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Hotel group tops two wine auctions’ lists

14th November 2014

  

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Hotel group Tsogo Sun spent just under R3.2-million at two wine auctions this year, namely the Nederburg and the Cape Winemakers Guild auctions, highlighting its commitment to offering guests at its hotels an exceptional food and beverage experience. The group took top spot at both auctions for total wine sales by a single bidder – the first time that a hotel group topped the list at the Nederburg auction.

Tsogo Sun spent R723 900 at the Nederburg auction, representing 10.3% of the wines on auction and 1 014 bottles of wine, and R2.47-million at the Cape Winemakers Guild auction, representing 3 036 bottles.

The Tsogo Sun delegation of five of the group’s wine experts included Cape Town-based Southern Sun hotel The Cullinan GM Garry Reed; Tsogo Sun operations directors Norman Wallace and John van Rooyen; Tsogo Sun Western Cape regional sommelier Georgio Meletiou; and Tsogo Sun sommelier Miguel Chan. The team’s brief was to buy a high-quality selection of wines at the best possible prices for Tsogo Sun to offer its guests.

Reed explains that the foundation of the team’s preparations for the auction was an understanding of their guests’ needs and preferences. “As a starting point, we looked at the wines our guests historically enjoy. Understanding the intrinsic qualities of each wine was also crucial, as they come at a premium and it was imperative that the wines we purchased are food friendly and can be enjoyed over the next 12 months.”

Both wine auctions were record-breaking events this year, with Nederburg achieving a record average price of R597.36 for every litre, a 68.5% increase on 2013. “This is indicative of strong demand for premium South African wine, underpinned by a record average price per litre achieved and no unsold lots,” says Nederberg auction manager Dalene Steyn, who adds that bidding indicated a desire for rare quality wines, with record prices per litre achieved for both the red and white categories.

The thirtieth Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild auction broke all records with the biggest sales ever recorded, exceeding R11.9-million and with no fewer than three wines fetching the highest price ever achieved of R8 600 for a case of six bottles. The auction also attracted a record number of 178 buyers this year, with sales 42% up on the 2013 turnover.

Reed agrees that the competition was intense at both auctions. “These were two of the most exciting auctions I’ve ever attended, driven largely by the fact that the lots were significantly smaller this year and the interest, coupled with a weaker rand, made the bidding dynamic, particularly from international buyers. We were consistently bidding against other buyers for a wine that we simply had to have – and the fact that prices were so much higher this year compared to last year gives a good indication of how intense the bidding was.”

Coincidentally, the most expensive wine bought by Tsogo Sun at both auctions was the Kanonkop Paul Sauer, which fetched R7 500 for six bottles at the Nederburg auction and R8 600 at the Cape Winemakers Guild auction. The team bought red wines predominantly, along with a “stunning aged port”. Most of the wines bought are structured and aged, being more than five years old.

The wines will be available on the wine lists of Tsogo Sun hotels for its existing base of wine lovers. In Gauteng, this includes Southern Sun Hyde Park Sandton, 54 on Bath, Sandton Sun, Riffs at Garden Court Sandton City, InterContinental Sandton Towers, Intercontinental OR Tambo Airport, Southern Sun OR Tambo Airport, and at five Montecasino outlets, namely The Palazzo, Southern Sun Montecasino and Aarya at SunSquare Montecasino, along with two new restaurants that will be launching soon, Jenda and Café Cru. In the Western Cape, the wines will be available at Southern Sun The Cullinan, Southern Sun Waterfront and Southern Sun Cape Sun, and in Durban at the Beverly Hills, Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani and The Grill Jichana.

Tsogo Sun has a portfolio of over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa and the Seychelles.

Edited by Megan van Wyngaardt
Creamer Media Contributing Editor Online

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