Could the return of CapeWine, set against a backdrop of Covid-19 challenges and economic instability, mean light at the end of the tunnel for South Africa’s wine industry? Wines of South Africa (WoSA) CEO Siobhan Thompson spoke to the drinks business about how this year’s sustainability message can ensure longevity for the country’s trade.
The theme of this year’s CapeWine trade fair was Sustainability 360. A theme which Wines of South Africa (WOSA) CEO Siobhan Thompson hopes will put the focus on “people, place and prosperity” in light of a gruelling past few years for the region’s wine trade.
In some countries, alcohol was classified as an essential item during the Covid-19 pandemic, while in South Africa, the sale and transport of alcohol were banned for a total of 161 days over four periods from March 2020 to July 2021.
With a return to regular trading in 2022, Thompson is keen to look to the future in focusing on sustainability. CapeWine 2022 had seminars dedicated to regenerative farming, biodiversity and Fairtrade, plus a panel discussion from a handful of the country’s black winemakers on how to increase diversity in the wine industry.
“For us it’s been a very important journey to look at place in terms of looking after the environment, but most importantly, people,” Thompson says. “It’s all very well having a place, but if you’re not looking after the people it all falls apart.”
The backdrop of ongoing challenges is difficult to ignore.
“The threats, or shall I say the challenges, have been around financial sustainability,” Thompson says, quick to clarify this problem is “not unique to South Africa”.
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