Whether that’s upselling in the tasting room, increasing residual sales. or simply offering excellent customer service and building brand loyalty, it’s important to be ready now, before it’s too late.
Increased flights from around the world, coupled with exploding cruise ship arrivals saw over 3.2 million visitors between January and April 2024. SA Tourism puts the amount those visitors spent at R2.1 million for every 100 visitors, with this coming season expected to be even better.
DTC Academy, a division of wine.co.za, will be running training courses for cellar door ambassadors and tasting room teams during November and early December. The training courses have been designed and will be delivered by the DTC Academy Lead, Neil Tabraham. Neil has many years of experience training sommeliers and hospitality staff at the highest level in the UK and South Africa and is now a business partner in Sommeliers Academy.
Research has shown the link between a positive visitor experience and brand loyalty remains high. The training courses DTC Academy have developed are based on this idea and aim to provide knowledgeable and guest focused teams. Understanding your guests is key, but so is talking confidently about South African wine beyond the cellar door.
Wine Advisor Level 1 is a one-day course aimed at new members of the team. The morning session looks at the basics of wine; the history and culture of wine, where grapes grow best, how wine is made and understanding the label, before looking at the main wine regions of South Africa.
The afternoon focuses on understanding guest needs and suggestive up-selling, which includes practical application of newly acquired skills.
Wine Advisor Level 1 will take place at our Somerset West campus on Monday 18 November 2024. The cost per candidate is R1 750 (ex VAT).
Wine Advisor Level 2 is also delivered over one day but is aimed at those with some basic wine knowledge and experience in a wine sales environment. Ideally, candidates should have already done Wine Advisor 1 to get the most out of the day. The Wine Advisor 2 course gives a deeper knowledge of South African wine, its regions, climates and soils with an enhanced understanding of winemaking. Candidates will learn to compare key wine styles with international examples to give context and background when talking with guests.
The afternoon gives strategies for building professional rapport, effective selling and delivering a real wow factor, leaving guests wanting to come back for more.
Wine Advisor Level 2 is scheduled for Monday 2 December 2024, and will also take place at our Somerset West Campus. The cost per candidate is R2 250 (ex VAT).
Both courses will start at 09h00 and finish at approximately 17h00. Scheduled course dates are dependent on minimum candidate numbers.
Maximum 10 candidates per course. Alternatively, if you have four or more candidates for each course, we can come to you on your preferred date.
LIMITED SPACES - PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!
For bookings and queries, contact Judy Brower on judy@wine.co.za.