The six participants making their debut at the auction this year are Avondale, Diemersfontein, Graceland, Kaapzicht, Morgenster and Uva Mira Vineyards.

This prestigious two-day event serves to showcase the spectrum of award-winning wines and rare Cape finds created by the country?s most talented winemakers ? and those that have passed the stringent criteria of the selection panel comprising experts, judges and Cape Wine Masters.

The participants come from all walks of the South African wine world: negociants, boutique wineries, family farms, wine estates, co-operatives and conglomerates such as Distell, Omnia and Winecorp. Old stalwarts who were on the first auction in 1975 are again represented: Groot Constantia, Overgaauw, Delheim and Simonsig.

"As is often the case, the Nederburg Auction acts as a launch pad for new and unusual wines. This year sees the introduction of a 100 percent Viognier ? the Nederburg Private Bin D212 Viognier 2004 ? and a 100 percent Barbera wine from Altydgedacht," according to Auction manager Christine Joubert of Distell.

"The Barbera first made its appearance in Nederburg?s own exciting Italian blend with Sangiovese and Nebbiolo in 2003, while Viognier is being punted as the wine of the future."

The line-up this year comprises 101 red, 28 white, six sparkling, 10 Noble Late Harvest, nine ports and two muscadel wines.

The red wines include 27 Cabernet Sauvignons, 20 Shiraz/Syrahs, 15 Pinotages, eight Merlots, two Cabernet Francs, one Pinot Noir, one Barbera, one Petit Verdot, as well as 26 red blends.

The 36 white wines include 11 Chardonnays, five Sauvignon Blancs, five Chenin Blancs, two Semillons, one Viognier, and four white blends.

"Other 'finds' for rare wine collectors include some superb Cabernets reflecting the vintages over the three decades of the auction."

These are Zonnebloem Cabernet Sauvignon 1966, the Nederburg Cabernet Sauvignon 1976 commemorating 32 years of the Nederburg Auction, and the Nederburg Auction Selection Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 1986. "In addition to the high number of award-winning wines that have already passed the stringent selection criteria, the winners of the Pinotage Association's ABSA Top Ten Pinotage competition have become a regular item on the auction since 2002," Joubert said.

This year it is a presentation pack of ten wines on offer ? one bottle of Pinotage from eash of the 2001 competition winners the 1998 Lord Neethling, the 1999 vintages from Simonsig and Tukulu, the 2000 vintages from Rijk's, Moreson, Uiterwyk, Kanonkop, L'Avenir and Delheim, and the 2001 Diemersfontein.

Once again there are three pre-release wines ? a category introduced at the 2002 auction. They are De Wetshof?s Danie de Wet Merlot 2004, Grangehurst Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2002 and Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Franc Cellar Master?s Release 2004.

This year the well-known Capetonian Stephan Welz takes up the hammer previously wielded by veteran auctioneer Patrick Grubb for 31 consecutive years ? a feat for which Grubb was recognised in the Guinness Book of Records. Anyone interested in acquiring some of the wines on auction should ask their local supermarket or liquor store manager or wineshop specialist to put in a bid on their behalf.

Watch the press for details about attending the public tastings or visit the Nederburg Auction website to find out more information on the wines and event.