Cape Winemakers Guild Auction 2026: Quick Reference Summary of the Wines’ Critical Scores…

September 24, 2026 ~ Greg Sherwood MW ~ Leave a comment

The 2026 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction returns to Brickfield Canvas in Cape Town on Friday, 2nd October and Saturday, 3rd October 2026, offering rare, small-batch wines crafted exclusively for the sale by South Africa’s most respected, peer-nominated winemakers. For over four decades, this auction has been the premier showcase of the country’s finest cellars, drawing serious collectors seeking exceptional, hard-to-find bottles.

JD Pretorius (Warwick Estate) and David Sadie (David & Nadia), Guild members.

To bid, register a Bidder’s Account with Strauss & Co before Thursday, 1 October — one registration covers both sessions, with online, telephonic, and commission bidding available worldwide. Whether you attend in person or bid remotely, this is your chance to secure some exceptional South African wine history.

Auction Wines’ Critic Scores:

CE = Christian Eedes, Editor, Winemag.co.za (Tasted and Rated Sighted)

MF = Michael Fridjhon, Trophy Wine Show & Business Day (Tasted and Rated Blind)

GSMW = Greg Sherwood MW, A Fine Wine Safari (Tasted and Rated Sighted)

AA Badenhorst Akkerbos Grenache Blanc 2025, WO Swartland, 12.86% Abv.

94 CE | 87 MF | 94 GSMW

Ataraxia Echo of Earth Pinot Noir 2025, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 13.27% Abv.

93 CE | 91 MF | 93+ GSMW

Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2025, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 12.98% Abv.

93 CE | 93 MF | 93 GSMW

Bartho Eksteen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc – Op Hout 2025, WO Cape South Coast, 13.78% Abv.

94 CE | 94 MF | 94+ GSMW

Beaumont Family Wines GG’s Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2025, WO Bot River, 12.33% Abv.

96 CE | 96 MF | 96 GSMW

Beaumont Family Wines Hope Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2025, WO Bot River, 12.07% Abv.

95 CE | 92 MF | 94+ GSMW

Gary Jordan tasting Abrie Beeslaar’s CWG wine.

Beeslaar CWG Pinotage 2024. WO Stellenbosch, 14.25% Abv.

96 CE | 92 MF | 96 GSMW

Boschkloof CWG Auction Epilogue Syrah 2024, WO Stellenbosch, 13.66% Abv.

98 CE | 94 MF | 97+ GSMW

Cederberg Black Slate Shiraz 2024, WO Cederberg, 13.66% Abv.

92 CE | 95 MF | 95 GSMW

David & Nadia Veiling Chenin Blanc 2025, WO Paardeberg, 11.85% Abv.

96 CE | 94 MF | 95 GSMW

David Finlayson Wines Sleepless Nights Grenache Noir 2024, WO Stellenbosch, 13.6% Abv.

91 CE | 89 MF | 92 GSMW

De Grendel Rietfontein Syrah 2023, WO Ceres Plateau, 13.74% Abv.

93 CE | 94 MF | 93+ GSMW

De Grendel West Side Merlot 2024, WO Cape Town, 14.58% Abv.

92 CE | 94 MF | 93 GSMW

De Trafford Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, WO Stellenbosch, 15.04% Abv.

91 CE | 93 MF | 93+ GSMW

De Trafford Chenin Blanc L17 2025, WO Stellenbosch

94 CE | 95 MF | 95 GSMW

Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Cabernet Franc – Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, WO Banghoek, Stellenbosch, 14.71% Abv.

95 CE | 97 MF | 94 GSMW

Dewaldt Heyns Family Wines Saailand Shiraz 2024, 14.11% Abv.

92 CE | 92 MF | 93 GSMW

Erika Obermeyer Wines Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, WO Stellenbosch, 14.5% Abv.

94 CE | 94 MF | 94 GSMW

Erika Obermeyer Wines Silver Linings 2023, WO Coastal, 14.72% Abv.

91 CE | 93 MF | 94 GSMW

65% Syrah, 17% Grenache Noir, 12% Cinsault, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Ernie Els CWG 2023, WO Stellenbosch, 14.23% Abv.

94 CE | 92 MF | 94 GSMW

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Shiraz, 10% Cinsault.

Frans K. Smit Sentinel Red 2022, WO Stellenbosch, 14.5% Abv.

94 CE | 92 MF | 94 GSMW

66% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot.

Frans K. Smit Sentinel White 2025, WO Coastal, 13.01% Abv.

93 CE | 95 MF | 94 GSMW

Gary Jordan presenting the Hamilton Russell CWG Chardonnay.

Hamilton Russell Vineyards CWG Chardonnay 2025, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, 13.01% Abv.

94 CE | 95 MF | 95 GSMW

Jordan CWG Chardonnay 2025, WO Stellenbosch, 12.73% Abv.

92 CE | 90 MF | 94+ GSMW

Jordan Sophia 2024, WO Stellenbosch, 14.2% Abv.

93 CE | 95 MF | 95 GSMW

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 36% Petit Verdot

Kaapzicht The Auction 1947 Chenin Blanc 2025, Bottelary, Stellenbosch, 13.38% Abv.

94 CE | 94 MF | 94 GSMW

Keermont Vineyards Where Mountains Meet 2023, WO Stellenbosch, 14.17% Abv.

93 CE | 94 MF | 94 GSMW

40% Cabernet Franc, 40% Syrah, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Kershaw Wines Vertiginous Pinot Noir 2024, WO Elgin, 13.26% Abv.

94 CE | 95 MF | 94 GSMW

Kershaw Wines Ziggurat Chardonnay 2025, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, 13.34% Abv.

95 CE | 96 MF | 97 GSMW

Le Riche CWG Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, WO Stellenbosch, 14.25% Abv.

94 CE | 93 MF | 95 GSMW

Leeu Passant Hillside Cabernet Franc 2023, WO Franschhoek, 14.57% Abv.

93 CE | 91 MF | 94 GSMW

Lismore Child of Venus Viognier 2025, WO Greyton, 13.56% Abv.

95 CE | 92 MF | 96+ GSMW

Lismore’s Samantha O’Keefe with critic Neal Martin from Vinous.com

Lismore The Sheltering Sky Syrah 2024, WO Elgin, 13.01% Abv.

96 CE | 90 MF | 96 GSMW

Luddite Glorious Confusion 2025, WO Bot River, 12.72% Abv.

95 CE | 94 MF | 95 GSMW

A field blend white wine.

Miles Mossop Wines Maximillian 2023, WO Stellenbosch, 14.38% Abv.

95 CE | 95 MF | 95+ GSMW

100% Cabernet Sauvignon.

Tasting Andrea Mullineux’s “The Gris” Semillon.

Mullineux “The Gris” Old Vines Sémillon 2025, WO Paardeberg, 14.04% Abv.

97 CE | 97 MF | 97 GSMW

Neil Ellis Wines CWG MIS À NU 2022, WO Jonkershoek, Stellenbosch, 13.96% Abv.

96 CE | 91 MF | 93 GSMW

100% unoaked Cabernet Sauvignon.

Neil Ellis Wines Knight in White Satin NV, WO Bottelary, Stellenbosch, 14.5% Abv.

92 CE | 92 MF | 92+ GSMW

100% Tempranillo.

Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Sandford Chardonnay 2024, WO Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, 14.04% Abv.

95 CE | 92 MF | 96 GSMW

Paul Clüver Wines Auction Selection Pinot Noir 2025, WO Elgin, 13.84% Abv.

93 CE | 93 MF | 94GSMW

Paul Clüver Wines The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2025, WO Elgin, 12.84% Abv.

96 CE | 93 MF | 93+ GSMW

Pieter Ferreira Cap Classique Blanc de Noirs Pinot Noir MCC 2019, WO Western Cape, 11.7% Abv.

95 CE | 91 MF | 95 GSMW

100% Pinot Noir

Raats Family Wines Fountain Terroir Specific Chenin Blanc 2025, WO Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, 12.03% Abv.

95 CE | 91 MF | 97 GSMW

Raats Family Wines Stella Nova Cabernet Franc 2022, WO Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, 13.5% Abv.

95 CE | 94 MF | 95 GSMW

Rall Wines Noa Syrah 2024, WO Swartland, 13.5% Abv.

99 CE | 92 MF | 97+ GSMW

Rock of Eye CWG Auction Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, WO Stellenbosch, 13.5% Abv.

93 CE | 96 MF | 94 GSMW

Savage Wines Auction Syrah 2024, WO Stellenbosch, 13.6% Abv.

97 CE | 97 MF | 97 GSMW

Silverthorn Crazy Diamond Brut Nature Cap Classique 2021, WO Robertson, 11.34% Abv.

94 CE | 94 MF | 95 GSMW

85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Noir.

Solo Wines by Carl Schultz CWG Auction Merlot 2023, WO Stellenbosch, 14.41% Abv.

94 CE | 92 MF | 95 GSMW

100% Merlot.

Storm Wines Bokkeveld Shale Chardonnay 2024, WO Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, 12.77% Abv.

98 CE | 87 MF | 97 GSMW

Storm Wines Bokkeveld Shale Pinot Noir 2024, WO Heme-en-Aade Ridge, 14.26% Abv.

96 CE | 89 MF | 95 GSMW

Strydom Family Wines Paradigm 2023, WO Stellenbosch, 14.2% Abv.

93 CE | 93 MF | 93 GSMW

50% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec.

Survivor CWG Pinotage 2023, WO Swartland, 14.44% Abv.

91 CE | 93 MF | 95 GSMW

Survivor Tarras Doas Cabernet Franc 2023, WO Tradouw, 14.8% Abv.

94 CE | 93 MF | 92 GSMW

Thorne & Daughters Sand Castles 2025, WO Olifantsrivier & Paardeberg, 14.2% Abv.

96 CE | 92 MF | 95+ GSMW

50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Semillon.

Van Loggerenberg CWG Auction Chenin Blanc 2025, WO Piekenierskloof, 13.24% Abv.

97 CE | 90 MF | 96+ GSMW

Van Loggerenberg CWG Auction Syrah 2025, WO Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch, 13.61% Abv.

96 CE | 96 MF | 97 GSMW

Warwick Auction Cabernet Franc – Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, WO Simonsberg, Stellenbosch, 14/5% Abv.

94 CE | 93 MF | 95 GSMW

Auction Registration Details:

The auction takes place on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd of October at Strauss & Co, Brickfield Canvas, Cape Town, with online bidding also available. For tickets, bidding registration and more information, see:

www.capewinemakersguild.com

info@capewinemakersguild.com

Tel: +27 (21) 852 0408

Another Cape Winemakers Guild Classic Red From Groot Constantia’s Boela Gerber…

October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 ~ Greg Sherwood MW ~ Leave a comment

Formed in 1982, the Guild is an association of some of South Africa’s finest winemakers and has evolved into a body of 45 members who jointly represent the pinnacle of South African wine achievement.

While the point of the guild’s existence is sometimes questioned by voices in the South African industry, it seems clear to me that the experimentation and creativity the CWG promotes is a valuable and unique part of the wine industry in South Africa and should be cherished. In the guild’s own words… “Innovation, benchmarking and the sharing of knowledge spanning over thirty seven years of winemaking excellence, is the proud accomplishment of the Cape Winemakers Guild.”

Another key point of the CWG is that individual winemakers are invited to join, not wineries, and the membership remains with the individual even if they move to another winery. I recently caught up with long time Groot Constantia winemaker Boela Gerber to taste his exciting new 2017 red CWG release along side Duncan Savage, another popular guild member.

Boela Gerber Groot Constantia CWG Red Bordeaux Blend 2017, 14 Abv.

A classical blend of 54% Cabernet Sauvignon and 46% Cabernet Franc.

What lovely opulence and hedonistic power right from the start offering incredibly lavish blueberry and black berry intensity, finely lifted violet, sweet tobacco leaf and iris perfume with plenty of vanilla pod spice. On the palate there is a beautifully vivid plushness showing cola and cherry spice notes, brûléed sweet cedar oak and a fabulously focused intensity and freshness. Very expressive and luxurious, this is impressive winemaking in action for people looking for a show stopper. This really is what special edition CWG wines are all about.

(Wine Safari Score: 95/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines Release Two Incredible Benchmark Wines For the 2019 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction…

September 12, 2019 ~ Greg Sherwood MW ~ 2 Comments

One of the original goals of the Cape Winemakers Guild was to allow an elite group of producers in South Africa an opportunity to push boundaries and experiment in order to produce the most profound quality wines on the market. Some of the specially selected winemakers at the CWG have made a little more effort than most to take this opportunity to make and profile wines that leave you speechless and that command instant respect.

Few have done this more effectively than Andrea Mullineux, one half of the wunderkind duo at Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines. The other half of this duo, Chris Mullineux was recently in London for the New Wave Tasting 2019 and I caught up with him over lunch at the iconic Chez Bruce restaurant to taste not only these two new CWG releases, but also the full line up of their white and red single terroir new releases.

The CWG wines are only available to buy at the auction in Cape Town but if you can’t make it, speak to Roland Peens at Wine Cellar who can bid on behalf of consumers and private clients. Contact him at: Roland@winecellar.co.za

Cape Winemakers Guild Leeu Passant ‘The Gris’ Semillon Old Vines 2018, WO Paardeberg, 13.5 Abv.

Super fragrant and lifted with aromatics dominated by an incredible saline, mineral spicy note underpinned by stalk spice, tangerine peel and white citrus. Creamy and glycerol on the palate, the concentration is clearly marked and the white blossom, green apple and briney pithiness is effortless and magically long. Outstanding effort once again.

(Wine Safari Score: 95+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)

Cape Winemakers Guild Leeu Passant Radicales Libres Chardonnay, 14.9 Abv.

Grapes from Bokkeveld Shale soils on the Tradauw-Joubert estate in Barrydale but produced and aged in the Leeu Passant cellars in Franschhoek. The aromatic profile screams ‘Jura meets Tondonia’ with plush saline, spicy, peppery white citrus fruits with top notes of dusty, stony minerality. The palate is big and bold but very expressive with density, breadth and incredible concentration. Of course the wine is defined by superb balance, piercing acidity which is padded out by sensual fleshy savoury fruit gravitas. The finish shows fabulous crystallised lemons, white peach pastilles and an exotic candied persistence. Really something very special.

(Wine Safari Score: 97+/100 Greg Sherwood MW)