The Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) is hosting their annual wine auction on Saturday the 2nd of October at Stellenbosch's Spier Conference Centre.

The only merlot up for auction will be Spier cellar master Frans Smit's maiden vintage, the coveted Spier Merlot CWG 2008, which has received excellent ratings by a host of independent, international fundis.

The highly rated red shows notes of cherry, mint chocolate and smoky spice with savoury, earthy undertones, resulting in a rich palate with a long, elegant finish.

“Like many wine lovers, I have a soft-spot for Merlot and I’m proud that the first wine I’m presenting at the Guild is created from grapes grown right here on our own farm,” says Smit.

In added news, Spier's famous block of merlot vines was recently converted to organic and biodynamic standards.

“The decision to go organic flows from our sustainable approach to business,” continues Smit.  “In addition to being the right thing to do environmentally, we believe that using natural farming methods will improve the quality of our grapes.”

The 2010 Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction takes place on Saturday 2 October at 9am at the Spier Conference Centre in Stellenbosch. For a complete list of the wines on auction, visit www.capewinemakersguild.com/auction. To register for the auction, contact Kate Jonker at 021 852 0408 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              021 852 0408 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              021 852 0408      end_of_the_skype_highlighting      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.