Wine Auction

Auction is closed – thank you to everyone who participated.

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• Bid History

  Name:	Bid:	Bid Date:
  Tony	$500.00	2010-10-19 12:23:11
  Mike Sebel	$600.00	2010-10-19 18:46:59
  Tony	$750.00	2010-10-20 15:36:17
  Craig Armstrong	$800.00	2010-10-20 16:14:40
  Tony	$900.00	2010-10-20 16:40:00
  Craig Armstrong	$1000.00	2010-10-20 17:19:32
  Kevin McGrath	$1000.00	2010-10-20 18:26:54
  Kevin McGrath	$1100.00	2010-10-20 18:27:51
  Tony	$1250.00	2010-10-20 19:41:41
  Kevin McGrath	$1300.00	2010-10-20 21:16:18
  Brent Churchill	$1400.00	2010-10-26 15:33:05

Wine Auction for Charity

12 Bottles Individually Signed by John Olsen

When we were travelling through Margaret River we stopped at Leeuwin Estate winery (leeuwinestate.com.au). After an explanation about our charity ride the winery kindly donated a mixed case of Art Series Riesling with wines from the years 2003 to 2008 to be used for charity auction. Leeuwin Estate is one of Australia’s most famous wineries with its Art Series label adorned with works of art by some of Australia’s most famous artist. In the case of the Art Series Riesling the label features a series of 4 paintings “Frogs in Riesling” by John Olsen who is arguable Australia’s most famous living artist with his painting being sold up to AUS$1,200,000.

Anyway as luck would have it John Olsen was in the winery at exactly the same time we were. He then offered to do something he rarely does and that was to individually sign all 12 bottles for the purpose of fund raising. John has won many awards including the Archibald Prize in 2004, the Wynne Prize in 1969, and an OBE in 1977. His works are represented in the National Gallery of Australia and most state and regional galleries plus his works are held in collections all over the world.

It gives us great pleasure to offer 12 bottles of Leeuwin Estate of Art Series Riesling 2003 to 2008 individually signed by John Olsen covering all four works in his series “Frogs in Riesling” for auction. This is an extremely rare offering and one that will only increase in value with time. This signed wine represents a one-off for a shrewd wine collector, a magical surprise when entertaining a special guest at home, a unique corporate gift for a client or simply a wise investment.

Leeuwin Estate – ‘The Art of Fine Wine’

Leeuwin Estate is a boutique, family owned and operated winery located in the picturesque Margaret River district, 360km south of Perth, Western Australia. One of the icon wineries of Australia, it has earned an international reputation for making wines that rank alongside the world’s finest and now exports to over 30 countries.

Since its inception in 1974, Leeuwin Estate’s mission has been to produce wines that rank with the best in the world through the pursuit of excellence. Today Leeuwin has been recognised through the receipt of numerous awards for its wines, restaurant, architecture, environment, arts endeavours, and as a leader in wine tourism.

On three occasions Leeuwin has been included in the prestigious category of “International Winery of the Year” by US “Wine & Spirits” magazine and included in the prestigious French publication, “100 Vins De Legende”, as one of the world’s great wine legends. Australia’s largest wine auction house, Langtons, includes Leeuwin’s Chardonnay in the top ‘exceptional’ category, whilst Leeuwin has been featured on the front cover Wine Spectator and included amongst the ‘”Classic” wines of the World.

With a point score of 98/100 WINE SPECTATOR listed Leeuwin’s 2001 Art Series Chardonnay at number 24 in the Editor’s selection of their top 100 wines of 2004, whilst Editor at Large, Harvey Steiman, has written,

“This gets my vote for the greatest white wine Australia has ever produced.”

John Olsen (b.1928)

John Olsen is one of Australia’s most significant and accomplished artists and is recognised for this both nationally and internationally for his energetic and distinctive art. Olsen’s name is widely associated with his exuberant and colloquial You Beaut Country series which firmly established his reputation in the early 1960s. He is also famous for his interpretation of Sydney harbour in his commission for the Sydney Opera House called The Salute to Five Bells undertaken in the 1970s.

Plants, birds and animals began to feature in his works during the 1970s and 80s when he travelled extensively across the country, giving new insights into Australia’s regional and desert landscapes though he has always sought to capture a spiritual and universal dimension to the landscape and the natural world in his work.

Olsen has won many awards including the Archibald Prize in 2004 for his self-portrait, the Wynne Prize in 1969, and an OBE in 1977. His works are represented in the National Gallery of Australia and most state and regional galleries. His works are also held in private and corporate collections both nationally and internationally.

John Olsen was approached to paint the first artwork to be used on the Art Series Riesling by Leeuwin Estate. He responded with the creation of four works entitled “Frogs in Riesling”. These paintings were so irresistible that the decision was made to purchase all four and continue these labels on all future Riesling vintages.

Art Series Riesling – Winemaker’s Tasting Notes

A wine of brilliant clarity, which has a very pale straw colour with lime green, tinges. The nose shows lifted aromas of citrus blossom, musk, green apple, lime and quince mixed with a delicious mineral edge, which are indicators of an excellent wine.

A wine of exceptional length, the palate displays classic Rieslings flavours of lime and grapefruit and green apple. This is a wine with great intensity and depth of flavour. The palate finishes with clean crisp succulent acidity. This is clean crisp style of wine lends itself to be enjoyed with freshly shucked oysters and also Asian dishes.