“We are
celebrating 40 years of artistry,” says Nederburg Auction business manager
Dalene Steyn. “Not only is it an appropriate tribute to the endeavours of South
African winemakers over the years to improve their wines, it is also an
opportunity to commemorate the link between the auction’s establishment in 1975
and Edelkeur, the raison d’être for
the Nederburg Auction.”
More
than four decades ago, an extraordinary few weeks in the spring of 1968 set the
Nederburg Auction on its course. Rain, followed by an unexpected week of
sunshine and dehydrating wind set up vineyards for potential disaster as rot
started running rampant through vineyards.
But
throughout this time, Nederburg cellarmaster Günter Brözel sensed opportunity. He
retired to his cellar to create a wine that could not exist but for this
particular set of circumstances: Edelkeur. The wine that launched the Nederburg Auction.
Brözel always carefully qualifies this contribution to
South African wine. First, he says, you need balance. In art, in wine, as in
life and birth, only when all elements are in balance, can artists ply their
craft, can great creations manifest. And such creations, he said, deserved a
special sales platform – the Nederburg Auction.
Back then, four other producers shared his view and
agreed to put forth their finest, their most extraordinary, to be sold on
auction: Delheim, Overgaauw, Groot Constantia and Simonsig. From the start, the
Auction was an expression of excellence, the very product of balance: of
artistry in the vineyard, of thoughtful care in the cellar, of pure genius in
marketing. In line with Brözel’s vision, it would also in years to come serve
as an incentive for higher wine standards in South Africa and created a
platform for the fairer distribution of rare wines.
Steyn comments: “The 2014 Nederburg Auction pays
homage to the artists that over the past 40 years have continued to pursue this
coveted balance. Year after year, their masterpieces have been carefully selected
to represent the most collectable, and presented on a platform equally
carefully maintained to be a showcase worthy of such art.”
Over time, the Nederburg Auction has grown from just
five to more than a hundred top South African producers participating in what
has become the yardstick for premium wine, annually attracting buyers from
across the country – and indeed the world – in search of excellence. For more
information and the complete list of wines visit www.nederburgauction.co.za
DID YOU KNOW?
The Nederburg Auction:
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Is recognised as one of the
world’s five major wine auctions, alongside the auctions of Hospice de Beaune
in France and Kloster Eberbach in Germany.
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Offers quality, fine wines
that are often only available in limited quantities and not on the open market.
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Structures its lots to
afford buyers the flexibility of purchasing wines according to their individual
volume requirements.
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Encourages greater wine
standards.
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Aims to develop an
awareness of South African wine.
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Is committed to providing a
credible, industry-focused platform for ensuring a fair distribution of fine,
rare wines.
THEN (1975)
The Nederburg Auction’s establishment
is inextricably linked with Nederburg’s signature dessert wine, Edelkeur,
pioneered and created by Günter Brözel, Nederburg's
cellarmaster for 33 years until his retirement in 1989.
At the first auction in 1975, the 1973 and 1974
vintages of the Nederburg Edelkeur were auctioned alongside wines from Delheim,
Groot Constantia, Simonsig and Overgaauw. The average price per case achieved
for the collection of 15 wines sold was R19.21.
NOW (2014)
The 2014 collection comprises of 62 red wines (8734.50 litres), 29 white
wines (2542.50 litres), one semi-sweet white wine (45 litres), eight dessert
wines (301.50 litres), seven fortified wines (371.25 litres) and five Ports
(184.50 litres).