On this occasion Boyce Lloyd, CEO of KWV said: “From its earliest roots in 1918 as a small but pioneering co-operative of growers - with the vision to improve wine industry standards and quality in South Africa - KWV has grown into a global producer of over 100 products with a presence in over 100 markets.”
Harry Melck, an eighth generation descendant of the well-known Cape wine family, brings the current number of Cape Wine Masters (CWMs) to attain this qualification since it was first instituted in 1984 to 101! Over the past 34 years, despite hordes of contenders who have attempted it, only 101 candidates could persevere in successfully meeting the high standards set by this self-study programme.
Melck, a chartered accountant by profession, joins a prestigious membership that includes 12 from overseas and two of the three original Cape Wine Masters - Duimpie Bayly and Bennie Howard, who together with the late Tony Mossop, were the first to qualify in 1984.
With a career spanning 18 years providing strategic and business transformation advice to organisations, either as a consultant or as a permanent member of their management teams, Melck has also diversified overseas and locally with other successful entrepreneurial ventures.
These include co-ownership with fellow South Africans of a London-based chain of steak and wine café restaurants called Roxie, co-ownership of the Aerovision drone company, running an informal blog called "Harry's Big Wine Adventure'', and participating in epicurean excursions with other food-lovers, Stef the Chef and the Urban Hunter Gatherer. Melck now delivers wine tastings and tours with a difference in partnership with ''Escape+Explore'' and is working on an online wine platform.
His dissertation was titled ''Strategy, Vision and Business Transformation in the South African Wine Industry''. It was based on his findings from interviews and in-depth discussions with some of the prominent players in the wine industry and a broader survey sent to all wine producers in the country – and it emphasises the need for strategic change and adaptability.
Says Chairperson of the Institute of Cape Wine Masters, Conrad Louw: “Harry has proven that he is not only academically inclined, but also very practical when it came to his tasting abilities. He only took four of the possible five years to complete his CWM Programme.“
Louw also said: “The Institute is continually looking at making the CWM programme more current and relevant by bringing pertinent changes about and also playing a bigger role in the industry.”
The total membership profile of the CWM is 52% male and 48% female. Of the total members of the Institute, the Western Cape members comprise 51% of the total active contingent, and Gauteng 20%, and the overseas members 11%. Another 18% of the total members are either deceased, retired or have resigned.
In 2003, the Cape Wine and Spirit Education Trust granted the Cape Wine Academy the right to award the Cape Wine Master (CWM) qualification and confer the Cape Wine Master’s title, in collaboration with the Institute of Cape Wine Masters.
Rosa Kruger, well-known viticulturist, now the driving force behind the Old Vines Project was designated Wine Personality of the Year. She receives it for her dedication to training in the field of viticulture and her passion for the old vines in South Africa, a project that she has nurtured since 2002. She believes that it is essential to train the entire workforce in the industry, as by getting close to the vineyard workers and showing them exactly how to deal with all aspects of viticulture, this adds quality to the grapes and the wines in turn. Rosa has accumulated extensive experience working in various vineyards in South Africa, France, Spain, Italy, Argentina and Slovakia. The award was handed to her at the gala dinner of the Institute on Saturday, 5 May 2018, held at the award-winning restaurant Overture in Stellenbosch.