The Winetech study groups and workshops for senior cellar assistants are known for the development and transfer of knowledge in a practical and holistic manner and to improve cellar assistants’ knowledge of winemaking processes. Cellars are of the opinion that participation in the Winetech cellar assistant programmes has a positive influence on quality of work delivered and an increase in productivity is noticeable. These programmes are available free of charge to all cellar assistants employed in the wine industry. Subject matter experts are responsible for the development of the content, which differs annually and addresses relevant aspects of wine processes. Qualified winemakers facilitate the study groups and senior cellar assistant workshops in the participating regions.
In 2021 the senior cellar assistant workshops will be presented in Wellington, Stellenbosch, Worcester, Vredendal and Upington, from June until August, discussing sparkling wines. Participants will be able to learn more about the history of sparkling wines, sparkling wines of the world, the different styles and legal requirements. The production of South African sparkling wines will be discussed and will include information about grape varieties, harvest requirements and analysis, the making of the base wine, preparation of yeast for the second fermentation, bottling and second fermentation, lees aging and dosage. Participants will be able to taste and discuss the different sparkling wines afterwards.
Three study groups each for Afrikaans and English/Xhosa cellar assistants will be presented by qualified winemakers in the participating regions, from June until August. Participants will learn more about post-fermentation processes, which include lees contact, clarification of young wines with fining agents, filtration, maturation of wine, stabilisation, blending of wines, as well as bottling and packaging of wines. Wine faults and microbial spoilage, unacceptable quality characteristics of wine, as well as the sensorial identification of wine faults, will be discussed during the third study group. Participants will be able to compare the fault wines with a control wine during the tasting. A short evaluation, which is not compulsory, takes place after each study group, to determine the Top Ten candidates for 2021. The Top Ten candidates will be announced during September.
Participation in the study groups and senior workshops is free of charge, but reservation and confirmation of participation beforehand is essential. Notes are available electronically in Afrikaans, English and Xhosa. Attendance registers, as well as a letter confirming the value of the study groups and senior workshops will be available to participating cellars. The names of participants will be loaded on the LMS database of the wine industry. The detailed programme for the Winetech study groups and senior cellar assistant workshops is available to cellars in the participating regions.
For more information, please contact Santi Basson at santib@mweb.co.za or 072 2988 186.