The annual Winelands charity auction, brainchild of Paarl Rotary, was a great success and reached a record turnover of R600 000 this year. The auction is held in Paarl, in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Franschhoek Valley/Drakenstein and the Rotary Club of Riebeek Valley, to raise funds for charity.
All three clubs collect donations of hospitality (meal vouchers and accommodation in top hotels and guesthouses) as well as wines from their areas. These are divided into lots and auctioned by well-known TV personality and wine connoisseur Dan Nicholl. The spring auction and luncheon is presented at the scenic Laborie wine estate on the slope of Paarl Mountain.
Some of the lots were hotly contended, including a trip for two to Mauritius combined with some wine, which fetched the highest price of R74 000.
There was also a silent auction of art works by local artists and a substantial raffle of wine and other items to boost the proceeds, which are divided pro rata between the three clubs. Rotarians hosted the tables and also assisted with the dispatch of the lots to the successful bidders at the end of the day. Members of the Good Company Interact Club were also involved to assist with the activities.
Rotarians assist with dispatching the auctioned wines at the end of the day.
Good Company Interactors lent a helping hand at dispatch.