AS IF it had been stage-managed! Just over a week after The Sadie Family was lauded for the umpteenth time as South Africa’s top cellar in the 2024 edition of Platter’s guide, the results of a poll conducted by Winemag.co.za and then of an auction by Strauss & Co served to confirm the status of the country’s No. 1 – Eben Sadie and his team based on the slopes of the Paardeberg outside Malmesbury in the Swartland.

At the Strauss & Co auction involving wines from the ‘Young Guns and New Wave Producers’, the following stood out as the only reds and whites to fetch over R2000 a bottle – prices including commissions and VAT.

Sadie Family Palladius 2017
White Blend, WO Swartland
R8208 (US$440) paid for 1×1.5L: R4104 / 750ml

Sadie Family Columella 2017
Red Blend, WO Swartland
R7622 (US$409) paid for 1×1.5L: R3811 / 750ml

Sadie Family Columella 2017
Red Blend, WO Swartland
R19 333 (US$1068) paid for 6×750ml: R3222 / 750ml

Sadie Family Palladius 2015
White Blend, WO Swartland
R18 760 (US$1006) paid for 6×750ml: R3127 / 750ml

Alheit Radio Lazarus 2017
Chenin Blanc, WO Bottelary-Stellenboch
R5863 (US$314) paid for 2×750ml: R2932 / 750ml

Sadie Family Mev Kirsten 2017
Chenin Blanc, WO Stellenbosch
R5863 (US$314) paid for 2×750ml: R2932 / 750ml