There is a serious need for the development of practical, as well as general knowledge of senior cellar assistants, which should add value to the development of careers. Earlier this year Winetech launched a pilot programme aimed specifically at senior cellar assistants.
Two workshops were presented during 2018: the first workshop (theoretical) presented by Charl Theron in May, focussed on the microbiology of wine. The second part of the series of two workshops, a tasting, focussed on the influence of terroir on the quality of wine.
It was compulsory for cellar assistants to attend the theoretical workshop to participate in the tasting workshop. Participants in the workshops must have completed the SKOP 3 qualification successfully. The number of participants were limited and only 36 cellar assistants were accommodated.
In September two tasting workshops were presented to two groups of 18 cellar assistants per group, by Antonij Rupert Wines.
Deborah Isaacs, viticulturist of Antonij Rupert Wines, presented the first workshop and Gary Baumgarten, CEO of Antonij Rupert Wines presented the second workshop. These workshops are endorsed by the CVC.
Gary Baumgarten, CEO Antonij Rupert Wines
The definition of terroir was explained during the tasting workshops and 5 wines of the Cape of Good Hope range of wines were tasted. These wines are all site-specific.
The wines tasted clearly illustrated the influence of terroir in the different areas. For example, a Semillion wine, made from grapes of an old block of vines in the Cederberge, (planted in 1956), indicated immense complexity. The Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay from the cool Altima farm in the Elandskloof, Viliersdorp, the Sangiovese from Rooderust, Darling and the Shiraz from the western slopes of the Kasteelberg illustrated the different terroirs.
From left to right: Danwill Aries, Eenzaamheid; Nomonde Kubheka facilitator Winetech study groups, Nkosinathi Nceni Robertson Kelder, Gert Booysen, Neethlingshof; Gerrie Grootboom, Roodezandt Wines; Denvor Danster, Robertson Kelder, Victor Ngceku, Antonij Rupert Wines.
The cellar assistants also visited the vineyards to observe new bush vines, each planted with its own pole. Aspects such as costs per hectare were discussed.
The interest shown in the workshops was tremendous and it will be presented in other areas in future.