Wine auction records R1-m decline

RAY SMUTS
THERE WAS not a single case to be had when the doors closed on the 30th Nederburg Auction at Paarl recently. But even so, the strong rand and tough trading conditions accounted for a R1-million decline in sales, with a total of of R6,7 million recorded.
Average prices were 11% down as 7 977 cases were auctioned by Patrick Grubb who has become an a institution at this famous event.
The auction was attended by 1 700 buyers from 33 countries but they only accounted for 12,6% of total sales, local buyers taking care of the rest.
Pick Ôn Pay accounted for 10,8% of total sales while the two international buyers in the top 10 were Hotel Palmquelle in Namibia and Russian wine importer Vina Vita.