Winetech indeed experienced this new normal since we fully utilised our on-line research management system. The system ensured the smooth management and evaluation of our research portfolio and it was also developed to assist Hortgro Science with the management and evaluation of their research portfolio.
Winetech’s flagship programmes for climate change readiness, the optimal utilisation of water and the grapevine pre-breeding programme showed good progress and promising results, which will be beneficial to the SA wine industry in the long-term. We encourage all to read more about our research portfolio objectives and our flagship programmes in our research booklet of 2021, which is available on our website www.winetech.co.za under the knowledge transfer tab.
During 2021 the Innovation committee developed a comprehensive innovation thesis. The thesis document clearly states which innovation activities Winetech will pursue as well as the activities that we will not pursue. In short Winetech aims to create innovation through domestic research partnerships, attract innovation through established global partnerships with other wine and agri-related innovation entities, and share this innovation with the SA wine industry for collective profitability and long-term success.
Knowledge transfer remained a high priority in 2021 and the team ensured that the industry stayed up-to-date with the latest research outcomes on a broad range of topics in viticulture and oenology. In a first for South African wine publications, Winetech launched a brand-new book detailing the science and technical know-how behind the production of canned wines. The book was launched at the annual technical seminar of the Sauvignon Blanc Association of South Africa.
The tourism sub-sector was the first to implement a learning strategy that is aligned with the new Winetech People Development Strategy for the next four years. This included a comprehensive needs analysis of tourism occupations on all levels. Based on this a learning programme was identified, training providers were selected and they delivered the specific training. This was made possible by Winetech’s cloud-based people management system and expertise, and it will serve as a blueprint for other sub-sectors in the value chain.
2021 was a year of transition and the pandemic surely sparked a wave of innovation. Winetech fully embraced innovation in its business model, which will be beneficial for the South African Wine Industry in the long run.
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