Record-Breaking Success as Cape Winemakers Guild Celebrates 41 Years of Excellence and Craftsmanship

In a win for South African winemaking excellence, the 41st Cape Winemakers Guild Auction raised a record-breaking amount of R17 215 000 this past weekend. Taking place online and in-person at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West on Friday, 3 and Saturday, 4 October 2025, the hybrid event drew 258 registered bidders from 13 countries.

A total of 1 912 cases (6 x 750ml) were sold, with an average price of R1 501 per bottle, R1 419 for white wines and R1 550 for red wines.

Since its inception in 1985, the annual Cape Winemakers Guild Auction has provided wine enthusiasts and investors locally and abroad with the ideal platform to purchase rare and exclusive South African wines.

This year, 48 wines went under the hammer, comprising 17 white wines, 30 red wines, and for the first time ever, a pale dry. All wines were exclusively produced for the auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild and underwent a rigorous selection process.

Leading up to this annual South African wine industry calendar highlight, the 2025 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction lineup set a new benchmark for excellence with a record number of wines scoring 95 points or higher from leading wine critics. As always, bidders were enthusiastic to invest in this exclusive selection of superb South African wines.

Wines that fetched the highest price per case (6 x 750ml bottles) were: Andrea Mullineux’s Mullineux ‘The Gris’ Old Vine Sémillon 2024 (R25 000), Donovan Rall’s Rall Noa Syrah 2023 (R19 000), Samantha O’Keefe’s Lismore Estate Vineyards Valkyrie Chardonnay 2024 (R17 500), David Nieuwoudt’s Cederberg Black Slate Shiraz 2023 (R16 000) and Carl Schultz’s Solo Wines Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 (R15 000).

The top ten auction buyers comprised Bordeaux Index in the UK (top buyer for the third consecutive year), Southern Sun Hotels and Grootbos Private Nature Reserve from South Africa and SA Wineimport from Denmark, with local and international private collectors making up the balance.

There were a total of 87 successful bidders. 64% of sales went to South African bidders, with the balance of the wines going to overseas bidders, with 18% of total sales going to the UK.

Registered bidders hailed from far and wide, including Austria, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Switzerland, Taiwan and the UK.

Those attending in-person were treated to delicious snacks throughout, rare wines available for tasting and an all-around thrilling atmosphere.

Says Samantha O’Keefe, chair of the Cape Winemakers Guild: “We are thrilled with the record-breaking results of this year’s Cape Winemakers Guild Auction. It’s beyond gratifying to see our members’ dedication to creating rare and unique wines exclusively for the auction rewarded in the culmination of this vibrant event.”

“We are exceedingly proud of the way this pursuit of excellence continues to shape the South African winemaking landscape. I believe that the Cape Winemakers Guild founding members – including legendary Oom Jan Boland Coetzee, who passed away earlier this year – would be amazed by this incredible two-day event, which is even being streamed to wine-lovers across the globe in real time.”

The auction was facilitated by Strauss & Co, accepting online, telephone and live bids from trade and private buyers. “The robust bidding and pricing demonstrate the quality of the Cape Winemakers Guild wines and brand. And with increasing international and trade interest, this auction continues to drive South African fine wine,” comments Strauss & Co auctioneer and wine specialist, Roland Peens.

“ The pocket full of excellence that the Guild has shown to the market is astonishing,” says Susie Goodman, Strauss & Co executive director and auctioneer. “There is nothing like an auction with competitive bidding, a room full of bidders, strong new bidder action, bumper online action, and a global audience to make an auctioneer’s job such fun. Rounding it off with us selling all lots at 98 % of the high estimates and a ‘white glove’ auction. Congratulations to the Guild, the wine makers, their wines, and buyers who ultimately won the lots.”

Apart from these excellent results of the 41st Cape Winemakers Guild Auction, Cape Winemakers Guild members and member properties also raised R671 400 for the Protégé Programme this year through the auctioning of their wine donations and wine-related experiences in the annual Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Auction, which took place virtually on the Strauss & Co website between 21 August and 6 October 2025.

“Developing legacies is a cornerstone of the Strauss & Co vision, so to be able to support and give visibility to the incredible Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme is an easy fit. Tasting some of the Protégé wines this weekend affirmed that winemaking in this country has a bright future. This weekend was a highlight and honour for the Strauss & Co team to be involved in,” says Goodman.