Anticipation for the 41st Cape Winemakers Guild Auction is mounting, as a fantastic selection of 48 auction wines has been finalised. This year, wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to bid on 30 red wines, 17 white wines and one exciting first-ever addition to the line-up.
Taking place on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 October 2025 at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction showcases rare and unique wines produced in small quantities exclusively for the auction.
This year, 48 wines will be up for auction, comprising 30 red wines, 17 white wines and, for the first time ever, a pale dry. Bidders will have the opportunity to bid on a total of 692 cases of white wine, 1,188 cases of red, and 32 cases of pale dry.
As always, the red and white wine cases comprise 6 x 750ml bottles, while the pale dry is available in cases of 6 x 500ml. All the wines will be offered on both days.
The breakdown of wines by type is as follows:
| Pale Dry | 1 |
| Bordeaux-Style Red Blends | 5 |
| Cabernet Franc | 1 |
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 5 |
| Carignan | 1 |
| Grenache Noir | 1 |
| Non-Bordeaux Style Red Blends | 2 |
| Pinot Noir | 6 |
| Pinotage | 2 |
| Syrah / Shiraz | 6 |
| Tempranillo | 1 |
| Chardonnay | 7 |
| Chenin Blanc | 4 |
| MCC | 3 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 1 |
| Semillon Gris | 1 |
| White Blend | 1 |
| Total: | 48 |
Some highlights to look forward to, include:
- The first-ever Pale Dry on the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction made by Adi Badenhorst: The Saldanha Wine & Spirit Co. Saldanha Pale Dry SEA, SALT, SAND AND WIND N.V. (500ml)
- The first-ever 100% Carignan on the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction, also made by Adi Badenhorst: AA Badenhorst Family Wines Out of the Strong Comes Forth Freshness 2024
- Kevin Grant’s first Pinot Noir on Auction: Ataraxia “Sympathy for the Pinot” Pinot Noir 2024
- The first Auction wine under Abrie Beeslaar’s own label: Beeslaar CWG Pinotage 2023
- The first Auction wine under Carl Schultz’s own label: Solo Wines Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2023
- Following on from his successful Teen Die Hoog Shiraz, a new Shiraz from David Nieuwoudt: Cederberg Black Slate Shiraz 2023
- The first red wine on Auction for JD Pretorius: Warwick Auction Cabernet Franc – Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- A first brut nature Cap Classique from John Loubser: Silverthorn ‘Mad as the Mist and Snow’ Brut Nature Cap Classique 2019
- John Seccombe’s first wine on the CWG Auction: Thorne & Daughters Sand Castles 2024 (Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc blend)
- Hannes Storm’s first wines on the CWG Auction: Storm Wines Bokkeveld Shale Pinot Noir 2023 and Storm Wines Bokkeveld Shale Chardonnay 2023
- Dewaldt Heyns’s first Chenin Blanc on auction: Dewaldt Heyns Family Wines CWG Chenin Blanc Reserve 2024
- Frans Smit’s first Auction wine under his own label: Frans K. Smit Lamed 2021
“Once again, Guild members have raised the bar for winemaking excellence in South Africa and beyond,” says Samantha O’Keefe, Cape Winemakers Guild Chair. “We feel truly honoured to present these wines on auction and believe that they will add value to the collections, cellars and tables they grace.”
A full list of the 2025 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines can be found here.
Selection process
All wines are exclusively produced for the auction by members of the Cape Winemakers Guild and undergo a rigorous selection process.
Before wines are put forward for the Auction Selection Tasting by specialist panels of Cape Winemakers Guild members, they are checked by an independent laboratory to ensure optimal health and quality. During selection tastings, wines are grouped by varietal / blend and tasted blind by small, focused panels of members familiar with those wines/varietals. Each panel consists of either 4 or 6 members and a Panel Chairman.
Auction details
The Cape Winemakers Guild Auction is facilitated by Strauss & Co. The following auctioneers have been confirmed for the event:
How to Buy on the Auction:
- To bid on the Auction, bidders will need to create a bidder’s account.
- Once a bidding account has been created, bidders can register to bid on the Strauss and Co website from Thursday, 21 August 2025.
The auction will also be hosted online by Strauss & Co, giving those who cannot attend in person the opportunity to bid online in real-time via the Strauss & Co website, by telephone or commission bid.
Read our comprehensive ‘Beginners Guide to the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction’.
Attend the Auction
The event is open to all who wish to experience the fun and excitement of the Auction at the Lord Charles Hotel in person. Tickets are available on Quicket:
The Friday Session (3 October from 12:30 to 20:00)
The Saturday session (4 October from 09:00 to 15:00)
Pre-auction tastings
In the run-up to the big event, there will be various opportunities to taste the 2025 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines.
- 26 August: Pretoria Country Club Tutored Tasting
- 26 August: Cape Winemakers Guild Dinner, Pretoria Country Club (tickets are limited!)
- 27 August: Cape Winemakers Guild Pre-Auction Tasting, Strauss & Co in Houghton
- 3 October: Final Pre-Auction Tasting, Lord Charles Hotel
- 3 October: Cape Winemakers Guild Long Table – Bottle Share Dinner, Lord Charles Hotel
Protégé Auction
The annual Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme Auction – a sister event of the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction – will be taking place virtually on the Strauss & Co website from Thursday, 21 August until 6 pm on Monday, 6 October.
Coveted auction lots include unique collections, rare verticals and tasting experiences with Guild members, as well as wines made by this year’s graduating Protégés. All proceeds are channelled back into supporting the protégés.
