This amount – together with the R88 million that has been raised since the first auction was held in 2014 – means that the wine charity auction has amassed a staggering R105 million since its inception!
Top lots this year included eight Gift of the Giving lots which went for a combined amount of just under R4 million; a VIP experience in California’s Napa Valley Wine Country, courtesy Vilafonté, which was sold for R1,1 million; a seven-day sailing expedition for eight in Indonesia, which also sold for R1,1 million and three pieces of work from internationally acclaimed South African sculptor Anton Smit's Agapé Effervescent series which went to the highest bidder - again for R1,1 million.
Other highly-contested lots included accommodation for six guests for three at a private villa at Ellerman house as well as dinner with Dom Perignon and FYN on top of Table Mountain with chef Peter Tempelhoff, and a unique Lionel Smit print - all for R900,000; and a once in a lifetime drive experience on ice, at the Jaguar Land Rover Ice Academy in Arjeplog, which lies at the very edge of the Arctic Circle, which sold for R600 000.
In the words of Cape Wine Auction Trust chairman, Raymond Ndlovu, “The seventh edition of the annual Cape Wine Auction event affirmed our collective belief that this is a unique oasis of hope and inspiration for the future of the Cape Winelands, in particular, and our beloved nation as a whole. We are truly humbled by and grateful for the overwhelming generosity of all our bidders and donors, yet again. Thank you, siyabonga, baie dankie”.
Dominique Enthoven, Wendy Appelbaum, Greg Sherwood, Raymond Ndlovu, Iain Banner, Niclas Kjelstrom-Matseke, Mike Ratcliffe, Paul Cluver & Ken Kinsey-Quick
Adds Darielle Robertson, director of The Cape Wine Auction: “It was a very special two days and we were delighted to have people like Ryk Neethling, Minnie Dlamini and David Higgs - who designed the menu for the Saturday night dinner - join us. The guests on both nights were remarkably generous and helped us reach that R100 million mark we were aiming for. We are extremely proud of the fact that the money raised will support our education partners so they can continue with their important work to make meaningful and tangible differences in the careers of all the young learners.”
The 2020 auction kicked off with the Friday Night Auction Valentine’s Day at Boschendal's Werf Restaurant, where guests could bid for 12 once-in-a-lifetime weekend winemaker/owner experiences with some of South Africa’s top wineries. This was followed by the main event, the Cape Wine Auction, which took place on Saturday, February 15, at The Olive Press on the Boschendal estate.
The idea for the auction was conceived seven years ago when founding trustee, Mike Ratcliffe was inspired by a trip to Auction Napa Valley in the US, a wine auction with the mandate of subsidising health costs.
Back in South Africa he was joined by a powerhouse group of trustees – which now include Raymond Ndlovu (Chairman), Paul Cluver (Deputy Chairman), Wendy Appelbaum, Ken Kinsey-Quick, Iain Banner, Niclas Kjelstrom-Matseke and Dominique Enthoven – and the dream of making a real difference soon became a reality. The CWA trustees instituted a unique model of distribution for the auction proceeds, with greater collaboration amongst the organisations who receive assistance, to optimise productivity and efficiencies by eliminating duplication and concentrating on key areas of expertise.
Says Nedbank Private Wealth Head: Coastal Region, Richard Mulholland: “We are thrilled to have had the privilege of sponsoring The Cape Wine Auction for the past four years. As a business, we are committed to supporting the philanthropic sector in South Africa, and this sponsorship is just one of the ways in which we help enable sustainable giving that has a long-term impact. As part of our specialist wealth management advisory services we also provide our clients with expert advice on how to leave a lasting legacy; in fact, we have received international recognition for our philanthropic advice. Being part of an event like The Cape Wine Auction, that harnesses the power of doing good to transform education, is therefore a great honour.”
#wineforgood
MORE ON WINEFORGOOD
There are plenty of good news stories about upliftment and transformation in the South African Wine Industry. This #wineforgood website, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, hosts all the positive stories from the winelands, of which there are plenty. wine.co.za has made April a focus for #wineforgood stories
Please share your stories with us and share these stories with the rest of the world.
Email editor@wine.co.za