Top women winemakers raise R32 000 for the Hospice at Nederburg Auction

Tuesday, 13 April, 2004
Jeremy Nel
The femine touch holds immense appeal
To mark the contribution that women winemakers have made to the wine industry internationally, Norma Ratcliffe who celebrates 40 years at Warwick Estate this year assembled a feminine wine trilogy with a collection of her own South African wines, those of Zelma Long of California and this years guest speaker May de Lencquesaing, from France.

Norma donated her La Femme Bleue Cabernet Sauvignon 1984, the Warwick CWG Cabernet Franc 1999, Warwick Trilogy 1998 and Warwick Three Cape Ladies 1998.

Zelma Long, the first woman winemaker in California and 2001 Nederburg Auction guest speaker, donated the Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 1974, Simi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 1990, Long Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 1997 and Long Vineyards 25th Anniversary Chardonnay 2001.

May de Lencquesaing from Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Bordeaux, donated four vintages 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997 from her estate, which completed the stunning collectors trilogy.

When the hammer finally fell, the price for this item was set at R 20 000, successfully bid for by Petr Stary of Solvakia.

In addition, as is customary for the guest speaker at each auction, May de Lencquesaing donated a double magnum of Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1995 which fetched R 12 000, purchased by James Browne of Hartenberg. In total, these 3 ladies generated a total of R 32 000 for the the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa, which goes to show that the feminine touch holds immense appeal.

Issued by: Jeremy Nel, Cowley Nel & Associates
Tel: +27 (0) 21 702-3436
Email: luxurybrands@iafrica.com