The wines constitute a superb line-up that emphasises the dynamic and diverse nature of South African fine wine. They are typically from a single barrel, with around 300 bottles or fewer of each available for auction, and are selected by CWG members themselves, who taste blind in dedicated panels with only the grape variety and the vintage known.

Members have complete freedom when it comes to the style of wine they submit and this was evident at the tasting, where a range of approaches was represented. From barely a whisper of wood to generously oaked, from ethereal, weightless tannin profiles to robustly structured expressions, from linear and nervy, to opulent and rich, there is a wine for every individual taste at this year’s auction. There is even, for the first time ever, a ludicrously delicious sherry-inspired ‘pale dry’ fortified wine (take a bow, Mr Badenhorst).

Picking just a dozen to highlight was tough, as there are many beautiful, bid-worthy wines; the selection below is focused on the wines that were most striking to me on the day. Chardonnay was the outstanding white-wine grape (and I could have easily included more than three), outperforming the Chenin Blancs, which were nevertheless excellent and invariably need more time. The two Sémillon-led wines are also exciting.

As usual, there will be more reds than whites at the auction. The Syrahs, Cabernet Franc/Cabernet Sauvignon varietal wines and Bordeaux-style blends particularly impressed. One of my favourite reds, however, was the wildcard: Badenhorst’s Carignan, a variety which he believes could ‘become a keystone grape for the Swartland’.

The London-based merchants that have confirmed they will be bidding at the auction this year are Bordeaux Index, Justerini & Brooks and Lay & Wheeler but individuals can also register. Based on the buzz in the room at 67 Pall Mall and the fact that the highest ever number of auction wines have achieved scores of 95 points or more from local critics Christian Eedes and Michael Fridjhon, as well as Tim Atkin MW, expect another record-breaking auction and skyrocketing prices for many of the lots.

The Cape Winemakers Guild Auction will be held on 3 and 4 October 2025 and is hosted by Strauss & Co, an art and wine auction house. The auction takes place at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, South Africa. Bidders can attend in person or participate virtually in real time. For more information and to register as a bidder, click here.