Inaugural 2014 AfrAsia Bank Cape wine auction raises over 7 million for education in the Cape winelands.
Surpassing all expectations and setting a philanthropic precedent in the SA wine industry.
The inaugural 2014 AfrAsia Bank Cape Wine Auction, which took place on Saturday 15th March, witnessed the remarkable realisation of a bold dream when an astounding R7.045 million was raised for education in the Cape winelands.
In a grand marquee on the majestic Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch, 250 prominent local and international wine aficionados as well as online bidders were invited to make a serious difference when 40 once-in-a-lifetime Auction lots came under the enthusiastic hammer of auctioneers Iain Banner and Paul Myson.
The astonishing line-up of lots included rare wine collections as well as exclusive hand-selected local and international wine, gourmet and travel experiences.
Highlights of the day included an art cameo by talented artist John Adams whose live 8-minute surprise portrait of Nelson Mandela fetched a staggering R460 000 on the Auction.
Other lots fetching phenomenally high prices were:
– The Mulderbosch & Fable Mountain Vineyards American Dream Lot: R700 000
– The Glenelly Estate Lot: R450 000
– The DeMorgenzon & Royal Portfolio Lot: R400 000.
This global showcase of South African wines was hosted by the Auction Partners, an outstanding group of esteemed companies, and the Auction Ambassadors, a select group of high-profile wine industry personalities headed up by honorary chairwoman Madame May de Lencquesaing of Glenelly Estate, all of whom made their time and resources available to turn a dream into reality.
On arrival gents in stylish summer suits and ladies in flowing summer dresses sipped on bubbly, soaking up the perfect summer’s day and the breathtaking views.
On entering the splendid marquee perched on Delaire Graff’s heli-pad, guests were treated to a gourmet feast from Ouma’s Pantry, prepared by celebrity chefs Margot Janse, Christiaan Campbell and Neil Jewell, accompanied by some of the greatest hand-selected South African wines.
The Auction beneficiaries, the Pebbles Project, the MAD Charity and the Click Foundation, together with The Cape Wine Auction Trustees Michael Jordaan, Ken Kinsey-Quick, Wendy Appelbaum, Siobhan Thompson and Michael Ratcliffe, will now have the resources to take the first steps towards changing people’s lives through the powerful tool of education.
An elated Mike Ratcliffe commented on behalf of his fellow Trustees and Ambassadors: “We are overwhelmed by the immense generosity and startling success of this inaugural event. Never before has an industry been so united, and never before has the world been exposed to this philanthropic face of the South African wine industry! Today has been an extraordinary day and we look forward to returning annually to continue to realise our dream.”