The CAPE WINE AUCTION Barrel Auction is part of the highly anticipated Cape Wine Auction. It offers oenophiles and serious wine collectors the opportunity to own truly one-of-a-kind wines. At the same time, it gives back to the wine community.
Once again this year, some of the Cape’s top winemakers have made their most exclusive vintage wines available. These are never-before-offered selections. They are guaranteed to excite any wine aficionado.
The exclusive event takes place on Saturday, February 7 at 10h00. The venue is the iconic Nederburg Wine Estate.
Among the exceptional offerings are a Shiraz from South African Wine Producer of the Year 2024, Cederberg Wines. There is also a Cabernet Sauvignon from this year’s host, Nederburg. Other highlights include the award-winning Creation Emma’s Pinot Noir 2023 – Daddy’s Girl and the iconic Warwick Blue Lady Cabernet Sauvignon.
CAPE WINE AUCTION Barrel Highlights from South Africa’s Top Producers
There are some truly exciting lots on offer.
Nederburg, host of this year’s CAPE WINE AUCTION, has been crafting wine for an uninterrupted 235 years. Private Bin Two Centuries is the winery’s highest tier. It represents the pinnacle of its winemaking. This specialty small-batch wine was matured in 100% new French oak barrels for 29 months before final assemblage.
From Spier comes the Creative Block 5 2022. It is a Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Grapes from different vineyard blocks are carefully selected and combined. Since launching in 2009, the range has become Spier’s most awarded collection. Creative Block 5 alone has earned an unprecedented 65 awards.
Named South African Wine Producer of the Year 2024 by the International Wine & Spirits Competition, Cederberg Wines brings its acclaimed Cederberg Shiraz 2018 to the auction.
De Wetshof is South Africa’s pioneering House of Chardonnay. It presents the De Wetshof Chardonnay Block 17 2024. The barrel represents part of the country’s Chardonnay legacy. It also contains a superlative wine.
From Domaine Des Dieux comes the Rosé Cap Classique 2016. It is a classical blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A soft mousse supports gracefully evolved fruit from extensive lees ageing.
Wines from Distinctive Vineyard Sites
The Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2024 originates from vineyard sites in the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. It expresses a cool maritime climate. The wine shows a classic style through natural fermentation and oak maturation.
Glen Carlou sources its Quartz Stone Chardonnay 2024 from quartz-rich soils. Cellarmaster Johnnie Calitz describes high aroma concentration with citrus, white peach, subtle spice, and toast. The palate delivers lime, lemon, green apple, and stone fruit. A fine mineral line reflects the quartz soils. The wine finishes long and shows an ageing potential of 12 to 15 years.
Rijk’s Wine Estate crafts its Auction Reserve Pinotage 2019 from a single exceptional barrel drawn from the estate’s oldest Pinotage blocks. The team performed three punch-downs per day. They matured the wine in new French oak for 22 months.
Creation Wines produces Emma’s Pinot Noir 2023 – Daddy’s Girl on the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. Cellarmaster JC Martin created the wine in collaboration with his daughter. The wine expresses its site clearly. In 2024, it earned the title of World’s Best Vineyards Continent Winner (Africa) and placed third overall globally.
Anthony Hamilton Russell founded Ashbourne in 1996 as a small Pinotage specialist. The estate occupies a 64-hectare property in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. Ashbourne has donated its Pinotage 2023 to the barrel auction.
De Grendel produces the Sir David Graaff 2017 First Baronet of Cape Town as a distinguished blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. The winery matured the wine in new French oak for 22 months. The wine will evolve gracefully for decades.
Warwick Estate produced The Blue Lady Cabernet Sauvignon for the first time in 1984. Pioneering winemaker Norma Ratcliffe created the wine. It represents more than four decades of dedication to Cabernet Sauvignon. The estate offers the 2023 vintage, now an icon of Stellenbosch winemaking.
CAPE WINE AUCTION: Wine with Purpose
Says Cape Wine Auction chairperson Paul Clüver:
“We are delighted with the wines on offer this year. Bidding will be hotly contested. Wine lovers will challenge each other for a rare opportunity to own a masterpiece of South African winemaking. The biggest winners, however, will be the trusts that benefit from the funds raised.”
The CAPE WINE AUCTION, in partnership with Heineken, is one of the most significant international charity auctions in South Africa. It unites the wine industry around a single goal. That goal is raising money for education in the Cape Winelands.
Since its inception in 2014, the auction has raised more than R135 million to support education in the region.
Tickets and Experiences
For those wishing to attend the CAPE WINE AUCTION and its associated events, several ticket options are available.
Morning Barrel Auction Ticket (R3150pp) includes:
- Access to the exclusive Morning Barrel Auction
- Brunch
- Entry to The Celebration from 15h00
- Commemorative wine glass
- Two glasses of wine and two cocktails
- Access to food stalls or pre-booked picnics
The Celebration Ticket (R650pp) includes:
- Entry to The Celebration
- Commemorative wine glass
- Two glasses of wine and two cocktails
- Access to food stalls or pre-booked picnics
An all-inclusive Experience Ticket offers VIP access from the first barrel tasting to the final toast. It includes access to a private hospitality area with food and drinks. Tickets are by invitation only. To request an invite, email Darielle Robertson at darielle@thecapewineauction.com.
All other tickets are available through Webtickets.
