Signed bottles and boxes of wine, most of them Veritas-winners, will be on a special online auction on Friday and Saturday.
Some of these wines have been signed by Springbok players and will certainly add to avid supporters’ collections.
Once in a lifetime opportunity
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy specialised wines from the country’s most prestigious wine farms.
The online auction is on behalf of the Care 4 Kings initiative, which was started by former Springbok and coach of the Southern Kings, Braam van Straaten.
Van Straaten said he toured the Boland on Wednesday and Thursday to have the bottles and boxes signed.
“I stopped at the Western Province where all of the Western Province Springbok players signed bottles for us. I am so grateful. It’s wonderful how the rugby community have pulled together to support this initiative.
“Jean de Villiers, former Springbok rugby player, also signed a bottle of Neil Ellis 2011. Then we have bottles signed by Siya Kolisi, Herschel Jantjies, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant, Seabelo Senatla, myself, Robbie Kempson, Kobus Wiese, Breyton Paulse and many more. I am still on my way to a few friends.”
Pieter-Steph du Toit, World Rugby’s Player of the Year in 2019, also signed a bottle, as did Charl Marais, Corné Krige and De Wet Barry.
The online wine auction is the second initiative of the Care 4 Kings-fund for former Southern Kings players and staff.
The Kings were liquidated just days before pay day in October and are still struggling to get back on their feet. Some of these players will never have the opportunity to play rugby again, which is why Van Straaten is doing everything in his power to help out.
First memorabilia auction was sold out
“Our first initiative was an online rugby memorabilia auction and it did so well. We sold out! The most wanted item was a Mannetjies Roux-blazer and Mzandile Stick’s jersey. All of these items have now found new homes with rugby enthusiasts and collectors.”
Wine industry getting back on its feet
The wines on auction come during a time when the wine industry is getting back on its feet after a hard lockdown.
“We encourage everyone to support the online win auction. It’s a fun initiative but also, we encourage everyone to support the cellars that are featured on the auction. These cellars are some of the best in the business and the fact that these heavy weight cellars pledged their support, shows what real Ubuntu is,” says Van Straaten.
Cellars with wines on auction
Cellars who donated wines for the auction, includes: Beyerskloof, Flagstone, Diemersdal, Badsberg, Kaapzicht, La Motte, Wellington Wyne, Darling Cellars, Villiera, Neil Ellis Wines, De Grendel, Blake Wines, Bon Courage, Hermanuspietersfontein, Alto, Kleine Zalze, Brink Family Wines, El Pro, Glen Carlou, Wildekrans, Durbanville Hills, Anura and The Horsemen.
Veritas-award winners
Many of these wines have won accolades at the Veritas awards. The Veritas awards are the oldest and most prestigious of its kind in South Africa with some of the world’s most experienced wine tasters on the judging panel.
Register for the online wine auction, starting on November 20 at 10:00 until November 21 at 20:00 here or visit www.care4kings.co.za.
