Franschhoek cellar worker comes out tops!
Friday, 9 September, 2011
Franschhoek Wine Valley
Baron Willemse, cellar worker at Vrede en Lust Wines in Franschhoek, has clinched the title of SA Wine Industry Cellar Worker of the Year 2011.
The programme, supported by Wine Cellars SA and WINETECH, aims to give
recognition to permanent cellar workers in the wine industry.
This is the 2nd year running that Franschhoek cellar workers have won this prestigious award. The objective of the programme is to create role models for cellar workers in order to increase productivity, but more importantly create healthy relations and transfer skills and knowledge in the work place.
Participants of the programme go through various evaluation processes, which include a tasting evaluation, the identification of wine styles, cultivars, wine faults and wine characteristics. A total of 138 candidates took part in the programme, up until the final three were chosen after a further three rounds. For the final round candidates had to prepare a five minute presentation on any topic in the wine industry they have done research on.
Baron Willemse, also a finalist in 2010, came out tops excelling in all three required categories: practical tasting, presentation and identifying the four characteristics correctly in the wines presented to him. His prizes include a personal life skills training course, an internet based tasting course or driver’s lessons as well as a leadership course. Baron will also be part of the group travelling to Burgundy, France, later this month as part of a wine exchange programme.
Franschhoek cellar workers are currently busy with the 2011/2012 cellar worker programme, under leadership of independent consultant and wine industry specialist, Charl Theron, who is hoping to make it a hat-trick win in 2012.
‘We are extremely proud of Baron, as it once again affirms the Franschhoek Wine Valley as a leader in the wine industry,’ comments Franschhoek Wine Valley CEO, Jenny Prinsloo.
Baron Willemse, cellar worker at Vrede en Lust Wines
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