Bottle of wine sells for over R100 000

GEORGE NEWS - A bottle of wine raised the staggering amount of R106 000 at a fundraiser for Up with Downs in Blanco. This was the school's 21st wine auction fundraiser, said Michel Seegmuller, founder of Up With Downs. The theme this year was "Mamma Mia, here we go again".

Many well-known George industry leaders attended the function held at the elegant Fancourt banquet hall.

A magnificent selection of wines from Cederberg Estate and Marras Wines was up for grabs. Winemaker David Nieuwoudt introduced the five-litre Jeroboam, autographed and hand-bottled by the four winemakers of Durbanville Hills especially for this occasion, which had bidders very excited.

This special bottle of wine raised R56 000, but was then given back to be auctioned again. The second time it went for another R50 000, to the amazement of the crowd.

The learners of Up with Downs captivated the audience with their excellent renditions of various ABBA all-time favourites, accompanied by the beat of many drums.

The wine lots were magnificent, and the guest list as impressive as the three-course dinner.

The guests had loads of fun dancing in between the bidding.

Other special items that were auctioned were artwork in the form of a stained glass coffee table that was created by the learners of Up with Downs and the "Floating Barrel", which fetched a record sum. It will be residing at The Deacon Bistro until the next wine auction in 2020, says Seegmuller.