500ml 1990s Vintages of Vin de Constance are increasingly difficult to find and this particular one is no longer available in trade. It was rated 92 points by Jamie Goode: “Lovely fresh herby edge to the sweet raisin and butterscotch nose. There’s lots of spicy complexity and a hint of volatility. The palate is bright, fresh and citrussy with a deliciously sweet, rounded character countered by spiciness and bright acidity.” (Rated 2009

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2001
Reserve price: R40,000
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 500ml This vintage earned 92 points from Wine Spectator. Its lead editor, James Molesworth, described it as: “Sweet and rich, but also super racy, with fresh-cut tangerine, orange and nectarine flavours, backed by bright acidity and a long, lingering finish of spice, orange zest and heather honey.” (Rated 2007

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2007
Reserve price: R10,000
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 500ml The 2007 vintage was awarded 97 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, making it the highest rated South African sweet wine in history. Reviewer Neal Martin described it as “superlative… it offers a scintillating bouquet that is beautifully defined with mandarin, wild honey, lavender and Seville orange marmalade vying for attention on the nose. The palate displays …crystalline honeyed fruits and immense freshness and poise on the finish. Brilliant winemaking here – a South Africa legend that does not disappoint.” (Rated 2012)

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2012
Reserve price: R8,000
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 500ml Upon release, John Stimpfig of Decanter noted that this wine is certainly one of its best in the modern era. He added the following description: “Stunningly intense aromatic nose of fresh stem ginger, tangerine and quince. Fabulously balanced sweetness and zingy natural acidity provide the perfect backdrop for a gorgeous flavour spectrum of Seville orange marmalade, honeysuckle and spicy ginger with complex tertiary notes on the effortlessly long finish. The whole ensemble provides enormous precision, purity and pleasure.” It earned 97 points from this publication. (Rated 2016)

Note: Final knock-down prices are inclusive of all premiums and free delivery within South Africa, excludes VAT.

About the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction
The two-day event opens with a pre-tasting at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch on 18 October 2019. A charity auction on Saturday, 19 October, will be preceded by the main auction. Click here for a full list of the wines on auction.

Buyers interested in attending should register their interest as a buyer on the auction website. Bidders who are unable to attend, but still looking to bid, can do so by phone, proxy or mandate bidding.

The prestigious Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, previously the Nederburg Auction, has announced the reserve prices of the wines that will go under the hammer at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch on 18 and 19 October this year.

All 124 wines on auction have gone through a meticulous selection process appraising both investment potential and wine quality. Buyers have the unique opportunity to secure some of South Africa's rarest and most sought-after wines. Having been kept at perfect cellaring conditions by the producers themselves, guaranteeing provenance and ideal maturation, each wine has gone through rigorous quality assessments. Some older vintages have been recorked thanks to the experts at Amorim Cork.

The distinguished, world-class wine selection, was curated by some of South Africa's most revered wine authorities, including Master of Wine Cathy van Zyl, wine judge François Rautenbach, and international wine judge and wine writer Michael Fridjhon.

In association with the internationally recognised auction house Christie's, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will also present a selection of wines at the Christie's London Fine Wine Auction in November, thereby offering South African wine the global stage it deserves.

The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction offers wine enthusiasts and collectors some of South Africa’s most iconic wines. These will be made available as exclusive lots, with competitive reserve prices to match, curators predict that these lots are bound to spark many a bidding war:

De Toren Private Cellar Fusion V 2004
Reserve price: R8,550
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 1 x 9ℓ. Highly awarded and no longer available anywhere else in the world, this is the last wine from this spectacular vintage and the first time in a decade that this Bordeaux-style wine will be made available to the public or trade as a 9ℓ-Salmanazar, equivalent to twelve bottles of wine. The De Toren Private Cellar Fusion V 2004 is an attractive investment piece, backed by equally attractive scores of 95/100 at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2017 and 94/100 in Tim Atkin’s South African Report 2017.

De Wetshof Edeloes 2005
Reserve price: R3,000
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 500ml. Described as an “immortal wine”, this noble late harvest made from Rhine Riesling grapes is an exquisite example of the variety and style. Made in Robertson from a demarcation called Goudmyn (Gold Mine), which is known to produce white wines with remarkable ageability, by one of the region’s noble producers, De Wetshof Estate. The prestige and scarcity – only a few bottles remain at De Wetshof Estate’s cellar – make this a sought-after wine investment.

Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 1993
Reserve price: R45,000
No. of lots: 2. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 3 x 500ml. In the 18th and 19th centuries this famous sweet wine of Constantia was recognised as one of the great wines of the world, and it remains one of the most revered sweet wines from South Africa. The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will provide bidders with the rare opportunity to secure wine from the 1993 vintage – a vintage that is no longer available in trade.

Meerlust Rubicon 1989
Reserve price: R4,200
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 750ml. Touted as one of South Africa’s best examples of new-style reds when first released in 1980, the Meerlust Rubicon remains one of South Africa’s most famous Bordeaux-style reds. The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction provides bidders with an exclusive opportunity to secure an original from the 1980s.

Stellenryck Cabernet Sauvignon 1989
Reserve price: R4,200
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 750ml. Wines under this label were deemed magnificent upon release and anyone tasting these old wines will agree that this description is still apt. Stellenryck was the pride of Dr Julius Laszlo,Cellar Master of the Bergkelder. Under his guise wines under this label became some of the finest expressions of classic winemaking, only bottled in fine years and highly sought-after.

The Sadie Family Wines Columella Double Vertical – 2001-2012 (750ml), 2005-2016 (1.5ℓ)
Reserve price: R54,000 (for a combined case totalling 24 bottles)
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 12 x 750ml & 12 x 1.5ℓ. This is the only lot of its kind and therefore an incredibly rare opportunity for the fortunate bidder to have a double unbroken vertical of one of South Africa’s finest wines in their cellar. Offered as a single lot of twelve 750ml-bottles (vintages 2001 to 2012) and twelve magnum bottles (vintages 2005 to 2016), this is predicted to be one of the most coveted lots on offer.

Vilafonté Series C 2005
Reserve price: R8,000
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 1 x 5ℓ. Only ten bottles of this rare Bordeaux-style wine were produced and have never been offered for sale. This lot will be offered as a single 5ℓ-Jeroboam sourced from this producer’s final remaining stock. Scarcity value and its biblical proportions, as well as a 92/100-rating in Wine Spectator and a 91/100-rating by Robert Parker, make this a coveted lot.

Waterford The Jem 2009
Reserve price: R6,600
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 750ml. This is the only case of its kind made available to the auction and speaks towards the rarity of this red blend – once South Africa’s most expensive wine on the market. The 2009 vintage was a standout year for South African wines and Waterford The Jem 2009 epitomises this fine vintage.

Note: Final knock-down prices are inclusive of all premiums and free delivery within South Africa, excludes VAT.

About the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction
The two-day event opens with a pre-tasting at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch on 18 October 2019. A charity auction on Saturday, 19 October, will be preceded by the main auction. Click here for a full list of the wines on auction.

Buyers interested in attending should register their interest as a buyer on the auction website. Bidders who are unable to attend, but still looking to bid, can do so by phone, proxy or mandate bidding.

Some of the Cape Winelands’ most precious collectable wines were recently given a new lease on life with an intricate recorking exercise. A precious line-up of rare vintage finds from the Tabernacle, South Africa’s most coveted wine vault, received brand new, taint-free, NDTech corks to guarantee the wines’ lifespan and increasing its value. The recorking process ensures the longevity of these South African wines within an international context by safeguarding their pristine condition for the exclusive Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction taking place at the Rupert Museum on 18 and 19 October 2019 in Stellenbosch

This certified process was conducted by Libertas Vineyard Estates in association with the world’s leading cork producer, Amorim Cork. “The process increases the value of these investment wines because it provides buyers with unmatched, certified quality. Several checks are put in place to ensure that the mature wines are still, and remains in, pristine condition,” says auction curators.

Delicate and intricate, the exercise was conducted by industry professionals Joaquim Sá, Managing Director of Amorim Cork South Africa, in consultation with wine industry expert Michael Fridjhon and sommelier Jean-Vincent Ridon.

Apart from unbeatable provenance, traceable directly to wine producers and the Tabernacle’s perfect cellaring conditions, wines are carefully inspected by industry professionals. Experts check the ullage and test the wines for any defects like cork, TCA, brett, maderization or other potential problems. Wines that do show signs of evaporation are topped up with wine from the same vintage ensuring a full bottle. Only wines warranting exceptional quality are submitted for the auction.

Recorked wines will be included as exclusive lots during the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, including the treasures below:

Chateau Libertas 1959
Reserve price:R1,800
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 3 x 375ml This rare investment wine fetched the highest bid in the history of the Nederburg Auction last year at R15 000 for a case of three 750ml bottles of the 1968 vintage. A solid investment for the serious collector

Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 1959
Reserve price: R2,000
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 2 x 750ml One of South Africa’s noble wines, the Lanzerac Cabernet Sauvignon 1959 still offers remarkable freshness and precision. This wine is incredibly difficult to come by and it stands to reason why only one lot comprising of two bottles will be on offer.

Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 1971
Reserve price: R4,500
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 3 x 750ml A noteworthy wine from the 1970s, the Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 1971 shows beautiful purity and, despite its age, youthfulness.

Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur 1979
Reserve price: R1,500
No of lots: 2. First lot case per lot: 2. Second lot case per lot: 1 Case size: 3 x 375ml Made by the legendary Günter Brözel, and the raison d'être for the Nederburg Auction, the famous sweet Edelkeurs of the 70s are well-represented with this rare gem.

Nederburg Private Bin Eminence 1989
Reserve price: R900
No. of lots: 2. No. of cases for each lot: 1. Case size: 3 x 375ml As the last vintage made by Günter Brözel, it’s indeed a fine tribute to a celebrated career. Only two lots of this famous and scarce noble late harvest wine will be made available.

Oude Libertas Pinot Noir 1979
Reserve price: R4,800 (for a combined case totalling 24 bottles)
No. of lots: 2. No. of cases for each lot: 1. Case size: 3 x 750ml This is the first Pinot Noir vintage released by Oude Libertas (Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery), during a year deemed ‘exceptional’ for Pinot Noir, and even then, this elusive wine was only available in limited quantities. One of the last cases of this rare wine will be offered at the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction and is therefore a key opportunity to secure this investment piece. A classic for the era.

Rustenberg Wines’ Rustenberg Dry Red 1974
Reserve price: R2,000
No. of lots: 1. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 2 x 750ml Under the guidance of Cellar Master Etienne le Riche, Rustenberg became one of the Cape Winelands’ earliest leaders of red wines. The Rustenberg Dry Red is a Cabernet-Cinsaut blend and widely regarded as a wine from an iconic time, and one of the best vintages by this producer. The rarity is expressed in the limited opportunity to bid.

Zonnebloem Pinotage 1979
Reserve price: R6,000
No. of lots: 2. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 6 x 750ml An old Pinotage is something to behold, and Zonnebloem Pinotage 1979 is truly one of the finest wines made from South Africa’s signature grape. This wine’s age and rarity makes it one of the key lots.

Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon 1969
Reserve price: R3,600
No. of lots: 2. No. of cases per lot: 1. Case size: 3 x 375ml Equally iconic and valued for its scarcity, the Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon 1969 is one of those rare bottles of wine of the 60s that is becoming increasingly difficult to find. The auction provides bidders one of the last chances to obtain this collector’s item.

Remarking on the quality of these wines, Fridjhon said: “It is amazing to taste how well these wines have been preserved, and how well these wines have stayed and been stored. Fifty or sixty years on, these long-dead winemakers have delivered to the next generation. (These bottles are) extraordinary and bring us in contact with a long past era.”

Each of these wines are numbered with a unique seal bearing a traceable, alpha-numeric number. The recorked bottles’ new corks are also branded with a unique alpha-numeric number ensuring authenticity.

Note: Final knock-down prices are inclusive of all premiums and free delivery within South Africa, excludes VAT.

About the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction
The two-day event opens with a pre-tasting at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch on 18 October 2019. A charity auction on Saturday, 19 October, will be preceded by the main auction. Click here for a full list of the wines on auction.

Buyers interested in attending should register their interest as a buyer on the auction website. Bidders who are unable to attend, but still looking to bid, can do so by phone, proxy or mandate bidding.

With the world market increasingly focused on the fine and rare wines from South Africa, the Cape Winelands is in a stronger position than ever to showcase its fine wine investments. This year, the Cape Winelands is proud to host its first-ever Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, an evolution of the historic Nederburg Auction in 1975.

This premium auction event will be led by South Africa’s wine producers, who will offer their iconic local wines on a single, collaborative platform. The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will unite industry stalwarts and emerging winemakers, to showcase Cape wine at its finest to local and international audiences and buyers.

Representing 64 of South Africa’s best producers, the auction will be held on the 18th and 19th of October, at the Rupert Museum in the heart of Stellenbosch. Buyers will have the opportunity to bid and secure an investment in a choice of 128 wines, all with proven provenance. These fine and rare wines were painstakingly curated by some of the most respected South African wine insiders, including Master of Wine (MW) Cathy van Zyl, Critical Wine Writer and Columnist, Michael Fridjhon, and Wine Judge and Buyer François Rautenbach. Commenting on the selection process, Fridjhon said: “This is the first time - to my knowledge - that the selection process for an auction of this kind has included criteria around investment potential over and above a rigorous wine quality assessment. The older examples were checked to ensure they had aged gracefully. Where necessary mature wines were recorked. Everything has been done to ensure a perfect experience for the buyers.”

The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will feature wines from some of the country’s most exclusive wine vaults: A selection of Klein Constantia’s famous Vin de Constance, historically venerated in literature by both Charles Dickens and Jane Austen for its calming properties, will be made available. Buyers will also be able to claim lots of Kanonkop’s Paul Sauer 1995, a predecessor of the famous 2015 vintage which was the first-ever South African wine on release to elicit a perfect score (100/100) from an international wine critic. A selection of new wave Cinsault-led wines by producers such as Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines, Sadie Family Wines, Naudé, Darling Cellars, Roodekrantz, and Metzer Family Wines – inspired by old vines and wines such as the 1959 Chateau Libertas lot - have also been included in the Auction catalogue.

“The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction provides a perfect juxtaposition between the past and the future. Buyers will appreciate that the curated list highlights the similarities between South Africa’s stalwart producers and their younger counterparts. The auction thus really reflects the deep-seated respect and camaraderie of the local wine industry,” said Auction curators.

This year sees a number of debut participants including Alheit Vineyards (Magnetic North), Boschkloof (Epilogue), Dalla Cia (Giorgio & Teano), Keermont (Fleurfontein), Keet (First Verse), Lismore (Syrah), Luddite (Niels Verburg Shiraz), Newton Johnson Family Vineyards (Family Vineyards Pinot Noir), Sadie Family Wines (Columella) and Waterford Estate (The Jem) entered into the auction line-up.

The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will also allow buyers to rediscover brands like Plaisir de Merle and its 300-year history of making French-inspired wines on the slopes of the Simonsberg, and celebrate initiatives like the Old Vine Project side by side.

The curators added: “We included incredible heritage wines from the Tabernacle, arguably South Africa’s most famous rare wine vault, and with the help of Amorim Cork, the world’s leading cork supplier, we have re-corked all older vintage wines on auction this year, with fresh new Amorim NDTech corks, under strictly controlled and certified processes ”

Paying homage to the heritage of the event, Nederburg has its renowned Edelkeurs on offer, from 1979. Günter Brözel, Nederburg’s cellarmaster for 33 years until his retirement in 1989, was the creator of the famous Nederburg Edelkeur; the auction its only point of sale since its inception in 1975.

Fundamentally an exercise in showcasing the value of Cape wine, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will be executed by the international auction house, Christie’s. Facilitating the international reach of the auction, Christie's has included a South African ‘super lot’ in their Fine & Rare Wine Auction later this year in London, followed by a similar offer in Hong Kong in 2020. This will ensure international exposure and set the tone befitting the competitive quality and history of South African wine.

The two-day event will open with a pre-tasting at the Rupert Museum on the 18th of October. A charitable auction on Saturday, 19th October, will be preceded by the main auction. For a full list of the wine on auction, please click here.

If you are interested in attending this exclusive wine event, please register your interest as a buyer on the auction website at www.CapeFineRareWine.Auction. Those unable to attend, but still looking to bid can do so by phone, proxy or mandate bidding.

Keep up to date with all auction news and events by following The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction on Twitter @CapeFineWineAuc Instagram: @CapeFineRareWineAuction Facebook: Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction.

Submissions are now open for the 2019 Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction, previously presented as the Nederburg Auction since 1975.

This is an exciting chapter in the South African wine auction landscape and brings a new focus, format, selection process and venue for a truly industry-led auction, centred around the high expectations of today’s wine enthusiasts, investors, collectors and producers.

The selection process has been rigorously debated by world-renowned judges, critics and influencers to ensure that the process aligns with other respected international wine auctions. Collectively they have shaped both the auction platform and the fine and rare wine industry. The final wine line-up will be strictly curated by a panel of expert judges, who are tasked with creating one of the most impressive wine-line-ups in the Auctions history. Strict criteria and absolute focus on quality, fine and rare wines with proven provenance and demand will guarantee that buyers can bid on highly collectable wines with confidence.

All South African producers are invited to submit their finest and rarest provenanced wines by the entry deadline, Tuesday 21 May 2019.

The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction has also partnered with Amorim Corks to offer a recorking service to any producer wanting to submit older vintage wines. The recorking would typically be for wines that are 25 to 30 years and older. The process will be overseen by the producer and a recorking certificate issued. This is an important step in protecting our heritage wines and ensuring lasting legacies.

After 44 years at Nederburg in Paarl, the auction is moving to arguably one of South Africa’s most important homes for contemporary South African art, the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch. The venue and auction create the perfect synergy between the South African visual arts, the art of winemaking and their shared purpose of promoting and curating heritage South African art in all forms.

The new venue allows the auction to be completely business-focussed as space and tickets will be limited to serious buyers only. Although icon wines are the main focus, guests can expect a fun-filled event with world-class wines, cuisine and excellent networking opportunities in a relaxed environment.

In addition to the South African auction, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction has partnered with British auction house Christies to provide a Superlot at their London sale towards the end of this year. The Superlot’s will be rolled out to other major centres in a phased approach and will be selected by specialists in each region. Wines will only be selected from producers participating in the SA auction.

If you’re interested in participating and haven’t received an invitation to enter your wines, please contact the Auction Office on JLSmith@libertasvineyards.co.zaor 021 809 7740. The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will be held at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch on Friday 18thand Saturday 19thOctober 2019.

The historic Nederburg Auction launched in 1975, has entered an exciting new chapter by evolving into the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction which will be held in October this year.

The strategic move is in line with Distell’s new premium and fine wine company, Libertas Vineyards and Estates, whose purpose is to support and drive the upselling and premiumisation of South African wine on the global stage.

CEO of Libertas Vineyards and Estates, Kay Nash, says the collective vision is to build an industry platform widening world wide access to South African fine wines and by doing so escalate the desirability and collectability of these wines.

“In order to achieve this, we believe that the auction can be a catalyst for change. By growing an industry platform for fine wine producers and leveraging our 44 years of experience and investment we will collectively raise interest in South African fine and rare wines and attract existing, and new local and global buyers.”

“Collectors and investors are increasingly seeking out wines that have a story and a strong connection to a particular place or vineyard. They seek rarity, quality and provenance which the line-up of fine and rare wines will certainly deliver on.”

The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will introduce exciting changes, including moving from Nederburg to the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch and a new selection process and format. The final wine selection will be curated by a panel of expert judges with strict criteria focussing on quality, rarity and collectability as the main drivers. Philanthropy will remain a key element of the auctions DNA and focus for all the stakeholders.

The Auction will also collaborate with British Auction House Christie’s, by introducing a Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction Superlot at their Fine and Rare Wine Auction held in London later this year.

“This platform will provide participating South African producers significant exposure to new buyers and by partnering with Christie’s, we will benefit from their expertise and gravitas in the category and plan to build our presence at global events in a phased approach.“

To ensure the Auction delivers a platform that is inclusive and transparent, significant input has been sought from industry influencers, leaders and buyers. Nash says “the response has been inspiring.”

“In April we hosted a group of individuals, some who have and some who have never participated in the Nederburg Auction before, to provide input for the new format. The feedback has been constructive and extremely positive.”

“The change is all about collaboration and inclusivity. We will continue to work together with the producers, industry and buyers to deliver success for all stakeholders.

“We anticipate that the producers represented at the new format Auction will be diverse and the changed selection criteria and reinvented fundamental ethos of the Auction will encourage participation by South Africa’s finest producers.”The Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction will take place on 18 and 19 October at the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch. Tickets will be by invitation and we encourage potential buyers to contact the Auction Office on 021 809 7740 to register their interest.