With online submissions already open to the wine industry’s premier wine platform, the Auction committee is inviting all local wine producers to reach into the backs of their cellars and submit those rare, exclusive gems to the panel, which includes no less than three Masters of Wine (MW) and collectively represent finely honed judging palates from Australia, the UK and of course South Africa. “A razor sharp focus on quality and rarity sees the 2013 Nederburg Auction aiming to offer smaller lots of wines that are true pockets of excellence for buyers,” says Auction Manager Dalene Steyn. “With this in mind, international judges have been invited to be part of the panel to ensure that wines chosen transcend borders and also offer global appeal, particularly for prospective private buyers.” South Africa’s Cathy van Zyl MW, British-born Richard Kershaw MW, now based in South Africa, and UK-based Greg Sherwood MW, will judge alongside London-based award-winning wine writer, Jamie Goode, currently wine columnist with UK national newspaper The Sunday Express and Fiona McDonald, a trained journalist and judge and jury president at various international wine competitions, amongst them, the International Wine Challenge, International Wine & Spirit Competition, Decanter World Wine Awards and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Roland Peens from Wine Cellar – South Africa’s foremost importer of fine wines – together with sommeliers Jörg Pfutzner and David Clarke, who hails from Australia, complete this heavyweight, highly experienced selection team. “From a buyer perspective, we are working to increase the private buyer category, particularly from an investment point of view and therefore naturally are keen to offer a showcase of absolutely exclusive, icon wines,” says Dalene. “This is a golden opportunity for South African producers to impress at an international level, with wines that are age-worthy and not available anywhere else. This ensures rarity and significantly contributes to the success of a fine wine auction that represents the cream of the South African industry.” Online submissions are open until 22 February 2013 – click here. For further information, including details on the submission guidelines and the selection process, contact Murdo Dreyer on 021 809 7203 or e-mail info@nederburgauction.co.za.