The Strauss & Co art, fine wine and collectables combined online auction which will go ahead as planned from Monday 6 – Tuesday 14 April.
We’ve got mixed a Q&A featuring Bina Genovese of Strauss & Co and Roland Peens of Wine Cellar fine wine merchants who share their insights into the lots on offer.
Delivery of lots purchased on auction will be made with all necessary precautions.
Bina and Roland share their insights into getting your art and vinous fix from the comfort of your home, in unusual times.
Q: Roland, this year Strauss & Co will be offering a series of fine wine, art and collectables online auctions based on categorised themes. Please tell us a bit about the ‘Rhône online auction’ taking place from Monday 6 – Tuesday 14 April?
A: This year Strauss & Co fine wine auctions has an amazing line-up and the Rhône theme is an exciting and important one for South Africa. Although Shiraz was only widely planted from the 1990s and the rest of the Rhône varieties much later, many of SA’s top wines are made with these varieties. We produce some of the finest Shiraz in the world and all the top producers are listed. The line-up includes Porseleinberg, Mullineux, Hartenberg, Luddite, de Trafford, Boekenhoutskloof and more.
Q: Under these disruptive circumstances, delivery of lots purchased on the auction will be made post the lockdown. Please provide some detail on this?
A: Since the Rhône auction closes just before the last few lockdown days, the delivery of the wines will be delayed by just a short while. The wines are sitting happily in our temperature controlled cellars for the moment.
Q: What are some of the benefits of buying fine wine on an online auction?
A: You can bid during Lockdown! The online auctions also give you a long period to consider your bid, as well as research the wine.
Q: Are there any specific lots you’d like to highlight for this auction?
A: We are humbled to offer the Porseleinberg 2011 – a vintage that was not released commercially due to the very low yields. We also have a great vintage of Chateau Rayas, the most famous and sought-after Chateauneuf-du-Pape!
Q: And Bina, this Strauss & Co combined fine wine, art and collectables online auction includes enviable art auction lots. Please tell us about your personal highlights?
A: The Strauss & Co April Online sale features some very exciting and affordable lots across all categories including art, decorative arts, jewellery and fine wine. Two works of art that attracted my attention are:
Q: In these interesting times, an online auction provides a safe platform on which to purchase art and collectibles. Please tell us about which measures have been put in place to ensure secure door to door delivery of items purchased?
A: Global sales in the online art and antiques market continue to gain popularity and account for around 9% of the value of global sales. In these times of self-isolation however, e-commerce is set to soar as people embrace virtual living. Our March online auction which was the most successful to date, confirmed this trend. Until the current situation is resolved we will address the question of delivery and collections. Appropriate precautions will be taken at such time as the lockdown situation persists.
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