“At Meridian Holdings our mission is to build an eco-system of companies focused on growing South African wine, and we believe that education and training are critical to sustaining the future of the industry, “ says Cape Wine Academy Director, Shona Anderson. “As the original provider of formal wine education, we are proud and delighted to invest in the Cape Wine Academy to ensure continued wine skills development and training to benefit the liquor and related industries.”
Under Meridian Holdings, CWA aims to elevate the quality of the courses and wine experiences to enthuse a broad-based wine culture amongst all levels and areas of wine interest. Currently, the CWA has been owned by a collaboration of industry including Distell, DGB, Meridian Holdings, and other associated individuals and bodies.
“The Cape Wine Academy has added tremendous value to the wine industry over the past 40 years. Distell is excited to see the CWA enter a new phase of growth through Meridian Holdings’ expertise and focus as the sole shareholder,” says Distell Marketing Director, Caroline Snyman. “We are grateful to Meridian Holdings for their commitment to developing wine education in South Africa and the longer term synergies that this will unlock for the broader industry.”
Cape Wine Master and CWA Board member, Cathy White adds “Having been involved with the Cape Wine Academy over a span of 30 years, initially as a student, graduate, Cape Wine Master, shareholder, lecturer and a director, I am delighted that the Academy will be given a huge boost into a new era, under the safe and steady guidance of Meridian Holdings.”
CWA Chairman, Frank Julyan from DGB says “We take pride in what we have been able to achieve together over the past 20 years, but now step back as a shareholder and wish the CWA only greater success in this new and exciting era. It has been a privilege to work with the CWA board and the other shareholders and we will continue to actively support the endeavours of the CWA for the further advancement of the South African Wine Industry as a whole.“
The Cape Wine Academy will continue to collaborate with previous shareholders as partners in building skills and wine knowledge, with plans to extend the network to broader sectors of the liquor and affiliated industries for the benefit of all.
“Back in 1979, the Cape Wine Academy was started to develop a greater awareness and appreciation of wine amongst all sectors of the population with the slogan ‘a knowledge of wine is an asset to everyone’ and still remains true today. Everyone is welcome as we move forward with passion, commitment and renewed focus with Meridian Holdings," says Head of the CWA, Harry Melck.