The highest price per case, a new auction record of R6 000, was paid by a Belgian buyer for the Boekenhoutskloof Syrah Auction Reserve 2009. Alan Pick of The Butcher Shop and Grill was the biggest spender for the 10th consecutive year at R1.3 million.
Over 70% of the wine was bought by local buyers with a record R1.5 million spent by overseas bidders headed by the UK with R586 400 this year. Overseas bids came from the UK, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Namibia, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Netherlands and Canada.
"We got the balance right between the ratio of white and the red wines on offer this year and the great diversity of wines ensured keen bidding and interest from the floor right until the end. There was something for everyone with good value on offer, as buyers snatched up wines at competitive prices on the one hand, with the more sought-after collector's items fetching exceptionally good prices on the other," said Louis Strydom, chairman of the Cape Winemakers Guild.
The auction, conducted by Henré Hablutzel of Hofmeyr Mills Auctioneers for the 14th consecutive year, attracted 122 buyers this year including 19 from overseas with a total of 2 955 cases sold at an average price of R1 789 per case equivalent of 6 X 750 ml bottles. The line-up of 56 wines included 38 red wines, 13 white wines, 2 Méthode Cap Classiques, a dessert wine, a port and a potstill brandy.
Other top sellers included:
