TOTAL SALES at the 2018 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction amounted to over R10-million for 2012 cases (6 x 750ml or equivalent), with the average prices of R5 265 per case and R878 per bottle exceeding what was achieved in 2017. The line-up of 48 wines included 31 reds, 14 whites, two Cap Classique sparkling wines and a Cape Port, with the red blend Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2015 fetching a new record high of R22 500 per case of six standard/750ml bottles – R3 750 per bottle!

Held at Spier in Stellenbosch, the auction attracted a total of 123 buyers (102 local and 21 foreign). As per usual, the local hospitality industry was well represented among the top buyers, with the purchases of Singita game reserves, the Tsogo Sun hotel group and the Marble Restaurant outside Pretoria collectively amounting to just over R2-million.

For all of the top prices paid, see below for the averages – all 750ml bottles unless stated otherwise. For the full results and more information about the auction, contact the Cape Winemakers Guild.

TOP PRICES FOR RED WINES

Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2015 – R3 430 pb
300 bottles sold for over R1-million – Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Cellar

Boekenhoutskloof Auction Reserve Syrah 2016 – R1 777 pb
300 bottles sold for R533 200 – Franschhoek Cellar

Rijk’s CWG Pinotage 2015 – R1 611 pb
240 bottles sold for R386 800 – Tulbagh Cellar

Etienne le Riche Auction Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 – R1 549 pb
480 bottles sold for R743 600 – Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2016 – R1 448 pb
300 bottles sold for R434 400 – Simonsberg-Stellenbosch Cellar

Rust en Vrede CWG Auction Estate 2015 – R2 546 per 1.5L
30 magnums sold for R76 400 – Helderberg Cellar, Stellenbosch

Newton Johnson Windansea Pinot Noir 2017 – R1 218 pb
144 bottles sold for R175 440 – Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Cellar, Walker Bay

Hartenberg CWG Auction Shiraz 2015 – R1 190 pb
288 bottles sold for R342 816 – Bottelary Cellar, Stellenbosch

TOP PRICES FOR WHITE WINES

Mullineux ‘The Gris’ Semillon 2017 – R942 pb
168 bottles sold for R158 396 – Riebeek Kasteel Cellar

Ataraxia Under the Gavel Chardonnay 2017 – R845 pb
240 bottles sold for R202 800 – Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Cellar, Walker Bay

Paul Cluver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2017 – R818 pb
240 bottles sold for R196 400 – Elgin Cellar

Jordan CWG Chardonnay 2017 – R795 pb
252 bottles sold for R200 382 – StellenboschKloof Cellar

TOP PRICES FOR SPARKLING WINES

Silverthorn Big Dog IV 2013 Cap Classique – R736 pb
252 bottles sold for R185 598 – Robertson Producer

Graham Beck Cuvée 105 ‘MGA’ Zero Dosage Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2009 Cap Classique – R708 pb
180 bottles sold for R127 590 – Robertson Cellar

TOP PRICE FOR CAPE PORT

Boplaas Cape Vintage Auction Reserve 2015 – R655 pb
216 bottles sold for R141 588 – Calitzdorp Cellar, Klein Karoo