One-of-a-kind winemaker experiences for Friday night auction ahead of Cape Wine Auction

Tuesday, 11 February, 2020
Cape Wine Auction
In a departure from the traditional Friday Night Barrel Auction - the usual precursor to the main event, The Cape Wine Auction which is held the following day - this year will see the Friday evening take the form of 12 once-in-a-lifetime weekend winemaker/owner experiences with some of South Africa’s top wineries on offer to the highest bidder.

Set to take place in the evening on Friday, February 14, in the private setting of Die Werf Restaurant at the Boschendal Estate, guests will be treated to a sumptuous dinner courtesy of leading chef Allistaire Lawrence while enjoying live music and the relaxed atmosphere of the Boschendal Market.

Some of the unique lots that guests will be able to bid for include:

  • A weekend getaway for two couples at the luxury private family residence, Grace House, located on the Graham Beck Estate in Robertson with a private dinner, master class tasting and benchmark session with “Mr Bubbles” himself Pieter Ferreira.
  • Two-night stay for two couples at Boschendal’s luxury tented camp which is due to open in March. The all-inclusive stay also offers outdoor yoga, guided hikes, swimming, farm and vineyard tours, a tutored tasting of Boschendal’s MCCs and a gift pack for both couples.
  • Two nights’ accommodation at Mont d’Or Franschhoek with dinners prepared by Chef Nic van Wyk and winemaker Wynand Grobler presenting the De Kleine Wijn Wines. Cricket legend and Protea captain Faf du Plessis will join the dinners to speak about his love for wine and how he became a partner in the business.

More exciting and once-in-a-lifetime lots include weekends away at Jordan Wine Estate; Benguela Cove Lagoon; Oldenburg Homestead in the company of Merlot; two nights for four people with Deetlefs Wine Estate at the Aquila Private Game Reserve; two nights’ at Mont d’Or in Franschhoek with De Kleine Wijn Koöp and winemaker Wynand Grobler; two nights’ at Cherry Glamping and an exclusive dinner prepared by SALT at Paul Cluver Wines; two nights for four at the magical Majeka House with a five-course dinner; two nights for two couples in Tokara’s Vineyard Apartment with dinner at Tokara's fine dining restaurant; from Kanonkop - dinner for four at Eike hosted by chef Bertus Basson, a private VIP tutored tasting at  Kanonkop and luxury accommodation in Stellenbosch; a weekend for four at Plaisir de Merle staying in the historic Manor House.

Graham Beck Tasting

Says Cape Wine Auction director Darielle Robertson: “These 12 experiences really are unique opportunities to spend time with the wine owners and winemakers, enjoy their farms and estates, their wines and food prepared by acclaimed chefs., so we expect the bidding to be fierce but friendly, and we hope to raise as much as possible for such a worthy cause.”

One hundred percent of all proceeds raised at both the Friday Night Auction and the Cape Wine Auction - sponsored by Nedbank Private Wealth - will go to 24 carefully selected beneficiaries who all make a profound impact on the education and lives of children in the Cape winelands.