Class of 2024: The 14 Cape Wine Academy Diploma graduates.
The Cape Wine Academy (CWA) is delighted to introduce the 14 students who have successfully completed the challenging third-level Diploma Wine Course.
We congratulate the Class of 2024 as follows:
- Anlé Britz
- Ann Gloria Potgieter
- Barend Botha
- Benny Zinyake
- Cameron Axel Ensor-Smith
- Candice Kate Reid
- Christian Ludolph Marais
- Gideon Jacobus Nicolaas Coetzee
- Jonathan Tendai Berejena
- Mariëtte Stofberg-Coetzee
- Maryke Botha
- Samantha Blackbeard
- Samuel Viljoen
- Suzaan Potgieter
A special congratulations to this year’s top achievers:
- Samantha Blackbeard, who achieved the highest marks in the Diploma tasting exam
- Mariëtte Stofberg-Coetzee, who achieved the highest marks across the four Diploma theory exams
“This is a significant achievement that requires asserted theory study hours as well as diverse wine tasting practice to gain an in-depth appreciation of global wines in the context of South Africa,” says CWA Principal, Heidi Duminy. “We are very proud of this diverse group of graduates who are poised to use this valuable education to contribute to many spheres inside and outside the wine industry as well asthe people within their circle of influence.”
The Cape Wine Academy celebrated the Class of 2024 with a memorable graduation lunch on Saturday, 1 March 2025 at 96 Winery Road Restaurant, Somerset West.
The Cape Wine Academy Diploma Wine Course is the culmination of four intensive study modules and an advanced wine tasting examination covering global wine regions as well as in-depth viticulture and winemaking. The Diploma course is presented in a blended learning format where theory lectures are hosted online with a high-level tasting seminar hosted in the Stellenbosch after each of the four modules. Candidates who achieve a minimum of 60% for each of the Diploma theory and tasting exams are eligible to further their studies through the Cape Wine Master programme.