Going once, going twice – the third Cape Wine Auction goes for R15 million
There are two things that the South African wine industry does well. One, we make exceptional wine (the best value fine wine in the world, in some opinions); and two – we sure know how to throw a party.
The 2016 AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction held true to both of these strengths when it broke its own record by raising R15 million to support education in the Cape winelands (last year the total was R10.5 million and, the year before that, R7 million). CLICK HERE for a video on how this money is spent.
Credit: CWA Facebook page
The auction aims to unite the industry around the common cause of education. This encapsulates everything from infant development to nutritional education, leadership academy and tertiary educational endowments.
The idea for the auction started brewing around a decade ago. Auction committee member Mike Ratcliffe saw that all other wine-related auction events had charity as a component, rather than a full cause. He thought to himself: “What if a pure charity play was launched?”
He was inspired by a number of international models, among them the Auction Napa Valley and the Hospices de Beaune – events that put the respective regions on the world map, drawing large amounts of international bidders.
It seems to be working. Of the 500 tickets to this year’s Cape Wine Auction, 200 of them were sold to overseas visitors, who all got to see another record being broken when a single bottle of wine sold for R1.3 million. The golden bottle? The Touch Warwick Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, which is a winemaking collaboration between TBo ‘Touch’ Molefe (Metro FM DJ and businessman) and Mike Ratcliffe (MD of Warwick Estate). (The lot also included a winelands golf tour.)
Another standout moment was when the Port2 Fino Lot went for R1.25 million. Sponsored by online wine and spirits retailer Port2Port, the lot included a one-week wine vacation for eight guests at Villa Montefino in Portofino, Italy.
Though – and this is important to highlight – the actual lots were secondary to the spirit of the day, luxurious window dressing to unite a cause. “We try everything in our power to disconnect the value from what people are bidding on,” explains Mike Ratcliffe. “You are here to give and if perchance you receive something nice in return that’s fantastic.”
In his opening address, wine writer Michael Fridjhon highlighted this: “… the buyers who are here in a spirit of generosity, not to purchase, but to give … embrace ubuntu, the fellowship of humankind, thereby enriching your own life and the lives of others.”
The event took place over two days. On the Friday evening it was the American Express Barrel Auction at Constantia Glen; and at Klein Constantia on Saturday was a showcase of some of the finest wine and food, and, of course, the main auction. The energetic crowd snapped up one-of-a-kind lots donated by local wine estates. These 40 curated wine experiences offered everything from making wine on the farm to private dinners with the country’s top chefs, helicopter rides and luxury holidays – and, quite literally, the best wine money can buy.
The Cape Wine Auction at Klein Constantia
13 February 2016
Klein Constantia Cap Classique and a farmer’s market kicked off proceedings from 11am on Saturday morning.
Credit: CWA Facebook page
The soundtrack to the day was incredible live local music. Credit: CWA Facebook page
The amazing moment when a bottle of wine – the Touch Warwick Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 – sold for R1. 3 million.
Credit: CWA Facebook page
And that, folks, is a wrap.
– Malu Lambert