The annual Nederburg Auction of rare Cape wines has a proud 36-year history. From a humble beginning as a platform for selling Edelkeur, Nederburg’s signature dessert wine created by the inimitable Günter Brözel, the auction has become a towering event on the international wine calendar, offering the pinnacle of South Africa’s wine selection shaped by over 300 years of South African winemaking.

At the first auction in 1975, 15 rare Cape wines from five wine estates were showcased, with an overall average price of R19 per case. Since then, the general average price paid per case has risen to R840 (or R1 099 per 9-litre case) in 2009. Thirty-six years on, this event continues to make an impact as one of the world’s five major wine auctions, and in fulfilling its objective to ensure fair distribution of rare wines, has done much to stimulate interest in South African wines among connoisseurs and the wine-loving public, both locally and abroad.

This year’s auction on September 3 and 4 pays homage to its origins with a selection of 161 wines, including some rare 70′s vintage items, on offer from the five original participants – Delheim, Groot Constantia, Overgaauw, Simonsig and Nederburg - that were represented at the founding auction.

Traditionally open to licensed buyers only, the auction will for the first time in its 36-year history offer a bidding platform for members of the public via the Bergkelder Vinotèque Wine Bank which has set up a simple system that makes it possible for new and current members to acquire wines through the auction.

The complete wine line-up for 2010 comprises 98 red, 27 white, 8 natural sweet, 9 Noble Late Harvest, 4 MCC’s,10 ports and 5 heritage items.

The red wines include 33 red blends, 21 Cabernet Sauvignons, 17 Pinotages, 5 Merlots, 14 Shiraz/Syrahs and 8 other reds. The white wines include 9 Sauvignon Blancs, 9 Chardonnays, 4 Chenin Blancs and 5 other whites.