The Grootbos Cape Winemakers Guild Experience 2025
By Christian Eedes, 7 July 2025
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Could the Grootbos Cape Winemakers Guild Experience hosted by Strauss & Co become South Africa’s premier wine event combining benchmarking with sheer pleasure and indulgence? This year, some 40 guests paid R39,500 per couple to attend a weekend of tastings, lunches and dinners themed around vintage CWG wines with an assortment of international wines thrown in at the Overberg private nature reserve, auction house Strauss & Co involved to re-iterate their wine sales credentials.
The Michael Fridjhon Wine Experience was begun in 1997 and ran until the end of the last decade. This event was always premised on showing the best international wines but the rand’s continual devaluation together with the hard currency increase in the price of top international wines eventually put paid to it.
Now Grootbos, the CWG and Strauss & Co are seeking to plug the gap. What’s the link between the three entities? Michael Lutzeyer made his money through entrepreneurial ventures in Cape Town before founding Grootbos. He owned and operated a machinery‑importing business, which he sold in 1994. That enabled him to shift gears and invest in the property he discovered in 1991 – initially developing self‑catering guest cottages that evolved into the 4,000ha luxury Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. Meanwhile, Frank Kilbourn, executive chairperson of Strauss & Co, is a co-owner of Grootbos, and of course, Strauss facilitates the annual Guild Auction.
There can be few locations more appropriate for a luxury wine and food extravaganza – Grootbos overlooks Walker Bay and is immersed in pristine fynbos wilderness, guests attending the experience treated to a 4×4 flower safari and a tour of the Florilegium, a collection of botanical illustrations by leading local and international artists. Facilities blend harmoniously into the natural environment, rooms well-appointed, a fynbos accent running throughout.
But what of the wines? The line-up was as follows:
Friday Pre-lunch Tasting – Flight One: Champagne-inspired
- Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs Cuvée 108 Chardonnay 2014
- Villiera Shooting Star Cap Classique Brut Magnum 2015
- Silverthorn Big Dog VI Méthode Cap Classique 2015
- Drappier Grande Sendrée 2012
Friday Pre-lunch Tasting – Flight Two: Loire-inspired
- Bartho Ektseen Vloekskoot Sauvignon Blanc 2019
- De Grendel Wooded Sauvignon Blanc 2019
- Beaumont Hope Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2020
- Kaapzicht 1947 Chenin Blanc 2015
Friday Lunch Wines
- De Trafford Ou Kopland Chenin Blanc 2021
- Thierry Germain Saumur L’insolite 2022
- Raats Family Wines Stella Nova Cabernet Franc 2020
- Villiera Drip Barrel Cabernet Franc 2018
- Vriesenhof Auction Reserve Cabernet Franc 2002
Friday Pre-dinner Wines – Flight One: Burgundy-inspired
- Bouchard Finlayson Pinot Noir 2019
- De Grendel Op De Berg Pinot Noir 2015
- Strydom Family Wines Triple 7 Pinot Noir 2013
Friday Pre-Dinner Wines – Flight Two: Burgundy-Inspired
- Newton Johnson Sandford Chardonnay 2022
- Newton Johnson Sandford Chardonnay 2019
- Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2019
- Paul Clüver The Wagon Trail Chardonnay 2017
Friday Dinner Wines
- Ataraxia Under The Gavel Chardonnay 2021
- Henri Boillot Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Pucelles 2022
- Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Windansea Pinot Noir 2020
- Paul Cluver Auction Selection Pinot Noir 2017
- Louis Latour Chambertin Cuvée Héritiers Latour 2002
- Huet Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux 1er Trie Vouvray 1993
Saturday Pre-lunch Wines: Flight One – Rhône and Southern France-inspired
- Ernie Els CWG 2021
- Ernie Els CWG 2017
- Luddite Lone Stranger Shiraz Mourvèdre Grenache 2017
- Cederberg Teen Die Hoog Shiraz 2014
- Boschkloof Bakhand Shiraz 2010
- E. Guigal Côte-Rôtie La Turque 2004
Saturday Lunch Wines
- Lismore Here Comes The Sun 2020
- Miles MossopSaskia-Jo 2018
- Simonsig Die Kluisenaar RoussanneMarsanne 2016
- Luddite Daisy’s Turn Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Mourvèdre 2014
- Domaine De Trévallon IGP Alpilles Rouge 2012
- Sijnn CWG Syrah 2011
Saturday Pre-dinner Wines: Flight One – Bordeaux-inspired
- Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2017
- Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2013
- Jordan Sophia 2015
- Jordan Sophia 2013
Saturday Pre-dinner Wines: Flight Two – Pinotage
- Beyerskloof CWG Traildust 2017
- Kanonkop 2015
- Spier 2009
Saturday Dinner Wines
- Spier Frans K. Smit Heritage Reserve White 2023
- Mullineux ‘The Gris’ Sémillon Old Vines 2018
- Rust En Vrede CWG Auction Estate 2016
- Ernie Els CWG 2016
- Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Barossa 2016
- Rock Of Eye Cwg Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
- Le Riche Cabernet Sauvignon Auction Reserve 2015
- Château Pontet Canet Pauillac 2014
- Château Rieussec Sauternes 1986
CWG Members in attendance
Friday:
Andries Burger of Paul Clüver, Kevin Grant of Ataraxia, Jeff Grier previously of Villiiera, Gordon Newton Johnson of Newton Johnson
Saturday:
Christo le Riche of Le Riche, Coenie Snyman of Rock of Eye, Louis Strydom of Ernie Els, Rianie Strydom of Cavalli and Strydom Family Wines, David Trafford of De Trafford and Sijnn, Neils Verburg of Luddite
Master of Ceremonies:
Roland Peens aided by Higgo Jacobs, both Strauss & Co senior wine specialist
For those without deep wine knowledge, the line-up was undoubtedly impressive, and the presence of the winemakers added significant value.
That said, for those with a more nuanced understanding of modern-era South African wine, the selection felt somewhat uneven. This is partly a reflection of how quickly quality continues to evolve – even at the very top of the industry. While there were few outright disappointments, true standouts were also in short supply. My scores largely clustered between 90 and 94, with only five (local) wines out of over 50 tasting samples earning 95 or more. These were:
97
Kanonkop CWG Paul Sauer 2017
Complex aromas of dark berries, herbs, floral perfume, oystershell, cigarbox and oak spice. Great depth and poise, fine tannins, the finish long and dry.
96
Mullineux The Gris Old Vines Semillon 2018
Pear, peach and citrus, flowers, herbs and a hint of wax. Maturing well – ice weight and texture but fruit still pure and intact, good freshness, plenty of detail.
95
Kanonkop CWG Pinotage 2015
Red and black cherry, floral perfume and oak spice on the nose. Excellent fruit density, bright acidity and firm tannins. Ppowerful and impeccably made – more admirable than enjoyable.
95
Raats Stella Nova 2020
Rose, red berries, fynbos and some leafiness on the nose. Light and energetic – pure fruit and powdery tannins. Very elegant.
95
Sijnn CWG Syrah 2011
Red and black berries, fynbos, liquorice, pepper and earth. Pure and fresh, tannins still intact.
More broadly, the Cap Classique was ho-hum, the Chenins and Chardonnays very good if not quite great, and the Pinots sound but not thrilling.
Simonsig Die Kluisenaar showed beautifully – a timely reminder that auction buyers shouldn’t always chase the big names.
All the Ernie Els vintages poured, along with Rust en Vrede, showed well, reinforcing the notion that South Africa may be underestimating the potential of Cab-Shiraz blends.
As for two of the single-variety Syrahs – Cederberg 2014 and Boschkloof 2010 – both came in at over 15% alcohol. While still holding together, they weren’t particularly pleasurable. The category has come a long way…
That said, 48 hours of full-blown wine geekery made for great fun.
SA’s Chelsea Flower Show Display comes home
Earlier this year, South Africa won gold at the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show, key support provided by Grootbos and other private sector partners. This Spring, the display will be recreated in Stanford, Western Cape as part of the Stanford in Bloom festival.
Date: 10 – 24 September 2025
Time: Admittance any time between 9 am and 5 pm
Venue: 32 Queen Victoria Street, Stanford, 7220
Tickets: R200 per person for a day pass.
Book your tickets here.
- Disclaimer: My wife and I attended as guests of Grootbos.
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Tim James | 7 July 2025
That all sounds fun and vaguely interesting, Christian, and I’m sure you’re right to evoke the memory of the MF Wine Experience. I appreciated your overview of the quality of the best wines (and the less impressive ones) on offer. But there are some questions that occur to me that you haven’t considered. Basically, I wonder what this very restricted event (just 40 guests) was held for. What was its purpose? Why did a supposedly serious professional organisation like the CWG get involved with two profit-making organisations in putting it on? Was it basically a money-making event, providing entertainment to the very rich, like the earlier event? Was it directed at established or hoped-for big buyers by publicising the Auction? Did the CWG itself also directly gain financially from it? I hope so, given that it has recently lost – somewhat bizarrely of its own choosing, according to the CWG chair – its lucrative sponsorship. Surely the cui bono question is worth a journalist’s consideration – especially, perhaps, given your “disclaimer” as being a guest there. (Which actually, I fear, also prompts the question as to why you decided to conclude with punting an upcoming event that has nothing to do with wine, but is indeed connected with Grootbos, whose charms you so graphically mention.)
Incidentally, but related to my question as to the purpose of the event: the tickets were R40K per couple, which makes the cost of atteding the recent loss-making Swartland revolution seem comparatively reasonable – though accommodation was presumably included here, which helps to balance the prices of the two events. Rather a lot, do you think in this case too, though you don’t mention it as you did about the Revolution? One does wonder who the attendees were (and why) – apart from your good self, of course.
Christian Eedes | 7 July 2025
Hi Tim, I’ll try to address the concerns raised, though I must point out that some seem less about the event itself and more about projecting broader anxieties onto a single weekend.
Let’s start with Winemag’s impartiality. We’ve never tried to deliberately obscure hospitality, and I made it explicitly known here. Disclosure does not equal endorsement, nor does it compromise critical judgment. Anyone who reads the piece will note that I highlighted both the standouts and the underwhelming wines – and asked broader questions about the event’s trajectory. If that’s not fair-minded commentary, I’m not sure what is.
As to the event itself: yes, it was exclusive. Yes, it was expensive. And yes, private enterprise was involved. But to imply that commercial involvement somehow invalidates seriousness or professional purpose is disingenuous. The idea that a “serious” organisation like the CWG should avoid revenue-generating partnerships is naive at best – especially given that the Guild has recently lost major sponsorship, through no fault of Strauss & Co or Grootbos.
What’s perplexing is the double standard at play. When the CWG tries something bold and different – with an admittedly luxurious tilt – it’s accused of selling out. But when the Swartland Revolution pushed ticket prices and turned loss-making (according to you), it’s painted as somehow worthy? You can’t have it both ways. Or maybe you can – if the real discomfort is about who gets to attend and who doesn’t.
Finally, the suggestion that my mention of Grootbos or of a follow-on event is somehow improper or promotional is frankly absurd. Context matters – the piece ends where it began: noting that the setting played a key role in shaping the tone of the experience. That’s not advertorial; it’s reportage. Regardless, who doesn’t like pretty plants?
So yes, cui bono is a good question – and Winemag asks it all the time. But perhaps the more pressing question here is: why is the Swartland too cool for school and the CWG isn’t?
Tim James | 8 July 2025
I genuinely wanted to know why the CWG did this event for just 40 people paying so much, whether it was for their financial gain (I even said I hoped it was) or what. Didn’t actually mean to be offensive (except perhaps WRT the punt for an unrelated event), and certainly wasn’t suggesting accepting the hospitality was problematic – as you say, we do it all the time. I made no comparison in relation to the Swartland Revolution except in saying that you’d publicly regarded that as very expensive but did not do so in this rather more extreme case.
Timothy Conn | 8 July 2025
Thanks for the write up! How was La Turque 04?
Christian Eedes | 8 July 2025
Hi Timothy, I thought it was bloody brilliant. Hugely complex aromatics of red and black berries, floral perfume, garrigue and pepper while the palate is still very much intact – dense fruit, fresh acidity and powdery tannins. Rating: 96/100.
Greg Sherwood | 9 July 2025
Sounds like a wonderful event in a perfect setting. There will always be lots of back biting in evidence when expensive, exclusive events like this are held. Sad really as similar events like this are held in Europe and the USA all the time, targeted at those with means. All involved… CWG, Strauss & Co. and Grootbos should all hopefully benefit from a high profile event like this.
Wessel Strydom | 9 July 2025
Tim, your comments are very thought provoking and may I add I am becoming more and more concerned about the impartiality of CE. This, obviously, is only my personal opinion but in the past month or two certain issues came to light such as CE wife who is marketing/sales director of Ex Animo. I don’t recall he ever mentioned this fact in any of his evaluations of wine marketed by Ex Animo until you made the subscribers aware of it. Secondly, his criticism regarding the Swartland Revolution event of which I made my concern clear on this platform.
CE are you objective and impartial?
Christian Eedes | 10 July 2025
Hi Wessel, Yes, my wife works for Ex Animo Wine Co. For the record, it was Michael Fridjhon — not Tim James — who felt this needed airing, and he did so on this very platform. If I were at all embarrassed by the fact, I could easily have chosen not to publish it.
I’ve never sought to conceal the relationship — it’s clearly stated in the disclaimer in Winemag’s footer and is widely known in industry circles. I didn’t feel the need to make it more explicit because, frankly, the idea that I would favour wineries represented by Ex Animo over others is so improbable to any reasonably minded person as to be absurd.
As for my now-infamous Swartland Revolution article (https://winemag.co.za/wine/opinion/editorial-the-swartland-revolution-at-15-vive-la-stagnation/), it wasn’t a critique of the event per se, but rather a reflection on how wine culture and access have shifted over time.
The very exclusivity of the gathering makes it all the more worthy of scrutiny – to ask what justifies the price, who it’s for, what it represents in a broader context, and of course, whether the wines on show were any good. I find it troubling when a group of winemakers who were once champions of progress and change now appear protective of their elevated status.
I stand by the integrity of my work. If readers have specific, factual concerns, I’m happy to engage. But I resent being drawn into bad-faith insinuation.
Comp me a ticket eedes | 22 July 2025
Pretty ironic that the winemakers guild who should in essence be the flag bearers of transformation in the South African wine industry whilst upholding the overall quality of the industry can host a 40k event and you have nothing but admiration but god forbid a group of producers use the word “revolution” and tag an event at 9,5k.
Christian Eedes | 22 July 2025
Hi CMATE, I don’t need to solve structural inequality before writing about wine — just as a motoring journalist isn’t required to dismantle capitalism before reviewing a Lamborghini (or actually buy one).