Bidding syndicates strategise ahead of charity wine auction

Emails are flicking back and forth, friends are having serious debates, and strategies are being developed as syndicates of wine lovers from around the country get ready for bidding at the upcoming Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Charity Wine Auction being held at Queen’s Birthday Weekend.

With 33 lots of distinguished wines, degustation dinners, and unique artwork created especially, there is much to entice bidders and inspire debate from the anticipated 30 to 50 registered bidders.

Hosted by Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Inc for the past 21 years, with over $2million raised for Cranford Hospice in Hastings, the Auction is very much a red letter date on the calendar for a growing number of local, national and international wine lovers, the majority of whom band together to pool their resources.

Two long-time syndicate supporters of the Auction each have their own approach to the event.  Robin and Bev Sage from Hastings are the lynchpins of their syndicate that includes four to six different members each year, while Neil Edmundson and Kay Foley join forces with the same friends from Auckland, who use the event as a ‘ weekend break in the Bay’.

Both syndicates have missed only two or three Auctions over the past 20 years and are definite starters for the 2012 event being held on 2 June at Orton @ Sileni.  As their respective syndicate’s local representatives, the four attended a pre-tasting event last week (Thursday 3 May) and are excited by what is on offer this year.

Another syndicate of sorts, that is also a long-time supporter of the Auction, is the John Holt Memorial Trust, and one trustee of the charitable trust, Tony Bryan, has his eye on a number of lots that are likely to re-gifted to other charities to use in their fundraising initiatives.

Robin Sage says that he used to take a calculator to the Auction, but now doesn’t bother; he has done the calculations ahead of time and knows what the top limit is for each of the lots of interest.  He does admit though that sometimes that limit “goes out the window as the thrill of the chase takes over”.

The Sage syndicate is primarily interested in the larger quantity lots that can then be bottled and labeled in 750ml bottles at “a good value price”.  However, at times they have also purchased experiential offerings such as a chance to blend their very own wine at Clearview Estate Winery, followed by a long lunch at the winery’s restaurant.

“That was a first for us and our syndicate partners from Wellington.  It was a wonderful experience to share,” says Robin.

Another memorable auction success for Bev Sage personally, was of a vertical selection of C J Pask Declaration that was “absolutely wonderful”.

For Neil and Kay, the decision on which lots to bid on is generally made on the day, once their partners have tasted the offerings as part of the Auction event.  “We have slightly different varietal preferences but we discuss our ideas ahead of time and then after tasting, we generally agree on four or five lots to bid on,” says Neil.

Recently bottles of a Black Barn Chardonnay the syndicate bought at auction three or four years ago were shared with guests at the Auckland couple’s daughter’s wedding on Waiheke Island.

This couple also has a particular attraction to bottles with specially crafted artwork and bid for these in their own right.

A partner in a Napier accountancy firm, Neil also often bids on behalf of his partners, on the half or quarter barriques, although with a strictly adhered to budget.  “It’s a great opportunity to give clients a special and unique gift; a wine that can’t be bought off the shelf, that is labeled distinctively with the artwork commissioned for the auction.”

All three agree that supporting Cranford is their top motivator, and factors into the prices they’re willing to pay for their preferred lots.  “It’s a happy combination of donating to Cranford and enjoying some great wine,” says Neil.

For John Holt Memorial Trust there is also the opportunity to share that wine, and sometimes the specially presented bottles, with other charities; the Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter being one such recipient, along with schools and other community groups.

“It’s amazing how the donations are passed on to other causes for them to use in fundraising.  What we spend could easily raise the same again elsewhere but ultimately there is someone enjoying the wonderful wine,” says Tony Bryan.

Robin also acknowledges that the wineries involved give more than just the wines; there is a lot of work in not just growing especially for the event, but afterwards in producing the small batch wines.  “They do a wonderful job and we’re supporting them as well as the hospice.”

And then of course, there’s the thrill of the chase.

The Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Charity Wine Auction is being held on Saturday 2 June, 2.30pm at Orton@Sileni Estates.  For tickets and more details please see www.charitywineauction.co.nz, phone 06 855 8365 or email info@hawkesbaywineauction.co.nz