Wines of South Africa (WoSA)'s communications manager, Maryna Calow, invites members of the wine trade to register to attend the biggest CapeWine yet, with over 400 South African producers under one roof.
The show will once again be held over 3 days from 5-7 October 2022 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Maryna says it an opportunity for both local and international trade to catch up with what's new in the South African wine industry:
"CapeWine is the first real showcase of South African wine after everything's been reopened where the trade can really get insights into what has been happening in the South African wine industry over the past 2-3 years: Get in-depth information at seminars and talks, meet bulk and premium wine producers and everyone in between, see the latest developments, discover the stories of our wine community, and more."
The theme of this year's event is 'Sustainability 360'. It ties into the overarching focus of the wider South African wine industry and the aim is to roll this out by impressing the importance of three pillars: Planet, People, and Prosperity.
These pillars make for a successful and sustainable industry both now and well into the future for generations to come and each element of CapeWine will speak to this.
Planet
The focus on environmental sustainability is evident in every tiny detail of the show. "We made sure that everything is sustainable; the materials we use to build stalls, our approach to recycling, where the drinking water comes from and how it's packaged, digitalising promotional material, etc.," Maryna emphasised.
For instance, the exhibition stands at CapeWine are completely recyclable. They are made from Xanita board, an engineered fibreboard manufactured from fibres recovered from recycled cardboard boxes. This fibreboard material is 100% repulpable, strong, ultra lightweight, non-toxic, and flat packable.
"Even the wine that gets spitted into the spittoons will be recycled," Maryna continued. "We're working with a company that will take the wine, de-alcoholise it, and transform it into pig food."
In addition, visitors can calculate their carbon footprints and offset them through Greenpop. "You can do your carbon offsetting for your international flights by sponsoring the planting of a tree," Maryna explained.
This non-profit organisation works to restore ecosystems and empower environmental stewards through forest restoration, urban greening, food gardening, and environmental awareness projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.
As such, their goals are in line with the theme of Sustainability 360. Maryna says that they're excited to introduce their work at CapeWine 2022.
People
Ensuring a better future for the people of South Africa is a cause that's close to WoSA's heart.
At the Sustainability Partners area, different organisations will have the opportunity to showcase what they do: WITU (SA Wine Industry Transformation Unit), Anna Foundation, the Pebbles Project, PYDA (Pinotage Youth Development Academy), WIETA (Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association), the WWF-SA Conservation Champions, Fairtrade, and others.
Moreover, there will be seminars and talks focussing on social justice in the wine industry. Speakers will share stories of local wine brands that are giving back, stories of change, transformation, social upliftment, growth, environmental stewardship, and so on.
Many South African wineries are changing lives in the Winelands. Wineries like Bosman Family Vineyards, Bruce Jack Wines, Spier, Creation, Springfield, Van Loveren... In sharing their stories, the organisers of CapeWine hope to inspire wine buyers to support the wineries' efforts by purchasing their wines.
To read about five local wine brands, big and small, that are making a difference, click HERE.
What's new at CapeWine 2022
When asked about what's new at CapeWine 2022, Maryna enthusiastically shared that there will be a SA brandy lounge. "The SA Brandy Foundation has a stand at CapeWine for the first time. It's going to be a brandy lounge. It's very exciting," she said.
"We don't usually allow any products but wine at our shows at all. But this year, we decided to introduce a brandy showcase, because brandy is considered to be a wider part of the industry. It is a product of wine grapes: It becomes wine and then it gets distilled. So there's a connection, a synergy."
In conclusion, Maryna encourages visitors to "keep an eye on the website" for more details, as it's constantly being updated. Click HERE to visit the website for the floor plan, exhibitor list, seminar programmes, carbon offsetting, news, and much more.