The annual Cape Winemakers Guild Auction showcases rare and unique wines produced in small quantities exclusively for the auction by the members of the Guild. The wines have undergone rigorous screening by an independent laboratory before being tasted blind and selected by specialist panels of Guild members.
2025 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction
VENUE: Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West
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
The Cape Winemakers Guild Online Protégé Auction
21 August – 6 October 2025
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.
Since its inception in 2006, the Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme has established itself as the South African wine industry’s most successful skills development programme. During the course of the programme, Protégés are assigned mentors from among the Cape Winemakers Guild members. They spend every year working alongside a different mentor to gain as much experience as possible.
So far, 38 protégés have completed the three-year internship, ten are currently participating in this ongoing programme, and 22 now either hold leading winemaking roles or have their own winemaking projects.
CWG Protégés 2025
Past Auctions
2024 Key Highlights
- 40 years of the Auction: First held in 1985.
- 48 wines (28 red, 20 white) went under the hammer.
- 101 bidders successfully secured lots.
- 55% of sales were to South African bidders, with 28% going to the UK.
- Bidders from 13 countries, including Germany, Canada, and Singapore.
- R45,000 per case: The Mullineux Swartland ‘The Gris’ Old Vines Sémillon 2023 set a new record for white wines.
- Total sales: 2,118 cases (6 x 750ml) at an average of R1,309 per bottle.
- Gourmet delights and rare wine tastings enhanced the in-person experience.
- Top-performing wines included Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2021, Savage Wines Auction Syrah 2022, and Boschkloof CWG Epilogue Syrah 2022.
The auction was facilitated by Strauss & Co, achieving a “white glove” sale, with all 545 lots sold.
“This year’s record-breaking auction is a testament to the Cape Winemakers Guild’s dedication to excellence. Our members’ rare and unique wines continue to captivate local and international wine enthusiasts.”
– Samantha O’Keefe, Chair of the Cape Winemakers Guild
