Cape Winemakers Guild

Stellenbosch – The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) has launched 2023 on a high note by welcoming three new members and three new protégés into the fold. Reenen Borman from Boschkloof Wines, Christo le Riche from Le Riche Wines and Hannes Storm from Storm Wines are entering the guild as members, while Tholakele Tania Bekwayo, Karabelo […]

With lower-than-average rainfall, skyrocketing consumer costs and load shedding schedules ranging between Stages 4 and 6, the 2023 harvest has been particularly challenging for South African winemakers. However, as the old Afrikaans adage, “‘n Boer maak ‘n plan” (a farmer makes a plan) suggests, seeking solutions and focusing on innovative ways to navigate difficult circumstances […]

Two of the top 4 wines at this year’s Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction were white wines, incidentally produced by leading female winemakers Samantha O’Keefe of Lismore Estate Vineyards and Andrea Mullineux. The Lismore Valkyrie Chardonnay 2021 from Greyton reached an average of R1,743 per bottle while the Mullineux Trifecta Chenin Blanc 2020 from […]

When it comes to guild members, their previous career and study choices – from architect David Trafford to geologists Gary Jordan and Miles Mossop and zoology graduate Kevin Grant – are as varied as the appellations and settings in which they craft their award-winning wines. Heading the list of interesting locations is the unconventional yet […]

The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) concludes 2021 on a high note, welcoming Alex Starey, Erika Obermeyer and Richard Kershaw as new Guild Members and Shanice du Preez and Mosima Mabelebele to the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme. The admission of these highly accomplished winemakers to the Guild and dynamic young winemakers entering the Protégé Programme, […]

In an era of online auctions forced by Covid19 and fuelled by the demand for exceptional South African wines,  this weekend saw the 37th Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Auction and its Protégé Programme Charity Auction raise a collective sum of R10 411 000. Not only have buyers worldwide invested in the future of the South […]

“It’s time I was on my way Thanks to you I’m much obliged For such a pleasant stay.” Jacques Borman (Boschkloof) quotes Led Zeppelin in the 2021 Nedbank CWG Auction catalogue as he takes the final bow this year with Jeff Grier (Villiera) and Jeremy Walker (Grangehurst) as Members of the Cape Winemakers Guild. These […]

A relationship with quality wine is like a good friendship. There is never a dull moment and the more quality time invested in the relationship, the more you learn to understand and respect the delicate nuances. Plus, of course, your life is enriched because of it. As challenging and stringent the parameters of lockdown were […]

Oaked, or unoaked, that is always the question, layered with a myriad of answers to help winemakers reach their intended flavour and structural destination. A maturation cellar stacked with oak barrels is a quintessential image that awaits you when visiting a wine estate. Just imagine the sweet-musty smell of an old cellar, the coolness and […]

I clearly remember my first Nedbank CWG pre-auction tasting 15 years ago; the anticipation building as guests arrive in the tasting hall and the chattering growing louder as the room fills up with key role players in the wine industry. And then, as everyone took their seats, the room turned silent for the tasting to […]

The intimate understanding of terroir begs the empathetic question: Do people care? Why break your head over sublayers of limestone if you know where to find a Chardonnay that consistently delivers on a creamy, citrusy mouthfeel? Or why be bothered about the amount of clay present in a vineyard site if you have a go-to […]