Six new participants will make their debut during the Nederburg Auction, which will be held in Paarl on 7-8 April 2006.

This year the newcomers are all ranging in size from 10 to 146 hectares with production tonnages ranging from 60 to 1 100 tons. They are Avondale, Diemersfontein Wine and Country Estate, Graceland Vineyards, Kaapzicht Wine Eboutique, Morgenster Estate and Uva Mira Vineyards.

They offer seven reds - two Pinotage, one Cabernet Sauvignon, one Shiraz and three Cape blends - as well as a Chardonnay with all the promise of a five-star wine, coming from a traditional red wine-producing area.

The two award-winning Pinotage wines come from Diemersfontein and master winemaker Danie Steytler of Kaapzicht. Diemersfontein made a big impact with its first 2001 Pinotage which is also part of the Pinotage Association's entry this year of the ABSA Top Ten competition winners 2001. The 2003 vintage has just won the SA Red Wine Trophy at the 2005 International Wine Challenge in London.

Source: www. wine.co.za

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