A rare bottle of Grand Constance 1821 sold for a record-breaking price at the Cape Fine and Rare Wine Auction in May; the wine is a historical one too!
Cape Town, South Africa (03 June 2021) – History was made in the Cape Winelands when a rare bottle of Grand Constance 1821 reached a record-breaking R420 000* at the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction in May. This is one of roughly twelve bottles known to still exist globally, from an allocation originally destined for Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. A UK-based Christie’s client acquired this historic lot.
This significant moment and price was the marquee lot in a day characterised by lively bidding from bidders who placed their bids in person and online from across the world in the auction’s first-ever hybrid format event. At the end of the day, on 22 May 2021, the unaudited results for this year’s auction stood at R2 219 200.
“Following a year that has impacted the South African wine industry like no other, the Cape Fine & Rare Wine Auction became a beacon of resilience, showcasing the tenacious spirit of the country’s winemakers – and the massive favour they carry with wine enthusiasts globally. Wines representing the rarest and finest South African wines available today, including bottles meticulously preserved since the 1960s, wines produced under South Africa’s pioneering Old Vine Project, and the highest quality wines from some of the country’s most successful vintages – 2009 and 2015, as well as a rare bottle of Grand Constance 1821 all contributed to impressive showcase,” said Cape Fine Rare Wine Auction Director, Niël Groenewald.
The auction was held in association with the acclaimed auction house, Christie’s, and live-streamed from the Rupert Museum in Stellenbosch.
Charity auction
Since its inception in 1975, the auction has supported philanthropic initiatives in the Cape Winelands through its network of bidders and patrons. The generosity of buyers raised more than R130 000 for this year’s beneficiary, the Pinotage Youth Academy (PYDA). The PYDA provides customised, industry-specific programmes focused on preparing and developing youth for meaningful employment in the wine sector and related industries.
“We would without a doubt not be able to maximise the irrevocable impact PYDA delivers without meaningful partners. It is our intention to engage and innovate to support the recovery of the wine sector, and it is my firm belief that with donor support we can continue to impact young South Africans and our amazing country.” – Nikki Munro, Executive Director of PYDA
Between the rare bottle of wine and the charitable auction raising funds for PYDA, the auction was a phenomenal one considering just how hard knocked the industry has been.