Connecting people to their passion for fine wine and philanthropy

On Saturday, February 18, The Cape Wine Auction, one of the world’s most renowned charity wine auctions, opened its doors to wine connoisseurs and philanthropists from across the globe for the 10th time. Uniting the industry around the common goal of raising money for education, the auction is a much-sought-after ticket on the South African social event calendar. Hosted by different iconic winemakers from the Western Cape every year, this year’s auction took place at the luxurious Hazendal Wine Estate in Stellenbosch.

Since its inception in 2014, the event has created a benchmark in philanthropy, raising more than R117 million, with 100 percent of proceeds going to strategically selected leaders within the education landscape. These beneficiaries form part of a unique model of collaboration and best-practice sharing. A board of trustees with extensive corporate, philanthropic, and entrepreneurial experience works with a full-time trust facilitator to monitor impact and needs.

Recognizing the value of championing causes that enhance the wellbeing of communities, Mastercard is proud to be a partner of The Cape Wine Auction. The event aligns with Mastercard’s philosophy on two fronts – it connects people to their passions and empowers them to do well by doing good. The company has a long history of supporting philanthropic initiatives not only through its own contributions but also by enabling people to donate to charities they feel strongly about.

Among the items up for auction were specially curated once-in-a-lifetime acquisitions and experiences that are not available for purchase and most of which are never repeated. These included an exclusive bespoke getaway with private charter flights and helicopter transfers, several stays in world-class accommodations, a six-course gourmet dinner with wine pairings, and access to the inner sanctum of the South African wine industry. One of the most exciting lots in this year’s catalogue was an eclectic collection of close to a thousand wines with rare vintages dating back to the early 60s.