The Cape Winemakers Guild celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Founded by eight independent winemakers, its objective was (and remains) to pool members’ resources and knowledge in order to craft great South African wines capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
Five of the founding members, Kevin Arnold, Jan Boland Coetzee, Etienne le Riche, Peter Finlayson and Braam van Velden remain active members of the Guild, whose number has now swollen to 45 of South Africa’s finest (pictured).
Every year, each member is invited to submit rare limited edition wines (distinct from those offered under the winemakers’ regular labels) exclusively for the CWG’s annual auction. There is additionally a fundraising “silent auction” for the benefit of the Nedbank CWG Development Trust. The 28th annual Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction takes place on Saturday, 6 October 2012 at 09h00 at Spier Conference Centre in the Stellenbosch Winelands.
To enable UK buyers to taste the 2012 auction wines, a Guild tasting and dinner will be held on Wednesday, 5 September at London’s High Timber Restaurant (which is co-owned by Guild member Gary Jordan and Neleen Strauss). For further information, on the High Timber event contact Neleen Strauss at High Timber - (neleen@hightimber.com).
Later that week, for the third year in a row, one of the UK’s most enthusiastic bidders, Paul Plant (a private collector) will also host pre-auction dinners and tastings (with a raffle and auction to raise funds for the Guild’s Protégé Programme). These events, which will be presented by Guild member Niels Verburg, take place at Michelin-starred restaurants Galvin La Chapelle (Friday, 7 September) and Auberge du Lac, Brocket Hall (Saturday 8 September). For further information contact Paul Plant at paulp@radicleconsulting.com.
Posted Friday 10th August 2012
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