There are three from Gauteng,
Sandy Harper, Debi van Flymen and Conrad Louw, while Francois Bezuidenhout,
Marius Malan and Nina-Mari Bruwer make up the Western Cape trio who,
coincidentally, also all qualified at Stellenbosch University with a BScAgric
degree in Viticulture and Oenology.
This year’s
contingent has produced original dissertations on diverse topics:
- Sandy
Harper: The
relevance of informal wine tasting clubs as a potential marketing channel
for small and new wine brands in the South African context
- Debi
van Flymen: The production of Bordeaux-style red wines in South Africa
- Conrad Louw: Sherry – renaissance or departure?
- Francois
Bezuidenhout: Producer
wines in South Africa
- Marius
Malan: Is the
Swartland the new South African wine hub?
- Nina-Mari
Bruwer: Perceptions in wine – and the role and
benefits of sensory analytical tools
There have been big changes for
the Cape Wine Academy (CWA) during 2014, with the retirement of wine pioneer
Marilyn Cooper after 15 years of service, the last six as CEO, and the
strategic appointments of two former CWA graduates, Kristina Beuthner- also a
CWM - as Principal, and Michelle Grimbeek as the new Managing Director.
This
year special awards went to: Sandy Harper for
Viticulture, sponsored by Kosie Steenkamp of Groenland; Francois Bezuidenhout
for Viniculture which was sponsored by Hein Koegenlegberg of La Motte; and
Marius Malan was presented with a Sabre by Jeff Grier of Villiera for Sparkling
Wine, while Marlene Bester presented the Van Ryn Brandy Award to Nina Marie
Bruwer.
At the AGM of the Institute of Cape
Wine Masters, Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of La Motte, was given the prestigious
Personality of the Year Award. He was instrumental in helping the Cape Wine
Academy continue its education programmes after private investors withdrew
their support. Hein had a hand in the wine educational programme for previously
disadvantaged and jobless people from the townships. Through a joint venture
with a Chinese importer he has also launched a wine education programme for
salesmen in China.
A new chairman of the Institute of
Cape Wine Masters was also elected. Winnie Bowman takes over from Andy
Roediger who has stepped down.
This year the CWM graduates
reflect a gender split of 50:50 – which is more or less in line with the
current membership profile of 52% (47) male and 48% (44) female. Western Cape
members comprise 55% of the total contingent, and Gauteng members 30%, while
other provinces – KwaZulu-Natal and Free State comprise 3% - and overseas
members 12% - of the total.
There are now 91 (3 honorary)
Cape Wine Masters, including 11 overseas members in the UK, Australia, Germany
and the USA. Two of the three original wine masters, Duimpie Bayly and
Bennie Howard and the late Tony Mossop, were the first to attain this
prestigious qualification when it was first instituted 30 years ago. The honorary
CWMs are Dave Hughes, Phyllis Hands and Colin Frith who were the examiners for
many years.
In 2003 the Cape Wine and Spirit
Education Trust granted the Cape Wine Academy the right to award the Cape Wine
Master (CWM) qualification and confer the Cape Wine Master’s title, in
collaboration with the Institute of Cape Wine Masters.
These six dissertations have
added valuable perspectives to wine research in South Africa and are available
to industry for perusal at the Cape Wine Academy and the SAWIS library, as well
as on the CWA website: http://www.capewineacademy.co.za.
Photo captions:
The six new Cape Wine Masters: Debi van Flymen, Francois Bezuidenhout, Conrad Louw, Sandy Harper, Nina-Mari Bruwer and Marius
Malan
Group shot of all Cape Wine Masters: Front (left to right) Kristina Beuthner, Dick Davidson, Margaret Fry, Jeff Grier, Margie Barker, Andy Roediger, Duimpie Bayly, Dave Hughes, Marilyn Cooper, Bennie Howard, Elsie Pels, Debi van Flymen Alan Mullins. Back (left to right) Marius Malan, Daniel le Roux, Catherin Dillon, Raymond Noppé, Sandy Harper, Tom Blok, Greg de Bruyn, Winnie Bowman, Francois Bezuidenhout, Nina-Mari Bruwer, Junel Vermeulen, Conrad Louw, Dave March, Clive Torr, Irina von Holdt, Ginette de Fleuriot, Heidi Duminy, Derek Ramsden and Mary Lou Nash